Hyundai has already launched the new Elantra overseas and was testing it on the Indian roads. The sedan will now be launched in India on August 23.
It was at the Los Angeles Auto Show when this new-generation Elantra made its global debut. The latest iteration of the sedan boasts of the brand's Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language. The 2,700mm wheelbase of the current model is carried over in this new car. Otherwise, the new Elantra sports sleeker and lower headlamps, a large hexagonal chrome grille (like the Genesis), DRLs and boomerang-shaped fog lamp cluster. Coming to the sides, a funky pattern for the 17-inch alloy wheels can be seen. The rear shows the new tail lamps integrated with LED units. A steeper C-Pillar has resulted in the roofline smoothly flowing into the boot.
The new Elantra's interior also displays the company's futuristic design approach, while being equipped with the latest equipment and accessories. The cabin features Android Auto and Apple CarPlay paired with a touchscreen infotainment system connected to eight speakers. Then there is satellite navigation and a reversing camera, depending on the variant one chooses. The standard safety features include traction Control, ABS, electronic stability Control, vehicle stability management, tyre pressure monitoring system, and a new driver’s knee airbag. The optional features include Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist.
The 2016 Elantra will be offered with the 1.8-litre petrol mill (147bhp, 178Nm) and the 1.6-litre turbocharged diesel engine (126bhp, 260Nm). Both these petrol and diesel engines will be available with the choice of manual and automatic transmissions. There is also the probability of the introduction of the new dual-clutch seven-speed self-shifting option.
The most important change in the Elantra is the new platform that is expected to further improve the ride and handling. This next-gen Elantra measures 20mm longer and 25mm wider than the present model. It is not only lighter, but also has a stiffer body structure thanks to the usage of Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS). With 53 per cent more high-strength steel in comparison to the 21 per cent in the outgoing model, Hyundai has stepped up the Elantra's safety.
The test mules of the upcoming sedan were spotted in India several times before. Now, the time has come for Hyundai to launch the new sedan for the Indian market. This also means that the Toyota Corolla Altis, Skoda Octavia and the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze will have a new competitor in our country.
