Hyundai Stellar
Encyclopedia
The Hyundai Stellar was a mid-size rear-wheel drive automobile
that was produced by the Hyundai Motor Company
. The Stellar was launched in July 1983. The Stellar was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro
, but the chassis from the Cortina Mk V was kept.
The engine and transmission were licensed from Mitsubishi Motors
. Engines available were 1.4 L (4G33) and 1.6 L (4G32) I4
s until 1986 (same as the Hyundai Pony
, using either a KM119 5-speed manual
or a Borg-Warner 03-55L 3-speed automatic) and a 2.0 L engine for 1987. Trim levels included L (base), GL/CL, and GSL/CXL. The GSL/CXL featured power windows, locks and mirrors; remote fuel door, remote trunk, premium sound system, full instrumentation (speed, tach, fuel, water temp, volts, and oil pressure) and available air conditioning, a rather surprising list of features for the year and type of car. For 1987, the Stellar II (Or Stellar 2.0 in Canada) was refreshed. Changes included a 2-way catalytic converter
, new instrument cluster, larger 2.0 L Mitsubishi 4G63 engine (SOHC 2xBBL, 8 valve) with a feedback carburetor
, higher output alternator, larger headlights and restyled taillights. The front double wishbone suspension
was changed to a MacPherson strut
design, along with larger brake calipers, as well as a two-piece driveshaft. The Stellar had the option of riding on several types of aluminum alloy wheels, and was equipped standard with Michelin all-season tires (Canada). Also that year, an automatic transmission
(Borg Warner 03-71) with overdrive was available as an option. In the domestic Korean market, this was the first of their cars to be sold as the Sonata
. The Stellar was not available in the United States
due to strict emission standards there, but it was available in Canada
and other countries. In addition, the Stellar was the only four-cylinder
powered mainstream rear-wheel drive sedan, replacing the Toyota Corolla
(which shifted to front-wheel drive
) in 1984. The Stellar was replaced in Canada by the Hyundai New Sonata
for 1992. In the Korean domestic market, the lower end of the Stellar lineup can be considered as having been replaced by the Elantra
. The Stellar (along with the Pony) would be Hyundai's last rear-wheel drive cars for North America
until the 2009 Genesis
.
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
that was produced by the Hyundai Motor Company
Hyundai Motor Company
Hyundai Motor Company is a Korean multinational automaker based in Seoul, South Korea which, along with Kia, comprises the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group, the world's fourth largest automaker as of 2009. As of 2011, it is the world's fastest growing automaker for two years running...
. The Stellar was launched in July 1983. The Stellar was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro
Giorgetto Giugiaro
Giorgetto Giugiaro is an Italian automobile designer responsible equally for a stable of supercars and several of the most popular everyday vehicles driven today...
, but the chassis from the Cortina Mk V was kept.
Technology
Mitsubishi Motors
is a multinational automaker headquartered in Minato, Tokyo. In 2009 it was the fifth-largest Japan-based automaker and the 17th-largest in the world measured by production...
. Engines available were 1.4 L (4G33) and 1.6 L (4G32) I4
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
s until 1986 (same as the Hyundai Pony
Hyundai Pony
The Hyundai Pony , was a small rear-wheel drive automobile produced by the Hyundai Motor Company from 1975 to 1988 .-Background:...
, using either a KM119 5-speed manual
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
or a Borg-Warner 03-55L 3-speed automatic) and a 2.0 L engine for 1987. Trim levels included L (base), GL/CL, and GSL/CXL. The GSL/CXL featured power windows, locks and mirrors; remote fuel door, remote trunk, premium sound system, full instrumentation (speed, tach, fuel, water temp, volts, and oil pressure) and available air conditioning, a rather surprising list of features for the year and type of car. For 1987, the Stellar II (Or Stellar 2.0 in Canada) was refreshed. Changes included a 2-way catalytic converter
Catalytic converter
A catalytic converter is a device used to convert toxic exhaust emissions from an internal combustion engine into non-toxic substances. Inside a catalytic converter, a catalyst stimulates a chemical reaction in which noxious byproducts of combustion are converted to less toxic substances by dint...
, new instrument cluster, larger 2.0 L Mitsubishi 4G63 engine (SOHC 2xBBL, 8 valve) with a feedback carburetor
Carburetor
A carburetor , carburettor, or carburetter is a device that blends air and fuel for an internal combustion engine. It is sometimes shortened to carb in North America and the United Kingdom....
, higher output alternator, larger headlights and restyled taillights. The front double wishbone suspension
Double wishbone suspension
In automobiles, a double wishbone suspension is an independent suspension design using two wishbone-shaped arms to locate the wheel. Each wishbone or arm has two mounting points to the chassis and one joint at the knuckle. The shock absorber and coil spring mount to the wishbones to control...
was changed to a MacPherson strut
MacPherson strut
The MacPherson strut is a type of car suspension system which uses the axis of a telescopic damper as the upper steering pivot. It is widely used in modern vehicles and named after Earle S. MacPherson, who developed the design.-History:...
design, along with larger brake calipers, as well as a two-piece driveshaft. The Stellar had the option of riding on several types of aluminum alloy wheels, and was equipped standard with Michelin all-season tires (Canada). Also that year, an automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
(Borg Warner 03-71) with overdrive was available as an option. In the domestic Korean market, this was the first of their cars to be sold as the Sonata
Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size car/full-size car manufactured and marketed globally by Hyundai Motor Company. From the sixth generation onwards, it is known as the i45 in the Australian, Singaporean and New Zealand markets...
. The Stellar was not available in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
due to strict emission standards there, but it was available in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and other countries. In addition, the Stellar was the only four-cylinder
Straight-4
The inline-four engine or straight-four engine is an internal combustion engine with all four cylinders mounted in a straight line, or plane along the crankcase. The single bank of cylinders may be oriented in either a vertical or an inclined plane with all the pistons driving a common crankshaft....
powered mainstream rear-wheel drive sedan, replacing the Toyota Corolla
Toyota Corolla
The Toyota Corolla is a line of subcompact and compact cars manufactured by the Japanese automaker Toyota, which has become very popular throughout the world since the nameplate was first introduced in 1966. In 1997, the Corolla became the best selling nameplate in the world, with over 35 million...
(which shifted to front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
) in 1984. The Stellar was replaced in Canada by the Hyundai New Sonata
Hyundai Sonata
The Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size car/full-size car manufactured and marketed globally by Hyundai Motor Company. From the sixth generation onwards, it is known as the i45 in the Australian, Singaporean and New Zealand markets...
for 1992. In the Korean domestic market, the lower end of the Stellar lineup can be considered as having been replaced by the Elantra
Hyundai Elantra
Launched in 1990 , the Elantra received a mid-term facelift in 1993.The Elantra was powered by a Mitsubishi-designed 1.6 L straight-4 This DOHC 16-valve 1.6 L unit produced 113 hp at 6000 rpm and could push the Elantra to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds...
. The Stellar (along with the Pony) would be Hyundai's last rear-wheel drive cars for North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
until the 2009 Genesis
Hyundai Genesis
The Hyundai Genesis is a full-size luxury car initially introduced as a concept car in the 2007 New York International Auto Show. Hyundai has introduced the vehicle worldwide, known internally as the BH model, and markets the Genesis as a "premium sports sedan". The Genesis is currently not...
.
Lineup
- Prima (1983~1986)
- TX (1983~1993)
- FX (1983~1986)
- GX (1987~1992)
- GSL (1983~1986)
- SL (1983~1986)
- CXL (Canada Export Limited, 1984~1988)
- Apex (1987~1991)
- GXL (1987~1991)
Major specifications
- Overall length: 4556 mm (179.3 in)
- Overall width: 1716 mm (67.6 in)
- Overall height: 1372 mm (54.0 in)
- Wheelbase: 2579 mm (101.5 in)
- Front track: 1445 mm (56.89 in)
- Rear track: 1425 mm (56.10 in)
- Curb weight: 1000 kg (2204 lb)
- Gross weight: 1475 kg (3251 lb)
- Wheel dimensions: 13 x 4.5 in or 13 x 5.5 in
- Steering type: Rack and pinion
- Front brakes: Disc
- Rear brakes: Drum
See also
- Hyundai ElantraHyundai ElantraLaunched in 1990 , the Elantra received a mid-term facelift in 1993.The Elantra was powered by a Mitsubishi-designed 1.6 L straight-4 This DOHC 16-valve 1.6 L unit produced 113 hp at 6000 rpm and could push the Elantra to 60 mph in 9.5 seconds...
- Hyundai SonataHyundai SonataThe Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size car/full-size car manufactured and marketed globally by Hyundai Motor Company. From the sixth generation onwards, it is known as the i45 in the Australian, Singaporean and New Zealand markets...
- Ford CortinaFord CortinaAs the 1960s dawned, BMC were revelling in the success of their new Mini – the first successful true minicar to be built in Britain in the postwar era...