LA Auto Show: Hyundai Elantra Lineup Receiving Host Of Upgrades For 2014

Elantra and Elantra GT to get “Nu” 2.0L four-cylinder with increased output; sedan receives refreshed styling

Hyundai, in an attempt to keep their bread-and-butter compact lineup fresh, has given the Elantra and Elantra GT a new 2.0L “Nu” four-cylinder engine producing 173 hp and 154 lb-ft of torque.

The new “Nu” GDI engine improves on the base 1.8L engine output by 25 hp and 23 lb-ft of torque. It will be available in the Elantra Limited and standard on the Elantra Coupe and Elantra GT.

Also, the Elantra Sedan receives some styling upgrades in the form of revised front and rear fascias plus new alloy wheels. Both the sedan and coupe see improvements in NVH thanks to a full under-body cover, new absorption material in HVAC ducts, higher density carpets, and a host of other slight changes.

For full details, see the press release below.

REFRESHED 2014 ELANTRA UNVEILED AT LOS ANGELES AUTO SHOW WITH NEW GDI ENGINE, DYNAMIC DESIGN, AND A HOST OF NEW FEATURES

LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. announced the award-winning Elantra sedan has received a series of design updates and adds a more powerful GDI engine for 2014. Building on the success of the 2012 Canadian and North American Car of the Year, the 2014 Elantra features a redesigned front fascia, new rear styling elements, and interior design updates. Limited models are now powered by an advanced 2.0-litre four-cylinder with Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) technology developing 173 horsepower and 154 lb-ft of torque, representing increases of 25 and 23, respectively, from the standard 1.8-litre engine. Hyundai’s Driver Selectable Steering Mode (DSSM) system, next-generation audio and navigation systems, projection headlights with LED accents, and LED tail lights are among the other new features available.

Also refreshed for 2014 is the two-door Elantra Coupe, now featuring the above-noted 2.0-litre GDI engine as standard equipment. To match the Elantra Coupe’s sleek aesthetic and more powerful engine, the steering and suspension of SE models have been revised with sportier calibrations for sharper turn-in response and improved handling. Like its four-door sibling, projection headlights with LED accents as well as LED tail lights are now available in the Elantra Coupe.

What’s more, Hyundai engineers have improved the impressive road manners of both cars with a variety of measures reducing noise, vibration, and harshness.

The updates made to the Elantra sedan and Elantra Coupe for 2014 serve to improve the compelling blend of style, versatility, and value that have made Elantra one of Canada’s best-selling automotive nameplates. Both vehicles are scheduled to arrive in dealerships in early 2014.

UPDATE HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2014 ELANTRA SEDAN AND ELANTRA COUPE

Exterior enhancements

• New front and rear fascia styling, rear diffuser (sedan)
• New fog lamp styling (sedan)
• Redesigned alloy wheels (sedan)
• Available projector headlights with LED accents
• Available LED tail lights

Interior enhancements

• Modified centre stack
• Available 4.3-inch colour LCD touch-screen audio interface with rear-view camera
• Third-generation audio and navigation systems

Powertrain enhancements

• All-new “Nu” 2.0L GDI four-cylinder engine
• 173 horsepower, 154 lb-ft of torque
• Increases of 25 horsepower (+17%) and 23 lb-ft (+18%) from current 1.8L MPI engine
• Available in Elantra Limited trim, standard in all Elantra Coupe models

NVH enhancements

• Full under-body cover added
• New absorption material in HVAC ducts
• Higher density carpets
• Increased anti-vibration floor pad thickness
• Increased anti-vibration cowl pad thickness
• New anti-vibration material in dash pad
• Additional expandable foam in A- and B-pillars
• Raised cowl top

REFRESHED FLUIDIC SCULPTURE DESIGN
For 2014, the Elantra sedan receives a host of exterior design changes. Front and rear styling elements have been altered to create a stable, balanced look. Up front, a more open lower grille is paired with new fog lamps and available projector headlights with LED accents. The L-shaped fog lamp graphic stabilizes the front end, giving the car a more grounded look while maintaining a sense of width by drawing the eye to the corners. The car’s side profile now incorporates new 16- and 17-inch alloy wheel designs along with an available chrome beltline moulding and optional chrome door handles. In the rear, available LED tail lamps contrast against a new two-tone rear diffuser.

Elantra exemplifies Hyundai’s signature Fluidic Sculpture design principles. Fluidic Sculpture evokes the interplay of wind with rigid surfaces to create the illusion of constant motion.

Elantra’s sides feature flowing lines paired with a strong undercut feature starting at the front door. These lines, along with muscular wheel arches and a sleek roofline, create a memorable and spacious package. The styling serves a purpose beyond aesthetics, endowing the vehicle with a slippery shape. The drag coefficient for the Elantra is an exceptionally low 0.28.

As before, the Elantra Coupe is differentiated from its four-door counterpart by unique styling cues. The SE model features five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels with dark spoke inserts for a more dynamic presence. The wedge-like profile is accentuated by fast A- and C-pillar angles framing the sharply tapered greenhouse. Just below the belt line, a prominent character line carries from the door through to the rear deck. Wheel arch creases give a subtle flared appearance around front and rear wheels for a wide and aggressive presence. Out back, a blacked-out rear valance contrasts with dual chrome-tipped exhaust outlets and the deck lid incorporates an integrated lip spoiler. For 2014, Elantra Coupe also adds available projector headlights with LED accents and LED tail lights.

MODERN POWERTRAINS
Under the hood of Elantra sedan L, GL, and GLS models resides a 1.8-litre MPI inline four-cylinder engine named “Nu” developing 145 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque.

For 2014, Elantra Limited and all Elantra Coupe models receive a more powerful “Nu” 2.0-litre GDI inline-four developing 173 horsepower and 154 lb-ft of torque. Based on the current 1.8-litre engine, the larger 2.0-litre features a 9.8 millimetre-longer stroke (97 mm) and a Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) fuel delivery system. GDI offers a shorter, more direct fuel delivery path, allowing for greater control of the fuel mixture at the optimum moment, thus improving efficiency. The fuel is injected by a camshaft-driven high pressure pump operating at pressures of up to 2,175 psi. GDI also allows a higher-than-normal compression ratio of 11:5 to 1 for increased power.

The 2.0-litre Nu has been tuned to provide greater low- and mid-range torque, offering linear power delivery all the way to redline.

Key Engine Components – “Nu” 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre

• Aluminum block and head
• Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT)
• 2-stage Variable Induction System (VIS)
• Roller swing arm and hydraulic lash adjusters
• Electronic throttle control
• Offset crankshaft

The Nu family of engines feature an aluminum block with cast-iron cylinder liners, an aluminum cylinder head, and an aluminum crank. They also offer Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT) and hydraulic engine mounts for optimum power, efficiency, and refinement. In the valvetrain, roller swing arms and hydraulic lash adjusters reduce valve-driven friction to improve fuel economy by one percent compared with direct valve driving. The Nu engines also feature a maintenance-free silent timing chain system to enhance durability and reduce noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH). Both engines make use of an offset crankshaft design that decreases friction between the piston and cylinder wall, generating a one percent improvement in fuel economy.

By utilizing a plastic two-stage Variable Induction System (VIS), the engine can switch between long and short intake runners as required. The flexibility afforded by VIS results in a four percent improvement in performance. Employing plastic instead of aluminum allows for a 30-percent reduction in weight.

SIX-SPEED TRANSMISSIONS
Elantra comes equipped with a standard six-speed manual or an available six-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC® manual control. The Elantra’s six-speed manual transmission optimizes engine performance while providing a crisp shift action. These positive shifts are courtesy of triple-cone synchronizers for first and second gears, double-cone for third gear, and single-cone for fourth, fifth, and sixth gears.

MODERN, SOPHISTICATED INTERIOR
Inside, refinements made for 2014 give the Elantra and Elantra Coupe a more premium feel. Changes to the centre stack include darker finishes as well as repositioned HVAC vents and controls for a simplified, higher-quality look. The height of the front centre armrest has been raised to improve comfort. Third-generation audio and navigation systems incorporate crisper graphics and more user-friendly interfaces. Three variations are available, including a 4.3-inch colour LCD touch-screen audio interface and a 7.0-inch touch-screen navigation system.

In order to make the Elantra’s interior an even more pleasant place to spend time, Hyundai engineers have applied a variety of measures to reduce the car’s noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH). These items include a full underbody cover, new absorption material in HVAC ducts, higher density carpets, additional expandable foam in the A- and B-pillars, a raised cowl top, and increased anti-vibration material applied in the floor pad, cowl, and dash pad.

CHASSIS AND STEERING REFINEMENTS
For 2014, all Elantra sedan as well Elantra Coupe GL and GLS models benefit from Hyundai’s Driver Selectable Steering Mode (DSSM) system. The DSSM system provides three driver-selectable operating modes (Comfort, Normal, and Sport) so the vehicle’s steering response can be adjusted at any time to suit driver preference and road conditions. The Comfort mode offers the greatest ease of steering, making it ideal for city driving and parking lot manoeuvres. Sport mode is tuned to offer dynamic steering response on winding roads and on-centre stability during higher-speed highway driving. The Normal mode offers a balance of the two well-suited for all driving conditions. The DSSM system adjusts not only power assistance levels, but also on-centre feel and effort build-up throughout the steering range for a natural and progressive feel.

To match its larger standard engine and sleek styling, the 2014 Elantra Coupe SE has undergone significant chassis and steering recalibrations. A reworked Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS) setup reduces friction and provides a quicker ratio for more responsive turn-in. Firmer dampers, stiffer rear springs, and a larger-diameter front stabilizer bar deliver an almost 20 percent improvement in front roll control along with a more fluid suspension action.

ELANTRA ARCHITECTURE
The Elantra sedan features a MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and gas shock absorbers. The rear suspension utilizes a lightweight coupled torsion beam for enhanced steering stability and monotube shock absorbers for ride comfort. A 22 millimetre diameter front stabilizer (23 mm in Limited models) bar helps reduce body roll when cornering. The rigidity afforded by Elantra’s widespread use of high tensile-strength steel allows for optimal operation of the vehicle’s suspension.

The Elantra Coupe features a MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs twin-tube shock absorbers. The unique rear suspension uses a lightweight V-beam torsion axle with an integrated 22 mm stabilizer bar for improved cornering performance. Steering knuckle design, torsion beam rigidity, and damper tuning have all been recalibrated to endow the Elantra Coupe with sportier handling and steering responsiveness relative to its sedan counterpart.

CLASS-ABOVE OVERALL DIMENSIONS
The Elantra and Elantra Coupe ride on a 2,700-millimetre wheelbase with a 1,775-millimetre width and 1,430-millimetre height. Overall length is 4,550 millimetres for sedan models, up 20 from last year, and 4,540 millimetres for the Elantra Coupe.

Despite its compact footprint, the Elantra sedan is classified as an intermediate sedan by Natural Resources Canada thanks to its impressive 3,127 litre total interior volume. The Elantra Coupe provides equally generous space for occupants with just six fewer litres of total interior volume. Both the Elantra and Elantra Coupe have a large 420 litre trunk.

ADVANCED STANDARD SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES
Named a “2013 TOP SAFETY PICK+” by the U.S.-based Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Elantra is equipped with an exceptional level of standard safety features for the compact segment. For 2014, all Elantra models add a Hill Assist Control (HAC) system which prevents the car from rolling backwards on steep ascents.

A Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system optimally manages the ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and the Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS) to help the driver maintain control of the vehicle in slippery conditions or during fast cornering. Should the vehicle lose traction, VSM can deliver up to eight Newton-meters of counter-steering effort to help keep it on the road. A Traction Control System (TCS) is also included.

Elantra features six airbags including dual front, seat-mounted front-impact, and side curtains. A four-wheel disc braking package provides confident stopping ability. The Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) features Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). EBD evaluates the impact of the vehicle’s load on weight distribution and adjusts braking force accordingly between the front and rear axles. In a panic stop situation, Brake Assist ensures maximum braking force is applied. As noted, all of these safety features are standard equipment.