Hyundai Elantra

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Hyundai Elantra

Manufacturer	Hyundai Motor Company
Production	1991–present
Assembly	Ulsan, Korea
Predecessor	Hyundai Excel GLS
Successor	Hyundai i30 (For Europe)
Class	Compact
Similar	Honda Civic Nissan Sentra Volkswagen Jetta

First generation

Production	1991-1995
Body style	4-door sedan
Engine	1.6/1.8L 113/124 hp I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	98.4 in (2500 mm)
Length	171.6 in (4359 mm)
Width	65.9 in (1673 mm)
Height	54.5 in (1371 mm)
Curb weight	2522 lb (1144 kg)
Fuel capacity	13.7 US gal. (51.8 L)

Second generation

Also called	Hyundai Avante (South Korea)
Production	1996–2000
Body style	4-door station wagon 4-door sedan
Engine	2.0L 140 hp I4 (104 kw)
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	100.4 in (2540 mm)
Length	174.0 in (4419 mm)
Width	66.9 in (1676 mm)
Height	54.9 in (1371 mm)
Fuel capacity	14.5 US gal. (54.8 L)

Third generation

Also called	Hyundai Avante XD (South Korea)
Production	2001-2006
Body style	4-door hatchback 4-door sedan
Engine	1.6 L I4 2.0 L I4 2.0 L Diesel I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	102.7 in (2590 mm)
Length	178.1 in-177.9 in (4521 mm)-(4495 mm)
Width	67.9 in (1701 mm)
Height	56.1 in (1422 mm)
Fuel capacity	14.5 US gal. (54.8 L)
Related	Hyundai Tucson Hyundai Matrix Kia Spectra Kia Sportage

Fourth generation

Also called	Hyundai Avante (South Korea)
Production	2007–
Body style	4-door sedan
Engine	1.6 L I4 2.0 L I4 2.0 L Diesel I4
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	104.3 in (2641 mm)
Length	177.4 in (4495 mm)
Width	69.9 in (1752 mm)
Height	58.3 in (1473 mm)
Related	Hyundai Tucson Hyundai Matrix Kia Spectra Kia Sportage

The Hyundai Elantra (sold in South Korea as the Avante) is a compact car from Hyundai of South Korea launched in 1991. This vehicle was known as the Lantra in some markets. Between 1996 and 1998, the Elantra was called the Bimantara Cakra (1.5 L) and the Bimantara Nenggala (1.8 L) in Indonesia.

The Elantra was sold as the Lantra and Avante in some Australian and European markets until the 2001 model year, when the name was renamed and brought into line worldwide. Mitsubishi Motors of Australia complained that Elantra was too close to its Elante trim level, and Lotus (as well as Kia) in the UK and Europe suggested it was too close to its Elan name, and its Kia counterpart. By 2001, both the Elan and the Elante had ceased to exist. The Avante's renaming was necessary as Audi owns the Avant name in Europe.

1 First generation (1991-1995)
2 Second generation (1996–2000)
3 Third generation (2001–2006)
4 Fourth generation (2007–)
5 External links

[edit] First generation (1991-1995)

Launched in 1991 to compete with the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, the Elantra (codename J1) received a mid-term facelift in 1993. In the United States, it was introduced in 1992 to replace the upper-end GLS trim of the Hyundai Excel.

The Elantra was powered by a Mitsubishi-designed 1.6 L (1596 cc) straight-4 This DOHC 16-valve 1.6nbsp;L unit produced 113 hp (84 kW) at 6000 rpm and could push the Elantra to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 9.5 seconds. The quarter-mile (0.4 km) run took 17.1 seconds and produced 80 mph (129 km/h). Top speed was 116 mph (187 km/h). The Elantra got 22 mpg (10.7 L/100 km) in the city cycle. Starting in 1993 there was also a Mitsubishi-designed 1.8 L (1836 cc) straight-4 engine available the 1.8L unit that produced 124 hp (99 kW) at 6000 rpm. In some countries (at least in Australia), the first and second generation model was named 'Lantra' (the E was probably only added on 3rd Generation models onwards).

[edit] Second generation (1996–2000)

Launched in 1995, the second generation (codename J2) was offered as a sedan and station wagon. Sold in Korean market as 'Avente'(sedan) and 'Avante Touring'(station wagon). Initially introduced with 1.5L Alpha DOHC(107hp) and 1.8L Beta DOHC (137hp) gasoline engine for domestic Korean market. Later, 1.5L lean-burn(98hp) gasoline engine based on Alpha DOHC engine was added. A mid-life facelift arrived for 1998. The Philippine version, as well as in some European markets, had the 1.6 (1599cc) Beta, which produced 116hp (86 kw).

1998-2000 Hyundai Elantra wagon

Pre-facelift second generation Elantra sedan

Hyundai Elantra 2.0i GLS hatchback 2000

[edit] Third generation (2001–2006)

An all-new model (codename XD) was launched in 2001. The wagon was dropped in favor of a five-door hatchback. Both were facelifted in 2004 (sometimes referred to as XD2). Starting in 2001, all American models came with standard front and front side airbags, air conditioning, power locks, power windows and power steering. This simplified dealer inventories and repairs and also sought to improve Hyundai's image of 'value' cars. A GT trim with a stiffer suspension, leather seats, fog lights, alloy wheels, lip spoiler and blue-lit instrument cluster has been offered as a hatchback since 2001, leaving the only options an automatic transmission, power moonroof and anti-lock brakes with traction control. The GT trim sedan was introduced in 2003 and discontinued in 2005.

The Elantra is available with 1.6 and 2.0 L gasoline engines and a 2.0 L turbodiesel. North American models are only available with the 2.0L gasoline engine.

While compact on the outside, it is listed by the EPA as a mid-size car because of a spacious interior. The four-cylinder engine is known to be powerful and economical, and in the United States, Hyundai offers a powertrain warranty of ten years. Although the basic powertrain design has changed little since the second generation, successive improvements have improved fuel economy from an EPA rating of 24/33 to 25/33 and the current 27/34 for manual transmissions, with automatic producing 2-3mpg fewer. Horsepower also improved from 135hp (100 kw) to 138hp (102 kw) and torque from 132 to 136 mainly thanks to the addition of continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) in 2004. Originally, the horsepower rating was misrepresented as 140hp (104 kw).

[edit] Fourth generation (2007–)

In 2006, a redesigned Elantra (codename HD) debuted at the New York Auto Show. In the United States, the all new Elantra will be redesigned for the model year 2007 and available in the late fall/ early winter of 2006. The hatchback GT trim is expected to be redesigned and available for the model year 2008. The Elantra features 4-wheel 4-channel ABS disk brakes with 4-sensor Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) standard on all trims. Expected features, specifications, and information about this new model can be seen at TheNewElantra.com. In the United States, this new model will use the same 2.0L I4 Beta II Engine w/CVVT with slight modifications. It will continue to have a 4 speed automatic option.

There is hope that the new jointly developed world engine named the Theta engine will be added in a future freshening.

"Hyundai gives the Elantra more standard features than its competitors get, prices it lower and throws in the market's most generous warranty to boot. Trim levels include the GLS, sporty SE and premium Limited." Cars.com