Hyundai Elantra : First Look

Jay Williams - 05/July/2011

Melbourne, Australia - Hyundai has revealed its new compact sedan the Elantra at the 2011 Australian International Motor Show.

Designed at Hyundai's North American Design Centre in Irvine, California, the new Elantra displays Hyundai's "Fluidic Sculpture" design principles creating the illusion of constant motion and flowing lines.

Hyundai’s signature hexagonal front grille and detailed swept-back headlights give Elantra a compact and sporty appearance. The addition of a strong undercut feature line starting at the front door, combined with bold wheel arches and a sleek roofline, create a sleek and aerodynamic look.

Inside the Elantra features a dynamic and futuristic cockpit, with a bold silver highlight that flows down the console in a sculptured airstream-like contour. The combination high-gloss black and metallic finishes add a futuristic and modern feel to the interior.

Dynamic and refined elements include a four spoke steering wheel with multi-function control of audio, Bluetooth, trip computer and cruise control systems, and a VFD (Vacuum Florescent Display) instrument cluster with two-cylinder design displaying key information, illuminated in Hyundai’s signature blue hue in the Premium top-spec model.

According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New Elantra's interior volume is classified as mid-size.  At 3,126.2 Litres, it eclipses some cars in the medium segment, such as Honda Accord Euro and Volkswagen Passat CC.

Elantra's boot accommodates 420 litres of luggage, which is easily expanded through the 60/40 split rear seat.

Powering the new Elantra is a 1.8-litre petrol engine, producing 110kW of power at 6500rpm and 178Nm of torque at 4700rpm. Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT) camshafts and hydraulic engine mounts for optimum power, efficiency, and refinement provide a 30 per cent reduction in hydrocarbon emissions. The 1.8-litre engine also features a maintenance-free silent timing chain system to enhance durability and improve Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).

Hyundai's 1.8-litre is mated to a six-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission.

The new 6-speed automatic is 5kg lighter than the 4-speed it replaces on the old Elantra. It also has 62 fewer moving parts, and features a super flat torque converter minimising leading to reduced length and width.

Engine design efficiencies combined with a Elantra’s class-leading drag co-efficient (0.28) to deliver fuel consumption as low as 5.6L/100kms* for highway travel in the manual variant.

Fuel Economy Figures:
Manual
6.6-litres (Combined)
8.4-litres (Urban)

Automatic
7.1-litres (Combined)
9.4-litres (Urban)

*Source ADR81/02. Fuel consumption will vary depending on a combination of driving habits and the condition of the vehicle.

The new Elantra's suspension and steering have been specifically calibrated for Australia's harsh road surfaces.

Testing was undertaken in Australia for the optimum front and rear suspension combination, together with revised mapping of the control unit on the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS). The result is a consistently sporty driving experience with refined dynamics to handle variable Australian road conditions.

A McPherson strut front suspension, with coil springs and gas shock absorbers, improves responsiveness and agility as well as providing a smooth ride and excellent road shock absorption.

The rear suspension is a lightweight coupled torsion beam for enhanced steering stability, fitted with twintube shock absorbers for enhanced ride comfort. A 24.0mm diameter front stabiliser bar helps reduce body roll when cornering with a three-point insulator design and enlarged bushings to improve road insulation; six-point reinforcement of the cross member enhances rigidity and handling.

The Hyundai Elantra delivers the highest levels of safety, achieving a 5-star safety rating from Australia’s leading independent vehicle safety advocate, the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP).  Elantra is the only vehicle currently in the small segment which possesses the advanced safety feature Vehicle Stability Management (VSM).

VSM intervenes alongside ESC to help maintain vehicle control by applying a variable input to steering weight, helping prevent the vehicle losing control in emergency situations, such as when suddenly braking or rapidly accelerating under asymmetric (wet or slippery on one side and dry on the other) road surface conditions.

Elantra delivers class-leading safety features and is equipped with the following features across the entire range: Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), Electronics Stability Control (ESC) incorporating Traction Control System (TCS), six airbags including front side (thorax) and side curtain airbags. Other standard safety features include four- channel Anti-skid Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), three-point retractable seatbelts for all occupants with pretensioners and load limiters on the front seat belts. Central door locking, engine immobiliser and keyless entry with burglar alarm are also standard on all models.

The all-new Elantra offers an array of driver and passenger comfort features including: dual zone climate control with Cluster Ioniser, Bluetooth/MP3/WAM, rain sensing wipers, rear park assist, push button start with proximity Smart Key, front seat warmers and sunroof.
(Not all features are available on all models)

The all-new Elantra will be available in three trim levels, Active, Elite and Premium and will be available in seven exterior colours matched to a black interior.

Pricing:
Active
1.8L MPI (6 Speed Manual Transmission) - $20,590
1.8L MPI (6 Speed Auto Transmission) - $22,590

Elite
1.8L MPI (6 Speed Auto Transmission) - $25,590

Premium
1.8L MPI (6 Speed Auto Transmission) - $28,990

Metallic/Mica Paint
Across all models - $375

*All prices are Manufacturer’s List Price. Price excludes dealer delivery and on road costs

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