When Hyundai launched the facelifted Tucson at the 2020 Auto Expo in India, the Korean car maker confirmed that it will be giving the high-tech “clutchless manual” to the Verna, which is marketed as the Hyundai Accent in the Philippines.
More accurately known as the iMT, or the intelligent manual transmission, it works by using an “intentional sensor” which informs a transmission control unit when a driver intends to shift.
The control unit then sends a signal to the hydraulic actuator to disengage the clutch plate in order for the transmission to move to another gear.
The Hyundai iMT system
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Like traditional automatic vehicles, the iMT that’s coming on the next version, or an update of the current Accent will only have two pedals. And as Hyundai claims, this system will allow for more efficiency, better performance, and even better convenience for a driver.
Apart from the Verna/Accent, Hyundai is also planning to give the iMT to other cars within the Hyundai-Kia model lineup like the Kia Sonet. Currently, in the Indian market, the only Hyundai to come with this transmission is the Hyundai Venue.
The aforementioned crossover model is also the first in the Indian market to use a clutchless manual transmission.
We're guessing that the iMT version will be launched as a new variant
The current Hyundai Accent model that we have locally uses a more traditional six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic.
It also has two engine options, a 1.4-liter inline-four gasoline engine that can make 100 horsepower and 132 Nm of torque, and a more powerful 1.6-liter inline-four diesel that can churn out up to 128 horsepower and 260 nm of torque.
Currently, one of the few cars using the clutchless iMT system is the India-spec Hyundai Venue
In comparison to the current versions of the Accent, the upcoming one with the iMT, at least for the Indian market, will cost an additional Rs 20,000.
Converted to current exchange rates, that’s Php 13,186 more than the manual versions. As of now, we do not know yet as to how it will affect the Accent’s power output and how exactly this new iMT will cost or whether Hyundai Philippines will even offer it locally, so we’ll just have to wait and see.
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