If the Elantra Yuedong looks familiar, that’s because it is a facelifted version of the fourth generation model sold in the States until 2010. The most prominent change on the outside concerns the revised front that draws on the Azera’s styling.
According to Hyundai, the interior has also been upgraded with higher quality materials and new convenience and safety features such as a smart key / button start, front side airbag, Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS), Navigation, USB2.0 port and eco-driving guide system.
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Well, not exactly. When Hyundai first launched the i30 hatchback in Europe, Australia and other markets, it seemed that familiar nameplates such as Elantra and Sonata would soon be dead and buried. Not so. In fact, the i30 CW (basically, the station wagon version of the i30), is still sold in the U.S. as the Elantra Touring.
“They showed us a photo of it and it's gorgeous,” said Doug Fox, a Hyundai dealer from Ann Arbor, Michigan. “We weren't expecting that.”
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However, unlike its KDM counterpart that's powered by a 140HP 1.6-liter unit with direct-injection, the U.S-spec model gets a larger displacement 1.8-liter gasoline unit with conventional port fuel injection rated at 148-horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque. Hyundai estimates that the U.S. model will return a highway efficiency of around 40mpg.
We'll have more on the new Elantra from the LA Show floor, but for now, follow the jump to check out our high-resolution photo gallery.
We already know about several world debuts such and Nissan's completely redesigned Quest minivan, Murano Cross Cabriolet concept and Ellure sedan study, but today the organizers [officially] confirmed a few more premieres.
These include -in no particular order- the well-received Mazda Shinari sports sedan [read the full story here]; the five-door version of the Land Rover Evoque; Saab 9-4X; Kia Optima Hybrid; VW Eos facelift, and the U.S.-spec Hyundai Elantra compact sedan and Fiat 500
For example, the 80% (or "closer to 70%" if listening to J.D. Power analyst Jeff Schuster) is significant when strictly discussing percentages. If discussing volume, the major US automakers still hold the cards. CNN Money reports that if GM were building 66% of American-sold cars here, the number would triple Hyundai's current volume.
Boasting a much sportier look than its rather dull predecessor, the new Elantra continues Hyundai's 'fluidic sculpture' design philosophy in a package that most automakers would describe today as a "four-door coupe".
There are no photos of the new Elantra's cabin, but we assume that the interior styling will be heavily influenced by the larger Sonata.
Either way, the compact-size four-door saloon looks like a mini-Sonata sharing the same "Fluidic Sculpture" design with its larger brethren. Apparently, Hyundai has learned its German lessons well - and by that we mean the "one design fits all size mantra".
As always, you can have your say in the comments section below.
These spy shots were labeled as the next generation 2011 Hyundai Elantra. And while we have no doubt that it's a Hyundai, we are not at all convinced that what we're looking at here is the new Elantra. In fact, we believe that there's a possibility it may be the saloon version of the next generation Accent.
Evidently, you're wondering what made us consider the new Accent.
Well, compared to other spy shots of the Elantra here in the U.S., this camouflaged prototype that was spied in Germany appears to be more compact in dimensions and it features a less swooping roofline. Furthermore, the shape of the window frame at the rear door is also different.
A third option is that this may be the Euro-spec Elantra, but for the time being, we're leaning towards the Accent.
You can compare these photos with spy shots of the Elantra from other sites by clicking the links below, and tell us what you think.
Accent or Elantra, one thing is for sure: the styling of the prototype model is clearly inspired by the larger Sonata, and that should be something from a design standpoint.
2011 Hyundai Elantra Scoop Links: Autoblog, Worldcarfans, Edmunds
The navigation system's features include a 6.5-inch high resolution touch-screen, Bluetooth and iPod/USB connectivity plus a 200-watt AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system with internal amplifier and 8GB of internal flash memory.
The system's map covers the continental United States and has available POIs (Points of Interest) for shopping, entertainment and dining with route guidance provided by audio and 2D map prompts.
The touchscreen navigation-equipped Elantras arrive in U.S. dealerships this month with prices set at $17,995 for the GLS A/T (+$1,100 over the standard GLS A/T) and at $19,845 for the SE A/T Premium + Navigation (+$2,000 over the SE A/T), not including a $720 freight charge.
Hyundai is planning to recall 65,000 MY’08 Elantra models with Hyundai said that this could result to
