Hyundai Elantra goes turbo-petrol

The next generation Hyundai Elantra sedan is expected to be boosted in Australia by a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine.

That's the exciting news to spill out of the car's surprise global launch at the Dubai motor show overnight, a week ahead of its expected first showing at the Los Angeles show in California.

The Elantra will go on-sale in January in the Middle East with both 2.0-litre and 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engines.

But it was also confirmed on the stand by Hyundai representatives that a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol engine allied with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission would be added within months.

Effectively the same drivetrain as found in the Veloster coupe and producing 150kW and 265Nm, it will be offered in Australia in 2016 as well, motoring.com.au has also been assured.

That move should put a bit of pep in the Elantra's step. It's also in-line with Hyundai's current product planning, which has seen a turbo-petrol engine included in the latest Sonata mid-size sedan line-up.

The 110kW/179NM 2.0-litre 'Nu' engine is expected to be first seen in the Australian-spec Elantra from February next year. It will replace the current 110kW/178Nm 1.8-litre engine. The 'Gamma' 1.6-litre nat-atmo four is unlikely to be sold in Australia.

Our report on the new Elantra back in September provided first details and photography. The Elantra's appearance in Dubai underlines its popularity in the Middle East. Around 90,000 examples are sold there each year and it is the second most popular small car in the region behind the Toyota Corolla. It also ranks fifth most popular vehicle sold in the region outright.

Elantra doesn't have that sort of popularity in Australia, where it ranks eighth in the small car segment in 2015 and is outsold around 4:1 by its popular hatchback sibling, the i30.

A new generation i30 is expected to follow the Elantra on-sale within 12 months.

In the Middle East the new Elantra will be equipped with blind spot detection and heated and ventilated seats for the first time.

Hyundai Motor Australia would not comment on Elantra timing or equipment levels.