Hyundai Elantra
The Hyundai Elantra, also known as the Hyundai Avante, is a series of compact cars produced by the South Korean manufacturer Hyundai since 1990.
In South Korea, the first-generation model was initially sold under the "Elantra" nameplate, but starting from the second-generation, Korean models were sold under the "Avante" nameplate, with the "Elantra" name continue to be used on export models. The "Avante" name is not used in most export markets due to its similarity with Audi's "Avant" designation, used for their station wagon models. As of 2018, Singapore is the only export market outside South Korea to utilize the "Avante" name.
In Australia and some European markets, the Elantra was initially marketed as the Lantra during its first two generations, due to the similarly named "Elante" trim for the Mitsubishi Magna in the former market, and the Lotus Elan in the latter. After Mitsubishi Motors Australia Limited dropped the "Elante" trim from the Magna range, and Lotus ceased production of the Elan in 1995, Hyundai standardized the "Elantra" name for both Australian and European markets in 2001, following the introduction of the third-generation model.
The first-generation model was also sold as the Bimantara Nenggala in Indonesia between 1995 and 1998. Since the seventh-generation, the "Elantra" name was retired in Australia, when Hyundai integrated it into the i30 range, badging it as the i30 Sedan.
First generation (J1; 1990)
The Elantra was launched in October 1990, and received a mid-term facelift in 1993.It was sold in Europe from the spring of 1991. It replaced the somewhat larger on the outside Stellar, although that model had not been offered in many markets. The Elantra competed with the likes of the Ford Sierra and Vauxhall Cavalier/Opel Vectra, but at a considerably lower price.
The Elantra was powered by a Mitsubishi-designed 1.6 L straight-four. This DOHC 16-valve 1.6 L unit produced at 6000 rpm and could push the Elantra to in 9.5 seconds. The quarter-mile run took 17.1 seconds and produced. Top speed was. The Elantra got in the city cycle. Starting with the 1993 facelift a Mitsubishi-designed 1.8 L inline-four option was available; this unit produces at 6000 rpm and replaced the twin-cam 1.6 in many markets. A twin-cam, 1.5-litre engine was introduced at the same time, mainly for the domestic market where 1.5 litres marked a major tax threshold.
Facelifts
The vehicle was refreshed in 1992 for the European market, swapping for Hyundai's updated logo to the grille - although North American models retained the previous year's look. In April 1993, the vehicle received a facelift, including revised front and rear fascias including new, more organically shaped head- and taillights. The vehicle now also featured ABS brakes, front airbags, fog lamps, power-operated side mirrors, and optional alloy seven-spoke wheels.Between 1995 and 1998, the first-generation Elantra was also produced and sold for the Indonesian market as the Bimantara Nenggala, it is only available in there with 1.6 L engine.
Second generation (J2/J3/RD; 1995)
The second generation was launched in March 1995, initially offered as a sedan and six months later also as a station wagon. It was sold in the South Korean market as the "Hyundai Avante" in sedan form and "Avante Touring" in the wagon body style. Some export markets such as Australia and a number of European countries received the series as the "Hyundai Lantra" as per the first generation. The Lantra went on sale in Europe in September 1995, typically fitted with the 1.6-litre Beta DOHC engine, which was not offered in South Korea. Australian-market wagons were given the "Lantra Sportswagon" name.As per Chief Designer Choi Jong-min, the new, grilleless organic design was inspired by Korean blue and white pottery. The suspension was developed with the aid of a recently acquired Cray super computer and used MacPherson struts up front and a multi-link, coil sprung rear axle. European testers complained that the steering was imprecise and the seat squabs and backs were insufficient for taller drivers; ample equipment, a powerful engine, and a low price made up for this.
In the domestic South Korean market, the new Avante was initially sold alongside the previous Elantra. Aimed at a more affluent buyer, the Avante was only available with the more powerful, twin-cam 1.5-litre Alpha II or 1.8-litre Beta engines. Power outputs were respectively, both at 6,000 rpm. In October 1996, power outputs increased marginally, to.
The 1.6-litre engine initially used in Europe came in two different power outputs; German buyers had the option of a lower-powered variant to suit that country's insurance and taxation system. Power outputs are either. The 1.6-liter engine also met Germany's D3 emissions requirements, which gave it a temporary tax exemption in that market. Some export markets also received the 1.8-litre DOHC engine; its DIN-rated output was at 6,100 rpm. A lower-cost, single-cam version of the 1.5 Alpha engine entered production for some export markets in July 1996; this version produces at 5,500 rpm.
In the North American market, the J2 Elantra was initially equipped with the 1.8-litre Beta engine with at 6,000 rpm and at 5,000 rpm.
Some importers also offered a faux, chrome grille with vertical bars in 1997 and 1998. In Australia, this grille was only installed on the Lantra Classique special edition.
Facelift
A new grille arrived in February 1998, along with revised bumpers and redesigned head- and taillights. The facelift variant arrived in Europe in September 1998. The new model, sold as the "New Avante" in South Korea, received the "RD2" or "J3" model codes. Power outputs were adjusted downwards, to for the 1.5 and 1.8 DOHC engines used in South Korea. The PSA-built 1.9 L XUD9 naturally aspirated diesel option was also added for some European markets at this time, producing. South Korean customers gained the option of a fuel efficient, lean-burn version of the 1.5 DOHC engine with - this was only available on the Avante sedan.A new 2.0 L engine option also became available, replacing the earlier 1.8 in most export markets. Power for the 2.0 is at 6,000 rpm. In Australia, the GLS model was an upgrade on the GL model and offered the 2.0 L engine, velour trim, softer cloth seats, and alloy wheels. The GLS had body-coloured rear license plate light holder and exterior side-view mirrors.
Third generation (XD; 2000)
An all-new model was launched in 2000. The station wagon version was dropped in favor of a five-door Liftback. In the European and Australian markets, the "Lantra" name was retired and replaced by "Elantra" for this generation. Starting in model year 2001, all American market models came with standard front and front-side airbags, air conditioning, power locks, power windows, and power steering. This simplified dealer inventories and repairs and also sought to supplant Hyundai's image of "value" cars.Pre-facelift
Facelift
In 2004, all models were refreshed ; this introduced new headlights and tail lights, a new grille, updated front and rear bumpers with a split lower grille, a redesigned hood and trunk lid, and a redesigned dashboard that added more functionality.The GLS trim was the base model standard for the Elantra. The top-of-the-line model, the GT trim, came with a stiffer suspension, leather seats, fog lights, alloy wheels, lip spoiler, and blue-lit instrument cluster. Offered as a Liftback since 2001 as a 2002 model year vehicle, the only options for the GT were a power moonroof and anti-lock brakes with traction control. The only major option was a Kenwood MP3/CD deck. The GT trim sedan was introduced in 2003 and discontinued in 2005. The GT trim was replaced for the 2006 model year with the Limited trim, which featured new paint colours, a chrome vertical grille, leather interior with leather steering wheel and leather shifter and wood trim. The Limited trim featured steel rims with a 6-spoke cover featured in the GLS model. The GT trim for the five-door was produced for the remainder of the 2006 model year.Canadian trim levels differed from that in the US: "GT" models came standard with alloy wheels, four-wheel disc brakes and ABS. Leather upholstery and TCS were only available on the "premium" GT edition.
The XD was available with 1.6-, 1.8- and 2.0-litre petrol engines and a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel. North American models are available only with the 2.0-litre petrol engine. The 1.8-litre engine is a 1.6-litre engine modified for the New Zealand market.
While compact on the outside, it was listed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as a mid-size car because of a spacious interior. Although the basic powertrain design had changed little since the second generation, fuel economy improved for Elantras with manual transmissions from an EPA city rating of, and further to in 2006. Cars with automatic transmissions returned, a reduction of.Horsepower improved from, and torque from 132 to 136, mainly due to the addition of continuously variable valve timing in 2004. Originally, the horsepower rating was misrepresented as. In 2006, the Elantra was offered with a SULEV emission rated engine in some US states.
In China, the Elantra XD was produced by Beijing Hyundai from 23 December 2003 to 2011. It is available in 5 door Liftback for 2007 and sedan form from 2003 to 2010. Pre facelifted models of the Elantra XD were produced for the 2004 model year and had a facelift in 2007 consisting of new headlights, radiator, rear foglights on the rear bumper, and new wheels. Production ran up to 2010. It was facelifted again for the 2011 model year featuring new front and rear lights, bumpers, a single rear bumper fog light, radiator and power-folding mirrors with integrated turn signals. A 1.6-litre engine is available on taxi and passenger cars paired with a 5-speed manual gearbox. A 1.8-litre engine was available until 2007.
This car was used as a taxicab in Beijing, where it replaced the popular red Tianjin Xiali taxi in 2006 in an effort to cut down pollution. The Elantra taxi was used from 2005 until 2020, after which it was replaced by the Beijing EU300 and EU5 in Beijing's taxi fleet.