New Elantra enters Nigerian market
The middle class luxury car segment became more super-charged last Monday following the media unveiling of the new model 2016 Hyundai Elantra in Lagos by Hyundai Motors Nigeria Limited, one of the automotive subsidiaries of Stallion group.
Unveiling of the new offering from the Korean automaker is coming two months after Elantra’s media global unveiling to select motoring journalists and dealer representatives from the Middle East and Africa countries including BusinessDay Nigeria this year in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates last January.
Restyled for 2016 model year, the 6th generation Elantra receives numerous changes including Hyundai’s fluidic design inspiration, cosmetic modifications inside and out, upgraded infotainment, quieter cabin, powerful engine and larger headlamps that wraps around the side of the body with a signature hexagonal grille that helps identify it as part of the Hyundai family.
Standard features include 16-inch alloy wheels, folding electric outside mirrors, full power accessories, air-conditioning, cruise control, a trip computer, tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, 60/40-split-folding rear seats, fog lamps and a six-speaker sound system with a CD player – satellite radio and a USB/iPod interface.
Currently available in three trim packages including the Executive GLS 1.6 AT (automatic transmission), Elegance GLS 2.0 AT and Elite 2.0 AT, the Hyundai’s sales and marketing head says the Elantra yet remains the family sedan to beat.
The new Hyundai Elantra continues to offer ambitious styling, value proposition with improved quality reputation and fuel economy to provoke arch Japanese rivals like Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Mazda 3 and Honda Civic.
Hyundai is not slowing its car development and the Elantra is a proof. First remodelled in 2011 through 2014, the Elantra has since then undergone remarkable makeovers, returning with an inspiring 2016 model that delivers tremendous economy without sacrificing performance and comfort.
Depending on what you want in a family sedan, the new Hyundai Elantra promises more and indeed represent a pretty good value, adding large number of standard features and niceties like Bluetooth, rear-view camera, better road handling, roomy trunk, new front and rear ends with LED fillips around the headlamps.
This is in addition to Hyundai excellent five-year or 100,000km warranty coverage plus keyless ignition and entry; immobiliser, sport-tuned suspension and sharp styling that gives the Elantra one of the most distinctive looks in its class.
Jatin Nadkarni, Hyundai Motors Nigeria head of sales and marketing said during his product presentation that the Elantra is Hyundai’s best selling model ever since the fourth generation model debuted in 2006.
He said the cars are powered by two engine variants a Nu 2.0 MPI four-cylinder engine capable of producing 156bhp @ 6,200rpm and U2 1.6 MPI four-cylinder churning out 127.5bhp @ 6,300rpm, both mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
EPA had estimated fuel economy of the new Elantra at 28 mpg combined but achieves 1mpg on the highway. The 2.0 Elantra however makes 60 mph in 8.2 seconds, which puts it on the quicker side of the family-sedan average.
Also added as standard safety features in all 2016 Hyundai Elantra sedans are antilock disc brakes, hill-start assist, stability and traction control, driver and passenger side including side airbags, rear-view camera, Blue Link emergency telematics system that provides services such as remote access, emergency assistance, theft recovery and geo-fencing (allowing parents to set limits for teenage drivers.)
The new Elantra has meanwhile received five-out-five-star rating, with four stars for total frontal crash safety and five stars for total side-impact protection, Nadkarni added.
The new Elantra would undoubtedly appeal to young and upwardly mobile executives looking for a refreshingly potent sedan that delivers excellent road manners and practicalities – thanks to Hyundai fluidic sculpture design that now incorporates contemporary Hyundai DNA in its product cycle, which to a large extent, gives the Elantra image of a diminutive Sonata.
“Compared to arch rivals, the Elantra is noticeably quiet at freeway speeds and is indeed one of the quietest cars in its segment. The ride quality is fine and it soaks up road noise better than its competitors. That’s an important metric for the car, since its interior space spills over into mid-size territory.
MIKE OCHONMA