First, let me tell you this. Previously, if a guy would tell me that he drive an Elantra, first thing in my ming, he must be a married guy, even if he'd not.
Well, I'm not trying to demean or to look down on members who drive Elantra. The car is a good car. But, that is the impression.
All this change the moment I saw and touch the new Elantra (some call it Avante) in KB Jalan Ipoh, this morning. The car smells and feels and screams of trendy and sexiness.
Now, now, before you all starts to accuse me of being chauvinist, I think other members who went to the teaser also would agree with me.
The new model did not resemble the old model AT ALL! It's like a whole new car with a whole new attitude. It's like the car has been given a serious make over. It's like a duckling that changed into a stunning swan.
Oh well, before I start to use other bombastic words that would not do justice to this car and the old one, let me start with what the car have to offer.
The Elantra 2.0L CVVT is another CKD car that is assambled by Kah Bintang Motors in it's plant in Tampoi, Johor Bahru, Johor.
It has a raised A pillar for larger windscreen and better viewing angle, raised C pillar for maximum rear passenger space and for that additional sporty look plus thesoft 'S' curve that flows around the car. Whish means, the car does not look, oh so straight anymore from the sides.
It also has smooth flowing front and rear fender with stylish rear lights which gave it that young look.
Apart from the exterior that has change dramatically, it also comes with interior that is at par with some other executive cars. The finishing looks luxurious, though I would preffered if the material that KB use for the roof is made from synthetic leather instead of soft material that is easily gets dirty.
The colour combination - cream and dark grey, gave the car that luxury yet comfortable look. Like the new Accent, the consol positioning more sleek and smart with 6 speakers including 2 tweeters that delivers 200 watt of music power for better and much improved entertainment during that long drive going back to kampung.
The intregrated audio system that was designed by Hyundai Motors especially for the new Elantra can also play back audio data formats such as CD, CD-R/RW, MP3 and WMA.
It can also accepts input from external 3.5 mm jack for direct wire connection to audio devices such as iPod or other playback devices.
For better view in the night, especially when your only source of lights comes from the console, the new Elantra also comes with dimmer control. The car also equipped with blue lighting that is the hallmark of the car.
Drivers would also not gets distracted while driving, cruising or speeding, with the steering audio remote, that enable drivers to control the sound system.
It also comes with fully automatic climate control system, two air bag for safety (which I hope many of use would never in the situation that it to be use) and numerous storage area, be it for your shades, your spouse's shades, to hold your drink, to hold your passengers' drinks and other nick nacks.
When it comes to what the car really worth, I think, the most prominent feature would be the motor driven, maintenance free, power steering, which means the steering is no longer using hydraulic system (which by the way, contributes to our fuel consumptions, actually), for better handling, and apparently better fuel consumption. Hyundai also claimed that with the new steering, it can reduces vibrations and harshness while driving.
The steering is also can be tilted and telescopic adjustable for better positioning for confort.
To adjust your seat, you only have to pump the seat for the desired height.
It also comes with heated wing mirror (side mirror) to enable you see clearly during heavy rain.
The cabin is surprisingly spacious, despite the 'shorter' look that it has with the new look.
The new Elantra comes with advance 2 litres DOHC 16 valves engine with CVVT technology. Even though it uses automatic transmission, test done and reported in the US Department of Transport
www.fueleconomy.gov showed that during the combined drive, the car clocked the petrol usage as 11.9 km/litre.
For ride and handling, the car uses Mc Pherson struts for its front and multi-link suspension for the back.
As safety is always a must, the car is not only equipped with air bags for driver and front passenger, it also equipped with ABS and EDB disk brakes plus pretentioner seatbelt to restrain the driver and front passenger from further injury should the air bag deploys during accidents.
Oh, by the way, if you are looking for the ECU in side of the car, you may not find it as it is now stored in the engine bay, so no more telling the car wash people to wash the engine.
Enough with the features, I will put KB's website at the bottom, so for more specs, please reffer to the site.
We did test driven the car. Unlike the Accent's steering which I found a little bit too much and too out of control for my taste, the new motor driven power steering is really responsive and gave better handling. To make a u-turn and cornering on the roof 4 floor up, is no child's play.
Thus the good steering completes the cornering in no time. When hard braking, no sound emmitted from the disks and the engine is so silent, it feels as if the engine is not powered up when it's actually is.
Anyway, I think that is all I can think of after that short test drive and less sleep to get to the meeting point in time.
Oh, the car comes in 3 colours, Sapphire Silver, Sunbeam Silver and Knight Black. I know, I know. not enough colour, but at least no more unwanted add ons.
Now, if a guy tells me that he drives an Elantra, I won't believe him if he says he is married with 5 kids!
