The Hyundai Elantra Thread

Hyundai Elantra 1.6 Turbo Elite Sport (2017) Quick Review

Facts & figures

Price: R399 900 (August 2017)
Engine: 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder turbopetrol
Transmission: 6-speed dual clutch
Power: 150 kW (combined)
Torque: 265 Nm (combined)
Fuel consumption: 7.9 L/100 km (claimed)
0-100 kph: 7.7 seconds (claimed)
Top speed: 210 kph (claimed)

Verdict

To put it simply, there is no compact sedan in the new vehicle market that can, for around the R400 000 mark, match the performance and luxury of the Hyundai Sport. Whether the market wants performance derivatives of value-oriented 4-door family cars is a moot point, but a brand that is better known for its sensible family SUVs and compact cars has somehow transformed its middle-of-the-road sedan into something engaging, which is far more than its rivals can say. Granted, there is an Audi S3 sedan, but that's in a different league in terms of performance and price. This new Hyundai Elantra feels reassuringly solid and composed, and we're happy to say its one of the few sporty sedans which is actually relatively affordable.

Sure, the Elantra Sport is not a fully resolved performance sedan per se, but it's definitely a signal of intent by Hyundai. If the hype around the fiery i30 N hatchback is anything to go by, then we predict the next Elantra Sport will be a more rounded product with even more performance. As for this particular product, it's a pleasant reminder that you can find some fun and enjoyment from a sedan without breaking the half-million-Rand barrier.

http://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/hyundai-elantra-16-turbo-elite-sport-2017-quick-review/43752/

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A Hyundai Elantra with real sporting ambitions

It doesn't take long to figure out that the all-new Hyundai Elantra wants to do more than just beat the Corolla and its C-Segment buddies at the sensible sedan gig, with all its Uber journeys, family commutes and schmoozy repping.

As the Sport badge on the bootlid of the flagship on test here implies, the latest version of Hyundai’s old-faithful (SA’s first ever Hyundai was an Elantra, remember?) has some sporting ambitions.

You immediately get a sense of these intentions from the exterior styling package with its bolder bumpers, black grille, side sill extensions and thin-spoked 17” alloys, and it becomes even more apparent when you hop into the cabin, with its bright porn-star-red leather seats and ‘Sport’ embroidery.

Yet the proof of the pudding lies beneath the bonnet and thankfully this car actually has the go to match the show as Hyundai has installed the most liberally-tuned version of its 1.6-litre turbopetrol engine. As per its Veloster Turbo and Kia Cerato Koup cousins, this direct injection motor is rated at 150kW at 6000rpm and 265Nm from 1500 to 4500rpm. It’s mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch automated gearbox.

If you do the sums, there does appear to be a fair amount of bang for the buck on offer here. Sure, its price tag seems on the steep side at R399 900 for the Elantra 1.6T Sport, but the only sedan that comes close to it in output terms is the 140kW Audi A3 2.0 TFSI sedan at R468 000. Even humbling down to Honda’s 127kW 1.5T Civic sedan Sport will set you back R442 900. Let’s not forget Ford’s 132kW Focus 1.5T auto, which seems a comparative bargain at R330 900, but comes with less features than the Elantra.

But how does the Elantra put all its power down? This is where the ‘sport’ factor starts to fade a bit, but not necessarily in a bad way. Certainly, it’s very fast and that dual-clutch gearbox goes about its business quickly and efficiently. Foot-flat acceleration is a very smooth and effortless experience in this car, but there’s no real acoustic drama to accompany this. Characteristically, it’s fair to say, the Elantra Sport is more of an understated but brisk mile-gobbler than snap-crackle-pop GTI wannabe.

It clearly wants to be a sports sedan for grown-ups, and we like that about it, except that it doesn’t appear that the suspension tuners got that memo as the ride is a bit on the firm side, although it’s not necessarily uncomfortable.

The Sport does have a fancier rear axle than regular Elantras, trading the torsion beam for an independent, multi-link rear suspension.

The car handles rather neatly, but it’s not going to gobble up corners like a GTI and lacking such niceties as a limited slip diff, it’s more a case of safe understeer than tight apex clipping. The steering, while accurate, also lacks the kind of feedback that you might expect from a sportier sedan or hatch.

The cabin manages to strike a good balance between being fancy and being sporty. There are some racy touches, such as a red-striped, flat-bottomed steering wheel and those aforementioned bright red leather seats. That colour scheme is a bit hectic actually, especially when a subtler and more elegant tone of red or maroon would have lifted the ambience just as nicely. But I know I’m nitpicking here and hats off to Hyundai for upholstering the seats in something other than the default dark grey.

It’s business as usual for the rest of the cabin, which as we’ve come to expect from modern Hyundai, is well insulated and boasts rock-solid build quality, reasonably nice materials and enough features to sink a cruise liner.

All Elantras come with Hyundai’s satnav-equipped 20cm touchscreen infotainment system with Mirror Link for Android and HDMI for iPhone integration. Also featured across the range is cruise control and rear park assist, while the 2.0 Elite and 1.6T Sport add things like auto climate control with rear ventilation, start button and rain sensor.

This sedan is quite spacious too, with ample rear legroom and a roomy 458 litre boot.

This practicality is a virtue of the car’s notably cab-forward design that maximises the amount of space allocated to the cabin, yet despite this the Elantra manages to avoid looking dowdy. It has a somewhat cleaner look to it than its fussy ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ predecessor and that should ensure it ages well. And yet it still plays the flashy part well with that big-grilled, Audi-like front end and a sloping tail that’s pierced by large, swoopy lights that neatly straddle the shoulderline crease and sporty boot lip.

VERDICT

Good looking, fast, practical and well appointed, the Elantra Sport ticks a lot of boxes for those seeking a sedan with extra flavour, and let’s not forget that seven-year/200 000km powertrain warranty (the general warranty is valid for 5yrs/150 000km). Yet given that its overall personality seems more grand tourer than boy racer, Hyundai could perhaps have tuned the suspension a bit more for comfort.

All considered though, it’s still a great package at the price.

Hyundai Elantra 1.6 Turbo Elite Sport

Engine:1.6-litre, four-cyl, turbopetrol
Gearbox:6-speed automated dual clutch
Power:150kW @ 6000rpm
Torque:265Nm @ 1500-2500rpm
0-100km/h (claimed):7.7 seconds
Top speed (claimed):210km/h
Price:R399 900
Warranty:5-year/150 000km
Service plan:5-year/90 000km

http://www.iol.co.za/motoring/road-tests/a-hyundai-elantra-with-real-sporting-ambitions-10629228
 
Watched the Ignition TV review of the flagship 150kw Sport model.

Marius & Lindsay were impressed with the powerplant, dual-clutch gearbox & the spec level. Thet were also going on about the standard fit 8" infotainment system that comes with nav. But unlike the latest Kia models the UI looks rather ungainly.

The handling still has some way to go. Good contender overall. The "Sport" badge is a misnomer.
 
10 Cheapest New Cars With 150 kW Or More

New vehicle prices in South Africa have rocketed skywards over the last year as a weaker Rand drove the costs of importing vehicles to our market ever higher. We investigate whether there’s still some real bang-for-buck value in the market.

With new car prices soaring dramatically over the past year in a volatile economy, your money buys you less, particularly if you are looking for a more performance-orientated car. Take the latest Volkswagen Golf GTI as an example. With a lofty starting price R545 800, the GTI is now an expensive proposition.

Nonetheless, for the purpose of this list, we have set the performance threshold at 150 kW as that’s certain to result in willing performance in combination with a compact body shell. Obviously, we aren’t accounting for weight or a sporty chassis at this point, but it’s interesting to see where the power bargains are hiding in the new car market. Take a look!

Top 10 Cheapest New Cars in SA with at least 150 kW (in ascending price order)

1. Kia Cerato Koup 1.6T

The Kia Cerato Koup is the most affordable car with over 150 kW on offer in South Africa. The 1.6-litre turbocharged engine develops 152 kW and 265 Nm of torque and is claimed to accelerate from zero to 100 kph in 7.7 seconds. There is an automatic version in the range that claims to be slightly quicker (at 7.4 seconds) to 100 kph, but our experience with that transmission was disappointing. For R390 995, the Cerato Koup constitutes great value (considering its very stylish looks). The Cerato Koup automatic is priced from R403 995.

2. Hyundai Elantra Turbo Elite Sport

The new Hyundai Elantra was launched earlier this year and the range-topping Elantra 1.6 Turbo Elite Sport offers the practicality associated with a sedan while also delivering some thrills behind the wheel. Powered by the same turbocharged 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine found in the Veloster Turbo, buyers get 150 kW and 265 Nm of torque with a claimed sprint time of 7.7 seconds in the run to 100 kph using a 6-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission. The Elantra 1.6 Turbo Elite Sport is priced from R399 900.

3. Hyundai Veloster Turbo

The Hyundai Veloster Turbo offers 150 kW and 265 Nm of torque from its 1.6-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, the same engine used in the Elantra Turbo Sport Elite (above). With a claimed zero to 100 kph sprint time of 7.8 seconds, Hyundai's 4-door hatchback offers useable (if less-than-scintillating) performance. The Veloster Turbo manual is priced from R419 900k. Stick with the manual version as it is more affordable and more involving to use than the dual-clutch automatic version which is priced from R444 900.

4. Renault Clio RS 220 Trophy

The recently-launched Clio RS 220 Trophy is a scintillating road-going track car that offers no less than 162 kW and 260 Nm of torque from its turbocharged 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder petrol engine. Using a 6-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission, the Clio RS 220 Trophy offers performance kicks with a zero to 100 kph sprint time of 6.6 seconds. For the amount of thrills, this Clio 220 RS Trophy offers decent value starting at R419 900.

5. Ford Focus ST1

Ford Focus ST1 is still a relative bargain in the market with 184 kW and 360 Nm of torque on offer from its turbocharged 2.0-litre engine. It will sprint from zero to 100 kph in approximately 6.5 seconds and will top out at 248 kph. The ST1 is the entry-level ST, so there are a few luxuries missing, such as leather seats, daytime running lights and climate control. It’s a bare-bones performance bargain in most people's books. R440 000 gets you into an ST1, but to upgrade to the ST3 will cost R481 900.

6. Renault Megane GT

With its stylish and sporty styling, the new Megane GT offers good performance with 151 kW and 280 Nm of torque developed by from its 1.6-litre turbopetrol engine. Zero to 100 kph is dispatched in 7.1 seconds with a top speed of 230 kph using a 7-speed dual clutch transmission. The Megane GT is all yours for R457 900.

7. Mini John Cooper Works Hatch 3-Door

The JCW is an eminently wieldy "pocket rocket" and (relative) performance bargain. With 170 kW and 320 Nm of torque on tap from its 2.0-litre turbopetrol motor, the JCW is said to catapult from standstill to 100 kph in just 6.3 seconds. Beware of the optional extras list, however; things can get pretty expensive if you specify many of the goodies that Mini offer. The basic JCW costs R471 104.

8. Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1750TBi Veloce

Alfa Romeo recently updated its Giulietta and this range-topping Veloce derivative is claimed to be the fastest car on this list with a zero to 100 kph sprint time of 6.0 seconds. The 1.75-litre turbopetrol engine churns out 177 kW and 340 Nm of torque and is mated to a 6-speed automatic dual-clutch transmission. The Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1750TBi Veloce is priced from R479 900.

9. Volvo V40 T5 Momentum

Volvo isn’t known as a bargain performance brand, but in T5 Momentum guise, the V40 offers excellent value courtesy of its 180 kW/350 Nm 2.0-litre four cylinder turbopetrol motor mated with an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Acceleration from zero to 100 kph is achieved in a claimed 6.3 seconds. The starting price for the Volvo V90 T5 Momentum is R499 238.

10. Hyundai Tucson Turbo Executive Sport

Hyundai's decision to sell a sportier version of its Tucson family SUV seems to be paying off as customers are taking a liking to the beefier Tucson Turbo Executive Sport . The Tucson Turbo Executive Sport is the only compact family SUV to make it onto this list with 150 kW and 295 Nm of torque offered from its 1.6-litre turbopetrol engine. The Tucson Turbo Executive Sport is priced R499 900.

http://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/10-cheapest-new-cars-with-150-kw-or-more/42455/
 
Elantra goes from clean to mean for SEMA

When we tested the Hyundai Elantra Sport earlier this year, we said it was a good looking, fast, practical, well-appointed choice for those seeking a sedan with extra flavour.

But good looking and practical don’t cut it at the annual Speciality Equipment Marketing Association bunfight in the world’s gaudiest city, so Hyundai North America called in Blood Type Racing to take the Electra Sport from clean to mean, with water-methanol injection, revised intake and exhaust plumbing, tuned suspension and a full aero kit.

The result is the BTR Edition Elantra Sport, a veritable smorgasbord of off-the-shelf gofast goodies, put together with some flair and imagination by Sam Lee of Blood Type Racing - and the point is that with patience, money and motivation, you could do the same with your Elantra.

Here's how:

Lee started with a Devil’s Own water/methanol injection system, a Torcon CAI intake and a Pierce Motorsports exhaust system, and made it work with his own custom ECU tuning.

He slammed the suspension with HSD coilovers, and anti-roll bars, a strut tower brace and a chassis brace from Pierce Motorsports, with a Fella Big Brake kit and 19 inch SSR GTX01 rims shod with Toyo T1 Sport gumballs.

Diode Dynamics provided special headlights and LED interior lighting and the front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser were custom made by Aerotek, but the GTC-200 GT rear wing was off the shelf from APR. The body and spray work was entrusted to AutoArt, using BASF Glasurit Arancio Borealis paint.

Understated interior

The interior was left relatively standard, other than re-stitching all the upholstery with contrast-coloured thread, replacing the steering wheel with a carbon-fibre one from SoCalGarageWorks and adding diamond-stitched floor mats.

But the final touch for the real petrol head is in the boot - a Trunk Track Tool Set and clamp custom-made by Lee to hold a full-sized spare wheel.

https://www.iol.co.za/motoring/latest-launches/elantra-goes-from-clean-to-mean-for-sema-11609122

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Review: 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport driven

For two weeks, Hyundai has been responsible for a bit of traffic in my residential area and I had feared there would be a crash or fender-bender right in front of my home.

The reasons? The Korean automaker's latest offerings had been parked in my driveway back to back - first it was the Tucson Sport followed by the very stylish Elantra Sport.

Wait, that's a Hyundai!?

The Elantra has gone from a plain, quiet teenager to a striking, confident diva. Gone are the shapeless curves and boring body styling. I recall the first generation Elantra/Sonata being more straight-laced than the second which was more curvy and had more lines. It's design did nothing to make the family car stand out, well at least I thought so.

Yet, it was still a decent, proud-to-own family sedan. Now, it's a car with so much pizzazz, I would easily consider purchasing a vehicle like this over more popular (read: expensive) alternatives.

The Sport model completely looks and acts the part of a more brazen Elantra. Convenience goodies include a power tailgate, operated via the key fob (Elite models only). The Sport version has LED rear combination rear lights, sporty twin exhausts and a silver skid plate. Not to mention the lavish red leather seats.

Other niceties in the Elite Sport model includes climate control, push Start button, rear armrest with dual cup holders and rear air vents, as well as rain sensors. There's also a sliding centre console, electro-chromatic mirrors and rear park assist.

The model range starts at a competitive R299 000, though the model I sampled on test was the 1.6-litre TGDI Elite Sport which is available at R399 000. It's mated to a seven-speed DCT gearbox and is good for 150kW/265Nm from the 4-cylinder 16-valve DOHC unit.

It comes with all the bells and whistles you might need including air con, cruise control, sat navigation and a Sport driving mode. Safety features include rear park assist, six airbags, and when the vehicle is involved in a collision, the car doors will unlock automatically.

At the time of its launch earlier in June 2017, and with open-roads where one could really put the Elantra through its paces, I said there was hardly any turbo lag. However, in real-world driving in city traffic and congested roads, there's the slightest bit of lag disturbing driving pleasure. But, it's easily forgiven with its luxurious red interior, spacious cabin and other niceties.

Gear-shifting is smooth and generally the vehicle provides a solid drive on the road, whether you're cruising or making it work under more strenious conditions such as transporting the family on holiday or sprinting to the office. Either way, the drive remains comfortable and Hyundai claims a 7.9-litre combined fuel consumption.

Luggage space always plays a very big role in my checklist and the Elantra's boot is humangous, big enough for three golf bags to be exact.

A few years ago, a friend of mine used to drive a purple second-generation Hyundai Elantra, well beyond its 'expiry date'. The car itself was pretty mundane and the only thing I remembered from its shapeless, character was its colour. It just lacked personality.

The thing I remember most about it was the fact that it just didn't suit my friend at all. He was athletic, used to cycle all the time and loved motorcycles. He looked quirky behind the steering wheel and his Kawasaki Ninja bike suited his personality so much more.

Why does that matter? Because this version of Hyundai's sporty Elantra would be the type of car that would be a perfect fit now, assuming he could be pursuaded to purchase another Elantra. He's a dad of three, still cycles, still loves motorcycles, but a good-looking sedan is much more of interest.

Hyundai has in the past been seen as the underdog in the local industry, but sales have been growing every month. According to the latest Naamsa sales figures, Hyundai showed more than a 1000 Grand i10 units sold, 1134 to be exact, over 300 each for the i20, Creta and Tucson. Elantra sales were at 109 for the month of January.

But looks are not its only strongpoint. The Elantra Turbo version makes for a pretty good rival as a family vehicle option between the Mazda3, Volkswagen Jetta, Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, and dare I even say the more premium offering of the Audi A3.

http://www.wheels24.co.za/NewModels/review-2017-hyundai-elantra-sport-driven-20180214
 
I test drove the 1.6T this past Saturday, I was pleasantly surprised. I agree with the above article - gear changes are smooth, very little turbo lag, and the acceleration is quite enjoyable. Build quality is good, one can see Hyundai has made some good progress.

The ride is comfortable and the cabin is quiet inside, even at speed. Spec levels are good, but maybe a little disappointing to learn that the seats are "imitation" leather, not real leather, and a rear view camera for reversing would have been nice (it only provides audible warnings from the rear PDC), but all in all it is still a good "value-for-money" offering in my opinion.

The demo car was apparently also being used by one of the sales consultants as a daily driver, and the trip computer indicated average fuel consumption of 7.2L/100km. According to the salesman who took me on the test drive, a realistic average consumption figure would be 9L/100km.

He offered me the demo for R360,000, admin and OTR fees included, which seemed like a good deal (only 6,000km on the clock)

One thing I was curious about, but only remembered it later after leaving the dealership so couldn't check it, was if it offered the "Smart Trunk" option - where the boot opens automatically if you have the key on you and it detects you standing close to the boot. If you check out videos on YouTube, Elantras in other markets do have it as standard, but out of the factory it is off by default, so you have to enable it in the car's settings.

Given that the salesman had poor knowledge of the cars he is selling, I doubt that he would know about this feature, so maybe you get it in SA models too.
 
Hyundai Elantra

The redesigned 2019 Hyundai Elantra sedan conveys emotion with a new intense design, while delivering a sophisticated driving experience through Hyundai SmartSense safety and convenience technologies. Hyundai SmartSense offers a variety of advanced active safety and convenience features. SmartSense technologies available as options on the 2019 Elantra include: Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist, Driver Attention Assist and Safe Exit Assist. The newly designed 2019 Elantra will be available from fall 2018.

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) data shows that Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) and Forward Collision Warning (FCW), which are both integrated into Hyundai's Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist, are associated with a 50-percent reduction in rear-end collisions. In addition, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) 94 percent of serious vehicle crashes involve human error, which is why advanced safety technologies like Lane Keep Assist have the potential to save lives.

https://www.netcarshow.com/hyundai/2019-elantra/

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