Is This An All-Electric Hyundai Elantra?

This could possibly be the first solid sighting of Hyundai’s all-electric Elantra in prototype form.

The heavily camouflaged test car was being driven near the Arctic Circle, reportedly in silence, betraying the electrified nature of the powertrain hiding under the bodywork.

Compared to the regular Elantra, the test car shows a different bumper design featuring new LED daytime running lights, as well as a set of the more aerodynamically efficient alloy wheels as seen on other eco-friendly Hyundais.  The rear end also appears to get new taillights as well.

Since we never heard about an all-electric version of the Elantra before, there’s a chance the prototype you see in the gallery below to use a plug-in hybrid powertrain instead.  Whatever the powertrain, chances are that either choice will probably come from the Ioniq range, which is offered in hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all-electric versions.

The biggest question mark in this case is the open front grille, which we all know that doesn’t have a real role to play in an all-electric car. With that said, Hyundai might have left it there as a decoy.

Whether it’s purely electric or plug-in hybrid, the new version of the Hyundai Elantra is certainly part of the company’s masterplan to launch a total of 38 eco-friendly models into the market during the next eight years.

Everything from plug-in hybrids to EVs and FCEVs are included in this plan, so there’s definitely room for the Elantra to play a role somewhere in there. Stay tuned for more information as we have them.

Photo Credits:S. Baldauf / SB-Medien for Carscoops