From what we gather, the sedan is easily the most popular bodystyle in China, so a manufacturer can never really have too many of them, as long as they sell. Hyundai already delivers a variety of saloons in the People’s Republic, but they decided that there was still room in the range, between the Sonata and Elantra for an additional model, dubbed “Mingtu”.
The car, whose name had not been known until now, was revealed via a photo of a billboard, speculated to be set up somewhere close to the Korean automaker’s stand at the Shanghai motor show, where the new car is set to be revealed in the metal.
Still, the cardboard representation is revealing enough, and this more restrained car may signal the end of the road for the flamboyantly-styled Hyundais, with much fewer and clearer lines than most of the other models in the range.
It’s an attractive-looking package, which should be right up the alley of prospective buyers who can’t quite figure out if they like the Sonata or the Elantra – it will make the decision for them.
Power will reportedly come from either a 1.8-liter or 2.0-liter petrol engine, which will drive the front wheels via either a six-speed manual or automatic transmission. Pricing is unknown, as of yet, but it’s said to start around the 140,000 yuan mark, which equates to €17,400 or $22,671.
By Andrei Nedelea
Story References: Auto.163 via Indianautosblog
PHOTO GALLERY
