Only days after the unveiling of the new Accent small sedan (Verna for South Korea) in Beijing, Hyundai rolled out the next generation of its Elantra saloon - badged as the Avantre in its home market- at the 2010 Busan International Motor Show today.
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.
Hyundai has kept most technical details to itself, but the South Korean maker did reveal that the front-wheel drive Elantra / Avante will be offered with a new 1.6-liter Gamma Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission.
The four-cylinder unit is rated at 140-horsepower and 166Nm or 122 lb-ft of peak torque, and according to Hyundai, "it's about 10 percent more fuel efficient than its closest competitors."
Tech goodies will include HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlamps, LED combination lamps in the rear, heated rear seats, puddle lamps and a color TFT LCD information display nestled in the gauge cluster.
"The new Avante encompasses Hyundai's latest ambitions, featuring the best styling and performance in its class," Steve S. Yang, President & CEO of Hyundai's Global Business Division, said at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) today. "We're confident that it will once again redefine the compact segment worldwide."
South Korean sales of the Avante are expected to start in the second half of 2010, with the rest of the world to follow either towards the end of the year or early 2011.
