New Hyundai Elantra LPI electric hybrid features improved interior
New images of Hyundai Elantra LPI hybrid electric vehicle surface to the web. The Elantra hybrid features a slightly redesigned interior.
Hyundai Motor Company has been accepting pre-launch orders for its all-new 2010 Hyundai Elantra LPI hybrid car in South Korean market since Monday. The number of pre-orders collected so far is not available to the press. Perhaps Hyundai plans to announce it during the official Elantra hybrid launching ceremony scheduled for July 8th.
Powered by Liquefied Petroleum Injected engine that runs on a Liquefied Petroleum Gas, the Elantra LPI hybrid has received some exterior and interior design updates to differentiate itself form a gasoline powered sibling.
The Elantra LPI hybrid features new modern shaped head-lights, redesigned signature grille that looks very close to the one seen on a facelifted Hyundai Accent and slightly sportier front bumper. At rear, the hybrid version of Elantra received a slightly redesigned rear bumper and new lip spoiler.
Styling updates continue in the cabin with the redesigned center stack, which now features new air-vents and large navigation LCD display. The interior design is definitely not as refined as that in Genesis sedan, but it is obvious that Hyundai designers borrowed some ideas from Hyundais luxury rear-wheel sedan.
Hyundai Elantra LPI electric hybrid is powered by 1.6L liquefied petroleum injected engine as well as a 15kW electric motor driving through a continuously variable transmission. The vehicle emits low 99 g/km of CO2 and 90 percent fewer emissions than an equivalent standard gasoline powered Elantra compact sedan, meaning the Elantra hybrid qualifies as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV)!
A combination of fuel efficient LPI engine, Lithium Ion Polymer batteries and CVT transmission brings in a fuel economy rating of 17.8km/l (or gasoline equivalent of 22.2km/).
This represents a 47 percent improvement over a conventional 1.6L automatic transmission equipped Elantra sedan. Since average price of LPG in Korea is 50 percent lower than that of gasoline, it means the Elantra hybrid car can operate at even cheaper rates.
The Elantra hybrid premieres a highly sophisticated Lithium Ion Polymer battery pack which has higher energy density and lower manufacturing costs when compared to standard Lithium Ion batteries. Lithium Ion Polymer batteries are known to be more robust to physical damage and can also take more charge – discharge cycles before storage capacity begins to degrade.
A combination of fuel eficient LPI engine, Lithium Ion Polymer batteries and CVT transmission brings in a fuel economy rating of 17.8km/l (or gasoline equivalent of 22.2km/). This represents a 47 percent improvement over a conventional 1.6L automatic transmission equipped Elantra sedan. Since average price of LPG in Korea is 50 percent lower than that of gasoline, meaning the Elantra LPI hybrid electric car can operate at even cheaper rates.
June 18th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
CAN’T WAIT TILL MID YEAR 2010. HYUNDAI WILL HAVE A SLEW OF CHOICES FOR THE NEW CARBUYER! This looks like it will be a winner too.
June 18th, 2009 at 11:24 pm
I like the centre stack here. If they make the interior a nice tan and beige this would be a beautiful car. I hope there is a touring version too, That would be a first.
June 18th, 2009 at 11:28 pm
… Now if they could get rid of that silly curve in the side doors, this would be a best seller! Platinum numbers. Shame! What can I say, I’m a have a design background. Sorry.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:19 am
yeah, right the interior looks like mix of genesis sedan, veracruz, santa fe, azera all into one.
June 19th, 2009 at 3:21 am
It looks like something bound for tzinese market or something.
June 19th, 2009 at 4:51 am
Nice looking car. I think it blows away the Honda Civic on interior and exterior.
June 19th, 2009 at 8:34 am
As Hyundai Moves upmarket, The Elantra is starting to slowly become a value over the Lexus IS or the Audi A3.
June 19th, 2009 at 8:37 am
John Krafcik did say small cars like the Accent and Elantra will go upmarket for the US and Korean Markets. I think this is good practice for that Next Gen Elantra coming down the pike.
June 19th, 2009 at 8:59 am
this is what the front of elantra touring should have looked like
June 19th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
The Elantra Touring is really just an i30 estate renamed so it’s not exactly the same car…
Anyway, the interior on this looks g r e a t and the exterior looks nice
June 19th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
Yeah Smoke, I read that article. Like I said about a year and a half ago, if Hyundai makes an highend Accent sized car, I think it would be a smash hit on the American Automotive Market. …in a number of ways!
June 20th, 2009 at 12:57 am
Yes JLG, i know that, but this look would have served it much better in north america. What will hamper the touring’s sales in NA is the styling… it is to euro-esque and ‘dull’ for the american market- especailly when its being marketed as a ‘sporty’ car. That rumored Elantra Touring update (sketch released a hile back) is what this car should have looked like from the start.
June 20th, 2009 at 3:48 am
Hyundai has some sweet products coming down the pike.
June 20th, 2009 at 5:15 pm
Is it just me or are some of the new kia products getting too good for a basement brand
June 20th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
The car is good looking…but the side profile killed it…and as for the interior…it’s nice..but i wish the centre stack was straight.
June 20th, 2009 at 8:29 pm
I’m lovin’ it =), but I don’t really like the side profile. Love the front leds and the rear that makes me think of a BMW but I LIKE IT!
June 20th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
Well KIA is going a little bit upmarket and mostly UP Tempo, while Hyundai is going upmarket. I think they are going to make KIA into another Mazda/Subaru/VW, but with lower prices and tamer designs. I can see KIA being a Mazda anyway, since KIA has been using Mazda inspiration for designs in the past.
They will be duking it out with Toyota for sales.
We know Hyundai=Future Lexus/Audi with much lower prices and a little bit less content.
They will be Duking it out with Buick and Lincoln for sales. Buick is taking Hyundai seriously, thats why they are hurrying up to make Accent and Elantra sized small cars. Buick will have 2 small cars within the next 12-24 months Ex Pontiac Vibe and Opel Astra.
June 20th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
KIA cant stay bargain basement forever, the Chinese will be here in less than 2 years, and the Indians and Malaysians arent too far behind them.
June 20th, 2009 at 11:44 pm
India’s Tata Motors will be selling its Rio/Accent Sized Indica car along with a more upmarket Nano from US Jaguar and Land Rover dealers within 12-24 months.
June 29th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
[...] in late 2011. Hyundai Sonata hybrid will be the second mass produced hybrid car from Hyundai after Hyundai Elantra LPi, which is going on sale in South Korea next [...]