#2013HyundaiElantraTouring

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.

Replacing the dull-looking Elantra Touring for 2013 is an all new five-door Hyundai, which along with sporty Euro-hatch looks gets a marketing-friendly “Elantra GT” name.

They just love hatchbacks in Europe. In fact, they love them so much it’s possible to sell nearly identical models successfully. Could an automaker do the same in North America? Hyundai might just try and find out.

Korean automaker Hyundai; continues to push vehicles catered to local market needs in an effort to spur regional growth and it’s new Euro-centric i30, introduced at this year’s Frankfurt show is no exception.

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.