The much-awaited fifth-generation Hyundai Elantra has finally arrived, well, almost. Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors officially introduced the MD Elantra – which wears Inokom badging – earlier today at a media preview, though the car will only be available in showrooms from April 6 onwards.
The arrival of the 4.53 metre-long C-segment sedan has definitely been long awaited; after all, it’s almost two years since the Avante version of the car made its debut in Korea. The locally-assembled vehicle will be available in four variants and two engine configurations here, these being three 1.6 litre models and a range-topping 1.8 litre version.
The range is made up of the 1.6 MT Standard and 1.6 AT Standard baseline models, a better specified 1.6 AT High Spec variant, all three powered by a Gamma 1.6 litre MPI D-CVVT mill, and the single 1.8 litre job is known as the AT Premium, which wears a Nu D-VVT 1.8 litre MPI D-VVT engine.
In terms of output numbers, the 1.8 litre – which features an offset crankshaft design – offers 150 PS at 6,500 rpm and 178 Nm at 4,700 rpm, while the 1.6 Gamma (MPI) is good for 130 PS at 6,300 rpm and 157 Nm at 4,850 rpm. As for the transmissions, both the manual and automatic gearboxes are six-speeders, with the auto equipped with Shiftronic manual control.
Standard kit across the range includes headlamp auto light control, fog lamps, dual airbags, ABS and steering wheel audio controls. There’s also Vehicle Stability Management and ESP, but these are only to be found in the 1.8 AT Premium and the 1.6 AT High Spec.
Leather seats feature throughout the entire 1.6 range, with the 1.8 litre model getting Nappa leather as well as environmentally friendly foam for its construction material; supposedly, it offers passengers greater comfort when travelling on rough roads.
Steering wheel tilt adjustment is offered with both 1.6 Standard models, with the 1.6 AT High Spec and 1.8 Premium getting a tilt and telescopic wheel. Elsewhere, with the exception of the manual variant, the range gets full keyless entry and a start/stop ignition button.
The 1.8 features an array of additional features, as befits its premium tag and added asking price – the list includes automatic rain sensing wipers, a full auto climate control system with an auto defogging system and cluster ionizer system as well as an audio visual navigation (AVN) system, with a reverse camera visual display.
It’s also the only variant to be fitted with a sunroof, a 10-way adjustable driver power seat as well as auto cruise control.
As for wheels, the three 1.6 models come with 16-inch alloys wrapped with 205/55 series tyres, and the 1.8 wears 17-inch units and 215/45 profile tyres. Seven colours are available for the MD, namely Ceramic White, Sleek Silver, Hyper Silver, Clean Blue, Tomato Red, Santorini Blue and Phantom Black.
Pricing for the MD Elantra range starts from RM86,888 for the 1.6 MT Standard, followed by RM91,888 for the 1.6 AT Standard. The 1.6 AT High Spec rolls in at RM96,888, while the top-of-the-range 1.8 AT Premium goes for RM111,888, all prices on-the-road, with insurance.
While you won’t be able to walk in and view the MD in the showrooms just yet, you can get up and close with the car at a test drive event this weekend, which is March 30 to April 1, at Citta Mall, Ara Damansara, from 10 am to 6 pm daily.
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