Hyundai unveils Elantra Coupe

Sporty coupe variant aimed to broaden Elantra’s appeal among youthful buyers
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Hyundai used this week’s Chicago motor show to unveil a swoopy coupe version of its latest-gen Elantra, but the vehicle in question is intended primarily for the US market.

Due on sale in the States from May, the two-door Elantra will be pitched at “youthful, sporty buyers willing to forgo four-door versatility for coupe design appeal”.

The newcomer is another instalment in Hyundai’s 7/11 product initiative (seven new models in the next eleven months), and is the latest embodiment of the brand’s ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design language, which results in a drag coefficient of 0.28Cd (identical to its sedan sibling, which is slipperier through the air than its Corolla and Civic counterparts).

Under the coupe’s tapered snout sits the same 1.8-litre Nu four-cylinder engine as the Elantra sedan, eking out 110kW and 178Nm. These outputs are relayed to the front wheels by a six-speed manual or an optional six-speed auto (built in-house by Hyundai).

Fuel economy is a forte, with the six-speed manual sipping through a modest 6.6L/100km, while the auto consumes 7.1L/100km.

Despite having two fewer doors, the Elantra Coupe is actually marginally longer than its sedan sibling at 4539mm, while its wheelbase stretches 2700mm (identical to the sedan).

It stands 1435mm tall, which, according to Hyundai, results in “uncompromised headroom”, but the part they don’t mention is that this applies only to front-seat occupants.

The Elantra Coupe rides on McPherson struts up front and torsion-beam set-up at the rear – fairly standard fare for a car in this segment.

Safety kit includes Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), which optimally manages ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and the Motor-Driven electric Power Steering (MDPS). Also standard are six airbags – dual front, front seat-mounted side-impact, and side curtain ’bags.

All in all, not a bad looker, but we’re unlikely to see the Elantra Coupe here, as the newly arrived Veloster seemingly has the small coupe/hatch niche covered for Hyundai.