Hyundai Elantra GT and Coupe makes North American debut at Chicago Auto Show
Fun-to-Drive, Unsurpassed Fuel Economy and Five-Door Versatility
Hyundai Motor America today introduced the all-new 2013 Elantra GT in a North American debut at the Chicago Auto Show. Elantra GT brings five-door functionality and European driving dynamics to the expanding Elantra lineup and is slated to hit dealerships this summer. The lineup now includes Elantra Coupe - also making its world debut today and the popular Elantra sedan, the 2012 North American Car of the Year. Elantra GT is based on the new-generation i30 model designed for the European market.
“Elantra GT is a fun-to-drive, functional, five-door compact hatchback,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Elantra GT is the latest example of how Hyundai is redefining the compact car and setting new standards in automotive design, efficiency and functionality.”
The 2013 Elantra GT will compete with the Ford Focus, Mazda3 and Volkswagen Golf, featuring more interior volume than these models, unsurpassed fuel economy and Hyundai’s Driver Selectable Steering Mode.
Highlights for 2013 Elantra GT
- ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design
- Powered by an advanced 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and in-house six-speed automatic or manual transmission
- Horsepower: 148 at 6,500 rpm (ULEV)
- Best-in-class standard fuel economy estimated at 28 mpg city, 39 mpg highway (M/T)
- Best-in-class specific output at 82.2 horsepower per liter
- Lightest five-door hatchback in the compact segment
- Sport-tuned suspension
- More passenger and cargo volume than Focus, Mazda3, Golf and Matrix
- Driver knee airbag- an Elantra first
- Hidden rear camera
- More aerodynamic than Impreza, Matrix or Golf
Elantra GT is the third vehicle in Hyundai’s 7/11 product initiative (seven new or redesigned models in the next 11 months). The first two vehicles in the initiative were the Veloster Turbo and refreshed Genesis Coupe. The fourth vehicle is the Elantra Coupe.
Further evolution of ‘FLUIDIC SCULPTURE’ design
The new Elantra GT represents further evolution of the Hyundai form language, ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ - the company's distinctive design DNA. The ‘Fluidic’ essence provides the Elantra GT with a slippery .30 coefficient of drag. Everything about Elantra GT is aerodynamic from the aggressive profile and low overall height, to the sleek side mirrors. Tire gaps are minimized while rocker panels are streamlined. Lower wind resistance translates into better fuel economy and a smoother ride.
Up front, Hyundai’s signature hexagonal grille with chrome accents flows into the hood. The bodyside graphic features a chrome beltline molding to keep up with the sleek character lines. Sharp projection headlamps, fog lights and available 17-inch alloy wheels with chrome spears complete the modern design.
Best-in-class standard fuel economy
Elantra GT’s standard fuel economy is an estimated 28 mpg city, 39 mpg highway and 32 combined with the six-speed automatic transmission or manual transmission. These figures give Elantra GT a highway-only driving range of more than 500 miles and combined city/highway driving range of up to 448 miles.
Lightest five-door hatchback in the compact segment
Elantra GT’s widespread use of high-strength steel provides a 37 percent increase in body stiffness at a lower body weight when compared to the outgoing Elantra Touring model. High-strength steel allows the suspension to work optimally. At 2,784 pounds, the automatic transmission Elantra GT is lighter than its competitors, while offering more interior room than Focus, Mazda3, Golf and Matrix. Elantra GT is the lightest five-door hatchback in the compact segment. It is 175 pounds lighter than Focus, 151 pounds lighter than Mazda3 and 222 pounds lighter than Golf. This weight-efficient unibody architecture allows for Elantra to achieve an estimated 39 mpg EPA highway rating, without the need for a special eco model. Elantra GT’s best-in-class fuel efficiency is driven by the Blue Drive strategy. A key to Elantra GT’s extensive use of high-strength steel is an $8 billion dollar investment Hyundai made to become the only global automaker with its own fully integrated steel plant. Hyundai has 400 metallurgists focused on the task of developing optimized steel recipes for every part and panel in new vehicle architectures.
Modern powertrain
Under the hood, Elantra GT is powered by a 1.8-liter Nu four-cylinder engine with 148 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque (145 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque for Elantra PZEV). Thanks to advanced clean engine technology, most Elantra GTs sold in California, Oregon and several Northeast states are certified as Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV) by the EPA. The PZEV Elantra GT is as clean as many hybrid electric vehicles, helping Hyundai meet its environmental commitments. Elantra is also available as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV). Additionally, Elantra GT has an ActiveECO System that modifies engine and transmission control to smooth out throttle response and increase real-world fuel economy by up to seven percent.
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North American Car of the Year Winner adds Sport Coupe Design and Technology Chemistry to the Proven Elantra Formula
Hyundai today introduced a new sport coupe variant to its industry-leading Elantra line-up at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. This two-door coupe model of the Elantra sedan, available this spring, will attract even more buyers to the Elantra line-up, further expanding its appeal to savvy consumers. It offers many of the same attributes that made the sedan version a sales success, while broadening its market reach to youthful, sporty buyers willing to forgo four-door versatility for coupe design appeal. The 2013 Elantra Coupe marks the continuing evolution of Hyundai’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design theme with sporty design language, while assuming a compact coupe segment leadership position with an eco-efficient powertrain, generous convenience features, exceptional roominess and abundant safety features.
Highlights for 2013 Elantra Coupe
- Unique “Fluidic Sculpture” two-door coupe design language
- 1.8-liter “Nu” Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT) engine
- In-house-developed six-speed manual and automatic transmissions
- 40-mpg highway rating (estimated) on M/T model
- Eleven percent more fuel efficient than Honda Civic Coupe M/T
- Longer wheelbase, overall length and width than Civic Coupe for a more comfortable, roomy interior cabin
- Standard VSM, ESC, TCS, ABS with Brake Assist and EBD
- 7-inch touch-screen navigation with rearview camera and iPod®/USB inputs
- Bluetooth® hands-free phone system with voice recognition
- Proximity-key entry with electronic push-button start
Elantra Coupe is the latest vehicle in Hyundai’s 7/11 product initiative (seven new models in the next eleven months), following the Azera and Genesis Coupe.
The 2013 Elantra Coupe represents a modern approach to the sporty coupe segment, using youth-oriented design and premium features offered with Hyundai’s strong value proposition. The 2013 Elantra Coupe poses intriguing questions:
- Why can’t a sporty coupe combine generous interior space with sleek design?
- Why pay premium coupe prices to get advanced safety and technology features?
- Why can’t a fun-to-drive sporty coupe offer 40-mpg fuel economy?
“FLUIDIC SCULPTURE” Design Language
Elantra Coupe takes Hyundai’s dynamic “Fluidic Sculpture” design principles to the next level. “Fluidic Sculpture” design language replicates the interaction of wind with rigid surfaces to create a perception of fluid in motion.
Hyundai’s signature hexagonal front fascia opening and jeweled swept-back headlights give Elantra Coupe a lean, aggressive demeanor. Fog lights and available side mirror repeater lamps complement the view from the front.
From the side, Elantra Coupe conveys a wedge-like sport coupe silhouette with deeply sculpted surfaces. SE model sporty five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels with dark spoke inserts add a dynamic presence, while fast A- and C-pillar angles frame a sharply tapered greenhouse, further accentuating the wedge profile. Just below the belt line, a prominent character line carries from the door through to the rear deck. Wheel arch creases give a subtle flared appearance around front and rear wheels, for a wide and aggressive presence. Further, a beveled rocker panel rounds out the lean and muscular effect.
From the rear, a blacked-out rear diffuser valance contrasts with dual chrome-tipped exhaust tips, and the SE model deck lid incorporates a lip spoiler design element.
These sculpted surfaces serve to create a highly aerodynamic body. The drag coefficient for the Elantra Coupe is an exceptionally low 0.28 Cd, resulting in minimal cabin noise intrusion and optimal fuel economy. Elantra Coupe was designed at Hyundai's North American Design Center in Irvine, Calif.
