Road Blocks Adventure

Hyundai is working on a brand new version of the Elantra sedan can confirm today that we will go on sale at the end of the year as a 2011 model. We have already seen a number of occasions to test a prototype, but so far it’s always heavily camouflaged, but the South Korean version of the car, Avante, was recently launched overseas.

Hyundai has ambitious plans for its new Elantra compact sedan, with annual sales forecast up to 400,000 in 2012. This should not be too much of a problem since the ruling more upmarket look and feel.

Compared with the previous generation Elantra, the new 2011 model has been extended by one centimeter and the shafts are now two inches farther apart. Important details include a sloping, coupe-like profile, tapered back headlights and a square body. Prototypes of the car have been spotted testing in both South Korea and the U.S., often next to rival models like the Honda Civic and the Kia Forte.

Power is expected to come from Hyundai’s new 2.4-liter direct-injection four-cylinder engine coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission. A smaller 1.6-liter unit is also available.