Elantra has reached cumulative sales of six million units worldwide and received high marks from a number of world-renowned car rating agencies since the first-generation model was launched in 1990. The fifth-generation Elantra’s styling, power output, fuel efficiency, comfort and safety features have all been upgraded.
Projecting a sportier image Hyundai’s aim with the all-new compact sedan Elantra is to continue its successful tradition of offering class-leading performance and fuel efficiency, thanks to cutting edge technology and powertrain.

DESIGN LANGUAGE
Hyundai applied a specific design concept called ‘Wind Craft’ to the new Elantra, evoking a piece of sculpture crafted from by wind.

By lowering the roof line, creating muscular wheel arches and adding sharply creased character lines that flow from the A-pillar along the hood and into the front bumper, Hyundai Motor’s Elantra design team gave the compact sedan a powerful and assertive stance. The distinctive hexagonal grille clearly establishes the new Elantra’s identity as a Hyundai family member. Swept-back head lamps complete the ele-gant exterior.

The refined look continues inside. In particular, the silver finish that starts from the crash pad and leads to the console features a windblown shape that exudes an overall refined and dynamic image. High-gloss black and metallic colors used in the cabinet add a futuristic, high-tech look to the interior of the all-new Elantra.

AERODYNAMICS
With its lower roofline and low rear deck lid, the new Elantra has a slicker and sport-ier profile with a drag coefficient (Cd) of just 0.28, reducing wind resistance and improving fuel economy.
A center floor deflector and flush surfaces in the bottom of the car minimize air turbulence as well.

DIMENSIONS
The Elantra rides on a 2 700 mm wheelbase, which is 50 mm longer than the previous ite-ration. Its overall length exceeds its predecessor by 25 mm at 4 530 mm but the 1 775 mm width is same as before. The height has been lowered by 35 mm to 1 445 mm without affecting headroom. Interior cabin space has been enlarged by 18 litres.

POWERTRAIN
The new Elantra comes with a choice of two all-new and remarkably advanced gasoline engines, Nu 1.8-liter MPI and Gamma 1.6-liter MPI D-CVVT. Both are mated to six-speed auto or manual transmissions, which deliver more horsepower while consuming less fuel and producing lower emissions than the transmissions they replace, according to the manufacturer.

The All-new 1.8 Nu MPI engine:
The all-new 1.8-liter Nu Multipoint Fuel Injected (MPI) four-cylinder engine is capable of up to 150ps of horsepower at 6 500 rpm while producing 18.2 kg.m of peak torque at 4 700 rpm, when pushed to the limit. The Nu is small and weighs 33.6 kg less while it helps to achieve an 18% improvement in highway fuel economy, when compared with its predecessor.

The Nu engine features an aluminum block with a cast iron cylinder liner, cylinder head and crank. This unique configuration results in a block that is 30 percent lighter than an iron block, shedding more than 33.6 kilograms off the entire engine weight, while still providing comparable strength.

Another tool Hyundai engineers have incorporated into the next generation Elantra is an electronic throttle control. The electronic throttle control replaces the conventional cable and mechanical linkage. This system accurately controls air intake and engine torque, improving drivability, response and fuel economy.

Hyundai’s first application of double-pipe plumbing (internal heat exchanger) is found in Elantra. Double-pipe plumbing improves cabin cooling performance, while minimizing the capacity of the compressor, which further reduces fuel consumption. An external controlled variable compressor, as opposed to an internal variable compressor, is also used to improve fuel efficiency.

The Gamma 1.6 MPI D-CVVT engine:
Thanks to its all-aluminum body structure, the 1.6-liter Gamma MPI four-cylinder engine is equipped with D-CVVT to boost horsepower output of 130ps at 6 300 rpm and allow lower exhaust emissions while delivering best-in-class fuel-economy. Peak torque measures 16.0kg.m at 4 850 rpm.

Hyundai’s commitment to making the Elantra highly fuel efficient continues with a six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC manual control or a standard six-speed manual transmission.

Developed and manufactured entirely in-house, the all-new six-speed automatic transmission is the world’s first to be designed for engine applications in small mid-sized passenger cars.
The new transmission is smaller, more compact and lighter than any other six-speed auto transmissions on the market today. Hyundai says it is is one of three global car manufacturers with its own unique six-speed automatic transmission layout.

CONVENIENCE AND SAFETY
The new Elantra has several advanced features not found on other compacts.
These include safety escort headlamps that remain turned on for 30 seconds after the driver leaves the car, a cluster ionizer system that purifies the air and deodorizes harmful gases by generating cluster ions, an auto defogging system, heated rear seats and rear parking assistance sensors.

The new Elantra also has more safety features - the VSM (Vehicle Stability Management) that helps vehicles stay in a stable position, (applied for the first time in its class), ESP (Electronic Stability Program) and a six-airbag system.

SALES
Hyundai Motor launched the new Elantra last August in Korea, selling nearly 77 000 units in 2010.
From 2012, Hyundai expects to sell 400 000 units annually in overseas market.
The Elantra is expected to go on sale in South Africa in the second half of 2011.
More information on dates and pricing will be made available later.


The new Hyundai Elantra’s interior cabin space has been enlarged and it is a comfortable car that is easy to drive.

ARTICLE: ANICA KRÜGER