2011 Hyundai Elantra (Avante) premiered in Busan

By Tim Beissmann | May 01st, 2010

UPDATED 10:30 May 1 with comment from Hyundai Australia.

The 2011 Hyundai Elantra (Avante in overseas markets) has been unveiled at the Busan International Motor Show in South Korea.

The show car teams a six-speed automatic transmission with Hyundai’s 1.6-litre Gamma direct-injection four-cylinder engine for 103kW of power and 166Nm of torque. Hyundai is yet to reveal fuel economy or emissions figures but claims the Gamma GDI engine is more frugal than most similar-sized petrol units.

The vehicle’s “fluidic sculpture” design language gives the new Elantra a tight, aggressive appearance and is a significant improvement on the outgoing model. It fits naturally in the range below the i45 (Sonata replacement), which is due to be launched locally this quarter.

The Korean-specified show car featured high-intensity-discharge lamps and LED tail lamps, heated rear seats, and an LCD information screen in the dashboard.

The Avante will go on sale in Korea in the second half of the year and in export markets closer to 2011.

A spokesman for Hyundai Australia told CarAdvice that it currently has no information about the new Elantra but is investigating the car for a local launch.

He confirmed the existing Elantra will remain part of the range until a replacement is introduced.

The Elantra is currently Hyundai’s best-selling global vehicle with more than six million finding homes since its launch 20 years ago.

Elantra sales in Australia have largely been cannibalised by the newer i30. Throughout the first quarter of this year, Hyundai sold just 671 Elantras compared with 8720 i30s.

ingwen

Wow……..look really good and with 6 speeds……Koreans are really making inroads….Wonder what would the Japs do to counter the Korean this time

Andronicus

Hire a toilet designer.

I hear Honda are chasing the bloke behind the dual flush button to counter Toyota’s bold recruitment move…

vid_ghost

I dont know why they dont hire people who have designed Jets and Future mech styled machinery or Anime, or heck the Artests who just re-invisioned the ironman movies!!! the Auto makers would rather higher people who design toasters and dishwashers! lol or in Toyot’s case Digital Camera’s lol haha
The Oracle’s Master!

Toyota must be flushed with cash?

diego

LHD IS BETTER ….because australia dont have goods cars like US, dont have goods utes …when saw a image from australia I saw only old cars and commodore

The Oracle’s Master!

You need to get out more. 20 years ago I might actually have agreed with you up to a point. Not now.

The Oracle’s Master!

That was a toilet joke for those who missed it! They have a new designer that used to design dunnies.

http://gmail.com Les

WoW !.. Man I hope Nissan, Toyota and the like get the message and start delivering quality, good looking and good value small cars.. else they are toast!
realman

THAT’S ONE GOOD LOOKING CAR. THIS GUY IS SERIOUS.
Golfschwein

Hmmm. Mondeo-ish. Overall, though, it’s just enough of its own thing and is the best looking Hyundai to date.
col

the front looks alot like a honda civic, i like it.
Looks better than the sonata. I’d buy one because it looks alot more classy now.
Kampfer

WOW… Really good looking car. I think it’s much better looking than the i40/i45.
But with the coupe look rear will there enough rear head room?
Labrys

Looks good!
Hyundai continues to make inroads on the more established brands.
Good luck to them! The more competition the better.
The Japanese are really going to have to keep looking over their shoulder with what Hyundai and Kia are doing now.
ChairmanMao

NO need for this in AUS, the i30 is picking up the slack, the sales figures are a joke

What Hyundai need to do is import that 1.6 and 6 speed in the i30 and i20

You can buy superior anyway for low $20k’s [Lancer, Mazda3, etc]

Kampfer

This is a much better looking car than i30, if Hyundai make the new Elantra into a liftback (like Audi A5) I don’t mind replace my Focus with it (after owned a Camry I told myself NEVER buy another sedan again…).

I do agree that Hyundai should put this new 1.6L engine and 6 speeds auto into the i30. No one going to buy the just-released-in-OZ 1.6L i30 which only few $100s less than the 2.0L…

For basic models Mitsubishi and Mazda are no better than new Hyundai and Kia.

Mythfrances

Focus is a badly designed car, especially its interior. I understand why u want to change

The Oracle’s Master!

Just don’t tell the ford fanboys.

The Oracle’s Master!

It looks like they know

Mythfrances

Some Ford fans just cant accept any criticisms. Thats why They dont improve =P

The Oracle’s Master!

Some?
Eric

That may be because ford focus is the second most popular car in the world
(FORD)Focus Offers Real Dullness

Haha. That is more to do with ingorance than quality, if indeed it is true. Corolla outsells the Mazda 3 here in Australia but is crap by comparison.

o

WOW this just leapt to the front of the segment
Damian

“Superior” in what way, ChairmanMao? Nobody has driven the new Elantra yet and on paper, the Elantra SMASHES the Lancer and Mazda 3 when it comes to technology. I don’t see any of the Elantra\’s main competitors having direct injection technology, nor a 6-speed automatic. Knowing the Koreans, they will price the Elantra at least a few thousand dollars less than their equivalent Japanese competitors.

Devil’s Advocate

The Mazda3 MPS has direct injection Damian, always has. Mitsubishi was also one of the first companies in the world to offer Direct Injection in a mass produced car. Also don’t forget Mazda will fit their Direct Injection Sky-G engines mated to the 6 speed “Sky Drive” transmission in the Mazda3 etc next year which would be a similar time frame to if we see the “Elantra” imported here. However I agree they will offer it at a much cheaper price. The strong Yen etc will always do that!

Looks like quite a nice car with good power for a 1.6. However due to the small amount of torque any potential fuel savings would be cancelled out by having to rev the nuts off it to get anywhere. Especially when climbing a hill and/or carrying a few passengers.

Damian

Yes, Devil’s Advocate, I understand that the Mazda 3 MPS comes with direct injection, but you’re essentially referring to a car that’s in a completely different category, which also costs $40k for the base model. I also acknowledge that Mitsubishi came out with GDI (direct injection) in the mid-nineties, however, this fact alone does not help its current Lancer range, which lacks such technology.

Mazda’s impending SkyG technology does sound very interesting and along with the Elantra (if it ever makes it here), will cause a major stir in the small hatchback segment. I am hoping that this will cause Toyota to get rid of the somewhat gutless 1.8L donk from their Corolla, along with the antiquated 4-speed auto, for something that will remain competitive in this segment.
Shak

First of all, the Mazda 3 MPS is not a direct competitor to this. Secondly, Mitsubishi’s direct competitor to this does not have Direct Injection. Third, as Mazda has not released its Sky drivetrains here, they currently do not offer a Competitor to his car that has a DI 6sp combo. And lastly, why do you mention Yen when this car comes from South Korea. We import from them in Korean Won, not Japanese Yen. Damian is correct in saying, on paper this rumps the competition in so many area’s

Devil’s Advocate

Hi there Shak! I mentioned the Yen because the Mazda3 we get is MADE IN JAPAN, home of the YEN. Seeing as the Yen is stronger than the Korean Won at the moment, I was providing a possible reason that goes PART of the way to explaining WHY the Japanese cars may be more expensive. After all Damian mentioned, and I agreed, that the Hyundai will be a few thousand dollars cheaper than these main Japanese competitors. You need to read the posts properly rather than just browse a couple of words and jump in at the deep end! I KNOW the cars I mentioned are NOT direct competitors. I was just highlighting that the companies he mentioned do have that technology etc and they are available now and not just “going to be available in a few months time, if available at all in Australia”…

Damian IS correct that “on paper” this DI/6sp combo “romps” (I thought a “rump” was a bit of steak/part of the anatomy) the competition, but that is the thing, even THIS CAR is still technically ON PAPER, JUST like the “sky” Mazdas at THIS TIME IN SPACE. So the comparison to the “future/show” “sky” Mazdas being equal is IN FACT valid because this “Elantra” is a “future/show” car as well. UNTIL/IF it FINALLY is released to the Australian market (as the article states closer to the end of the year if at all) you can make the statement that it “romps” the competition in drive-train technology. But we all know that will only last a few months. That is if Hyundai Aus even import it here, then the result will be the opposite with Mazda beating Hyundai with DI/6sp. (I am using Mazda in this sentence as that is one of the main companies Damian was comparing to).

Now I get to the real facts! The VW Golf has provided non-turbo, “sport” model DI/6sp auto (now 7sp) for quite a few years now so in reality, Hyundai and Mazda are dragging the chain in this segment!!

Please don’t get me wrong, I applaud the fact that Hyundai are GOING to make affordable DI/6sp auto available to the small/medium car masses, but they are hardly providing any new “ground breaking” technology or being the first to provide it. Marketing spin aside, the truth is they are merely one of the early adopters. Good on them I say! I hope this pushes the other companies that haven’t yet outlined plans to release DI/6sp models to do the same.

Damian

Devil’s Advocate, it’s fair to say that VW has the lead in the small hatchback segment (not to be confused with the hot hatch segment). I had my reservations about the 2.0 FSI with the 6-speed auto, but these have been put to rest by the new 1.4 twin charge and DSG combo. I don’t think the 2.0 FSI N/A is being used anymore?
Devil’s Advocate

Not in our market at least! I think some countries still have the 1.4 and 1.6 N/A engine, however I think only the 1.6 is available with the 7 speed DSG. That leaves the diesel as the only 2.0L 4cyl left in the Golf. Will be interesting to see how all this plays out with the new Hyundai DI petrol engines and when they fit them to other models etc.

http://carAdvice The Salesman

Thats what all the gears are for.

Baji

Generally a good looking car, but the front end design lets it down imo. Kia do much better front ends.

Damian, by the time the new elantra does make it into Australia (if it even will), i think the Mazda 3 would probably have the new SkyG and Sky drive power trains so it will be right with the Hyundai technology wise.

Damian

But at what price, Baji? If Mazda can put as much, if not more, equipment into the Mazda 3 than Hyundai can with the Elantra, and price it equal to or less than the Elantra, then the 3 will definitely be the pick. However, the Mazda 3 is way overpriced in its current form, especially taking into account the lethargic 2.0L boat anchor it’s got. The SP25 is a little better, but it costs $30k.

Andrew M

IMO the Mazda 2.0L is the most zippy in its class, especially since they upgraded it.

And also, at least the mazda doesnt feel like driving a marshmallow

The Oracle’s Master!

I’m a fan of the Mazda, but its ride comes at the expense of comfort and road noise from what I read around the traps. The reality is that most people prefer to lean on the marshmellow side of things for a quieter cabin. Not everyone likes to race their family vehicle through hairpin bends.
Damian

IF the Mazda 2.0L is “class leading”, then the whole category must be of a very low standard. The 2.0L is anything but “zippy”, is unrefined and thrashy. The only saving grace is the handling, which is fairly decent.

john

I’ll have one in white, with a black leather interior, no sunroof, with dark tinted windows, cruise control and a 6 speed auto please.
delux

Will it be called Elantra in Australia? The iNumber is there current naming language so what will they call this? i40?

o

nup i40 is reserved for the European sonata most likely will be i35 or i30 sedan
Ricky

It will probably maintain the Elantra name. Calling it the i35 would confuse people with the ix35. It can’t be called i40 because that’s too close to i45 and the European Sonata replacement will be called i40.

The Oracle’s Master!

I’m not so sure it will retain the name. Hyundai are slowly killing the names off. Even less likely given Elantra’s slump in sales this year.

DGS

i29 ?

Ricky

Very nice looking car but not as good (IMO) as the new i45 / Sonata. The 1.6L looks like an impressive engine, but it produces less power and torque than the existing 2.0L in the Elantra. I think the 2.0L GDI engine would be a better choice.
Shane

hyundai divers (together with toyota camry and corolla drivers) are the new volvo drivers

Mr Pee Pee

Shane, I take it your comment is designed to elicit knee-jerk reactions, rather than contribute anything constructive to the discussion.

What do you drive, by the way?

The Oracle’s Master!

A pram!
Shane

Golf Gti

Damian

Shane probably drives a VS Commodore with bad clear coat and a Southern Cross on the back windscreen.

AJ

LOL, that was gold!

Fenno

Will you Hyundai lovers stop confusing “feature-packed” and “over-designed” with
“quality”?
They are not the same thing at all.

Shak

They were not many years ago, but as Korea is proving, they can all come in one nicely styled, well equipped, technology packed package. This car is feature packed, well designed and quality built(if Hyundai’s recent efforts are anything to go by)

The Oracle’s Master!

Rather than slam Hyundai Lovers, go and have a good look at the fit and finish of the cars. They are first rate now. Some plastics could be a little better quality but the fit is very good. Paint quality is excellent and unlike their Japanese rivals they typically arrive here with quality rubber and a full sized spare wheel. Even my partner’s Kia Rio arrived with Hankook tyres on it. Not the dunlop crap my Navara had despite being 3 times the prive to buy.

Shak

Are you demented? of course a fullsized heavy duty truck is going to cost three times the price of a light tinny cheap hatchback. And there might be a reason that the navara had a different tyre set, because manufacturers generally give cars the tyres for their intended purpose. The KIA’s purpose is to drive up the street to the shops and home. The Navara has to take a pounding towing crap around the worksite and then a boat down the coast on the weekend. Stupid…

The Oracle’s Master!

Yes indeed you are. The tyres on the Navara were a cost cutting measure like so many others that land here from Japan. Straight from the mouth of a Nissan Tech. They were stuffed at 15,000 k’s, has almost lethal wet weather manners and were loud. Remember the mazda 2 tyre disaster? The tyres on the RIO got 25,000 k’s (front) rears are still fine at 30,000k’s and are superb in the wet. So the point was very valid.

I worked for Toyota many years back and they did it too. The fact my Navara cost 3 times the price is all the more reson it should have had better tyres on it. At 3 times the price it has also been far less reliable having numerous visits back to nissan for warranty work including two sets of injectors ,clutch kit, new rear axle and brake assembly and recalibration of the airbags.

So based on your comment the Mazda tyres were intended to kill? It cost them a gong in Car of the Year awards when it was released.
The Oracle’s Master!

…oh and one more thing. My Navara was tested at 1.5 stars for ANCAP on release. I believe the airbag recalibration mentioned above was part of an attempt to raise it. Sadly it is typical of those types of vehicles. There has always been a mislead belief that 4×4 are strong. It is a myth. How’s that for tinny?
The Oracle’s Master!

Do you seriously believe that a 45 grand ute is acceptable with crap tyres when a 15 grand “tinny buzzbox” can arrive with Hankook tyres as standard? Clearly you missed the point. Are you demented?
The Oracle

Clueless Aussie, you cannot use the words “quality rubber” and “Hankook” in the same sentence, it is an oxymoron.

You want to read some tyre comparisons to see how Hankook and Kumho compare to the leading European, Japanese and American brands. You wouldn’t use the word quality for Hankook then. Many of the reviews on the new Hyundai and Kia vehicles have referred to the poor rubber they have as OE fitment.

It wasn’t that long ago that Hyundai were supplying their cars wirh Michelin as OE, because the Koreans tyres weren’t good enough. Now they are cost cutting on the rubber.
(FORD)Fails On Retail Desire

You need to follow your own advice Orifice about getting new jokes. But then that would mean self replacement I guess and I’d miss you too much.

As for the tyres, I distinctly recall mazda being condemned over its tyre choice on the base model mazda 2 when it was released. As for my partner’s rio I can only go on our own experience and the tyres stick like the proverbial to a blanket in the wet. Given this is Australia’s wettest city they are superb. Unilke the crap standard deathtraps from Dunlop that were fitted to my D40.
(FORD)Full Of Rectal Discharge

I went and had a quick brouse at tyre reviews and couldn’t find a single site to back your claim. I saved a link to one of them (you’ll need to add the required pieces to open it as linking isn’t allowed here) and it rates the tyres highly. Add the www and com and you’ll be away.

.1010tires./Tires/Reviews
The Oracle

Clueless Aussie, you really need to learn to read better, your comprehension is very poor. But I can’t expect much from a hillbilly from Hicksville FNQ!

I never referred to a Mazda2 or the Navara. That was you, remember. I was talking about Hankook and Kumho and the local reviews of their tyres and the performance of those fitted to newer Hyundais and Kias. You can’t say that they are better than the Michelins they used to fit, rather they are just cutting costs. (Like Nissan apparently.)

Also, I don’t regard 25,000km from the front tyres on a small FWD hatchback as being good mileage. Most drivers would expect twice that in a similar application. (That’s 50,000km if you can’t figure it out.)

Regarding the link, from the spelling it would appear to be an American website. Try and find something local and more appropriate to the tyres available in our market, before I think about following your suggestion.
(FORD)Finding Oracle’s Real Dad

The reference to Mazda was to a post long before you arrived sweety. Nice dodge on the link though.
The Oracle

Nice dodge on the lousy mileage with your Rio tyres and the cost cutting by Hyundai.

smokin’r32

Wow, thats a nice design, beats anything in its class currently on the market in my opinion
Spenco

Looks good. The Koreans are on the up! Slap in the new 2.0L from the ix35, 120+ kw standard, together with 6 speed auto, nice! Hyundai should definitely bring it over as the “i30″ sedan, will certainly sell like hotcakes then. Just as they will do bringing in new sonata as i45…
The Oracle’s Master!

I actually think this new styling works better here than on the i45 and that isn’t a slur on the i45. Hyundai are on a streak. Another very good looking car.
Valet Dabess

that looks pretty damn nice. all the new hyundai models are. the only thing i dont’ like is the hyundai logo. it’s ok but it doesn’t look cool enough

Mythfrances

I commented about this on other website before…Hyundai needs to change its logo! It looks like a Honda wannabe at the moment.
Mythfrances

In case some one wanna thumb down on this post. I shall say that a lot of Asian car makers should come out with some cool logos. I think the Porche one looks pretty nice. you know, just something more complicated than just an alphabet. Noone would disagree right?

binladen

Two big problems for Korean cars, expensive service and parts, low re-sale value. Trendy but not lasting style. anyone know why??
Camry lover

Hyundai are improving. This is a great effort, beating most other rivals in my personal opinion. However, the Toyota Corolla is still the best-in-class by a long margin.

vid_ghost

The base model mazda 3 and lancer have front, side and curtain air bags, 5 speed Auto’s trip computers better engines, breaks and cost the same are also made in japan.

The base model corolla has front and side air bags, 4 speed auto NO Trip computer small dated engine and how is it a best in class?
The Oracle’s Master!

Please tell me you are joking? Corolla constantly falls well down the list when competing in tests. Even the Cerato beat it last time around in numerous auto corners. Don’t confuse the stupidity of people being brainwashed by saturation advertising with the actual facts. We had a corolla recently while our car had some minor panel work. My partner’s car is a Kia Rio and we couldn’t wait to get it back. Corollas are junk and the fact that they start 8k dearer than a RIO which despite supposedly being in the class below yet matching the interior feel and apparent size is a further reason why I will never buy a corolla.

When the Cerato arrives with a six speed auto shortly it will further rise above the corolla. The i30 is slowly but surely closing the gap. The Mazda 3 despite its awkward front grill is far superior and I’d even take a ford focus over it.

Ricky

A friend of mine in the US had a Hyundai Accent (Kia Rio twin) while his car (VW Passatt) was in the shop and he said it was junk. It all depends on what you’re coming from and what you’re used to.

The Oracle’s Master!

Actually you’re a goose. The RIO is a twin to the Getz not the Accent. Right down to the engine sizes available. Big difference between a Passat and an Accent by the way. like 3 times the difference in price so I’d expect he would notice a drop in perceived quality. It’s kind of like comparing a Falcon to a 5 series Beemer.

Alexander

I think this should be called ‘i35′ in Aus & they could call the Verna the ‘i25′, makes sense as the new sonata is the ‘i45′? This would make all the hatches has a ‘iX0′ name (i10, i20, i30) & all the sedans an ‘iX5′ name (i25, i35, i45

Leon

Right. I do agree with you.
Leon

i10 hatch city car
i20 hatch subcompact
i25 sedan subcompact (Accent)
i30 hatch compact
i35 sedan compact (Elantra)
i40 wagon mid-size (Europe Sonata)
i45 sedan mid-size (Sonata)
i55 sedan full-size (Grandeur)
ix35 (Tucson)
ix45 (Santa Fe)

Alexander

^^Perfect!

although the i45 is a far superior product to the Grandeur, the Turbo i4 eclipsing it power wise. Therefore i think it should be dropped from the range, it doesn’t suit where they are going image wise.

what could an Genesis Coupe be called under the ‘iXX’ naming scheme?

The Oracle’s Master!

There’s no reason they can’t badge it the i40 here. What happens in Europe is irrelevent.

Alexander

badge it i40 as in the new Elantra or Sonata?
The Oracle’s Master!

The Elantra. The Sonata replacement is already designated i45.

Ricky

Wrong. Will never be named i35 sedan when there is already ix35. Too easy to confuse the two.

Matt

I guess you also get confused between a 5 series BMW & a X5?

Mythfrances

I have never owned a BMW and i may sound stupid here, but i dun care…So X5 is not based on 5 series BMW platform? It sounds like it with the naming system.

GoHyundai

wow…but!

just curious…the first leaked pics had the i45′s grill the fluidic grill, now it’s the hyundai’s signature hexagonal grill i love it,

i’m guessing the hyundai i45 will eventually get the hexagonal grill in future as well,

GoHyundai

oops got mixed up with the Accent/Verna,

still wondering why hyundai arent doing a one-grill thing like kia is?

Qikturbo

The general shape is that of a Camry,infact the rear lights look like those of the Camry.
Engine is ok,but I believe being a 1.6L it will struggle.
Jonty

Design wise it looks good…a clean front end with the back having just a hint of camry. It’s also sure to come with class leading features. Only thing not quite up to game is the lack of guts with the engine…if it had 120kW(200Nm)they would be onto a winner, amazing what that extra 15kW does for a car this size.

The Oracle’s Master!

I doubt it wil larrive here with the high-intensity discharge lights though. Not in the base model anyway.

http://Audi Robj

I actually think this design will age quickly.
carmania

Thats a Hyundai?? wow. time for me to get one!

The Oracle’s Master!

…and this is why the rest of the auto world should be concerned. People are paying attention.

Found On Rubbish Dumps

We will get our first glimpse of the i45 in Hyundai showrooms in the next few weeks. I’m looking forward to it.
AccentPlanetDotOrg Reloaded

The Korean/China/Euro Market gets the 1.6 GDI=American Accent Engine. I hope Australia would get the 2.0 GDI thats coming to America. 2.0 GDi= ~170 HP and 40 MPG US or 5.8 L/100km.

This Elantra will be badged as i35 in your market. i-5=sedan designation when badging Korea/US products in other markets.
AccentPlanetDotOrg Reloaded

There will be an ix25 Crossover too.
GT

How anyone can call this good looking is beyond me, but i’m betting the Kia version will be looker
http://carAdvice The Salesman

The Kia version of the Cerato is the i30. The soul has the Gamma 1.6 in it.