New Hyundai Elantra confirmed for Australia

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By Alborz Fallah | March 21st, 2011

Hyundai Australia has announced the introduction of four new models before the end of 2011. The very first will be the all-new Hyundai Elantra which is sure to help the world’s fastest-growing car company complete its small car line-up.

Continuing the same ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design philosophy that we’ve seen in the i45 and ix35, the new Elantra doesn’t adopt the “i” naming convention as the Korean giant has designed the car primarily for markets outside of Europe.

The company confirmed in a recent media briefing that all model names starting with “i” are targeted mainly for European markets and all “named” models have North America in mind (Hyundai Australia brings in the most suited models to our market but will maintain international naming conventions).

Hyundai’s senior manager of product planning, Roland Rivero, was reluctant to go into much detail regarding specification or pricing for the new Elantra, except that it will launch in the Australian market in the third quarter of 2011 (likely as a 2012 model).

Damian

I hope they release some decent diesels with this! A 1.6 and 2.0 CRDI would be really cool!
T

“The company confirmed in a recent media briefing that all model names starting with “i” are designed for European markets with all “named” models designed for the rest of the world (the United States being the main one.”

So we are classed by Hyundai as European as we have ‘i’ models here. So, we are both European and the rest of the world. That makes complete sense??

http://www.caradvice.com.au/ Alborz Fallah

the models starting with “i” are targeted primarily at Europe and ones with names targeted primarily at North America and rest of the World. Hyundai Australia picks the best models that it believes suit our market but keeps the international names as is.

andronicus

Not often can we say that we are benefiting from living in AU with an extended choice of vehicles but I guess this time it is true with Hyundai AU selecting the best of the overall international range and launching them here.

Well done to Hyundai AU for pushing so many models through. Every one of these new offerings is a step up and a real call out to their opposition.

o

this all makes sense except that the sonata was renamed i45 for australia

andronicus

And which would you prefer?

I like i45 over Sonata…I think that name plate has run its course.

Shak

Well, i look forward to competition getting even tougher in the Small car market with the introduction of the Eleantra and the Accent, because we all know that the consumer will reap the ultimate reward.

Duckula

Agreed Shak – might make Toyota actually put some effort into the design of the corolla…. honestly corolla has to be ugliest kid on the block in its segment once this arrives… which is a shame – cos Im no corolla lover or hater – its basically a decent – albeit dull – car let down by its design.

Baddass

“honestly corolla has to be ugliest kid on the block in its segment once this arrives”.

Wow, really? Are you sure you’re not getting bland confused with ugly? I would have thought the Tiida would still hold that crown (especially in updated form, ugh). To be fair, the Corolla sedan looks pretty nasty with the update, especially those awful tail-lights.

Duckula

I cant even bring myself to mention the T word – I have had images of that car removed from my brain – good pick up there…. but at least we know that the T is not long for this world….amen!

Crummydore

You know what, this car looks really good!
I look forward to seeing one in real life.
Save It for the track

looks a fair improvement over the current model. Engine and sizing details will be interesting. The 2.0L or 2.2L R diesels would be interesting in a vehicle this size. With so many still buying Corollas and Camrys based solely on the fact that they are Toyotas (and already are generally nowhere near best in class), why does Toyota have to bother making them look decent, not to mention make them handle or have updated gearboxes or the like? The octagenarians and fleets will still buy them regardless.

DGS

10 years ago I really liked the then current model Toyota Carolla. I would have brought one if the salesman had not turned the base model with auto as the only option into a $28,000 drive away proposition (bugger that).

I got a top spec Elantra for $22,000 drive away with auto 3 years later. To my suprise it has turned out to be a very reliable and durable car.

I have watched as Hyundai has improved since and for some reason, as Toyota has let it’s game slide in the same time. Now I would prefer a Hyundai over a Toyota for exactly the same reason that I would have prefered a Toyota over a Hyundai 10 years ago.

Paul S

Is this smaller than an i30? (or essentially an i30 sedan)

DGS

The Elantra is effectivly the i30 sedan. the Accent the i20 sedan. The motors will be simular to their corasponding hatchbacks. The Sedans seem to be a more recent design and have newer technology then the hatches. When the i20 and i30 (both getting a bit old now) get their next update the sedans and hatches will become even more alike in interiors and mechanicals.

Paul S

Sounds like we can expect a revamped i30 coming up … would love an i30 wagon that looked half as good as the i40 wagon.

Duckula

Have to agree DGS – the current i30 wagon lets the new look down – but I guess it was the first model of the ‘new generation’ so they gotta be a bit careful – lets hope the next gen i30 wagon is as good looking as its big brother looks to be.

hyundaikia

i love the car

but hyundai, please wake up with the naming, or at least say the right things?

pretty sure this will be named the i35 or else they wouldn’t have filed all those trademarks
Save It for the track

Get over the name thing. They are not going to bother changing names just for a small market like Australia. i_ _, whatever or Elantra who cares. look at the cars, the name should be irrelevant.

F1MotoGP

Name means not much. Honda Jazz in Japan is Fit. Toyota Yaris in Japan is Vitz…etc
hyundaikia

name is nothing???

if mercedes changed their names from C class to Consecutive, and E class to Executive,
bla bla bla

marketing is key my love.

i wish hyundai would bring out a new small car and name it the “EXCEL 86″

and toyota bring a car out called…RECALL HYBRID…

or BRAKE Pro.

Noely

WOW!I think evetyone would be shocked by seeing those new generation hyundais at the first place.Watch out Japanese brands.This one is much dangerous than quake and tsunami for you…
http://caradvice Jordan

looked at one today really nice!!
Sumpguard

This car is going to do VERY well if it is priced right. What a great looking vehicle and it appears Hyundai are really starting to fine tune their “fluidic” design.