Hyundai’s all-new Elantra out for compact sedan gold in 2016

MANILA, Philippines - Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) previewed its all-new Elantra at a year-ending celebration held at the posh Sofitel Hotel in Pasay City last week. The sixth-generation Elantra looks to build on its established heritage in the Philippine compact sedan segment. The new model showcases evolutionary—rather than revolutionary—changes compared to the outgoing model.

Hyundai’s evolving design philosophy, Fluidic Sculpture 2.0, speaks high volumes in the new Elantra. The distinctive hexagonal grille gives the compact sedan a dynamic face similar to other Hyundai vehicles. The definitive grille is paired with slim and sporty projection headlamps for an energetic look.

The new wheel arch design expresses the car’s dynamic road presence, which is fast becoming another Hyundai design trademark. The roof flows back to the trunk seamlessly, with the sides left simple and unembellished, and with understated lines on the shoulders creating a smooth and elegant look. Bold, new taillights are arranged in a shapely horizontal form, while the rear bumper finishes off the car’s balanced design. 

In the interior, refined active character lines are placed ergonomically to enable intuitive operation, which is inherited from Hyundai’s luxury range like the Sonata and the Genesis. Dashboard buttons are grouped according to functions, the cockpit display is angled 6.9 degrees toward the driver, and soft-touch and high-quality materials are used across all surfaces for a luxurious feel. Rear air conditioner vents are added in the new model.

The all-new Elantra is 20mm longer and 5mm wider than the previous-generation model. It comes with 16” or 17” alloy wheels.

The new compact sedan from Hyundai will come in three variants in the Philippines. The top-of-the-line “2.0 L” uses a Nu 2.0 MPi engine, which delivers 152ps and 19.6 kg-m of torque. The entry-level “1.6 E” houses a Gamma 1.6 MPi engine with a 6-speed manual transmission. The mid-tier “1.6 S” carries the same Gamma 1.6 MPi engine mated to a 6-speed automatic. 

Advanced ergonomically designed seats give driver and passengers better comfort.  The Smart Key allows for fuss-free opening and closing of car doors, while Electric Folding Mirrors with repeaters are welcome features that make the drive easier and safer by immediately alerting those behind you of your driving intentions.

More safety features also abound in the sixth generation model. Dual airbags protect both the driver and the front passenger from collisions. The body structure has also been boosted in terms of durability and rigidity, incorporated with an impressive 53 percent Advanced High-Strength Steel (AHSS), 32 percent higher compared to the previous model, enabling the Elantra to more effectively protect passengers, and achieve top-class safety ratings in internal tests.

The Rear View Camera makes parking a breeze by giving the driver a clear sight of the rear, complete with Dynamic Guidelines to direct the driver to the fast, safe, and easy way to park.

Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) were also fine-tuned by Hyundai’s engineers to truly achieve a world-class compact sedan. Reengineered windscreen wipers are carefully positions to dramatically reduce road and wind noise in the cabin, while the thickened door glass significantly reduces noise penetration.

After the previous-generation Elantra won Car of the Year in 2012, HARI seeks to solidify its number 3 ranking among automotive companies in the 

Philippines—and to capture the compact sedan segment—with the newest generation model. The all-new Elantra is expected to be available in HARI dealerships nationwide in the first quarter of 2016.

Hyundai promises aggressive pricing for the new Elantra, which will be available in five colors: Marina Blue, Phantom Black, Fiery Red, Platinum Silver, and Polar White.