Re: Hyundai Elantra : Official Review I would like to share my experience with a model of the Elantra that is not sold in India. My car is 4 months old now and has covered about 8000 km. Hyundais are usually supposed to have 'boat' like handling and the petrols are usually not powered upto the mark when compared to competitors but this one can put almost all the mainstream cars available in our country to shame. Yes, I am talking about the Elantra 'Sport'. Unlike some other manufacturers that do a wild paint or sticker job and slap on an 'RS' or 'Sport' badge, this one really has something going for it. Unlike the regular Elantra, the Elantra Sport has the following positive points going for it:
1. Engine - 1.6L Turbo - GDI churning out about 205 bhp and 26.5 kgm of torque
2. Transmission - 7 - Speed dual clutch gearbox that makes you feel as if you are driving a manual
3. Suspension - Fully independent and multilink rear end that sticks to the road like crazy
4. Brakes - 12 inch rotors with bigger brake calipers up front and solid discs at the rear
5. Entertainment - Infinity audio system with 8 speakers including a subwoofer on the rear parcel tray
The main talking point is definitely the small turbo unit. To say that the engine is powerful would be an understatement. Acceleration from standstill is crazy and she accelerates from zero to 100 in about a shade less than 7 seconds. The power delivery is linear and there is none of the sudden surge that is expected of turbos. The turbo is a twin scroll unit and this does show in the linear acceleration. The quick shifts performed by the DCT help the cause further.
Looks wise the overall structure remains the same except for slightly redesigned front and rear ends, the side skirts and humongous wide 18 inch alloys shod with 225/40 rubber. There are no fog lamps but in their place there is a channelling port that looks like it channels air to the front discs with horizontally placed DRLs above that instead of vertical. Unlike other models, chrome on the body is non existent apart from the silver beltline below the windows. The headlamps even though have the usual shape do not come with halogens, they have a single projector with xenons behind them. The tail lamps are also of the same shape but a different layout inside with LED units that look like a 'C' and not 'O'
Now comes the bad part. These are the points that go against it:
1. This model is not very feature rich. Power folding mirrors are absent. This is probably a market specific thing. Seats are manually adjustable. Power adjustments are conspicuous by their absence. Ventilated seats are absent.
2. The interior is all black and monotonous.
3. No colour display for the MID in the meter console (At least the 'Supervision' dials are sporty with the red needles vertical when switched off).
4. No reverse parking sensors. Only a rear view camera with adaptive guidelines is present.
5. No rear A/C vents
6. Build quality is dubious. The doors shut with a tinny sound and there is no solid thud like some of the older Hyundais in India. Also the trim around the subwoofer on the parcel shelf rattles on beats.
7. Mileage is at best mediocre. Driving at continuous 100kph will return about 16kpl. Show a hint of a heavy foot and it starts guzzling fuel. The shorter gearing is to blame for this. 100kph sees the engine spinning at ~2300rpm in 7th gear.
There are other points going for it like the engine note that sounds sporty from inside. The dual exhausts from outside make a cracking and popping sound when the engine is revved up. Also features like power sunroof, auto dual zone climate control, flat bottom steering wheel, aluminium pedals with rubber inserts, all leather sport seats with extra bolstering along with usual safety features like airbags all around and traction control with electronic stability program are present. With all that juice this car really needs traction control along with more sticky rubber. After all it is still FWD. If this were available in India, I for one would be a definite taker just for the fact that it is more than a hoot to drive and throw around. A few pictures.. |