Despite a recent rush upmarket, Hyundai is still in the business of selling small, affordable cars. The most recent addition to its lineup came at Paris motor show last fall when Hyundai took the wraps off the redesigned i30. The U.S. will receive this hatch badged as the Elantra GT, which is how it debuted at the Chicago auto show this week; only the top equipment and engines from the European version will make it stateside.
Two inline-four engines will be on the menu when the new hatch goes on sale: a direct-injected 2.0-liter producing 162 hp, paired either with a six-speed manual or an automatic, and a turbocharged 1.6-liter good for 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque. Buyers who choose the latter Sport version will have a choice of a six-speed manual or a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The redesigned hatch is longer and wider than the outgoing model, with Hyundai boasting using more high strength steel this time around — 53 percent of the car’s structure — as well as a 22 percent increase in overall rigidity.
The Elantra GT will be offered with a choice of two engines, with the top turbo unit churning out 201 hp.
Hyundai still aims to impress with this hatch, so items like leather seats, LED daytime running lights, 18-inch wheels, alloy pedals and dual zone climate control will be available, along with Apple CarPlay and AndroidAuto. Standard equipment will include an 8-inch infotainment screen and 17-inch wheels, while a number of advanced safety features like lane-keep assist, high-beam assist, attention assist, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection and blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert will be offered as options.
Expect Elantra GT pricing to be announced closer to the start of sales this summer.