New Hyundai Elantra breaks cover

Hyundai has taken the wraps off its facelifted Elantra after teasing us with a preview last week.

Due on sale in Australia later this year, the updated small sedan reveals a new-look front-end with 'must-have' LED daytime running lights, an updated interior and a new 1.6-litre turbo-diesel engine with idle-stop functionality to save fuel.

The new turbo-diesel engine that's been added to the Elantra range in Korea, where the car is called Avante, has not been confirmed for Australia yet.

Hyundai's local arm told motoring.com.au that pricing, specification and details are still being worked out for Australia ahead of its late 2013 launch.

The 1.6-litre diesel engine is offered with both manual and automatic transmissions in Korea and delivers 94kW/279Nm when paired to the six-speed automatic gearbox, with which it’s claimed to consume 6.2L/100km (5.4L/100km with the manual).

Obvious changes to the new Elantra include the updated front-end characterised by new-look headlights complete with swoopy LED running lights that pay homage to bigger i40 sedan.

Also including with a revised front bumper design which incorporates a resculpted grille and fog lights, Hyundai says the design changes bring a "dynamic, high-tech feel to the Elantra".

The Korean car pictured rides on two-tone 17-inch alloy wheels and the rear-end has been tizzied-up too, with new-look LED brake lights and a contrasting black insert in the rear bumper.

Hyundai's redesigned Elantra is longer by 20mm (now 4550mm overall), thanks to the new front and rear bumpers. The wheelbase and platform remain unchanged.

Packaged with a new self-parking system curiously dubbed SPAS (Smart Parking Assist System) and Hyundai's widely used Flex Steer system, which allows drivers to adjust steering feel at the touch of a button, the new Elantra will be pitched as an affordable high-tech sedan when it arrives locally.

Interior design has been tweaked, now featuring a revised front centre armrest position along and the introduction of a 3.5-inch LED display, ventilated seats and rear air-vents in response to customer feedback.

Like all Australian-delivered Hyundais, the Elantra will benefit from retuned suspension designed specifically for this market, and is likely to continue with the three specification grades currently available.

The current model Elantra made its local debut in June 2011 and continues to be one of the stronger-selling small sedans in the Australian marketplace, with combined i30 hatch and Elantra sedan sales totalling 3110 units in July 2013, making it the third most popular small car behind the Mazda3 hatch/sedan range (3464) and Toyota's top-selling Corolla (3945).

The original Hyundai Elantra was launched in 1990 and has found 8.77 million buyers around the world since.

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