As we’ve come to expect from Hyundai, their latest debut has happened way before it was supposed to. The all-new Elantra sedan was supposed to come out in Frankfurt a week from now, but it has been shown already in Korea under the name “Avante”.
There’s no question we’re dealing with the exact same car, one that should arrive in the US only as a 2017 model year. It looks sporty and svelte, thanks to the company’s Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language.
From the front, the new Elantra has the same eyes as the Tucson. The grille is large, chromed and hexagonal in shape, somewhat similar to the Audi A4. Another distinguishing feature is the boomerang shape of the side grilles that also hold the daytime running lights.
The profile is long and strong shoulder lines dominate the look. The kink of the C-pillar reminds us of BMWs while the taillights integrate full LED clusters.
Stepping inside, the 2017 Elantra reveals its new multifunctional steering wheel and 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, both features being shared with the 2016 Tucson.
Under the bonnet, we find the latest headline-grabbing engines and gearboxes from the Korean automaker. The pick of the range is a 1.6-liter T-GDi that has received several revisions since its debut in the Veloster Turbo. Its 175 horsepower will be channeled to the front wheels via a choice between a manual gearbox or 7-speed DCT.
No details about the European models are available at the moment, but we believe it will be available with a diesel engine shared with the i30 facelift, the 1.6 CRDi with 136 horsepower. There might also be a small turbocharged engine replacing the old 1.6 MPI option, but that could come a little later.
The advert below talks about a new type of diesel engine called 1.6 e-VGT, likely combining a mild hybrid system with variable geometry turbocharging. It claims to consume 5.4 l/100km on the combined cycle and emit just 100 grams of CO2.
For now, we can say with 100% certainty that Korean 5-door sedan looks cool and packs safety features. Stay tuned for more!
Founder of Auto Rebellion | Guest writer for zerotohundred.com