Well, more logical reasoning than news. I'm hoping one of the Hyundai "insiders" who contribute here can give us the definitive story sometime soon. I'm also hoping Hyundai has a '07 Elantra at my local auto show in March. I was disappointed this year when the new Sonata wasn't there, even though it went on sale only a few weeks later. :mad:
Confirmed: the '07 Elantra will have side curtains and ABS standard:
Hyundai's perennial volume leader, the Elantra, will complete Hyundai's 24/7 product launch with its release in Fall 2006. The all-new Elantra will feature segment-leading standard safety technology, including six airbags and ABS.
Yep, and the "standard" price will be going up as well. Part of the long term corporate goal me thinks. Trying to shed that broom-peddler-special image of the past.
It's curious Hyundai, nor the State of Alabama, has made no public statement about the '07 Elantra being built there. I would think that would be a big deal worth mentioning to the press.
smart driver is issued by hyundai so i guess that is how they started to announce it.they are building the santa fe and then the elantra. i think the will do more advertising when it gets closer to the date. we were in one of the issues of smart driver (owner's story) because of all the hyundais we owned.
wanted to let everyone know that the 2006s are on the way. The Hyundai USA site now shows the Elantra as a 2006 and you can do a build your own. Appears there will be four models to choose from: GLS 4 door, GLS 5 door, Limited (the picture appears to be a 4 door), and the GT (which appears to be a 5 door). I did a build your own on the GT including AT, sunroof/abs/traction control package, mud guards, carpeted floor mats, and a cargo net. The MSRP came out to about 17.5K. The pictures aren't the greatest, so, I can't tell if they made any small modifications to the skin or did any tweaks to the interior. To me it appeared to be mostly the same as 2005. Maybe those of you who are more familiar with the Elantra can tell whether any changes have been made.
So it's close to November and I think I read in the past that the new Elantra would go on sale in Korea during the first quarter of 2006. Seeing as this is just a few months away, I'm curious if this is still (or ever was) a real date for this car going on sale over there. If that is true, then I'm curious if anyone has a good idea/guess when we might start seeing unmasked pictures of the new design.
Anyway, that's all. I have no interesting knowledge . . . just looking to take some.
Or maybe the Greater Twin Cities Auto Show in March!
(That's my local auto show. No hope of a major announcement there, although I think it's the 7th largest show in North America. I just hope to see the new Elantra there.)
Don't count on it. This year, my local auto show was in mid-March, or just a few weeks from the '06 Sonata going on sale. Did they have a '06 Sonata at the car show? No! So with the '07 Elantra not due out until next fall, I'm not expecting to see it up close until then.
I heard on another forum that a British article stated the new Elantra would come in both hatchback and sedan versions. Perhaps this is only for the Euro market, but it's nice to think there's a possiblity of an Elantra hatch out there for the new body style that might eventually make its way to the States.
Have an inside connection with a Hyundai Dealer and was informed today by him that he rec'd photos and specs on the 07 Elantra. It was told to Hyundai Dealers that one of the 07 models, an 'SE Sport' variant would have a new 2.7liter V6 as an option. It is rumored that this engine will having ratings of 200 h.p and high 190's torque.
Wow. If this is true on the new SE Sport model, then this would definitely be putting the Elantra in a new class - probably against Nissan Altima and 07 Kia Optima. The 07 Kia Optima is rumuored to be getting a highly revised 2.7L V6 (200 hp and 195 ft lbs torque) so they would be sharing this engine. The Elantra is rumuored to be wider and longer than the current generation.
Not quite backy. That Zoomer 3 in both sedan and hatch version is down right schaaaa-weet to look at and everyone I know who has one say they handle like a dream. I think if the Elantra takes that step forward it better well expect some break-in time on the sales end. The cheap initial cost of these cars currently is their biggest draw. Should those figures go up too drastically on the new versions, I'm afraid like the Sonata, rebates will be req'd to move 'em. Just IMHO of course. Zoom on!
PS Lovin' my '05 Elantra GT hatch. The thing keeps screamin' PRACTICAL SLED(!) whenever I see 'er sittin' in the garage. No regrets to date. Hope you get that '07 just the way you want...in silver though? Naaaaaah. Don't do it. Tidal Wave blue 'til ya drop! Puuuuuuurrrrrr-dee.
I agree the Mazda3 is good looking and handles great for an economy car. But we don't know yet what the new Elantra will look like and how it will handle. Based on the improvements Hyundai made from the old Sonata to the new one in the handling department, I think the '07 Elantra will be much more competitive with the Mazda3 in handling. Plus it could have that 200 hp V6!
The other interesting thing is that the Elantra may also be a competitor for the Mazda6 in addition to the Mazda3, if the rumors of a larger Elantra for '07 are true.
The USDM '07 Elantra will actually be built in Korea. If you look on page 8 of SMARTdriver Fall 2005 you'll see that, though it's mentioned, the subject of the paragraph in-question is the future Hyundai line-up and not the HMMA plant. It is perhaps a bit misleading (though, unintentionally so) because of the two large Alabama-factory photos and captions on the same page. Some of you are probably like, "Uh... big deal," but it actually alters the meaning of what the author is conveying.
So for those who don't have access to SMARTdriver Fall 2005, here's the quote in question:
MORE TO COME Coming next year will be Hyundai's all-new, Alabama-built Santa Fe---a true mid-size SUV complete with a third-row seat. The all-new 2007 Elantra will follow.
Now, HMMA does have the space and resources necessary to add a third vehicle to the line. However, it is more likely that they would utilize that supply to assemble the '08 six-passenger crossover vehicle. While it might seem to make more sense to build the "EN" (i.e., the "long-wheelbase Santa Fe") there, Hyundai has already announced that it will be shipped-in from Korea.
Perusing through the thread, I noticed that spy photos of the vehicle were few and far between. Though not as good of quality as I'd like, here are a few that I didn't see posted:
BTW, has it been posted on this site that Hyundai has trademarked the name Aviva for the USDM, so there's a slight possibility that the Elantra may be renamed? I personally think the current name will stay, but I just wanted to let ya'll know just in case.
That would be idiotic considering the brand identity Hyundai has built up over the years with the Elantra. I can see introducing the Azera nameplate considering the relative obscurity of its predecessor, but the Elantra is a favorably viewed brand, is it not?
"That would be idiotic considering the brand identity Hyundai has built up over the years with the Elantra. I can see introducing the Azera nameplate considering the relative obscurity of its predecessor, but the Elantra is a favorably viewed brand, is it not?"
I'll agree with you that Hyundai discontinuing the Elantra name would be a mistake. I mean the Elantra has been Hyundai's best selling car in the states at least since the 01 redesign of it. That would be like Honda discountinuing the Civic name.
The interior appears similar to the Sonata which is not surprising. Given the interior of the Sonata, Azera, and new Accent, it appears that Hyundai is standardizing on the same "basic look" for their entire line. The two-color dash with darker upper and lighter lower sections seems to be the new look.
Although the gated shifter design is used by many, many other companies, including on the new 2007 Camry, I personally prefer a non-gated design.
Let's hope the Elantra, a.k.a. Avante XD (in Korea), is not called the Aviva. If so, all of us who own an Elantra just took another punch in the stomach on depreciation and resale value.
I like that interior--I think it's the nicest dash Hyundai has put on a car yet (yes, including the Azera). I am sorry to see the gated shifter, but I am glad that the folding mirrors are there (unlike the Sonata).
It is kind of hard to tell, but it looks like the shifter is NOT a Shiftronic--agree?
I am pretty excited that the Elantra may debut in Chicago. When is that again? I may be going to Chicago a lot for business in the near future, so I might be able to get in to take a look at it.
I like the interior, especially the two tone dash. I assume there will be more buttons/features on the steering wheel (ie. cruise control, stereo volume?) as it looks a little plain from the pics. I hope there's a GT or Limited package like the current model, because the continuation of a trim with leather and other amenities is a must to continue to pull more shoppers over to Hyundai. I'm sure if it's not at Chicago it'll be at New York. I think that's where they debuted the Accent and Azera last year. I can't wait!
To tell you the truth, I think the '07 Elantra is going to look like the new Sonata, only smaller. It will prob be a great seller like before. The stylings on the '06 and previous were getting outdated. :P
Do note, though, backy: the Entourage is, IMO, a little more likely to debut at Chicago than the Elantra. I was just passing on the latest buzz -- I personally am thinking NY.
Still, you could tell us what you think of the minivan.
If the Entourage is anything like the new Sedona, which I saw today for the first time, it will be pretty popular I think, especially when the typical rebates kick in.
I saw that too Backy . My brothers and I plan on a Feb. 18th visit to the show. We live about 100 miles away from there in northern Indiana . We go every year. My 05 Elantra GLS only has 9500 miles and I`m not thinking of buying anything but we have a good time looking .I`m wanting to see the new 07 Accent, the pics I`ve seen look promising.
Actually, I am glad the '07 Accent 3-door will be there because that is an option for my next car also, but I was hoping to get a peek at the new Elantra too.
Well, sometimes auto companies purposefully make late announcements -- especially with world debuts. I'm not saying Hyundai will -- I don't know if they will or not. Just a possibility.
OTOH, it's possible the new Elantra will not be shown at ANY auto show. Look what Honda did with the new Civic sedan--it was not unveiled until it arrived at dealer lots. That is pretty smart when you think about it--it builds suspense about the car and may make it easier to sell off the old models.
It kinda looks to me like what would result if an Acura TSX got together with a Lexus IS... for $15K-$18K. Of course, I'm not sure how accurate it is: the glass-house at least is pretty much completely different from what we've seen in spy shots. Other touches, however, are dead-on.
Comments
Hyundai's perennial volume leader, the Elantra, will complete Hyundai's 24/7 product launch with its release in Fall 2006. The all-new Elantra will feature segment-leading standard safety technology, including six airbags and ABS.
http://www.hyundaiusa.com/about/news/2005_08_02/2005_08_02.asp
Anyway, that's all. I have no interesting knowledge . . . just looking to take some.
Wheter its the rumored minivan or the Elantra, I don't know.
~alpha
The one that doesn't appear at Chicago will appear at New York probably.
(That's my local auto show. No hope of a major announcement there, although I think it's the 7th largest show in North America. I just hope to see the new Elantra there.)
PS Lovin' my '05 Elantra GT hatch. The thing keeps screamin' PRACTICAL SLED(!) whenever I see 'er sittin' in the garage. No regrets to date. Hope you get that '07 just the way you want...in silver though? Naaaaaah. Don't do it. Tidal Wave blue 'til ya drop! Puuuuuuurrrrrr-dee.
The other interesting thing is that the Elantra may also be a competitor for the Mazda6 in addition to the Mazda3, if the rumors of a larger Elantra for '07 are true.
So for those who don't have access to SMARTdriver Fall 2005, here's the quote in question:
MORE TO COME
Coming next year will be Hyundai's all-new, Alabama-built Santa Fe---a true mid-size SUV complete with a third-row seat. The all-new 2007 Elantra will follow.
Now, HMMA does have the space and resources necessary to add a third vehicle to the line. However, it is more likely that they would utilize that supply to assemble the '08 six-passenger crossover vehicle. While it might seem to make more sense to build the "EN" (i.e., the "long-wheelbase Santa Fe") there, Hyundai has already announced that it will be shipped-in from Korea.
Mike
Image#1 -- Interior shot
Images#2
Images#3
Image#4
Image#5
Image#6
Image#7
It does seem to be significantly larger than the out-going XD (especially when parked next to that Santa Fe) -- it's way nicer, too.
Oh, BTW, some believe this to be a conceptual sketch of the new Elantra/Avante HD (the car on the left).
Mike
Mike
Mike
I'll agree with you that Hyundai discontinuing the Elantra name would be a mistake. I mean the Elantra has been Hyundai's best selling car in the states at least since the 01 redesign of it. That would be like Honda discountinuing the Civic name.
So, what do ya'll think of the interior shot -- from what you can see?
Mike
Although the gated shifter design is used by many, many other companies, including on the new 2007 Camry, I personally prefer a non-gated design.
Let's hope the Elantra, a.k.a. Avante XD (in Korea), is not called the Aviva. If so, all of us who own an Elantra just took another punch in the stomach on depreciation and resale value.
Getting rid of the Elantra name would be like Toyota renaming the Camry- it would mess things up too much.
Interior pic. ("What do you get when you cross an '06 Accent, Optima, and Sonata...."; note the mph speedometer)
Exterior shot. (Not so interesting.)
Internet buzz: the new Elantra will likely debut in Chicago.
Mike
I like that interior--I think it's the nicest dash Hyundai has put on a car yet (yes, including the Azera). I am sorry to see the gated shifter, but I am glad that the folding mirrors are there (unlike the Sonata).
It is kind of hard to tell, but it looks like the shifter is NOT a Shiftronic--agree?
I am pretty excited that the Elantra may debut in Chicago. When is that again? I may be going to Chicago a lot for business in the near future, so I might be able to get in to take a look at it.
It does now!
"It is kind of hard to tell, but it looks like the shifter is NOT a Shiftronic--agree?"
Hmm -- I tend to agree based on what I can make out here, but really, I can't tell for sure.
"...Chicago. When is that again?"
Media Preview..............8th-9th; 1:45 p.m. press conference on Wednesday, the 8th
First Look for Charity....9th
Public Show................10th-19th
[Link.]
Mike
I hope there's a GT or Limited package like the current model, because the continuation of a trim with leather and other amenities is a must to continue to pull more shoppers over to Hyundai.
I'm sure if it's not at Chicago it'll be at New York. I think that's where they debuted the Accent and Azera last year. I can't wait!
Still, you could tell us what you think of the minivan.
Mike
http://www.chicagoautoshow.com/vehicles/detail.asp?make_id=26
Mike
...And then some jerk comes along and posts conceptual sketches of the pretty thing all over the internet...
Image: #1
Image: #2
It kinda looks to me like what would result if an Acura TSX got together with a Lexus IS... for $15K-$18K. Of course, I'm not sure how accurate it is: the glass-house at least is pretty much completely different from what we've seen in spy shots. Other touches, however, are dead-on.
Mike