Hyundai has officially launched the facelifted Elantra in the Korean market, aiming to bolster its presence in one of the world's most competitive segments with refreshed styling and improved features.
The 2014 Elantra, badged as the Avante in Korea is 20mm longer overall than the previous model at 4550mm (on the same wheelbase), with front and rear bumpers extended by 5mm and 15mm, while a revised front bumper, grille and foglights, along with new LED headlights and daytime running lights are intended to lend a high-tech look.
LISTEN TO THE CUSTOMER - HE’S USUALLY RIGHT
The interior has been updated to reflect feedback from customers of the previous Elantra; the centre armrest and centre air-vent have been raised, and a rear-seat air vent, 90mm LED display and ventilated seats have been incorporated, along with high-tech convenience features such as parking sensors and variable psteering assistance.
NEW DIESEL
There's also new diesel variant, with a 94kW/279Nm 1.6-litre turbodiesel with idle-stop function on the auto-transmission version, for which the maker quotes average fuel consumption of 5.4 litres per 100km (manual) - or 6.2 on self-shifters.
Hyundai SA plans to launch the revised Elantra in South Africa sometime in 2014 but would not be more specifc as to when or, indeed, whether it would release the diesel on the local market.