Hyundai H-1 Bus gets an extra row of seats

Hyundai recently upgraded its popular H-1 Bus to offer customers an extra row of seats that expands its carrying capacity to accommodate up to 12 people.

Here’s everything you need to know…

The H-1 Elite Bus, which received a bold new face and several new convenience features in a make-over last year, now boasts a fourth row of seats that will cater for the needs of customers in this market segment who need to transport a larger number of passengers.

The “3-3-3-3” seating configuration of the new H-1 derivative means it now has three rows in the rear of which two – as between the driver and front passenger – feature a narrower middle seat that can fold up to allow passengers to reach the newly added 4^th seating bench at the back.

True to the versatile nature of the H-1 Bus, the added rear bench in the new derivative can be moved forward to increase the luggage area when that row of seats is not needed. Customers will thus have the option to treat it as a 9-seater with a sizable luggage space, or a 12-seater with a small “boot” space.

Convenience and safety features that make the H-1 12-Seater 2.5 turbodiesel a comfortable and ideal people-carrier include:

• An infotainment centre with a large touch-screen;
• Bluetooth connectivity for the infotainment sound system with multifunction controls on the steering wheel;
• Cruise control with buttons on the steering wheel;
• A steering wheel that can be adjusted for reach as well as height;
• A rear camera for parking assistance, with a display in the rear-view mirror;
• A fully automatic air conditioner with climate control;
• Glove box cooling;
• Front and side airbags for the driver and front passenger;
• Electric folding mirrors;
• Projection-style headlights that illuminate the road more effectively;
• A 1 500 kg towing capacity; and
• An Electronic Stability Programme (ESP).

The H-1 Bus has long been one of the most popular vehicles in the Hyundai line-up, with applications as a family vehicle as well as commercial use for businesses that require a car for transporting a number of people in luxurious comfort and safety.

“The H-1 has been a top-seller since we launched it in 2009, and last year’s make-over combined with the addition of an extra row of seats have really added features that will attract many more buyers in this segment,” says Stanley Anderson, sales and operations director of Hyundai Automotive South Africa.

The H-1 12-Seater Bus is equipped with a 2 497 cc turbocharged diesel engine, delivering its 125 kW maximum power and 441 Nm maximum torque through a 5-speed automatic gearbox to the rear wheels.

Handling characteristics of the H-1 are car-like, with road-holding that inspires confidence. A rack and pinion steering system delivers accurate steering responses, while hydraulic assistance reduces the effort required in tight situations in city driving. The H-1 Bus is easy to park and along with the generous glass area and substantial mirrors, there is the park-assist rear-view camera.

The H-1 12-Seater Bus is equipped with McPherson type struts with gas shock absorbers for its front suspension and a rigid axle 5-link rear suspension with oil-filled shock absorbers.

• The 6-seater H-1 Multicab derivative, which has previously been discontinued from the H-1 range, has been added again for individual orders for this versatile vehicle that combines seating capacity with the features of a smaller panel van.

Prices of the Hyundai H-1 range are:

• H-1 2.4 Executive 9-Seater Bus (petrol, manual)        R527 900
• H-1 2.5 Elite 9-Seater Bus (turbodiesel, auto)            R654 900
• H-1 2. 5 Elite 12-Seater Bus (turbodiesel, auto)          R664 900
• H-1 2.5 Turbodiesel 3-seater Panel Van (turbodiesel, auto)   R476 900
• H-1 2.5 Turbodiesel 6-seater Multicab (turbodiesel, auto)     R553 900

Pricing includes Hyundai’s 7-year/200 000 km warranty, as well as a 5-year/150 000 km roadside assistance plan and 5-year/90 000 km service plan.