Hyundai has announced the imminent debut
of the seventh-generation Elantra, which will celebrate its global premiere on
March 17 at The Lot Studios in West Hollywood, California. With more than 13.8
million units sold since the model was introduced in 1990, the Elantra is Hyundai’s best-selling car
globally, and the latest redesign is a bold one.
To go along with the announcement, the
Korean carmaker has also released several teasers of its latest C-segment
model, giving us an early look at its styling. Following the theme of “Parametric
Dynamics,” the all-new Elantra adopts a more coupe-like roofline to give it a
more dynamic look that does have a hint of the current Honda Civic FC to it.
However, the Elantra’s side profile is a
lot bolder by comparison thanks to the polyhedral shapes found on its body,
with the most obvious being those seen on the doors. From the angle, we also
get to see the car’s sleek headlamps, along with additional crease line that
lead into the rear taillights. Also interesting the shape of the rear decklid that
appears to double as a subtle spoiler.
In a separate video uploaded by the
carmaker, we get glimpses of the sedan’s front end, which appears to be
inspired by the eight-generation Sonata, as it sports a wide grille that blends
into the lighting clusters. As for the rear, the angular taillights are linked
by a full-width light bar that runs in between the Hyundai badge and model
script.
Just like the exterior, the new Elantra’s
interior is radical departure from the seventh-gen it replaces. Hyundai calls
it the “Immersive Cocoon,” and it is meant to create a driver-focused user
experience. Minimalistic in appearance, the driver and front passenger zones
are divided by a trim piece that originates from the centre console and
continues to below the red-accented slim air vents and into door cards, forming
the “cocoon” mentioned.
Meanwhile, the dashboard accommodates two
integrated displays and notable touch points include low-mounted door handles,
a new steering wheel not unlike that in the Optima and sizeable gear selector.
From the front passenger’s point of view, there also appears to be a small
storage cubby underneath the centre console.
The carmaker says the new Elantra comes
with “longer, lower and wider than ever proportions,” but has yet to reveal official
figures. Also unknown are the powertrain options that will be made available,
but expect a host of different Smartstream petrol engines and even a possible
plug-in hybrid option. We’ll only know more in a few days’ time, so stay tuned.
