New Hyundai Elantra Touring Previewed by I30 Hatchback Reveal in Europe
Hyundai has just released a selection of photos of its new i30 hatchback model in Europe with a bold design similar to what we might expect from Mazda. Set to be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the i30 hatch might never make its way to North America, but it’s wagon counterpart (sold here as the Elantra Touring) will. That being said, this is a near-reveal of that car, which is expected to hit out shores next year as a 2013 model year car.
The bold front-end design of the new i30 hatch follows the Fluidic Sculpture design language that has been seen in the new i40 series (Europe’s Sonata), featuring wrap-around headlights, a large hexagonal front grille and prominent front fenders. On the inside, the i30 resembles the likes of Hyundai’s Veloster with a refined center console and a deep-set gauge cluster.
When it does arrive in the U.S. look for power to come from a 148-hp 1.8-liter with an impressive 40-mpg rating.
GALLERY: Hyundai i30 Hatchback
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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Elantra fans are going to love this car. They have wanted a long wheelbase hatchback for years since the Elantra GT was replaced. The Elantra Touring (i30cw wagon) is an excellent car, but most Elantra enthusiasts wanted a hatch more like a VW Golf. This car should satisfy them.