Hyundai launched Hyundai Elantra on Indian Road. It is the most successful Hyundai in Europe. Elantra is available in 2 different 4-cylinder, powerful engine configurations a 1.8 litre DOHC 16 Valve Beta engine and a powerful 2.0 litre Turbo Intercooled CRDi engine.

 

It has a low, sporty outline, and a very attractive, distinctive rear. The petrol version gets a revised, chromed-off grille and clear headlamps as opposed to the diesel’s black, pod-style units. The front suspension features McPherson struts with gas filled shock absorbers and coil springs for superior handling and control when turning at higher speeds. This also ensures no uneven tyre wear (due to elimination of camber), excellent handling stability & ride smoothness (due to high caster angle) and excellent lateral strength. The rear suspension is of dual link type with coil springs and anti-roll stabilizer.

 

The Elantra has both ABS and traction control, as well as Electronic Brake Force Distribution, a system that evens out braking forces. The Elantra has the distinction of being awarded a five-star rating for the side-impact test carried out by American safety authorities. Tyre choice, however, could have been more generous — the relatively low-profile 195/60 profile tyres.

 

The interiors of the Elantra exude a rich feel and are genuinely plush, with high-quality plastics and convincing fake wood. There are also lots of thoughtful touches, like the cardholder and plenty of cubby-holes. However, the styling isn’t too fresh, apart from the vertical air-con vents and the lurid purple back-lighting for the dials, and although space is generous in front, rear headroom is restricted by the sloping roof, and the seat is set too low for real comfort. Equipment levels are very generous, the Elantra the only car in its class with standard ABS and traction control; plus, there’s a standard high-end stereo and trip computer. The Elantra CRDi gets an 8-CD changer in the boot, plus a player in the dash. The tweeters are integrated into the door pads for better clarity, and with a chrome bezel, look quite prominent. The electronically controlled air-con worked well and the temperature display comes with an outside ambient temperature reading as well. The driver’s seat is quite wide and generous, and comes with all the adjustments but lacks sufficient lower back support and is set quite low. Rear seat comfort is not great either and is one of the Elantra’s weaknesses.

 

The firm ride coupled to a stiff chassis gives the Elantra phenomenal composure at high speed. It’s hard to ruffle the Elantra, which tracks straight and true even when the surface deteriorates. It inspires a lot of confidence at high speeds and makes long drives not just effortless but enjoyable as well.

 

With 2 air bags for the driver & the co-passenger, Elantra ensures fort like safety. Besides this the PPD installed inside the cabin ensures that that there is no unnecessary deployment of the passenger side airbag in case of a crash.

 

The Elantra is powered by a common rail turbo-diesel engine; this 1991cc single cam, 16-valve four-cylinder unit is essentially the same as the three-cylinder Accent CRDi motor with an additional cylinder bolted on. However, this four-pot motor uses a larger turbo, to pump out a max of 112bhp and an even more impressive 25kgm of torque. It is highly refined and powerful, suffering only from some turbo lag which offers drivability at low speeds. Fuel economy, at 11.6 and 14.7kpl, is good, but not exceptional for a diesel. In diesel form the Elantra comes only with the top-of-the-line GLS trim, which includes goodies like an engine immobiliser, keyless entry and leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear knob. Leather seats and door pads are however a cost option.

 

The other engine is a 127bhp 1.8-litre DOHC petrol. However, it’s pretty smooth during most workouts, getting slightly coarse only when you really push it. It’s a clean-revving, flexible and fuss-free engine, but lacks the punch of either its diesel sibling or of rivals like the Corolla. Low-speed response isn’t as sharp as you’d like, but it gets a great deal better after 3000rpm. It’s reasonably efficient, with 7.7kpl in the city and 13.5 on the highway. A stiff suspension set-up means the Elantra is very stable at high speeds, and inspires great confidence, but it doesn’t have sporty responses and is tuned more for effortless cruising. There is some understeer, and the traction control system, oddly, kicks in only when one front wheel is on a poor-grip surface. Sadly, the stiff suspension means the ride is not too supple, and occupants will feel most potholes and speed breakers distinctly. The brakes are excellent, very powerful and progressive, and all the technology works well to keep braking distances short and straight.

 

The Elantra is a great overall package, a fast, efficient, luxury car, which is both spacious and dependable. The ride isn’t great, nor is rear-seat comfort, but the Elantra makes a strong case for itself, especially in diesel form.

Filed under: Hyundai Cars in India