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Hyundai Excel (X1 Excel)

X1 Excel

Make: Hyundai

Model: Excel

Released: Jan 1970

Discontinued: Dec 1989

Hyundai logo1 Feb 1986

By THE GOAUTO TEAM

With its smart Italian styling, roomy body and good value for money, Australians enthusiastically said “Hi to Hyundai” in early 1986.

The front-wheel drive, five-door hatchback Excel in GL and GLS guises was the first South Korean car to be imported, although some of the drivetrain was cast-off Mitsubishi design – including the 53kW 1.5L Orion four-cylinder engine.

A five-speed manual or three-speed auto were the gearboxes on offer.

In March ’87 the range expanded to the GLS sedan, while a few months later the very basic four-speed manual L hatch arrived, followed by an entry level L 3-door hatchback.

In mid-’88 a minor facelift occurred, while a bizarre GLS four-door Cabriolet was included in the range from March to September ’89.

The X1 was mechanically durable but cheap and flimsy in feel.

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