Hyundai showcased it’s next generation year 2007 Hyundai Elantra at the 2007 New York Auto Show this week. The new 2007 Hyundai Elantra is wider, taller, and looks nothing like it’s butt-ugly predecessor. Hyundai says it beats the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla in terms of interior room. More details on this latest offering by the Korean company after the jump.
The new 2007 Hyundai Elantra looks like it took inspiration from the Toyota Corolla Altis, as much as the new Hyundai Sonata (NF Sonata) looks like it got inspiraton from the Honda Accord. Take a look at the rear lights. It just screams Corolla Altis. It has the same fat side profile too, although I’d expect any car trying to offer good interior room would end up looking like that.
The US market Hyundai Elantra comes with a 2.0 litre DOHC engine with continuous variable valve timing. The CVVT unit controls the intake valve timing by advancing and retarding the intake cam in relation to the exhaust cam. There are two different variations of the engine which comply to two different emmission standards. The ULEV version produces 138hp at 6000rpm and 184Nm of torque at 4600rpm. There is a SULEV version of the Hyundai Elantra available in certain green states in the US (California , Maine , New York, Vermont and Massachusetts) which makes slightly less power (132hp at 6000rpm and 180Nm of torque at 4600rpm) due to different tuning for lower emissions. These engines are mated to either a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual gearbox.
Hyundai claims a 9% chassis stiffness over the current Toyota Corolla model. Power steering is also electronic, which adjusts power assist according to vehicle speed. This ensures easy turning at low speeds and more feel at high speeds. Hyundai also claims the interior is 2 decibels quiter than the 2006 Honda Civic. Hyundai seems to be taking the “better than competitors because of this and that” approach to marketing the new Hyundai Elantra.
To be honest, I think it’s a huge improvement over the current Hyundai Elantra (pictured left) which really does not tickle my fancy at all. While I wouldn’t even drive the previous generation of Hyundai Sonata for free, I would definitely be willing to fork out money for the current Sonata NF. Of course, this is assuming I can afford it. But then again, that market segment has alot of other more appealing choices. Hyundai is definitely improving.
After dabbling for years in the IT industry, Paul Tan initially began this site as a general blog covering various topics of personal interest. With an increasing number of readers paying rapt attention to the motoring stories, one thing led to another and the rest, as they say, is history. An avid electronic gadget aficionado as well as big-time coffee lover, he's also the executive producer of the Driven motoring TV programme.
Looking at the back of the car, would really have thought it an Altis! Nevertheless, massive improvement compared to the old-ugly Elantra.
P/S: Leaving the comment for the 1st time. Have been visting Paul's blog for quite some time. Impressive-all I want to say!.
Hmm quite an improvement, but i m going to save more money to buy a Honda Civic for its fuel efficiency. Korean cars manufacturers like to immitate the front and back features or other cars such as Mercedes, Aston Martin Vanquish, Honda Accord, and so many more. lol xD. that's what makes it look a lil "cheap".
its fascia has a family look as latest santa fe….but the number plate area looks terrible…aih….if u guys have notice that there is a design trend of the headlight, just look at the gen-2 headlight, with the JDM civic, latest subaru impreza, as well as this elantra..
More like Civic front lights Altis rear lights. Side looks like vios. I don't think it has a lot to brag about if its just interior room.
Do doubt Hyundai is good at copying, but hey, its sales figure definately tell us they are doing it right, much better than GM or Ford.
They need the unique design, it is like copy from toyota altis, I wil not buy this car, 2006 honda civic is way better and has its own uniqueness compare to this car.
hahaha the tail lights just look like Toyota Corolla Altis
umm, yuks..
looks like altis x gen2 for me… and the front part is just … no comment.
not really impress with the design.. let's wait and see whether this elantra can outgun the likes of civic, altis and lancer..
korean car still need a long way to go if they want to beat the big japanese car makers.. in terms of technology advancement, fuel economy etc..
Dia org ni x malu-malu tiru org lain… in this area, better poton.. at least they ve thier own style & design.. well for those who likes imitation products… this one is for you…
The butt is still ugly, but hey, the front's quite the looker!
Especially when u look from the side, it looks like the car is not properly balanced, just like honda city's look. Korean still got a lot to learn. Just like Jeremy Clarkson said in one of the Top Gear series, "They only know how to make Washing MAchine cars" muahahaha (No offence to Korean cars owner)
No doubt, like wat paul said.. hyundai is improving. But they have yet to find their identity or a unique mark into the auto-industry. (Xcept probably only the tiburon but lets not go there). The new elantra to me have certain features taken from the new Lexus IS (altezza). The front and back lights do have some similarity. Trying to beef-up the elantra line-up? The sides do look weird now, but use some imagination and put some good looking front bumper, side-skirts, rear bumper and 16 or 17" rims on em.. i think it will look pretty good.
Why they have to copy la? Sigh. Dont tell me they cant afford to design themself. Well, they are improving, good for them.
the side view is kinda like gen2…
Altis… altis!!
Bhluuueeeekkkk!!!!
=P
Wow the new elantra sure mix all brand but still compare to P1 and P2
Like sky and earth!
The exterior look is not impressive.
I am not a die hard P1 supporter , but I have a feeling that if this is a
new model from P1 with this look , it will be shot front/back, left/right and
front / maybe BACK as well.
Sometimes that's how our Bolehlander think !!
No offense meant.
I agreed with HMMaster that it look like a copycat of our Proton Gen2.
At last, somebody is copying Proton.
let's jeremy clarkson test it first… ohhhh korean car again
I love the overall looks and profile but the 3rd quater windows look decidedly outdated in today's fashion.
not impressive at all….
should have done better…
i think waja has better look than this car.
a bit of modification to waja's front and rear, it'll be hot!
Nice look from front and back, but not side, look like pengulin! He, he,
the Korean may be closing in to the Japanese counterpart in term of manufacturing but in term of styling, they still have a fair to do.
yuksss…ugly like hell!
Wow…very impressive…i'm very interested to have one for my collection..the design is better than..others car.any comment..? anybody can tell me the price..?
wow thats 1 preety babe ,new elantra superb man..should give credit to korean and they deserve a salute. unlike proton cars …man what a bad idea to buy proton cars , quality wise no words…look wise …the real copy cats…what else…please dont ever compare proton with this car .
In terms of design P1 sucks. This Elantra 2007 is a marked improvement from the previous generation.
Savvy vs Picanto
Satris Neo vs Getz vs Myvi
Gen 2 vs Rio vs Verna
Waja vs Cerato vs Elantra
Perdana vs Sonata vs Magentis
You can tell that our models dont get updated too often. Wira was introduced in 1993 and Gen 2 came out in 2004. After 10 yrs one replacement model? It sucks big time. How old is perdana now?
i was hoping to get more details on this car, like fuel consumption overall handling and performance.. wanna see if truly at par with the rest japanese cars.
instead.. i read comments finding ways to relate the car back to PROTON. i find that odd
Malaysian car already penetrate US market ?!
The fuel consumption is 10.6km/liter City, 14.1km/liter higways. tested by us epa.
The car doesn’t look like Toyota altis or proton gen-2, pls download the picture and compare side by side.
The 2001 Car
The resell value for malaysian, it is not calculate by percentage, Example the resell value of 2001 altis is 50k, selling almost 110k, drop around 60k, the 2001 elantra 1.8 selling price is 85k, resell is 25k, the same 60k Deduction. Whats the problem about resell value?
The 2004 car.
The hyundai accent is 70k resell is 35k, after 4 years, gen 2, selling is 60k , resell is 28k after 4 years. Got much different ka? calculate the interest la, you pay 9 years sure cannot cover ma. always want full loan! full loan!
Talk bout fuel consumption? any car can give you 500km full tank in city, you should be happy already.
The new Elantra can!!! The minimun not lower than 450km!
Maximun is 746km, City + highways. Full tank which is 55.05litre,
Almost like 13km/litre which is logical!