Elantra chasing the Europeans

If nothing else, the latest Hyundai Elantra proves without a doubt that the Korean company has come of age, with sharp looks, sharper handling, and a steering system that could belong in a sports car. John Oxley reports.

This is not a facelift. It’s a brand-new car, with a different (and much stronger) body structure, as well as more features, more space, and a totally new ride and handling package that’s snapping at the heels of the better European hot hatches. And despite the extra features, prices of the two versions remain the same as the previous model. The engine line-up is changed too, with the previous 1.8-litre unit replaced by a 2-litre 112kw/193nm petrol in both the Entry and Elite models, driving the front wheels via either a six-speed manual (on indent) or six-speed automatic gearbox. And there’s more to come later in the year, with a 150kw 1.6-litre turbo version with even more kit and a new interior to give it a sportier look. Styling follows a “fastback” coupe design, with the latest version of Hyundai’s corporate grille up front, and featuring side ducts that direct airflow through the wheel arches and out into the wheel wells, cutting drag. The use of high strength steel in the body structure – 53 percent in total – is a big feature, as well as increased use of body adhesives and hot stamping to increase torsional rigidity by 25-30 percent. Another new feature is the use of thermoplastic for the front sub-frame on elastomer body mounts, to make the steering firmer, and this shows the moment you drive the car, and particularly on high speed corners as well as tight bends. A new electric steering system is provided, and this does away with the need to have “multi-choice” since it gives greatly enhanced “feel”, and has been tuned, as has the suspension, to cater for our road conditions. The rear end has been stiffened up, too, and sees the shock absorbers fitted vertically to give a 50 percent increase in shock height and more wheel travel, improving bump resistance. Both cars are well specced. The Entry version, at $35,990 for the auto (the manual is $1,000 less) gets 16-inch alloy wheels, a new Vehicle Stability Management