After driving the new 2016 Hyundai Elantra last month we walked away with the opinion that it is one of the better small sedans money can buy. It offered excellent value for money, sharp exterior styling, plus a comfortable suspension tune and good driving dynamics to boot. But if there’s one criticism that you could throw at the Elantra, it’d be that the 2.0L naturally-aspirated engine is potentially underpowered for people who spend a lot of their time on highways or more hilly terrain. Well, Hyundai are looking to rectify this, and have confirmed that a quicker Elantra Sport / SR will be available by the end of the year.
To achieve this, the Elantra Sport / SR will take advantage of the 1.6L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine from the Veloster Turbo, which produces 150kW (201hp) of power and 264Nm (195lb-ft) of torque. Hyundai will offer a choice between a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic or a 6-speed manual gearboxes, although some markets (like Australia) might opt to only sell the more popular automatic models. The Sport / SR will also get an upgraded multi-link rear suspension setup, replacing the torsion-beam setup found on the standard car. South Korean customers can choose an optional “extreme” package that includes upgraded stabilizer bars, different springs and shocks, and a rear spoiler – although we might see a few of these features as standard in other markets.
Although we only have two low-resolution images to go by, we can see that Hyundai have made a few subtle visual tweaks to signal the Sport model’s extra performance. It features lower side sills, larger openings in the front bumper, and we’re also told that a redesigned rear bumper has a new rear diffuser design with dual exhaust tips. On the inside, the front seats will receive larger bolsters and there’ll also be a unique flat-bottom steering wheel. You can also expect lashing of carbon fibre-esque trim inside for a more sporty look.
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So does this mean that there will be a 2017 veloster?