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This article refers to the X1 and X2 models of the Hyundai Excel (1985-1994). For the X3 model (1995-1999) sold in some markets as the Hyundai Excel, see Hyundai Accent.

Hyundai Excel

Manufacturer	Hyundai Motor Company
Also called	Hyundai Pony Hyundai Presto Mitsubishi Precis Hyundai XL (Japan)
Production	1985–1994
Assembly	Ulsan, Korea
Predecessor	Hyundai Pony
Successor	Intended: Hyundai Elantra Actual: Hyundai Accent
Class	Subcompact (C-class)
Body style(s)	3- & 5-door hatchback 4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Related	Hyundai Scoupe

The Hyundai Excel (Hangul:현대 엑셀), also known as the Hyundai Pony, Hyundai Presto and the Mitsubishi Precis, was the first front wheel drive car produced by Hyundai. It was built from 1985 to 1994.

[edit] Background

The Hyundai Excel was available in hatchback and 4-door models. Originally, the Excel was supposed to be replaced by the Elantra in 1991, but ended up being sold for four more seasons until being replaced by the Hyundai Accent in 1995. The Excel was the first Hyundai car to be exported to the United States. From 1989, there was a coupe variant called the Hyundai Scoupe. The Hyundai Excel was available with either a manual or automatic transmission mated to a 4-cylinder engine aspirated by a carburetor or fuel injection system, depending on market and model year.

[edit] Names

Some markets, including Europe, had the Excel branded as the Hyundai Pony, although it is not directly related to the rear wheel drive Hyundai Pony from the early 1980s. The sedan version of the X1 model was known as the Hyundai Presto in South Korea. The Excel arrived in the United States in 1986 and Canada in 1987, replacing the Pony.

The Excel was sold in the United States by Mitsubishi Motors from 1987 to 1994 as the Mitsubishi Precis as either a 3- or 5-door hatchback. The Precis remained in the Mitsubishi range as a "price leader," slotted below the Mirage until it was discontinued in 1992.^[1]

[edit] X1 (1985–89)

X1 (1985-1989)

Production	1985–89
Engine(s)	1.5 L 68 hp I4
Transmission(s)	3-speed automatic 4-speed manual 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	93.7 in (2380 mm)
Length	160.9 in (4087 mm) (2-door) 168 in (4267 mm) (4-door)
Width	63.1 in (1603 mm)
Height	54.1 in (1374 mm)
Fuel capacity	10.6 US gallons (40.1 L; 8.8 imp gal)
Designer	Giorgetto Giugiaro

1988-89 Hyundai Excel 3-Door

The Excel was introduced as a replacement for the Hyundai Pony. In the United States it was the company's first and only model, but thanks to a price of US$4,995 and being voted 'Best Product #10' by Fortune magazine, it set records for a first-year import by selling 168,882 units, helping push the company's cumulative production past one million by 1986.^[2] Similar sales success was replicated in Australia, where it was priced at A$9,990. Sales soon dropped as serious quality problems emerged with the car.

Versions available were:

North America

• 1.5 base
• 1.5 GL
• 1.5 GLS (5-door and 4-door only)
• 1.5 GS (3-door only)

Australia

• 1.5 L
• 1.5 GL
• 1.5 GLS
• 1.5 GT

United Kingdom

• 1300 L/Sonnet
• 1300 GL
• 1500 GL
• 1500 GLS

[edit] X2 (1989–94)

X2 (1989–94)

Production	1989–1994
Engine(s)	1.5 L 81 hp (60 kW) I4
Transmission(s)	4-speed automatic 4-speed manual 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	93.8 in (2383 mm)
Length	1990-91 & 1993-94 2-Door Hatchback: 161.4 in (4100 mm) 1990-91 & 1993-94 4-Door Hatchback: 168.3 in (4275 mm) 1992 Sedan: 168.6 in (4282 mm) 1992 Hatchback: 161.7 in (4107 mm)
Width	1990-91 & 1993-94: 63.3 in (1608 mm) 1992: 63.1 in (1603 mm)
Height	1993-94: 54.5 in (1384 mm) 1992: 51.4 in (1306 mm) 1990: 51.6 in (1311 mm)
Fuel capacity	11.9 US gallons (45.0 L; 9.9 imp gal)

The second-generation Excel was given a facelift and slightly enlarged from 1989 onwards, while its engine adopted sequential fuel injection, and a new 4-speed automatic transmission was offered. It was sold in CX, LX and CXL trim levels in South Korea. The South Korean (home market) range was:

• 1.3 CX (3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon)
• 1.3 LX (3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon)
• 1.5 CX (3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon)
• 1.5 LX (5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon)
• 1.5 CXL (5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon).

The Excel was marketed in Eurasia as the Hyundai Pony or Pony X2 (X2 representing second generation). In the United Kingdom and some parts of Europe, versions available were:

• 1.3 S (3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback)
• 1.3 Sonnet (3-door hatchback) - replaced 1.3 S base model
• 1.3 LS (3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon)
• 1.5 GSi (5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon)

However, some European markets did not get the 1.3 version and the range was:

• 1.5 L (3-door)
• 1.5 LE (3-door)
• 1.5 GL (3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback)
• 1.5 LS (3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon)
• 1.5 GS (3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon)
• 1.5 GT (3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback) - note, not all markets got this version
• 1.5 GLS (3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, 4-door saloon)

From 1991, the 1.5 versions were badged 1.5i to denote fuel injection.

1992 Hyundai Excel SE sedan (North America)

Europe-spec 1993-94 Hyundai Pony

1990-91 Hyundai Excel sedan (US)

[edit] Footnotes

Engine and gearbox in 1.3 model is from Mitsubishy Colt