FLUID DYNAMICS

Grown up it may be, but the Elantra appeals to the youth in all of us.

Looks matter. Hyundai has learned this, and the ' Fluidic sculpture' philosophy has given us cars that made us go 'wow' at first sight — and no car wears this design better than the Elantra. It is a sedan, yes, but that silhouette is straight from a coupe. It begins at the front, with the subtle two-part grille. The chrome strip isn't flashy, because it doesn't need to be; your attention is automatically drawn to the new swoopy headlamps with their projector units. The projector units are a feature that won't be found on most cars in this price range, but the LED running lamps are head turningly unique, and not just in its segment. The vertical fog lamps balance the swept-back headlamps admirably. Viewed head-on, the Elantra sports all the elements of a sports car — the squat stance, the wide bonnet with its creases, and the wide tyres. 

Move slightly around to the side, and the Elantra's minimalistic sides come into view. It is a good contrast to the front and rear, and the strong, upswept shoulder line and flared wheel arches give it muscle. From the side, the silhouette is like nothing else in the price range — it is pure coupe, even though it has four doors. Only when you're done admiring the sports car roofline do you notice the finer things like the chrome underlining the windows and adorning the door handles, and the mirror-mounted LED indicators and the new ten-spoke alloy wheel design. Walk around to the rear, and the swept-forward tail lamps come into view. They echo the headlamps, and have an LED effect. The stubby boot may look small, but underneath it is a massive 420 litres storage capacity. The exhaust has a new chrome tip that makes it look larger and sportier. Despite the Elantra's looks, it doesn't have any of the drawbacks of a sports car — its belly stays clear of the biggest speed breakers and it will go a long way on a single tank of fuel. 

Hyundai hasn't forgotten that beauty isn't merely skin deep. On the inside, there are swathes of leather and high-quality plastic. The swoopy lines from the outside are evident on the inside as well. The steering wheel with its bold design will grab your attention at first, and on closer inspection will reveal that in addition to controlling the phone, audio and cruise control, it also controls what shows up on the clear, concise multifunction display. In between the easily adjustable air vents lies the new colour touch screen audio head unit. It can play CDs, for those audiophiles among us, and accept MP3s via USB drive as well. You can also connect your Apple product and it will play the songs just fine, or connect your phone via Bluetooth and stream the audio. 

If all these options weren't enough, there's an Aux-in port as well. The Bluetooth connection to your phone also means you can make and receive calls on the go; although safety is top priority at Hyundai, so you can only pair a new device while the car is standing still. The colour display is also the video feed for the reversing camera, and the guide lines and parking sensors will tell you if you're getting too close to the object behind. The automatic climate control is one step ahead of the mundane: it offers different temperatures for driver and passenger. Hyundai hasn't forgotten the rear seat occupant: there is a dedicated vent that can cool both rear seat passengers as well. The Elantra offers one more thing that is absent in most cars even a segment above: a seat cooling system for the front seats. This is a boon during summers in our country. Of course, there are individual controls for both front occupants. 

The Elantra can keep your drinks chilled as well, with the cooled glove box — something that will help you stay cool in the summers. Both front and rear seat occupants get central armrests, but the rear armrest also gets inbuilt cup holders, a storage space, and an intelligently-designed front where a mobile phone can slot in and be visible by the occupants. There are three charging points in the car — two in the front, and one in the rear armrest, so your gadgets will never run down. 

Finding a good driving position is easy — it is electrically adjustable. There is also adjustable lumbar support. The steering wheel also tilts as well as telescopes, which helps drivers of any height get comfortable and reach those sporty aluminium pedals. The mirrors are electrically adjustable and foldable, and there is auto dimming for the interior mirror. All four windows are electrically wound, and the driver's window even has auto up and down.

 At the heart of the driving experience is Hyundai’s engine. Pick the 1.8-litre petrol and you'll be surprised by its performance — 148 bhp and 18.1 kgm arrive in a hurry and leave late in the rev range, thanks to variable valve timing on both intake and exhaust valves — what Hyundai calls 'Dual VTVT'.

 It is mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox that is docile and slurs from one speed to the next in the city, yet shows no hesitation in downshifting out on the highway when an overtaking maneuver is executed. No matter where, it always keeps an eye on the fuel efficiency, giving you the best of both worlds, drivability and efficiency. If you prefer to be in full control, however, the 6-speed manual gearbox is the one for you. If efficiency is your top priority, you can pair it with the 1.6-litre diesel engine. With 126 bhp and a locomotive-like 26.5 kgm at a mere 1900 rpm, it isn't troubled by either other traffic or steep inclines.

 The gearshift throws are positive and snappy, so even though that great torque spread means you don't have to shift gears, you feel like shifting just to feel the 'snick' of the lever engaging the next cog. The low rolling resistance tyres help better the efficiency while still offering grip and feel at the helm. Disc brakes all around haul the Elantra back to a stop effectively and sure-footedly. Of course, if nature tries to get the better of the Elantra, there is a raft of safety features that will protect you. Among them are ESC or 'Electronic Stability Control' that monitors the brakes and prevents the car from skidding, VSM or 'Vehicle Stability Management' that enhances directional stability via sensors in die steering system and chassis, a chassis made out of Ultra High Tensile Strength Steel, six airbags, and rear parking sensors. 

Driving the Elantra is a joy, whether in the city or out on the highway. The light controls make commuting a delight, and the fuel efficiency keeps owners happy. Out on the highway the power of the engines will put a smile on your face and keep the Elantra going for an incredibly long distance before it will need to refuel. With the low noise levels even at highway speeds and great high-speed manners, the Elantra is the car of choice for those who love to drive long distances. With all the Elantra has going for it, you'd not expect much more from it - but it goes the extra mile and offers everything you see here at a really competitive price. Never has a product looked this good from so many angles.

Published by   : Motoring World