Photo: Hyundai
Branding works in mysterious ways, and Hyundai knows this all too well. The Elantra GT and i30, for example, are basically the same thing with different badges. Now that Hyundai has redesigned the European model from the ground up, the time has come for the American twin to step up its game for the 2018 model year.
Slated to be unveiled next week at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show, the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT will be worth the wait. Hyundai has yet to detail powertrain specifications or pricing information. Just a handful of teaser photographs will have to make do for the time being. And as expected, the exterior design of the Elantra GT perfectly mirrors that of the 2017 i30.
Interior pictures reveal a red-accented steering wheel, an engine start/stop button with red-painted surrounding trim, an automatic transmission’s gear lever, black leather seats with red stitching, as well as three-stage heated and ventilated seats. Based on these pictures, the Elantra GT featured in the adjacent teaser pics is, most probably, a top trim level or the Sport model.
On the oily bits front, it’s highly likely the regular model will pack a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine similar to that in the Elantra sedan. A 1.6-liter turbocharged powerplant is rumored to make the cut as well, packing 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet. Other than a standard six-speed manual, six- and seven-speed automatics are also expected for the all-new Elantra GT.
Based on the European model’s specs, the 2018 Elantra GT should feature a 395-liter (13.9 cuFT) trunk, 883 millimeters (34.7 inches) of legroom for the rear passengers, as well as a flurry of safety systems. The floating 8.0-inch infotainment system is a touchscreen unit that knows how to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, among other goodies expected from an up-to-date system.
The i30 is slated to add an N-braded performance model and a five-door fastback body style in the near future. With a little bit of luck, both variants will make the trip across the Atlantic at some point in time.
Interior pictures reveal a red-accented steering wheel, an engine start/stop button with red-painted surrounding trim, an automatic transmission’s gear lever, black leather seats with red stitching, as well as three-stage heated and ventilated seats. Based on these pictures, the Elantra GT featured in the adjacent teaser pics is, most probably, a top trim level or the Sport model.
On the oily bits front, it’s highly likely the regular model will pack a 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine similar to that in the Elantra sedan. A 1.6-liter turbocharged powerplant is rumored to make the cut as well, packing 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet. Other than a standard six-speed manual, six- and seven-speed automatics are also expected for the all-new Elantra GT.
Based on the European model’s specs, the 2018 Elantra GT should feature a 395-liter (13.9 cuFT) trunk, 883 millimeters (34.7 inches) of legroom for the rear passengers, as well as a flurry of safety systems. The floating 8.0-inch infotainment system is a touchscreen unit that knows how to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, among other goodies expected from an up-to-date system.
The i30 is slated to add an N-braded performance model and a five-door fastback body style in the near future. With a little bit of luck, both variants will make the trip across the Atlantic at some point in time.
Google News