HYUNDAI ANNOUNCES EXCITING MODEL YEAR CHANGES FOR 2013 ELANTRA
03/23/2012
Hyundai
Elantra, the 2012 North American Car of the Year and one of the hottest selling cars in the country, will continue its record setting pace with changes for the 2013 model year. On sale now, the 2013 Elantra GLS and Limited lineups will further delight shoppers with new standard and optional equipment.
The 2013 Elantra GLS M/T now comes with the same level of equipment as the 2012 Elantra GLS M/T with Comfort Package. For shoppers, this means the Elantra GLS M/T now comes standard with air-conditioning, 16- versus 15-inch wheels, cruise control, telescopic steering wheel and solar glass with windshield shade band. Heated front seats are also now included on the high volume GLS A/T Preferred Package.
Elantra Limited adds a standard power driver's seat with power lumbar support and an available Dual Automatic Temperature Control with Clean Air Ionizer and Auto Defog System as part of the Limited Technology Package.
NEW EQUIPMENT HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2013 ELANTRA
The GLS M/T base model has been upgraded to include air conditioning, cruise control, 16-inch steel wheels, telescopic steering wheel and solar glass with windshield shade band (2012MY M/T Comfort Package)
Heated front seats have been added to the GLS A/T Preferred Package
Power driver seat with lumbar support has been added as a standard feature to the Limited trim
Dual automatic temperature control has been added to the Limited Technology Package
Atlantic Blue has been added the color palette
Elantra continues to deliver an EPA certified 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway, producing a highway-only driving range of up to 500 miles. Entering the third model year of sales, no other competitor has yet to offer 40 mpg highway standard for all trim levels. Led by Elantra, sales of Hyundai 40 mpg models (Accent, Veloster, Elantra, Sonata Hybrid) have made Hyundai number one in fuel economy and CO2 emissions in America by topping the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy rankings for the 2010 model year, beating out traditional leaders Honda and Toyota. No automaker scored higher than Hyundai. This is the second time Hyundai has led in both categories, having achieved this distinction previously for the 2008 model year.
The EPA 2011 Light-Duty Automotive Technology and Fuel Economy Trends Report identified Hyundai as the top 2010 brand with an adjusted fuel economy rating of 27.0 miles per gallon. In addition to being named the most fuel efficient brand, Hyundai also had the lowest fleet-wide adjusted composite CO2 emissions performance (329 g/mi) for the 2010 model year.
The EPA 2011 Trends Report also indicates that preliminary 2011 model year values suggest that Hyundai will maintain its fuel economy leadership. Forecasts show that Hyundai will achieve an adjusted fuel economy rating of 27.5 miles per gallon in the 2011 model year.
Fuel economy is the primary reason for purchasing a new car in the compact segment, especially with gas prices exceeding $4 per gallon in many areas of the U.S. Due to rising fuel costs, more than 60 percent of compact car buyers are downsizing for better fuel efficiency with many of these buyers choosing highly contented vehicles.
Elantra also leads its segment in residual value having won the ALG Residual Value Award in the Compact Car segment for the second year in a row.
HYUNDAI "FLUIDIC SCULPTURE" DESIGN
Elantra exemplifies Hyundai's emotional "Fluidic Sculpture" design principles. "Fluidic Sculpture" considers the interplay of wind with rigid surfaces to create the illusion of constant motion. Elantra is an evolution of the design qualities found in Sonata.
Along Elantra's sides are Sonata's flowing lines, with the addition of a strong undercut feature line starting at the front door. These lines, along with muscular wheel arches and a sleek roofline, create a memorable and spacious package. Flowing lines also lead to an aerodynamic body. The drag coefficient for the Elantra is an exceptionally low 0.28 that compares favorably to the Chevrolet Volt (0.29).
Hyundai's signature hexagonal front grille and detailed swept-back headlights give Elantra a compact athletic face. The assertive stance is complimented by 16- or 17-inch wheels and athletic proportions. Available fog lights and side mirrors with integrated turn signals complete the distinct design. Elantra was designed at Hyundai's North American Design Center in Irvine, Calif.
40 MPG POWERTRAIN
Under the hood, the Elantra is powered by an all-new 1.8-liter Nu four-cylinder engine with 148 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque (145 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque for Elantra PZEV). Thanks to advanced clean engine technology, most Elantras sold in California, Oregon and several Northeast states are certified as Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV) by the EPA. The PZEV Elantra is as clean as many hybrid electric vehicles. The PZEV Elantra helps Hyundai meet its environmental commitments. Outside of these "green" states, the Elantra is available as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV).
Key Engine Components
Aluminum block and head
Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT)
Variable Induction System (VIS)
Roller swing arm and Hydraulic Lash Adjusters (HLA)
Electronic throttle control
Offset crankshaft
The Nu engine features an aluminum block with a cast iron cylinder liner, cylinder head and crank. The 1.8-liter Nu also offers Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT) camshafts and hydraulic engine mounts for optimum power, efficiency and refinement. Using CVVT on both camshafts has several advantages when compared with using it just on the intake camshaft including, a two percent improvement in performance (increased volumetric efficiency), two percent improvement in fuel economy (reduced pumping loss) and a 30 percent reduction in hydrocarbon emissions. In the valvetrain, roller swing arms and hydraulic lash adjusters reduce valve driven friction to improve fuel economy one percent compared with direct valve driving. The Nu engine also features a maintenance-free silent timing chain system to enhance durability and improve Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
The application of a plastic two-stage Variable Intake System (VIS) versus aluminum, enables switching between long and short intake manifolds, resulting in a four percent improvement in performance, a 15 percent reduction in cost and a 30 percent reduction in weight.
Another tool Hyundai engineers have incorporated into Elantra is an electronic throttle control. The electronic throttle control replaces the conventional cable and mechanical linkage with fast responding electronics. This system accurately controls air intake and engine torque, improving drivability, response and fuel economy.
The Nu four-cylinder engine also has an offset crankshaft design that reduces friction between the piston and cylinder wall for a one percent improvement in fuel economy.
ELANTRA VS. ITS RIVALS