My initial thoughts. [https://www.facebook.com/groups/309434242505239?view=permalink&id=2872882212827083 ]
Hyundai Elantra Update:
[ Unoffical ]
Globally both Civic and Corolla compete each other in compact car category and although there are many other cars in the same segment, the success story is well known for Corolla and Civic and generation after generation. When it comes the automobile sector in Pakistan, buyers have not many options. For decades Corolla & Civic has dominated the sedan segment as far as the locally assembled vehicles. Both models have made their monopoly and it looks like after many years, buyers will have something else to choose from.
The new car entrant Hyundai has started their operation in Pakistan in joint venture with Nishat group. There had been speculation and rumors for a year now that what Hyundai will offer in the local market and things got little much more clear last week. Hyundai last week confirmed that , Tucson a small crossover SUV and Elantra , a compact sedan will be locally assembled later this year. You can read in detail about Tucson here > https://www.facebook.com/groups/309434242505239?view=permalink&id=2856899361092035
Here in this post we will go over a quick snapshot about Elantra. Elantra is a direct rival to Civic and Corolla and is offered in many countries across the globe. While it is known to us as Elantra, in its hometown Korea and some other limited markets, it is known as Avante. The current generation is 6th which arrived in overseas markets as model year 2016 or 17 depending upon region. Later for model year 2019 onward , it got a face-lift which received lot of criticism.
Anyways, the Elantra displayed in Lahore was a face-lift model and PK Domestic model will be getting the same face-lifted version of Elantra. The displayed vehicle was an imported model / CBU.
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As of dimensions; Elantra is 4620mm long, 1800mm wide while 1450mm in height. For our general understating the footprint, in comparison the current
Corolla in Pakistan is 4620mm long, 1775mm wide and 1475mm in height while the Civic 4630mm long, 1799mm wide and 1433mm high.
You can see that all cars are almost have identical size with very minor difference on scale. There will be some minor differences on the interior as far as space but not much different from one another. As of cargo, Corolla has trunk capacity of 470L while Elantra has 458L and Civic got 525L.
When it comes to ground clearance, it is one of the most talked about subject in Pakistan. Normally a wider and lower vehicles have much better vehicles dynamics and stability in general. In case of Civic, the Pakistan assembled Civic has modified height of 153mm [ 132mm overseas ], the Pakistan assembled Corolla stands at around 174mm.
While the Elantra globally sits at 150mm and make it even lower than Civic or we can say have almost same ground clearance as of PKDM Civic.
I don't know if Hyundai will alter and raise the vehicle for Pakistan market but it seems like they will keep it at 150mm. This would mean that as of speed breakers Elantra drivers will face same situation as of Civic.
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The 6th generation Elantra is offered in multiple engine options overseas. Like Petrol 1.4L Turbo & 1.6L Turbo, 1.6L Turbo diesel as well as 1.6L and 2.0L naturally aspirated / non turbo versions. The Pakistan assembled Elantra will come with a 1.6L NA engine [ confirmed ] which is rated at 126hp @3600 RPM. The top torque is 155NM@ 4850RPM. There will be 6 speed automatic transmission with Eco, Sport and manual mode. A typical manual transmission on base model is also a possibility but no confirmation.
There are also unconfirmed reports that Hyundai might also offer a 2.0L NA engine in top variant. This is the same engine which will be offered in PKDM Tucson [ PKDM Sportage as well ], so there is due chance we see it in Elantra. The 2L engine in Elantra in overseas market pumps out 150+/- hp. Let's see if this becomes reality. To compete the 1.8 In Civic or Corolla , Elantra definitely needs this engine.
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PKDM Elantra will come standard with ABS. There will be disc brakes on front while drum on the rear wheels. McPherson strut as front suspension while torsion beam axle on the rear. This will make Civic the only local assembled sedan with multilink rear suspension.
There will be 205/55/R16 Alloy wheels and most probably with locally manufactured tires. Base variant might get steel wheels with caps [195/65 R15 ]. Electric power steering will be standard with tilt and telescopic function. Cruise control will also be a standard feature.
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Electronic stability control, 2 front airbags will be standard. Traction control , hill start assist, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution / EBD , Immobilizer will also come on all variants. Impact sensing auto door unlock can also make into PKDM version. I hope side curtain airbags are provided and I cant say for sure if it will make into PKDM Elantra although overseas all Elantras comes standard with side safety equipment.
Availability of any active safety system like blind spot monitoring, pedestrian detection or forward automatic braking, lane keep assist or availability of adaptive cruise control has slim possibility although in overseas market, Hyundai do offer it standard on most of its trim levels.
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On exterior , whatever is visible in the attached picture will come to PKDM Elantra. Depending on varaint, we might see slight change in the headlights. The headlight on displayed vehcile had full LED, on lower trim we might see conventional projectors with DRL.
The vehicle displayed by Hyundai in Lahore was locked basically and one could not actually take a detailed view of the inside what features were available. The vehicle on display was an imported unit/ CBU and that could be the reason, Hyundai didn't let anyone peak inside because comparing the international version, a PKDM model might get different equipment and features and unfortunately might be less equipped . I hope its other-way around.
Depending upon the variants, there might be some differences as far as features which is typical for any other brand/ model. Remote engine start, Smart key access with push button start, steering wheel control , bluetooth capable 7" touch screen display with mobile phone connectivity , USB, AUX will be available. Most probably a local supplier will be providing an android based headunit for PKDM Elantra in case of builtin navigation like rest of PK assembled vehicles. Backup camera will make it to PKDM Elantra.
Sunroof, latex leather seating , leather wrapped steering wheel, power adjusting driver seat, vanity mirror with lights. 60/40 Split rear seats with central arm rest will be available but NO rear passenger ventilation ducts. Automatic headlights, rain sensing wiper can show up on PKDM Elantra. The car on display had a single zone manual climate control system, although internationally, a fully automatic dual zone is available on higher trim levels, there is a possibility that a PKDM version gets the same manual unit as far HVAC is concerned. I hope the fully loaded varaint do get an automatic system.
Hyundai will officially reveal PKDM / locally assembled Tucson in June with all specification as well as price. That will also give us some hint in which direction Hyundai will go for Elantra as far as features & equipment comparing international model as well its own non identical twin the Sportage.
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The million dollar question; well no one knows at this point. Don't expect Elantra to be cheaper than Civic or Corolla . It might get little more equipped than competition and get a higher sticker price. Personally I think, Elantra will start with base price of +/- 3.5 Million and can reach near 3.8 - 4 Million mark. Overall Elantra pricing will overlap the Civic and Corolla pricing depending on the trim and fully loaded Elantra might cost more than the 1.8L Civic Oriel.
Keep in mind Hyundai-Nishat has always been ranting about their premium status which they are not actually and I fear their crazy pricing strategy. The upcoming financial budget can also dictate if's and but's.
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Hyundai will launch locally assembled Elantra in September. As always, booking will start then and delivery would take the typical 2 to 3 months.
Internationally, the 7th generation Elantra is in last phase of testing and pre-production models are currently on road tests. The 7th generation Elantra is expected to make debut sometime in early 2021.
This would mean that Pakistani assembled Elantra will soon become obsolete comparing overseas and I don't expect Nishat switching to a newer generation right-away as with any newer generation assembly lines need technical upgrades which needs time and huge investment and Nishat will not do these upgrades that quickly .
What this would mean to competition? The 12th generation Corolla most probably will make its appearance in 2021 and maybe earlier mean late 2020 in PK and will have an edge of being a newer generation against a discontinued Elantra regardless of how much better the Elantra is in Pakistan .
It will carry the label of "OLDER MODEL". On the other hand, the 11th generation Civic is still couple of years away and dont expect a new Civic before 2022 in overseas market.
Stay tuned and we will share more updates as soon as we have it.
Pakwheels Exclusive discussion thread on Hyundai products here > https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/t/hyundai-nishat-motors-pakistan-discussion-thread/826875
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