New Hyundai Elantra: 5 things to know

The new Hyundai Elantra will launch later today. It will, like its predecessor, sit above the Verna in Hyundai’s India line-up.  Here’s all you need to know.

 1) Mature aesthetics:

The new Elantra's design is a marked departure from the company’s current Fluidic Design language. It showcases a more mature styling rather than the sweeping design of the current model. The new design gets Hyundai's new hexagonal grille. Based on a new platform, this means that the upcoming Elantra will be larger than its predecessor.

2) Choice of two engines:

The new Elantra comes with a 1.6-litre diesel engine that delivers 128hp, same as the current car ,while the petrol-powered version will come with  a 149hp 2.0-litre unit.

3) New interiors:

The new Elantra features a more traditional dashboard design as compared to the current model’s flowing unit. A touchscreen unit  sits atop the centre console. The cabin quality has been upped with improved materials and a significant list of features.

4) Launch fast-tracked:

Hyundai has fast-tracked the launch of the new Elantra to sometime later this year. The automaker wasn’t expected to launch the new car this year with the current model receiving a facelift in April 2015. It was also not on display at the Auto Expo 2016 and is yet to be revealed to the Indian public.

5) Competition check:

The new Elantra replaces the current model and will take on the likes of the Corolla Altis, the Volkswagen Jetta, the Skoda Octavia and the Chevrolet Cruze.

We had a chance to drive the new Elantra recently. Here’s our review