Following the launch of the i40 wagon earlier this year, Hyundai’s just dropped the saloon variant at the Barcelona Motor Show. Despite much speculation, there are no plans to bring the i40 to South Africa – our local market will instead see the Elantra nameplate continue.
As the pictures of the i40 illustrate, the styling borrows heavily from the sleek lines and profile of the bigger Sonata. We got our first glimpse of the i40 in February, when Hyundai announced that an estate version would take to the stage at the Geneva Motor Show. So far, it has received fairly positive reviews in Europe.
Hyundai South Africa has confirmed that the i40 will not make an appearance locally, but the Elantra, which differs slightly in its dimensions and slots below the Sonata and i40 in terms of the Hyundai’s global line-up, will continue in the local line-up.
The new Elantra will introduce the company’s new EcoShift six-speed dual-clutch transmission and the engines on offer should include 1,6- and 1,8-litre four-cylinder petrol powerplants. Expect it on SA shores by July.