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THE 2011 HYUNDAI ELANTRA: THE NEW STANDARD FOR COMPACT SEDANS
Modern Design, Mid-size Car Interior Volume, Advanced Safety and 40 MPG
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 18, 2010 – Hyundai today introduced another exciting model, its all-new 2011 Elantra at the Los Angeles Auto Show. This marks the world debut of the latest version of the popular compact sedan. The 2011 Elantra encompasses Hyundai’s latest ambitions including “Fluidic Sculpture” design, advanced safety and fuel efficiency. In the very competitive compact car segment the Elantra continues to be on a fast four year lifecycle.
HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2011 ELANTRA
Elantra is the fourth vehicle in Hyundai’s 24/7 version 2.0 product initiative (seven new models in the next 24 months), following on the heels of the all-new Tucson, Sonata and Equus.
The 2011 Elantra represents a modern approach to the traditional compact sedan segment, using emotional design and luxury features offered with Hyundai’s strong value proposition. The 2011 Elantra poses some intriguing questions:
HYUNDAI “FLUIDIC SCULPTURE” DESIGN
Elantra exemplifies Hyundai’s emotional “Fluidic Sculpture” design principles. “Fluidic Sculpture” considers the interplay of wind with rigid surfaces to create the illusion of constant motion. Elantra is an evolution of the design qualities found in Sonata.
Successful sedans in the U.S. market all have a distinct silhouette and Day Light Opening (DLO – a designer's term for the side glass) and Elantra is no different. Along Elantra’s sides are Sonata’s flowing lines, with the addition of a strong undercut feature line starting at the front door. These lines, along with muscular wheel arches and a sleek roofline, create a memorable and spacious package. Flowing lines also lead to an aerodynamic body. The drag coefficient for the Elantra is an exceptionally low 0.28 that compares favorably to the Chevrolet Volt (0.29).
Hyundai’s signature hexagonal front grille and detailed swept-back headlights give Elantra a compact athletic face. The assertive stance is complimented by 15-, 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels and athletic proportions. Available fog lights and side repeater mirrors complete the distinct design. Elantra was designed at Hyundai's North American Design Center in Irvine, Calif.
40 MPG – AN 18 PERCENT IMPROVEMENT IN FUEL ECONOMY
| Item | Percent Improvement |
| Nu 1.8-liter engine vs. Beta 2.0-liter engine | 7.4 |
| 6-speed AT vs. 4-speed AT | 4.1 |
| Smart Alternator | 2.5 |
| Low rolling resistance silica tires | 1.4 |
| Weight savings | 1.8 |
| Coefficient of drag | 0.5 |
| Fuel Savings | 17.7 |
Elantra’s fuel economy is 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway, with the six-speed automatic transmission or manual transmission. These figures give Elantra a highway-only driving range of up to 500 miles.
40 MPG POWERTRAIN
Under the hood, the Elantra is powered by an all-new 1.8-liter Nu four-cylinder engine with 148 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque (145 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque for Elantra PZEV). The Nu engine was developed to replace the 2.0-liter Beta engine from the previous generation Elantra. The Nu is smaller in size, weighs 74 pounds less and helps achieve an 18-percent improvement in highway fuel economy, when compared with its predecessor. Thanks to advanced clean engine technology, most Elantras sold in California, Oregon and several Northeast states are certified as Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV) by the EPA. The PZEV Elantra is as clean as many hybrid electric vehicles. The PZEV Elantra helps Hyundai meet its environmental commitments. Outside of these “green” states, the Elantra is available as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV).
Key Engine Components
The Nu engine features an aluminum block with a cast iron cylinder liner, cylinder head and crank. This unique configuration results in a block that is 30 percent lighter than an iron block, shedding more than 74 pounds off the entire engine weight, while still providing comparable strength.
The 1.8-liter Nu also offers Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT) camshafts and hydraulic engine mounts for optimum power, efficiency and refinement. Using D-CVVT on both camshafts has several advantages when compared with using it just on the intake camshaft. They include a two percent improvement in performance (increased volumetric efficiency), two percent improvement in fuel economy (reduced pumping loss) and a 30 percent reduction in hydrocarbon emissions. In the valvetrain, roller swing arms and hydraulic lash adjusters reduce valve driven friction to improve fuel economy one percent compared with direct valve driving. The Nu engine also features a maintenance-free silent timing chain system to enhance durability and improve Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
The application of a plastic two-stage Variable Intake System (VIS), enables switching between long and short intake manifolds, resulting in an across-the-board performance increase. These result in a four percent improvement in performance, a 15 percent reduction in cost and 30 percent reduction in weight, when compared with aluminum.
Another tool Hyundai engineers have incorporated into the next generation Elantra is an electronic throttle control. The electronic throttle control replaces the conventional cable and mechanical linkage found in the previous generation Elantra with fast responding electronics. This system accurately controls air intake and engine torque, improving drivability, response and fuel economy.
Hyundai’s first application of double-pipe plumbing (internal heat exchanger) is found in Elantra. Double-pipe plumbing improves cabin cooling performance, while minimizing the capacity of the compressor, which further reduces fuel consumption. An external controlled variable compressor is also used to improve fuel efficiency versus an internal variable compressor.
The Nu four-cylinder engine also has an offset crankshaft design that reduces friction between the piston and cylinder wall for a one percent improvement in fuel economy.
ELANTRA VS. ITS RIVALS
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| 2011 Elantra | 2011 Civic | 2010 Corolla | 2011 Sentra | 2011 Focus | 2011 Mazda3 | 2011 Cruze |
| Engine | 1.8L I4 | 1.8L I4 | 1.8L I4 | 2.0L I4 | 2.0L I4 | 2.0L I4 | 1.8L I4 |
| HP | 148 @ 6500 | 140 @ 6300 | 132 @ 6000 | 140 @ 5100 | 140 @ 6000 | 148 @ 6500 | 136 @ 6300 |
| Specific output (HP/Liter) | 82.2 | 77.8 | 73.3 | 70.0 | 70.0 | 74.0 | 75.6 |
| Torque | 131 @ 4700 | 128 @ 4300 | 128 @ 4400 | 147 @ 4800 | 136 @ 4250 | 135 @ 4500 | 123 @ 3800 |
| Trans. | 6MT or AT | 5MT or 5AT | 5MT or 4AT | 6M or CVT | 5MT or 4AT | 5M or 5AT | 6MT or 6AT |
| MPG (A/T) | 29/40 | 25/36 | 26/34 | 27/34 | 25/34 | 24/33 | 22/35 |
| MPG (M/T) | 29/40 | 26/34 | 26/35 | 24/31 | 25/35 | 25/33 | N/A |
Note: ULEV standard engines shown for all models
SIX-SPEED TRANSMISSIONS
The 2011 Elantra can be equipped with a six-speed manual (M6CF3-1) or automatic (A6GF1) transaxle with SHIFTRONIC manual control. The 2011 Elantra is the first small car in the Hyundai lineup to receive a six-speed automatic. Hyundai now has its own six-speed automatic transmissions in its small, medium and large FWD cars. Hyundai is also only one of four global car manufacturers building their own unique six-speed automatic transmissions.
The all-new six-speed automatic is 11 pounds lighter than Hyundai’s global five-speed and 17 pounds lighter than the five-speed automatic found in Honda Civic. It is considerably simpler, having 62 fewer parts, which is a key to increased durability, lighter weight and lower cost. It also features a super flat torque converter that shortens the unit's overall length by 0.43 inches, while being 2.6 pounds lighter.
This transmission mated to the 1.8-liter Nu engine helps Elantra deliver improved fuel efficiency - 11 percent more than its closest competitors and a four percent gain in fuel economy.
The 2011 Elantra’s six-speed manual transmission is also all-new and provides crisp shifts and further optimizes engine performance. These crisp 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.
OVERALL DIMENSIONS
The all-new Elantra rides on a 106.3-inch wheelbase, just two-inches longer than the previous generation. Its overall length has increased by 0.9 inches to 178.3 inches, with the 69.9-inch width remaining the same. The height has been lowered by 1.8 inches to 56.5 inches, without affecting headroom. Consequently, Elantra maintains its “class above” status when it comes to interior room, in comparison to Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. In fact, the Elantra is so roomy the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies it as a mid-size car, not a compact car like Civic and Corolla.
Elantra’s total interior volume of 110.4 cubic feet beats the 2011 Honda Civic sedan, 2011 Nissan Sentra, 2011 Chevrolet Cruze, 2011 Ford Focus and 2011 Toyota Corolla. Surprisingly, it even surpasses the Acura TSX (107.1 cu. ft.), Nissan Maxima (110.0 cu. ft), and VW Passat CC (109.3 cu. ft.) in total interior volume. Ultimately, the long wheelbase allows for compact car efficiency with mid-size car comfort. An example of this is found in the long seat track, delivering best-in-class front seat legroom. Elantra’s trunk volume at 14.8 cubic feet also beats Civic and Corolla.
VOLUME COMPARISON
|
| 2011 Elantra | 2010 Civic | 2010 Corolla | 2011 Cruze | 2011 Sentra | 2011 Focus |
| Passenger volume (cu. ft.) | 95.6 | 90.9 | 92.0 | 95.0 | 97.4 | 93.4 |
| Cargo volume (cu. ft.) | 14.8 | 12.0 | 12.3 | 15.4 | 13.1 | 13.8 |
| Total interior volume (cu. ft.) | 110.4 | 102.9 | 104.3 | 110.0 | 110.5 | 107.2 |
| EPA size classification | Mid-size | Compact | Compact | Mid-size | Mid-size | Mid-size |
2011 Elantra ARCHITECTURE
The all-new Elantra is fitted with a McPherson strut front suspension, with coil springs and gas shock absorbers. The rear suspension is a light weight coupled torsion beam rear suspension for enhanced steering stability and monotube shock absorbers for ride comfort. A 23.0 mm diameter front stabilizer bar helps reduce body roll when cornering.
All Elantras have column-mounted, motor-driven electric power steering that adjusts instantly to changing driving conditions while improving fuel economy over a conventional steering system. A quick-ratio steering rack is used for crisp feel on turn-in. Elantra’s turning diameter of 34.8 feet is better than Corolla’s at 35.6 feet.
World-class weight efficiency was one of the program targets for the Elantra engineering team. In fact, the 2011 Elantra leads all of its competitors in weight efficiency. Hyundai engineers also targeted leadership in power-to-weight ratio. Having these targets paid huge dividends in both performance and fuel economy.
POWER-TO-WEIGHT RATIO COMPARISON
| Vehicle | Curb Weight (lbs.) M/T | Horsepower | Power-to-weight ratio |
| Hyundai Elantra | 2,661 | 148 | 18.3 |
| Ford Focus | 2,623 | 140 | 18.7 |
| Honda Civic | 2,630 | 140 | 18.9 |
| Mazda 3 | 2,859 | 148 | 19.7 |
| Toyota Corolla | 2,723 | 132 | 20.8 |
| Nissan Sentra | 2,862 | 140 | 20.9 |
| Chevrolet Cruze | 3,031 | 136 | 22.3 |
The Elantra’s widespread use of high-strength steel provides a 37 percent increase in body stiffness at a lower body weight. High-strength steel allows the suspension to work optimally. At 2,701 pounds, the automatic transmission Elantra GLS is lighter than its competitors, while offering more interior room than Focus, Cruze, Civic and Corolla, with body-bending rigidity 50 percent higher than the Corolla. This weight efficient unibody architecture allows for Elantra to achieve an estimated 40 mpg EPA highway rating, without the need for a special eco model.
MODERN, SOPHISTICATED INTERIOR
Inside the Elantra, customers will find Hyundai’s expertise in interior packaging, lighting, leading-edge design and craftsmanship. This approach is visible in the clarity of the instruments and the tilt and telescopic steering wheel. The seats help fuel economy and the environment, being made of lightweight, environmentally friendly foam. Heated seats are available in the front and the rear, a segment first. Not only does Elantra have multiple storage areas, but it delivers useable storage capacity.
STORAGE CAPACITY
