2020.04.08 Hyundai Motor Company
The Mighty All-New 2021 Elantra
Hyundai's All-new 2021 Elantra has changed not only its design but also - everything else. The developer himself talks about the four key changes.
Pre-orders for all-new Elantra exceeded 10,000 units since the first day on March 25th. So it is safe to say the market is indeed welcoming the new design.
It is more remarkable that the All-new Elantra is gaining popularity as a compact sedan, as the market worldwide has long been dominated by SUVs. Lee MooYeon, Researcher in charge of developing Elantra, talks about the main features.
Hyundai engineers and designers had to make the 2021 Elantra longer, lower, and wider compared to the sixth-generation model. The 2021 Elantra gains 30 mm in overall length(which becomes 4,650 mm) and 20 mm in its wheelbase(2,720 mm), and the overall width is increased 25 mm(1,825 mm). The overall height also dropped 20 mm(1,420 mm), and the front cowl point was moved back almost 30 mm.
"Elantra’s sleek design, combined with Hyundai’s expertise in interior packaging, has produced an interior that delivers outstanding comfort, functionality, and practicality", said Lee. The longer wheelbase provides a best-in-class 964 mm of rear legroom and the wider track width means improved shoulder room in the front and rear.
The All-new Elantra offers a cabin of a midsize sedan.
Hyundai’s third-generation vehicle platform also dramatically enhances the overall design, safety, efficiency, power and driving performance of the 2021 Elantra. The new Elantra weighs less, has better fuel economy and is stronger compared to the previous generation, thanks to the new platform. This platform also allowed engineers to lower Elantra’s center of gravity for more agile handling. "In the event of a collision, this platform improves safety because it uses a multi-load path structure", says Lee.
The bodyshell construction features a higher proportion(19.4%) of Advanced High-Strength Steel(150k) than its predecessor. The new bodyshell is 15.5 kg lighter than that of its predecessor, giving it higher fuel and cost-efficiency.
The third-generation platform also plays a huge part in driving performance. Lowering seat height (25mm for front seats, 20 mm for rear seats) led to a lower center of gravity, increasing driving stability and makes the driver feel more connected to the car. No SUV can do such a trick.
The gearbox position moved upward to improve steering. And for more responsive handling, engineers improved suspension mounting structure as well. "Lower center of gravity and lightweight body enhance driving performance by huge", said Lee.
Tons of smart features is another key player. It provides a better mobility experience as Hyundai becomes the 'Smart Mobility Solution Provider' of the future. "Hyundai is a young, dynamic and technology-driven brand committed to provide a happy life to its customers. Just as the 'Strategy 2025' announced, the seamless connectivity, especially on the move, is an essential part of creating quality time and ease of space", explained Lee.
Hyundai CarPay, the company's first in-car payment service included in the All-new Elantra, is one such advancement in connectivity tech that stands to enrich the daily lives of the car drivers. In simple terms, the service allows the drivers to make payments without getting off the car. Currently, the service is available at SK Energy and Parking Cloud. Also, charging for electric cars is one of the possible markets ripe for the service’s entry.
The seamless connectivity, especially on the move, is and essential part of creating quality time and ease of space.
The All-new Elantra features multiple smart features - Hyundai Digital Key, Bluetooth Multi-connection, Over-the-Air updates, Valet mode, Air Purification system - that no other model in the segment has.
Continuing to promote the latest advances in technology, the all-new Elantra has an optional smartphone-based Hyundai Digital Key. Digital Key uses a dedicated mobile app to allow a new Elantra to be unlocked, started, and driven without a physical key via applicable smartphones. Elantra’s Digital Key also allows secure sharing of virtual keys with up to four people. Hyundai’s navigation systems are continuously advancing over the wireless network. Without going to the customer's center nearby or using a USB memory stick, the navigation system updates to the latest version even while on the road, making the drive safer and more convenient.
Bluetooth Multi-connection is also a catch. It allows two different devices to be paired at the same time, so there shouldn't be a problem when the driver and the other passenger do not want to go with the same playlist. Personalized Profile is to automatically optimize your own settings including seat position or navigation. The All-new Elantra is the first model in the segment to have a Car-to-Home feature to control home appliances while sitting in the car.
The all-new Elantra has an enhanced natural language voice recognition system with more and better feature control. This natural-language voice recognition system includes Speech-to-Meaning and Deep Meaning Understanding technologies, delivering unprecedented speed and accuracy in voice recognition and responses, and an ability to understand the context, such as when the driver says 'heat ma bums' to activate the seat heater or 'make me cool' to turn on the AC.
The 2021 Elantra offers a new array of standard advanced safety technologies(Advanced Driver Assistance System, or ADAS); Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Driver Attention Warning (DAW), and High Beam Assist (HBA).
"Safety needs are the basic needs that we all require, regardless of a segment. This is why we tried to put as many ADAS features as we could. Owners of compact sedans now can share the same high-tech safety features that only premium sedans used to have", said Lee.
Safety needs are the basic needs that we all require, regardless of a segment.
This is why we tried to put as many ADAS features as we could.
Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) and Lane Following Assist (LFA) help newbie drivers prevent accidental lane departure. For Optional SmartSense Features, Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA) and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA) come with a mid-level trim for gasoline models.
And for the highest-level trim, Reverse Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist (PCA) helps detect pedestrians and obstacles with a rearview camera and ultrasonic sensors. The system can provide warnings and apply emergency braking to assist in the avoidance of a collision.
Still, there are more basic ADAS features for the All-new Elantra. LFA helps the driver keep the vehicle centered on both highways and city streets, while Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) just helps prevent accidental lane departure by sensing road markings, automatically steering the car if necessary.
Some ADAS features are for driving convenience. Highway Driving Assist (HDA) is a driving convenience system that assists drivers in maintaining the center of the lane and at an appropriate speed while keeping a safe distance from the car in front. This feature works well with Lane Following Assist (LFA), which may automatically adjust steering to help keep the vehicle centered in its lane of travel. Navigation-based Smart Cruise Control (NSCC) makes highway and long-distance driving more comfortable. Using a front radar sensor mounted on the lower front grille, the SCC function maintains a set distance from the vehicle ahead in varied traffic conditions by automatically adjusting vehicle speed as needed.
The Elantra models released in South Korea offer the 1.6MPi SmartStream gasoline engine(123 hp, 15.7 kgf·m) and 1.6 LPi Gamma engine(120 hp, 15.5 kgf·m). These models are projected to achieve a best-in-class EPA combined fuel economy rating(15.4 km/l and 10.6 km/l, respectively for the gasoline and the LPi model) an improvement over previous models, due in part to an Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT).
"Besides the standard model, we also designed the eco-friendly model and the high-performance model to satisfy all our customers' needs. This is also why we used the third-generation platform for all lineups. And thanks to this platform, we are planning to create high-performance models like the 1.6 Turbo N", added Lee.
The All-new Elantra Hybrid, revealed first in the U.S, features a 1.6-liter GDI Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine. Elantra Hybrid’s permanent-magnet electric motor delivers 32 kW powered by a lithium-ion polymer battery with 1.32 kWh of capacity positioned under the rear seats to maintain the cabin space. This engine mates with Hyundai’s quick-shifting, six-speed, dual-clutch transmission(DCT).
The All-new Elantra has so much to offer, and it is highly likely that the Elantra will gain even more popularity when the hybrid and the high-performance version get unveiled in the future.
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