Hyundai’s Elantra has been a steady performer for the South Korean auto maker since it was launched for the Indian market. It stood out thanks to many segment first features but now with the competition moving forward Hyundai will bring the latest generation of the D-segment sedan later this year. This car is more of an evolution rather than a completely new vehicle and will be offered with both petrol and diesel engines.
Firstly, this new Elantra has become longer, wider and lower than the outgoing model. The face is dominated by the large in-your-face Hyundai grille. The fog lamps have become LEDs while the headlights continue to be projector units. The side profile is where we can see the evolution for the model. It has the same silhouette but the lines have become more pronounced as compared to the outgoing model. The entire glass areas as well as the door handles have now got a chrome package which lends to the premium credibility of the car. Also included in the package are new designs for the alloy wheels. Hyundai has retained the rear of the car in its entirety and this is evident from the design of the tail lamps as well as the shape of the bumpers.
The cabin is a combination of chrome plastics and black leather for the seats. Standard on the feature list are climate control, touchscreen infotainment system with a larger display, ventilated front seats with electric adjustment for the driver. The number of controls on the steering has been increased while the instrument cluster gets a chrome bezel as well as a new and more detailed digital display. The rear passengers get an AC vent, central armrest as well as a plethora of storage spaces.
We in India will get this Elantra with a 2.0-litre petrol. In the petrol variant, this engine produces 147bhp and 178Nm of torque. The diesel on the other hand will be the 1.6-litre unit producing 126bhp and 260Nm of torque. Both engines will be offered with a six-speed manual and a six-speed AT. We believe that Hyundai will offer more number of diesel models with the AT option as compared to the petrol variants. Globally there is also a new 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine that produces 128bhp and around 200Nm of torque but this is unlikely to be offered in the Indian market.
The Elantra, when launched later this year, will be the primary offering from Hyundai in the D-segment. It will stand alongside the Tucson SUV which is also scheduled for debut sometime in 2017. It is expected to be priced in the range of Rs 17 lakh to Rs 22 lakh and will compete with the likes of the Skoda Superb in terms of sedans.
