Hyundai is getting ready for the debut of the all-new Elantra compact sedan, which it has just previewed via a rendering.
The sketch looks less flamboyant than Kia’s teaser images of the new Sportage, which means the production car could look really similar to what the rendering shows. Hyundai says the upcoming Elantra’s “dynamic and sleek style” received the approval of a recent consumer study, where it ranked ahead of key rivals.
However, a Hyundai consumer study is not that relevant for us to assess the Elantra’s design. But the rendering shows a sleek profile with clean surfaces and a muscular front end, highlighted by the large hexagonal grille and elongated headlights – by the way, don’t they remind you of Jaguar’s new XE? Overall, it promises to look better than the current model, which isn’t exactly a head turner.
Peter Schreyer, the man who revolutionized Kia’s design (now President and Chief Design Officer at Hyundai Motor Company) says the new Elantra has “unique design characteristics” that place it in a class of its own. “The subtle and innovative appearance enhancements reflect Hyundai Motor’s vision for design. Furthermore, this car indicates a move from traditional to modern styling by communicating the new model’s comfort, fashion and sporty feel,” the designer says.
There are no official details right now, but according to some reports the Avante (the Korean-spec Elantra) will be offered with a 175hp 1.6-liter T-GDi engine mated to Hyundai’s new seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
Although Hyundai says the new Elantra’s launch is “just around the corner,” we don’t know whether that means it will happen at the Frankfurt Auto Show or later this autumn at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
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