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The Elantra Touring marks Hyundai’s return to the compact five-door segment after it nixed the five-door Elantra GT a few years back. Because GT hatchback only achieved modest sales results, its sales has been discontinued and for a few years, Hyundai only sold Elantra as four-door model on US market.

But earlier this year, the company announced it plans to bring a sportier and more practical, wagon style Elantra back to US market, and soon after that, at the 2008 Montreal International auto show, the car has made its official North American unveiling.

Already on sale in Europe and Australia, Elantra Tourings sales has progressively been spreading across the world. Known as i30 CW, it has just recently went on sale in South Korea, and soon it will hit the US dealer floors. It has already made its official North American unveiling at the Montreal Auto Show, earlier this year.

Engine & Transmission

Powered by the same 2,0L gasoline engine as its four-door sister model, the 142 horsepower engine employs a dual overhead Camshafts (DOHC) and Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT). It will be mated to the five speed B&M Racing transmission, enabling smooth and quick shifting, or a four-speed automatic transmission.

Stiffer stabilizer bars and dampers in front and rear will offer much more dynamic driving compared to Elantra sedan. Its suspension has been set up to deliver an agile feel and direct responses to driver inputs, which will translate, as Hyundai says, to a fun to drive character in everyday driving situations.

Safety

Like every other Hyundai vehicle, Elantra Touring has been designed to offer maximum occupant protection. Just recently, Elantra Touring, known also as i30 CW in Europe, received a maximum five star rating at EuroNCAP crash tests. Equipped with six airbags, active front headrests seatbelt pretensioners and seatbelt reminders along with ABS and ESC (Electronic Stability Control), the car will offer a top-tier safety.

Equipment

When going on sale, Elantra Touring will be packed with lots of standard equipment. It will be the first compact car to offer XM Satellite Radio® and USB/iPod® with auxiliary inputs as standard. It will also be available with air conditioning, heated mirrors, door locks, steering wheel-mounted cruise control and audio controls, remote keyless entry with alarm and an integrated 172-watt XM Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers.

Higher-end models (Premium-Sport package) will also have a power sunroof with tilt and slide functions, heated front seats and five-spoke, 17-inch, alloy-wheels with P215/45VR17 tires.

Protected with Hyundais famous 10-year/100,000 miles powertrain warranty, the 2009 Elantra Touring will go on sale by the end of this year. According to Hyundai Motor America, first Elantra Touring models should start hiting dealers in the winter of this year. Pricing was not announced yet, but we expect Hyundai to announce it by the end of this month.