Expanding the Elantra range, Hyundai has unveiled a coupe version of its popular Elantra sedan at the Chicago Auto Show.
Ready to take on the Civic Coupe with styling, horsepower and fuel economy, the Elantra Coupe gets some sporty touches and some added features.
Find out more about the Elantra Coupe in our first look video below.
Hyundai‘s old Elantra Touring was a function-first vehicle, targeted against cars like the Toyota Matrix. Now Hyundai is switching gears, replacing that small wagon with the Elantra GT (that’s Grand Touring), a hatchback built to compete against fun cars like the Mazda3, Ford Focus hatchback and VW Golf.
Unveiled alongside the Elantra Coupe at the Chicago Auto Show, find out more about the new 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT by watching the video below.
Set to be unveiled later today at the Chicago Auto Show, Hyundai is expanding its Elantra lineup with a two-door coupe.
De-dooring the Elantra is part of the company’s strategy to pull younger buyers in who they say are willing to sacrifice practicality for coupe appeal. It’s also a product targeted squarely at the Honda Civic Coupe, which has retained its dominance in the category despite rivals like the Kia Forte Koup and Scion tC.
The coupe is pretty-much the same as the sedan, featuring standard Hyundai sensibilities like heated seats, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity and more.
In keeping with the push toward a younger crowd, the Coupe gets a few sport-inspired touches, though people purchasing these cars are anything but track junkies. The same 1.8-liter 148-hp four delivers power to the front wheels with Hyundai’s homemade six-speed manual or automatic.
The Coupe won’t however, join the rest of the 40-mpg club in Hyundai’s lineup, missing the bar slightly with a 39 mpg highway rating. Still, a 33 mpg average isn’t half bad and driving enthusiasts can get there with an entertaining 6-speed stick.
Consumers can choose from two trim levels, the base GS or premium SE. Both come with generous standard equipment, but the nicer accouterments like leather seats remain reserved for SE buyers. The wheels also get an inch bigger for the SE, growing from 16 to 17 inches. Finally, an optional technology package is again withheld from the lower-end model but includes a 7-inch infotainment system, rear-view camera, an upgraded stereo and other cool stuff like proximity key entry, push-button start and more.
The sportier SE model gets a stiffer suspension that Hyundai says is designed for the car’s lower-profile tires. Despite getting the coupe treatment, the EPA classifies this as a mid-size car, which is interesting because it competes directly with compacts like the Honda Civic coupe and Kia Forte Koup which are both badged as compacts. Hyundai says it will deliver the best of both worlds (two door sex appeal and rear passenger roominess).
Regardless of the extra bulk, the car still manages to wiggle in between the Honda and Kia’s power to weight ratios, meaning customers can walk *erm drive away without feeling much buyer’s remorse.
For more on the 2012 Chicago Auto Show, see our complete coverage here.
Watch video of the Elantra Coupe below:
Recently the 2013 Hyundai Elantra Touring was spied testing in Canada, and it appears that the second generation of its Hyundai Elantra Touring model will make its American debut at the upcoming 2012 Chicago Auto Show.
The new Elantra Touring won’t be the only Elantra variant making its debut as the Korean automaker is also planning to unveil a two-door version of their popular compact. But like the current Elantra Touring model in America, the new one will surely be just like the European Hyundai i30, which debuted at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
Interestingly enough, reports are coming in that Hyundai will lose the Touring badge from the model’s name, simply branding it as a five-door hatchback – perhaps trying to get away from the unhip stigma of being a wagon. It is expected to be powered by the same 1.8L engine in the current Elantra model, with 148-hp and achieve 40-mpg on the highway – if you believe Hyundai’s claims. Reports of a 200-hp turbocharged model and a plug-in hybrid variant are still a possibility.
Did you think that every automaker’s secrets were revealed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit? Think again.
At least ten new models will debut at this year’s Chicago Auto Show, which kicks-off this Wednesday, February 8th. Here’s a quick round up of what to expect:
The ILX Sports Sedan will debut, and replace the TSX. The new ILX will be based on Honda’s Civic platform, and share the powertrain choices. Additionally, the ILX will show off three engines, including a Hybrid. The ILX will be targeted towards a younger crowd, and is being called a “gateway” to the luxury brand lineup.
Joining the ILX will be a new RDX. The popular SUV will be redesigned and will show off a wider track, a longer wheelbase and a new V6 engine. The RDX will be showing off some new technologies as well, including Pandora Internet Radio, and a Text-to-Speech SMS voice texting.
See the rest of our Chicago Auto Show preview below:
Despite previous reports to the contrary, Hyundai is reportedly still considering launching a premium sub-brand.
The plan would be to branch-off the Genesis name plate into its own marque, creating a mental gap between disparate products, that range from the $12,545 sub-compact Accent, all the way to the $59,000 Equus.
This latest rumbling is more than a rumor too, with the source being none other than Hyundai Motor America sales boss Dave Zuchowski. According to Zuchowski; “There’s a conversation going on within the company that says, ‘Does having the Hyundai badge on the premium vehicles sell more vehicles, or does it restrict us from selling more vehicles?
While no decision has yet been made, the plan would be to branch off the rear-drive models, including the Genesis Sedan, Genesis Coupe and Equus, removing the “H” badge from the cars and swapping out their current names for alphanumeric designations. The proposal, however, does not go as far as a new dealer network, with the cars continuing to be sold within the current dealership structure.
If Hyundai does move ahead with the plan, it could be implemented as early as late next year, when the first of the second-generation Genesis models arrive.
[Source: Automotive News]
Unveiled at the 2009 Detroit Motor Show, the Kia Soul’ster concept dared to prove basic transportation could also be stylish and interesting.
Three years have come and gone but new information has finally surfaced about the Kia, buried in a press release about the Track’ster concept – set to be unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show next week. Despite previous reports that the Soul’ster convertible has been axed, the Kia release says the convertible crossover is “currently under final assessment for production.”
The original Soulster concept looked like a modern Suzuki Sidekick with a chopped windscreen and an innovative two-piece top that allows passengers to open up the front and rear roof independently. The design also features attractive material finishes such as the anodized metal thick roll-bar, fender vents and skid-pad inserts.
If approved, the Soul’ster should be available with a 1.6L 4-cylinder that delivers 138-hp and a more powerful 2.0L that makes 164-hp.
The Hyundai Genesis Coupe pop star Justin Bieber signed and put on auction for charity sold late yesterday for $40,000.
Most of the time when a celebrity has something to do with cars, it means there’s a specialty line being made, like a Funkmaster Flex edition Ford Explorer – ugh! This wasn’t one of those cases. Bieber decided to sign the car’s dashboard in silver pen ink and set it up for sale on Ebay. The goal? Raising money for a good cause.
The cause in question? Well, the young lad wanted to fix up the skate park in his home town of Stratford, Ontario up in Canada. It didn’t look like the car would actually bring in the minimum bid he had hoped for, but at the last minute someone swooped in to scoop the car up, though we don’t know who.
Don’t be surprised if it shows up on an upcoming episode of something like MTV’s My Super Sweet 16 series. There really aren’t too many people willing to drop that much cash on a car that starts at $22,250 aside from a one percenter with a spoiled 15-year-old who’s crushing on the Biebs.
[Source: CTV News]
Last but not least, Hyundai’s fifth and final Super Bowl ad showcases the Genesis sedan.
Titled “Faster Acting,” this 30-second commercial highlights the new 429-horsepower Genesis R-Spec sedan. It helps tie together the theme of performance, so the pre-game spots are bridged with the in-game ads. It’s your run-of-the-mill car ad – no cheetahs or dying bosses to speak of. But if you love watching new cars go really fast, you’ll enjoy this one.
Watch “Faster Acting” after the jump.
Adding to Hyundai’s Super Bowl ad lineup, the automaker’s fourth commercial focuses on the Elantra.
Celebrating its 2012 North American Car of the Year victory, the Elantra takes a 30-second “Victory Lap” during the game. The Elantra won the award in January, and what better time than the Super Bowl to celebrate the big win. Instead of a parade, the Elantra takes a victory lap around the neighborhood with a little fanfare (hey, honking your horn can be considered fanfare.)
Watch Hyundai “Victory Lap” commercial after the jump.
![Meredes CLS Shooting Brake: Lookin’ Fine in Winter Time [Spy Photos]](http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/wp-content/uploads//2012/02/Mercedes-CLS-Shooting-Brake-thumb.jpg "Meredes CLS Shooting Brake: Lookin’ Fine in Winter Time [Spy Photos]")
Meredes CLS Shooting Brake: Lookin’ Fine in Winter Time [Spy Photos]
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