Opening
The Neo Fluidic Elantra: First impressions.
Hyundai has been a very well known car manufacturer for offering cars across all segments which start from the micro hatchback Eon to premium SUV Santa Fe. Earlier this year, Hyundai entered the mass car market and the C+ segment with the Hyundai Eon and the Hyundai Fluidic Verna.
With the Hyundai Eon, the company brought in its famous fluidic lines to an entry level car, which was a benchmark for any entry level car. The Eon became a very popular car if not a highly successful launch. The Hyundai Verna Fluidic has been already termed as a success story.
In an endeavor to launch a fresh D segment car imbibing the fluidic design, Hyundai has re-launched the Elantra. The Elantra was launched in India in 2004 but then didn’t make a very successful launch and was called off at 2007. However, learning from the past Hyundai have introduced the 5th generation Neo Elantra Fluidic and very positive about its performance in the D segment especially considering the company’s absence in this segment.
We find out more on the new Hyundai Neo Elantra Fluidic in our first impression report.
Appearance Exterior
Hyundai has earned accolades and appreciation for it’s i concept of design. Also, the very fact of the same holding true is the fantastic sales figures that Hyundai has been scoring internationally. Hyundai has assimilated the Neo Elantra Fluidic with the same i style of design giving it a new Hyundai family looks.
The front face of the car boasts of all the lines flowing in the fluidic way. The air intake has been enhanced with chrome styling. The radiator grille with a centrally placed Hyundai logo and the air intake on the bumper form a hexagonal arrangement which is very bold in nature.
The angular finishing on the front bumper makes it a wide looking design. Since the design is aerodynamic and angular, the air flow is guided very well throughout the body.
Multi Focus clear lens headlamps form the USP of the vehicle and its design extends to the almost half that of the fender length. Also the fog lamps have been detailed very nicely in a trapezoidal fashion.
The combination design of front windshield, windows and rear wind shield are all part of the wind craft design concept. The proportionate dimensioning and shaping of wheel fenders, door panels and rear quarter panel with continuous running side character lines all give a bold and new look. The 16” 5 spoke alloy wheels gives the right blend of styling.
The Elongated combination tail lamp is designed with inserts of indicator and clear lens reverse light .It has been given sharp styling towards side panels and classic look from rear view. The broad rear bumpers with inserts on reflectors offer right kind of bulge on the boot door. The aerodynamic shape of the rear wind shield is the best offered in any premium car.
Appearance Interior
Though both interiors and exteriors matter in determining the appeal of a car, the interiors have a greater importance as the comfort and the luxury form an influential criterion for many buyers.
Hyundai design engineers have given lots of attention to the interiors. The doors open wide and give easy access. Lumber supports and thigh support of the seats are designed well to offer best of comfort. There is ample legroom. The steering wheel is tilt adjustable.
The steering wheel hints of a great driver’s car cause of its arrangement. It has audio controls, blue tooth connectivity and also cruise control options and all the buttons are very well distributed on the steering wheel making them easy to access.
Dashboard is wide and nicely designed with smoothness and utility as a priority. The Instrument culture is truly a super vision cluster which not only provides all the necessary information but also gives a feeling of sophistication.
Combination of glass and metal finish on console complement the shape of dashboard along with perfect dual toning. Even the door panel has been designed in detailed manner. Power window control switch, rear view mirror adjustment switch are placed on a vertical position on the door panel. When the door are closed, it looks a part of the dashboard .Broad arm supports, bottle and magazine holder inserts are given in door panel for greater utility.
The broad seats with leather cushioning, good lumbar support and plenty of leg room are the highlights of the interior along with appropriate color combination on dashboard, quality of finishing of the gear knob, the digital display with blue background and electrically adjustable driver seats. All these adds to the comfort value and make it a premium offering in the D segment.
Performance Drive
The Neo Fluidic Elantra is available in two versions i.e. Petrol and diesel. The Petrol version comes with a 1797cc 4 cylinder engine delivering a power output of 149.5 PS at 6500rpm and a torque of 178Nm at 4700 rpm. Diesel version comes with a 1582cc 4 cylinder engine delivering a power output of 128PS at 4000RPM and a torque output of 260Nm at 2750rpm. 6 speed Manual transmission (MT) and a 6 speed Automatic transmission (AT) option are available for both the versions. Hyundai claims a mileage of 16.3 kmpl for petrol MT and 14.3 kmpl for petrol AT. In diesel version, the new Elantra gives 22.7 kmpl in MT and 19.1 kmpl in AT.
Petrol version price ranges from Rs.13 to 15.5 Lakhs and the diesel version ranges from 13.5 to 16.6 Lakh ex showroom Mumbai.
Driving the Neo Fluidic Elantra is a great experience. Inside the cabin, one can appreciate the new shape of the car and also the impression it endorses on road. Wide doors encourage easy ingress and egress. There is ample leg space and the fit and finish of the seats ensures the passengers experience the best of comfort.
The Neo Elantra Fluidic comes with a Start/Stop button. Once the ignition is switched on, the instrument cluster gets illuminated with informative features. A Digital shift indicator guides the driver to shift at proper engine rpms in order to get the optimum mileage.
The drive is as smooth as the sibling model Fluidic Verna. The powerful engine encourages one to drive at high speeds and is a very smooth performer. The drive experience of the Neo Fluidic Elantra is a pleasure because of the smooth pick up of the engine, helpful gear change indicator and ergonomically positioned rear view and cabin mirrors.
Suspension quality is good and one can feel best of comfort even during humps or ditches etc. The interior fit and finish are impressively good. Overall, one has to experience the amazing power, ease and comfort of handling the car. We had taken the car for a test drive in city limits and will soon provide a detailed review.
Rear seats are wide and comfortable, with an attention to the back support, head rest etc. Audio controls switch are provided in the arm rest too. The Hyundai Neo Elantra Fluidic has an amazing storage space.
The Hyundai Neo Elantra Fluidic not only offers the best in class styling with the fluidic exteriors but also provides fantastic interiors. The quality of fit and finish is amazing.
Tech Specs
Technical Specifications | ||
Make | Hyundai | |
Model | Neo Fluidic Elantra | |
Variant | PL (Dual VTVT) | DSL(CRDi VGT) |
Engine Capacity | 1797 | 1582 |
Power in PS/RPM | 149.5/6500 | 128/4000 |
Torque in Nm/RPM | 178/4700 | 260/2750 |
Gears | 6/MT/AT | 6/MT/AT |
Fuel | Petrol | Diesel |
Length mm | 4530 | 4530 |
Width mm | 1775 | 1775 |
Height mm | 1470 | 1470 |
Wheel base mm | 2700 | 2700 |
Kerb Weight in Kg | 1270 | 1300 |
Ground clearance mm | 167 | 167 |
Fuel tank capacity L | 55 | 55 |
Turning circle radius in M | 5.2 | 5.2 |
Tyre Spec | 205/60 R16 | 205/60 R16 |
Fuel Effeciency(KMPL) | 16.3(MT) /14.3 (AT) | 22.7(MT)/ 19.1(AT) |
Features
Features | VTVT 1.8 S | CRDI 1.6 | CRDi 1.6 S | VTVT 1.8 SX |
Power Steering | ||||
Power windows | ||||
Central locking | ||||
A/C | ||||
Music system | ||||
Fog Lamps | ||||
Rear wind shield washer | ||||
Defogger | ||||
16 " Alloy wheels | ||||
Electrically adjustable ORVM | ||||
Steering mounted audio control | ||||
Rear seat arm rest | ||||
Fuel consumption display | ||||
Driver seat height adjustment | ||||
TGS Knob-leather | ||||
Push button start | ||||
Rear Camera | ||||
Solar Glass | ||||
Driver seat electric lmber support | ||||
Auto Cruise Control | ||||
Leather seats | ||||
Leather AT knob | ||||
ABS | ||||
Dual airbag | ||||
Side and curtain airbag | ||||
Price Ex Showroom Mumbai | 1312462 | 1354555 | 1430960 | 1441231 |
Competition All Specs
Competitors of Hyundai Neo Fluidic Elantra | ||||
Neo Fluidic Elantra | Fluence | Altis | Civic | |
Variant | SX | Petrol E4 | 1.8 GL | 1.8V MT |
Engine Capacity | 1797 | 1997 | 1794 | 1799 |
Power in PS/RPM | 149.5/6500 | 137/6000 | 132/6000 | 132/6300 |
Torque in NM/RPM | 178/4700 | 190/3700 | 170/4200 | 171/4300 |
Gears | 6/MT | 6/MT | 5/MT | 5/MT |
Fuel | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol | Petrol |
Length mm | 4530 | 4618 | 4540 | 4545 |
Width mm | 1775 | 1813 | 1760 | 1750 |
Height mm | 1470 | 1488 | 1480 | 1450 |
Wheel base mm | 2700 | 2703 | 2600 | 2700 |
Kerb Weight in Kg | 1270 | 1210 | 1200 | 1210 |
Ground clearance mm | 167 | 170 | 176 | 170 |
Fuel tank capacity | 55 | 50 | 55 | 50 |
Turning circle radius in M | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.4 |
Tyre Spec | 205/60 R16 | 205/60 R16 | 195/65 R15 | 195/65 R15 |
Fuel Effeciency kmpl | 16 | 13.4 | 13 | 15 |
Features | ||||
Power Steering | ||||
Power windows | ||||
Central locking | ||||
A/C | ||||
Music system | ||||
Fog Lamps | ||||
Defogger | ||||
Alloy wheels | ||||
Upholstery | Leather | Leather | Leather | Leather |
Steering mounted audio control | ||||
Rear seat arm rest | ||||
Fuel consumption display | ||||
ABS | ||||
Airbags | ||||
Ex showroom Price Mumbai (in Lakhs Rs.) | 1441231 | 1527648 | 1426851 | 1431049 |
Conclusion
Hyundai has taken a good decision in re-launching the Elantra in the Neo Fluidic Elantra avatar. It has all the features one expects for from a premium car. There is an option of Automatic Transmission in both petrol and diesel versions respectively. Though it has already got plenty of awards in other countries it still is a new launch in India and yet to garner positive feedback from different types of customers.
Elantra will get tough competition from Renault Fluence. A new variant of the Fluence was launched recently and is also getting good bookings. Other cars like Honda Civic and Chevrolet Cruze have already established themselves in the same segment and would offer great competition
With the launch of Neo Fluidic Elantra, Hyundai has filled the gap in the range of Rs.13 .5 to Rs.17 Lakh. The Fluidic Verna sits below this range and the new Sonata above it. The excellent service back up from Hyundai would enhance the confidence of the customers in choosing the Neo Fluidic Elantra over other options.