(February 10, 2012) CHICAGO — Two new variations of the award-winning compact Hyundai Elantra sedan were unveiled this week at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. Introduced were a sport coupe edition and an Elantra GT five-door hatchback. 



Hyundai says the two-door couple model, available this spring, will attract even more buyers to the Elantra line-up, further expanding its appeal. It offers many of the same attributes that made the sedan version a sales success, while broadening its market reach to youthful, sporty buyers willing to forgo four-door versatility for coupe design appeal.

The 2013 Elantra Coupe marks the continuing evolution of Hyundai’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design theme with sporty design language, while assuming a compact coupe segment leadership position with an eco-efficient powertrain, generous convenience features, exceptional roominess and abundant safety features.

Like the sedan, which was named North America Car of the Year in January, the coupe is rated at 40 mpg highway with the manual transmission version powered by the same 148-horsepower 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine.

For those people desiring even more cargo space, the Elantra GT hatchback will hit dealerships this summer. “Elantra GT is a fun-to-drive, functional, five-door compact hatchback,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Elantra GT is the latest example of how Hyundai is redefining the compact car and setting new standards in automotive design, efficiency and functionality.”

The 2013 Elantra GT will compete with the Ford Focus, Mazda3 and Volkswagen Golf, featuring more interior volume than these models, and fuel economy rated at 28 mpg city and 39 highway.

Elantra GT’s widespread use of high-strength steel provides a 37 percent increase in body stiffness at a lower body weight when compared to the outgoing Elantra Touring model. High-strength steel allows the suspension to work optimally. At 2,784 pounds, the automatic transmission Elantra GT is lighter than its competitors, while offering more interior room than Focus, Mazda3, Golf and Matrix.

Hyundai says the Elantra GT is the lightest five-door hatchback in the compact segment. It is 175 pounds lighter than Focus, 151 pounds lighter than Mazda3 and 222 pounds lighter than Golf.