Hyundai Elantra’s new generation presented in LA

Hyundai has brought to the Los Angeles Motor Show the renewed popular compact sedan Elantra. The 2011 Elantra is part of Hyundai’s project to incorporate “Fluidic Sculpture” design, advanced safety and fuel efficiency in its models.

Part of Hyundai’s program to present 7 models over the next 24 months, the Elantra is the fourth model to be presented after the unveiling of the all-new Tucson, Sonata and Equus.

Representing an approach to the traditional compact sedan segment, the all-new Elantra combines its design and luxury features to Hyundai’s strong value proposition.

In terms of design the Elantra can be considered an evolution of some design cues found on the Sonata. In the US market all the successful sedans have a distinct silhouette and Day Light Opening and the Elantra is no exception. On the side the flowing lines already found on the Sonata are brought to the new Elantra, adding to it a strong undercut feature line starting at the front door. It also features muscular wheel arches and a sleek roofline. Thanks to these flowing lines the Elantra also presents good aerodynamic values, with a drag coefficient of 0.28.

The front fascia is dominated by the signature hexagonal front grille, which combined to the detailed swept-back headlights give Elantra a compact athletic face. The Elantra was designed at Hyundai's North American Design Center in Irvine, California.

The new Elantra will be powered with an all-new 1.8-liter Nu four-cylinder engine with 148 horsepower and 178Nm of torque. The new engine is the substitute of the 2.0-liter Beta engine, featured on the last generation of the Elantra. Compared to the Beta engine the new engine has achieved an 18-percent improvement in highway fuel economy and a 30 percent reduction in hydrocarbon emissions.

The 2011 Elantra can be equipped with a six-speed manual (M6CF3-1) or automatic (A6GF1) transaxle with SHIFTRONIC manual control. The Elantra will be Hyundai’s first model in the small car segment to be equipped with a six-speed automatic.