LA MOTOR SHOW: New Hyundai Elantra unveiled

Hyundai, the seventh-best-selling brand in the US, today pulled the covers off its new-generation Elantra, which is expected to go on sale Down Under from February next year.

The 'i30 sedan' in its latest guise brings styling more reminiscent of the newly launched, and also turbocharged, Sonata range, which sells in the mid-size VFACTS segment in Australia – one up from the Elantra's small car segment.

Along with the modernised looks and dimensions stretched 25mm in overall length and width, the next Elantra also promises to be stronger, with a more rigid chassis, and more aerodynamic.

It will arrive with the choice of two petrol engines – the smallest a direct-injected turbocharged petrol offering from the Veloster SR displacing 1.6-litre capacity and producing 150kW/265Nm.

The larger unit is Hyundai's 2.0-litre 'Nu' four-cylinder (with 110kW/179Nm), which will replace the 1.8-litre four (110kW/178Nm) on offer currently. Boasting a high compression ratio of 12.5:1 – thanks to its fuel-saving Atkinson cycle, the Nu engine is unusual in sticking with port fuel injection to deliver the fuel charge. Fuel consumption in the combined cycle is 7.1L/100km with automatic transmission.

A naturally-aspirated 'Gamma' 1.6-litre four-cylinder is also expected to be offered in selected markets, but will not be offered in Oz, while a turbocharged 'Kappa' 1.4-litre four-cylinder petrol will also be offered in the US from Spring 2016.

As is the case with the current generation, the new Elantra is not expected to be offered with a diesel engine option – that engine being reserved for the i30 hatch.

Depending on the variant, Elantra is offered with a choice of six-speed manual and automatic transmission, or Hyundai's new seven-speed dual-clutch offering. The latter is to be offered exclusively with the turbocharged engine.

New safety features will also become standard for the first time, bringing the model in line with many of its Japanese and European rivals. The safety features include autonomous braking, blind-spot monitoring, high-beam assist and rear cross-traffic alert.

Higher-specification convenience features will also make their way into the updated model, with high-end audio systems, memory seats and a Smart Trunk function (as featured on the current Santa Fe Highlander) among them.

motoring.com.au understands sportier 'SR' and even 'N' versions of the Elantra and indeed the i30 – complete with independent rear suspension – are also on the way.

The turbocharged Elantra SR will hit local showrooms in August (2016), six months after the normally-aspirated variants. Hyundai Australia says it's too early to speak about price and specification, but hints that the models will again have suspension tuned for local conditions, with the SR variant to feature manual and dual-clutch transmission options.

The current MD3-series Elantra range is priced from $20,990 to $30,540 (plus on-road costs) locally. In the local market the small sedan attracts little interest when viewed against its i30 sibling, selling only 756 units to date against 2475 i30s (the third-best selling car in its class).

We expect the arrival of the SR variant will likely bring a change to those figures.

For the US market the Elantra is one of Hyundai's best-selling models, and is produced in Alabama for local consumption. The new model will go on sale stateside from January, adding Hyundai's hexagonal grille motif, and a range of new technologies, to the small sedan for the first time.

Active bending HID headlights and vertical LED DRLs will appear on the Elantra's fascia, while functional wheel curtains (first seen on Sonata) are also incorporated in the Elantra design, improving air flow for improved aerodynamic efficiency. This feature, combined with the greater use of underbody covers, a new rear bumper and new boot lid will drill the Elantra's drag coefficient down to 0.27Cd.

The Elantra's sleek profile will be matched with (optional) 17-inch alloy wheels, LED puddle lights, LED wing mirror indicator repeaters, LED tail-lights and a driver's knee airbag (for a total of seven). Hyundai says the new model is just over 30mm longer than the outgoing model, and says inside the Elantra is more driver focussed with controls and technology optimised for 'intuitive control'.

Technology features include a 4.2-inch colour TFT/LCD instrument panel and a redesigned centre stack with its buttons laid out in a horizontal design. Controls here are grouped logically depending on function, the entire array tilted seven degrees towards the driver to aid ease of use on the go.

In the US, the Elantra will also offer satellite radio, Siri, iPhone and Andriod connectivity, Blue Link service and infotainment telematics (some features of which may be accessed via your smartwatch), and the choice of 7.0 or 8.0-inch centre screens (depending on grade).

As mentioned above, the Elantra will receive memory-equipped wing mirrors and anti-fatigue powered front seats, dual-zone climate control, optional leather upholstery, and improved cabin NVH characteristics. The body features increased high-strength steel content, which further reduces the ingress of road noise (while also improving crash safety), new suspension (as detailed above) and re-graphed electrically-assisted steering.

Additional safety features (some of which may be offered in Australian-spec vehicles) include autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection, lane keeping assist (with corrective steering input), blind-spot detection, radar cruise control, rear cross-traffic alert and a reversing camera with dynamic guidance.

motoring.com.au will bring you more information on Australian pricing and specification closer to the new Elantra's launch here in 2016.