New Hyundai Elantra revealed

[MaxxMPG]

2011 Hyundai Elantra follows in Sonata's footsteps

Chris Bernius - CleanMPG - April 29, 2010

Will it be everything we like about the Sonata, plus better FE and lower MSRP? --Ed.

Hyundai revealed the 2011 Elantra in its Korean domestic market form - the Avante - at the Busan International Motor Show 2010. The new model is expected to be available in the US in the first quarter of 2011.

Outside, the next Elantra follows the fluidic sculpture design language first seen on the 2011 Sonata. This translates into less aero drag and and a unique, contemporary style.

Under the hood, we will see the new Gamma 1.6L GDI engine, rated at 138hp. The new 6 speed automatic will also be available.

There is more to the new engine than the addition of GDI. The new Gamma also features Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing, a Variable Induction System and exotic anti-friction coatings such as CrN Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating and Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating.

While it remains to be seen how Hyundai will position and equip the new Elantra in North America, the domestic market Avante offers quite a few advanced features not found on other compacts. These features include HID headlamps, LED combination lamps in the rear, heated rear seats, puddle lamps and a color TFT LCD information display nestled in the gauge cluster.

The Avante/Elantra has sold over 6 million units worldwide since the car's launch in 1990. Sales for the new model begin later this year in Korea, and early next year for the US.

With the Sonata - a full size sedan - already achieving an impressive 24/35 on the EPA (with 2.4L GDI engine and 6MT), we can only speculate what the next Elantra will offer with a 1.6L GDI engine and the smaller, lighter platform.

The "War of the Compacts" is just getting started. We are hearing the distant rumbling in the "First Drive" road tests of the next Focus and Cruze. And now we see the release of the next Elantra. This will be interesting to watch as the competition heats up in the compact sedan class. And the driving public will be the winners, with more than a couple of competent sedans to choose from, with levels of refinement and optional equipment that have never been offered in smaller cars.

[PaleMelanesian]

Originally Posted by MaxxMPG

The "War of the Compacts" is just getting started. We are hearing the distant rumbling in the "First Drive" road tests of the next Focus and Cruze. And now we see the release of the next Elantra. This will be interesting to watch as the competition heats up in the compact sedan class. And the driving public will be the winners, with more than a couple of competent sedans to choose from, with levels of refinement and optional equipment that have never been offered in smaller cars.

And I'm eagerly waiting in the wings. I have a 15-year-old car with nearly 180,000 miles on it.

[WriConsult]

Also very important to me (and presumably also Andrew): will there be a Touring (wagon) model? And will it be based on the same chassis and deliver the same mpg as the sedan? Or will it be a euro-spec model with lower mpg as is currently the case?

[PaleMelanesian]

you've got my number.

[MaxxMPG]

I haven't found any information on the Touring version. Whether one will be offered will probably depend on the sales success of the current Elantra Touring. With Kia just introducing the related Forte-5 recently, it appears that Hyundai sees an untapped market for the hatchback compact. The next Elantra has a fairly stubby tail and small trunklid, and the trunklid opens down to bumper level. So it appears that it wouldn't take too much platform mangling to elongate the roof and change the trunk to a hatch.

[peacefrog_0521]

a) Bring back the hatchback. I still sorely miss my short-lived 2003 Elantra GT 5-door.
b) Not to sound like a powermonger, but 138 hp is not "new".

[GreenVTEC]

Originally Posted by peacefrog_0521

b) Not to sound like a powermonger, but 138 hp is not "new".

I'm sure you'll get a mouthful on 138 hp being at least double beyond what you need \

That aside I do agree 136 hp even with a fuel efficient DI engine may not be enough. If the Cruze/Focus can give similar power but with lots of low end grunt from a turbo engine buyers may pick the domestics they believe are faster.

[Ophbalance]

Is it me, or does it look like an Accord coupe? Go hyundai go! And bring over a hybrid one of these in 2012 or so... then I'll have a replacement waiting for my Prius in 2015 .

[MaxxMPG]

The hybrid Sonata uses the same transaxle, with the electric motor in place of the torque converter. But I don't know how well the Elantra sedan is positioned to give up half its cargo area for the 12v battery and the much larger HV battery. The LiPo batteries Hyundai will be using are said to be very flexible in packaging, so maybe they could reshape the pack and use the Touring (hatchback) body style to restore some of the cargo area lost to the batteries?

If the Sonata Hybrid reaches it's projected 37/39 EPA ratings, we have to wonder what a smaller/lighter Elantra using a GDI engine with 2/3 the displacement would achieve.

[xcel]

Hi Chris:

Originally Posted by MaxxMPG

If the Sonata Hybrid reaches it's projected 37/39 EPA ratings, we have to wonder what a smaller/lighter Elantra using a GDI engine with 2/3 the displacement would achieve.

___I can tell you. A LOT MORE

___Good Luck

___Wayne