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TEXT AND PICTURES COURTESY OF HYUNDAI

H

yundai Motor

Company, South

Korea’s largest

automaker, today

unveiled the ‘All-new Elantra (named

Avante in Korea)’, a sophisticated

evolution of the brand’s long-

established compact sedan. Now in

its sixth generation, the model builds

on its global popularity by introducing

a dynamic and sleek appearance,

underlining its status and unique

presence within the highly competitive

compact-size sedan segment.

With class-defining interior and

exterior features, the refined style

elements reflect Hyundai Motor’s

evolving design philosophy. This vision

incorporates a dynamic precision in

exterior design that complements the

new model’s comfortable, contemporary

and sporty feel. The large hexagonal

grille is paired with slim and sporty

headlights for an energetic look,

while its clean surfaces build on the

active stance of the All-new Elantra.

“The Elantra has set forth new

standards for global compact-size

sedans in each generation. With

the pursuit to achieve world’s best

technology, the newly introduced

All-new Elantra was developed with

concerted efforts of all our employees

at Hyundai Motor,” said Woong-Chul

Yang, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor

Group’s R&D Center during the All-new

Elantra launch ceremony in Namyang

R&D Center, the heart of Hyundai

Motor’s global R&D network and

birthplace of all Hyundai cars, today.

“The All-new Elantra incorporating

Hyundai Motor’s full capacity will not

only provide innovative experiences and

values to customers worldwide but also

lay the foundation to regain momentum

amidst difficulties surrounding the

automobile industry,” added Yang.

The All-new Elantra aims to build

on the model’s proud heritage while

setting new standards as a world-

class compact-size sedan. The new

model is 20 millimeters longer and 25

millimeters wider than the previous-

generation Elantra, delivering a

spacious interior comparable with

that of the segment above. The body

structure has been designed to boost

durability and rigidity, incorporating

32% more advanced high-strength

steel compared to the original Elantra.

The new car also takes a leap

forward with a number of class-leading

convenience and safety features.

An Integrated Memory Seat (IMS)

enhances driver comfort, while Smart

Trunk allows easy loading as it opens

automatically when the Smart key-holder

approaches. In addition, new class-

leading suite of safety technologies

includes Autonomous Emergency

Braking (AEB), High Beam Assist

(HBA), Blind Spot Detection (BSD)

and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA).

For added refinement, the All-new

Elantra’s premium-sound Harman audio

system delivers delightful sound quality,

with eight speakers accompanying an

amplifier, located in the front-center

rear package tray and in the front doors.

To enhance acoustic enjoyment, a pair

of front door-mounted tweeters joins

each speaker located in every door.

Hyundai Motor engineers have

developed efficient and effective

powertrains to deliver enhanced

performance for the All-new Elantra.

As a result, the new model boasts

impressive performance, with useable

low and mid-range torque that provides

exceptional drivability in all driving

conditions, through either the manual

or automatic gearboxes. All of these

powertrain options offer high fuel

efficiency and low exhaust emissions,

emphasizing Hyundai Motor’s continuing

commitment to improving fuel efficiency.

The Elantra name was first introduced

more than 25 years ago and has sold

more than 10 million units in that time. It

has won numerous awards and accolades

including ‘2012 North American Car of

the Year’, ‘2012 South African Car of the

Year’ and ‘Highest ranked in compact

car segment for initial quality’ in 2014

according to J.D. Power and Associates.

Each of the previous five generations

of the car have contributed to its rising

popularity and today it remains one of

Hyundai Motor’s best-selling models.

It is not only through great design

that the All-new Elantra improves on

its predecessors. The compact sedan’s

power output, fuel-efficiency, comfort

and safety features have all been

upgraded, with extensive use of new

technology to set a higher standard

of refinement in the segment.

Packing more than

what most would

expect, the new

Elantra looks set to

surpass and exceed

expectations

ELANTRA-FYING KOREAN

Hyundai’s best selling compact sedan is back, but here’s what you need

to know about the latest variant before it arrives...

36 // March 2016