The new Elantra is a breathtaking new car from the Hyundai. Once it arrives in India during the summer of 2011, it’s going to give the likes of the Civic, Corolla and Cruze a very, very tough time. We have been keeping a close eye on the emerging details about the car, and are here, as we have just come across stuff that sure as hell, is going to interest you.
Some international journalists have managed to road test the new Elantra, and the first impressions, as we had expected are pretty good. The engine, the transmission, the trim levels, the fuel efficiency, the driving feel – almost all the details are now out in the open. Read on to know more
To start with, we have said, time and again that the 2011 Elantra according to us is the most beautiful mid-sizer in the international market today. It’s a shining exponent of Hyundai’s Fluidic Sculpture design philosophy and looks terrifically well proportioned and dynamics from whichever angle we look at it. It’s a beautiful design and is an example of how Hyundai have transformed their rather confused design direction of yore into a world leading philosophy.
The Elantra, unlike what we had expected, is not powered by Hyundai’s next generation direct injection engines yet. The company has the new generation engines ready but things that their incorporation in the car will take the price up by a good margin. So what you get is a 1.8-litre MPFi engine which is good for 150PS of power and 180Nm of torque. The engine is married with a six aped manual and a six speed auto. While the manual transmission is said to have spaced out, longer ratios, the auto transmission is reported to be an absolute delight. Unlike most non-DSG trannies, this six-speed automatic is not lazy and responds quickly even in the manual mode. Even in full auto mode, the system manages to keep the car in the power band most of the time for a lively drive experience. We are sure that Hyundai will fit the Elantra with a diesel when it brings the car to India though.
The suspension is said to have been tuned more for comfort on regular commutes than enthusiastic driving. It’s soft and pliant. The steering too is light and is oriented more towards easy maneuverability than feedback. You have McPherson Struts up front while a Torsion Beam setup does duty at the rear.
The Elantra is available in two trims in the US – GLS and Limited, with limited having all the bells and whistles. Perforated leather, soft touch plastics, Cruise Control , a high performance music system, reverse camera and the like on the top end version. There is loads of space inside the cabin (keep in mind the Civic and Cruze for reference), and the quality of fabrics and materials is top notch too.
Fuel efficiency in reported to be between 11.0kmpl in city and 17kmpl on the highway. With the base model pricing in the US pegged at close to Rs 6.6 lakh, and the top model selling for about Rs 7.5 lakh, the new Elantra makes for a great VFM sense as well. We are sure Hyundai would want to undercut the Civic, Corolla and the Cruze by a good margin when they bring the new Elantra here. First impressions suggest that it’s going to be a terrific car for its segment, and we really hope it does, as we are willing buy the bloody thing only for its looks, even if everything else is crappy.
We, here at Motoroids are definitely in awe of this new machine. What’s your opinion though? Would you want to buy this new Hyundai at the price of a Civic? Do let us know.
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