Hyundai Reportedly Targeting Honda Civic Si With Elantra Sport

With the Honda Civic Si and VW Jetta GLI in its sights, Hyundai is said to offer a Sport version of its all-new Elantra.

More powerful than the current compact sedan, which comes with a 147hp naturally-aspirated 2.0-liter four-pot, the upcoming Hyundai Elantra Sport is believed to carry a 1.6-liter turbocharged powertrain, capable of developing around 200hp.

LeftLaneNews reports that the engine will be mated to a standard six-speed manual or an optional semi-automatic dual-clutch transmission. On top of the new mill, the sports model should also gain a revised suspension for improved handling.

Hyundai won’t stop here, apparently, because a Sport version of the Elantra hatchback is also said to be in the cards, but it seems that the South Korean manufacturer wants to evaluate how the saloon will perform on the market, first.

If a hotter version of the hatch will be offered, then the name will be the only thing shared with its four-door sister because this is believed to ride on a different platform and become a less powerful alternative to the Ford Focus ST.

The same report says that the 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport will likely debut at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, which will kick off on November 1.