2017 Hyundai Elantra gets first look ahead of Los Angeles Auto Show
The newest version of Hyundai's Elantra compact sedan is set to debut this November, and a prototype for an Elantra GT hatchback has just been spotted testing in Europe.
The logo of Hyundai Motor Co is seen on a car displayed at the South Korean automaker's showroom in Seoul, South Korea. While the new Hyundai Elantra is expected to reach showrooms next year, as a 2017 model, it’s thought the hatchback variant’s arrival will be deferred until 2017 because the current model was just updated.
Ahn Young-joon/AP/File
Hyundai is tipped to introduce a new generation of its Elantra compact sedan this November at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show, and a revealing teaser shot has already been released (see below). Like the current Elantra, this new one will eventually spawn an Elantra GT hatchback variant, a prototype for which has just been spotted testing in Europe.
While the new Elantra is expected to reach showrooms next year, as a 2017 model, it’s thought the hatchback variant’s arrival will be deferred until 2017 because the current model was just updated. This would likely see the new Elantra GT arrive as a 2018 model.
From the spy shots and teaser, we can see that the new Elantra range is adopting a look that resembles the lines on the upmarket Genesis sedan. Noticeably, a large hexagonal grille is paired with slim and sporty headlights, while clean and refined surfaces add a touch of elegance.
“The all-new Elantra captures the car’s unique design characteristics that really place this model in a class of its own,” Hyundai design chief Peter Schreyer said of the Korean firm’s new compact. “The subtle and innovative appearance enhancements reflect Hyundai’s vision for design.”
There should be some significant mechanical updates too. While the current Elantra GT is available exclusively with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder, we suspect the new model will offer the same options as the latest Tucson, meaning the choice of two new four-cylinder engines: a 2.0-liter unit with 164 horsepower, or a more advanced turbocharged 1.6-liter with 174 hp on tap.
Stay tuned for updates as development continues.
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