By: IOL Motoring Staff
Johannesburg - We've heard many terms used to describe a mid-life update, but Hyundai has managed to put a fresh spin on this one, as it announces the 'enhanced' 2014 Elantra, with refreshed styling and a number of new features.
Overall length is up 20mm to 4550mm, thanks to front and rear bumpers extended by 5mm and 15mm respectively, while the wheelbase is unchanged. The front treatment has been comprehensively revised with the adoption of LED light guide and projector headlights, a new grille and reshaped foglights.
The car's profile is freshly emphasised by a chromed belt-line moulding and new 17” rims, with new LED tail-light clusters and a new rear bumper in two shades of black underlining the rear end.
COMFORT ZONE
Customer feedback has resulted in the centre air-vent being moved upward on the fascia, while the front centre armrest has also been raised.
There's also a new audio system with integrated Bluetooth, new aircon controls, a new straight-pull automatic transmission selector with a leather boot, electric folding side mirrors and auto-up for the driver's window, with a safety function.
A number of small changes aimed at reducing cabin noise levels have been implemented, including new, sound-absorbing material for the heating, ventilation and aircon ducting, higher-density carpeting, thicker anti-vibration pads for floor and cowl, new anti-vibration material in the dash panel, additional expandable foam in the A pillars and applied full underbody cover.
KEEPING IT SIMPLE
The previous 1.8-litre Executive model in manual and auto falls away in favour of a new 1.6 Premium derivative with the company's own six-speed auto transmission, to stand alongside the existing 1.6 Premium with six-speed manual 'box.
The outputs of the all-aluminium Gamma D-CVVT four-cylinder petrol engine are unchanged - 96kW at 6300 revs and 157Nm at 48590rpm - and Hyundai quotes 0-100km/h in 101 seconds for the manual version, versus 11.6 for the new self-shifter.
Top speeds are 200km/h and 195km/h respectively, at a cost of 6.4 and 6.9 litres per 100km.
PRICES
1.6 Premium - R247900
1.6 Premium A/T - R262 900
These include a five-year or 150 000km warranty and a five-year or 90 000km service plan; service intervals are 15 000km.