2015 Elantra Brings Feature-Packed Value To Shoppers

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., July 3, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Hyundai Elantra returns for the 2015 model year with new features and packaging updates to give shoppers even more value and style. The award-winning compact continues its high value proposition as a strong choice in this highly-competitive segment, validated by several coveted accolades over the model's lifecycle, including ranking the highest in its segment for initial quality in the influential J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Initial Quality Study^SM (IQS). Elantra is also the recipient of multiple ALG Residual Value Awards and remains one of the top-shopped vehicles in the segment.

2015 Elantra Highlights

• Highest ranked in Compact Car segment for initial quality according to JD Power
• Elantra SE: New Style Package, providing a $400 value savings
• Elantra Sport: New Tech Package
• Elantra Limited Tech Package becomes Ultimate Package, providing a $350 savings over the previous model year Tech Package
• New color availability

For the 2015 model year, Elantra shoppers get the choice of additional packaging options and updated colors across the line-up. The performance-oriented Elantra Sport gets a new optional Tech Package, while Elantra SE adds a new Style Package offering savings adding up to $400 in value. Similarly, the Limited Ultimate Package offers $350 in savings over the previous model year Limited Tech Package with the same content. 2015 Elantra pricing starts at $17,250, excluding $810 freight.

The 2015 Elantra continues to benefit from the exterior and interior styling updates introduced last year along with the addition of the 2.0-liter Nu GDI inline four-cylinder engine standard in Elantra Sport. Revised steering, handling and a focus on reduced wind, engine and road noise enhance the Elantra all around. Its dynamic exterior styling evokes a stable, balanced and expressive look. Inside the cabin, a premium interior with the latest technology provides an upscale environment for both driver and passengers.

Updates for 2015:

Packaging

• NEW: Elantra SE Style Package (Requires SE Popular Equipment Package) - provides a $400 value savings and is fitted with black cloth seating exclusive to the SE trim
  •  Power tilt and slide sunroof
  •  Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
  •  Projector headlights with LED accents
  •  Chrome beltline molding
  •  Aluminum entrance sills (front doors)
• NEW: Elantra Sport Tech Package (requires Sport AT)
  • 7-inch touchscreen navigation system
  • 360-watt Premium audio with external digital amp
  • Blue Link telematics
• Elantra Limited Ultimate Package, provides a $350 savings over the previous model year Tech Package with same content
• Elantra SE Popular Equipment Package adds driver's one-touch auto up window

Colors

• Elantra SE and Limited add new colors
  • Quartz White Pearl
  • Symphony Silver
  • Lakeside Blue
  • Shale Gray Metallic
• Elantra Sport adds a new color: Monaco White

HYUNDAI "FLUIDIC SCULPTURE" DESIGN 
Elantra exemplifies Hyundai's emotional "Fluidic Sculpture" design principles. "Fluidic Sculpture" considers the interplay of wind with rigid surfaces to create the illusion of constant motion. Along Elantra's sides are Sonata's flowing lines, with the addition of a strong undercut feature line starting at the front door. These lines, along with muscular wheel arches and a sleek roofline, create a memorable and spacious package. Flowing lines also lead to an aerodynamic body. The drag coefficient for the Elantra sedan line-up is an exceptionally low 0.28 that compares to Toyota's most slippery, dedicated fuel economy version of Corolla, the LE Eco.

Hyundai's signature hexagonal front grille and detailed swept-back headlights give Elantra a compact athletic face, emboldened by an open-mouth lower bumper, grille, L-shaped foglights and available projector headlamps with LED accents. Its athletic stance is further complemented by 15-, 16- or 17-inch wheels. Side mirrors available with integrated turn signals and LED rear taillights complete the distinct and premium look. Elantra was designed at Hyundai's North American Design Center in Irvine, Calif.

POWERTRAIN
Under the hood, the Elantra offers two engine choices. A 1.8-liter Nu four-cylinder engine that outputs 145 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque is standard on SE and Limited trims. The Elantra Sport, introduced for the 2014 model year, offers a standard 2.0-liter Nu GDI engine producing 173 horsepower at 6500 rpm and 154 lb.-ft. of torque at 4700 rpm (166 horsepower and 148 lb-ft of torque for Elantra Sport PZEV). This adds 28 more horsepower (+ 19 percent) and 24 lb.-ft. of torque (+19 percent) compared to the 1.8-liter Nu engine. The engine also delivers more torque - from 4,000 rpm to 5,500 rpm for impressive linear power delivery all the way up to redline. The Elantra Sport with the 2.0-liter GDI engine and six-speed automatic transmission achieves an EPA estimated 24 city/35 highway/28 combined mpg. The 1.8-liter Nu four-cylinder engine with six-speed automatic when equipped with 15 or 16-inch wheels achieves an EPA estimated 28 city/38 highway/32 combined mpg. When combined with 17-inch wheels, 1.8-liter models with the six-speed automatic achieve 27 city/37 highway/31 combined mpg.

THE BENEFITS OF GASOLINE DIRECT INJECTION
A shorter, more direct path of fuel delivery allows for greater control of the fuel mixture at the optimum moment, thus improving efficiency. The fuel is injected by a camshaft-driven, high pressure pump that operates at pressures up to 2,176 psi. Direct injection also utilizes a higher than normal 11.5:1 compression ratio for increased power. The pistons are "dished" to increase combustion efficiency in the cylinder.

Key Nu Engine Components:

• Aluminum block and head
• Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT)
• Variable Induction System (VIS)
• Roller swing arm and Hydraulic Lash Adjusters (HLA)
• Electronic throttle control
• Offset crankshaft

Nu engines feature an aluminum block with a cast iron cylinder liner and aluminum cylinder head. They also offer Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT) camshafts and hydraulic engine mounts for optimum power, efficiency and refinement. Using CVVT on both camshafts has several advantages when compared with using it just on the intake camshaft, including a two percent improvement in performance (increased volumetric efficiency), two percent improvement in fuel economy (reduced pumping loss) and a 30 percent reduction in hydrocarbon emissions. In the valvetrain, roller swing arms and hydraulic lash adjusters reduce valve driven friction to improve fuel economy one percent compared with direct valve driving. The Nu engine family also features a maintenance-free silent timing chain system to enhance durability and improve Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).

The application of a plastic two-stage Variable Intake System (VIS) versus aluminum, enables switching between long and short intake manifolds, resulting in a four percent improvement in performance. The Nu four-cylinder engine also has an offset crankshaft design that reduces friction between the piston and cylinder wall for a one percent improvement in fuel economy.

Another tool Hyundai engineers have incorporated into Elantra is an electronic throttle control. The electronic throttle control replaces the conventional cable and mechanical linkage with fast responding electronics. This system accurately controls air intake and engine torque, improving drivability, response and fuel economy.

ELANTRA VS. ITS RIVALS

^{Note: ULEV standard engines shown for all models}

SIX-SPEED TRANSMISSIONS
The 2015 Elantra can be equipped with a six-speed manual (M6CF3-1) or automatic (A6GF1) transaxle with SHIFTRONIC manual control. This transmission mated to the Nu engine helps Elantra deliver improved fuel efficiency.

Elantra's six-speed manual transmission provides crisp shifts and further optimizes engine performance. These crisp shifts are courtesy of triple-cone synchronizers for first and second gears, double-cone for third gear and single-cone for fourth, fifth and sixth gears.

OVERALL DIMENSIONS
Elantra is a "class above" when it comes to interior room, in comparison to the Honda Civic and Ford Focus. In fact, the Elantra is so roomy the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) classifies it as a mid-size car, not a compact car like some of its key segment competitors.

Elantra's total interior volume of 110.4 cubic feet beats the 2014 Honda Civic sedan, 2014 Chevrolet Cruze, 2014 Ford Focus and 2014 Dodge Dart. Surprisingly, it even surpasses the 2014 Nissan Maxima (110.0 cu. ft), and VW CC (106.8 cu. ft.) in total interior volume. Ultimately, the long wheelbase allows for compact car efficiency with mid-size car comfort. An example of this is found in the long seat track, delivering best-in-class front seat legroom. Elantra's trunk volume at 14.8 cubic feet also beats Civic, Focus and Corolla.

VOLUME COMPARISON

^{Note: ULEV standard engines shown for all models}

ELANTRA HANDLING AND STEERING
The Elantra is fitted with a McPherson strut front suspension, with coil springs and gas shock absorbers. The rear suspension is a light weight coupled torsion beam rear suspension for enhanced steering stability and monotube shock absorbers for ride comfort. A standard 22.0 mm diameter front stabilizer bar helps reduce body roll when cornering. Elantra Sport includes a 23mm front stabilizer bar along with stiffer dampers and rear springs to deliver better front roll control / stiffness and more fluid suspension action.

All Elantras have motor-driven electric power steering that adjusts instantly to changing driving conditions while improving fuel economy over a conventional steering system. A quick-ratio steering rack is used for crisp feel on turn-in. Elantra's turning diameter of 34.8 feet is better than Corolla's at 35.6 feet. Elantra Sport features a reworked Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) setup that reduces friction and provides a quicker ratio for more responsive cornering.

Behind the wheel of the entry level Elantra SE and top-of-the-line Elantra Limited, drivers benefit from Hyundai's Driver Selectable Steering Mode, with three operating modes – Comfort, Normal and Sport. This innovative system allows drivers to adapt the Elantra's steering characteristics to varying driving preferences and road conditions. Comfort mode is ideal for city and parking environments, offering the greatest ease of steering with a decrease in steering effort. Normal mode is ideal for a mix of driving conditions. Meanwhile, Sport Mode is optimized for higher-speed freeways or winding roads and decreases power steering assistance. The Driver Selectable Steering Mode not only adjusts power assistance levels in each mode, but also adjusts on-center build-up feel and steering build-up curves throughout the steering range, for a very natural and progressive feel.

POWER-TO-WEIGHT RATIO COMPARISON 
Elantra delivers competitive weight efficiency and power-to-weight ratio:

CHASSIS
Elantra's widespread use of high-strength steel provides increased body stiffness at a lower body weight. High-strength steel allows the suspension to work optimally. At 2,818 pounds, the automatic transmission Elantra SE is lighter than all but one of its competitors, while offering more interior room than Focus, Cruze, Civic and Dart. This weight efficient unibody architecture allows for Elantra to achieve an estimated 38 mpg EPA highway rating, without the need for a special eco model.

MODERN, SOPHISTICATED INTERIOR 
Inside the Elantra, customers will find Hyundai's expertise in interior packaging, lighting, leading-edge design and craftsmanship. This approach is visible in the clarity of the instruments and the tilt and telescopic steering wheel. The seats are made of lightweight, environmentally friendly foam. Heated seats are available in the front and the rear. Not only does Elantra have multiple storage areas, but it delivers usable storage capacity.

The 2015 Elantra SE has a two-tone interior with a choice of either gray or beige. The optional Style package adds a monotone black interior. Elantra Limited has standard leather seating surfaces available in gray, beige or black. All Elantras have cloth-like pillar trim made of fibrous tissue and volcanic rock for a premium look and feel.

Refinements introduced in the 2014 model year were designed to give the entire Hyundai Elantra a more premium feel, with all-new third-generation navigation and audio technology, available aluminum accents and new HVAC controls. Subtle changes to the placement of HVAC vents, controls and the height of the front center armrest deliver a higher-quality, simplified look. Providing a more upscale environment is accomplished with a slightly darker, more neutral beige interior color choice, aluminum pedals on the Sport and aluminum door sill plates on the SE Style Package, Sport and Limited.

AUDIO AND NAVIGATION SYSTEMS
Elantra is available with three audio systems. Standard is an AM/FM/SiriusXM Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system with six-speakers and iPod^®/USB/auxiliary input jacks. The system also features monochrome inverse TFT LCD display to enhance visibility. An optional audio system adds an upgraded screen with a 4.3-inch color TFT LCD touch screen and rearview camera display. All systems feature enhanced voice recognition and a jukebox feature allowing the user to copy songs from a USB to the dedicated storage in the head unit. Standard iPod®/USB auxiliary input jacks allow portable devices such as MP3 players to be connected via USB or 3.5mm mini-jack. Music files in iPod®/USB can be navigated and played though the factory head unit, with visual display of artist and title while also charging the device. Bluetooth audio wirelessly streams music from select mobile phones to the head unit.

The Elantra Sport and Elantra Limited offer an optional multifunction seven-inch touch-screen display with navigation, rear-view camera and an external 360-watt amplifier. This third-generation display features a simpler user interface, enhanced voice recognition commands and improved navigation screens. The system is more intuitive for commonly used tasks. Simple pop-up messages now appear to help pair a cell phone and the voice recognition software understands street addresses and cities all in one sentence. The route screens display speed limits and details the next three maneuvers. One or two button pushes complete most functions. The system also allows for viewing and storing of jpeg images and MP3 music files from a USB stick. The SiriusXM Satellite Radio interface is also integrated into the navigation unit and features channel logos, real-time NavTraffic and XM Data services, such as NavWeather^®, Stock Ticker and Sports Ticker.

PANDORA INTERNET RADIO
Pandora internet radio is integrated into the optional multifunction seven-inch touch-screen display with navigation. The display screen has a Pandora icon for internet radio from an iPhone. Pandora can also be viewed on the display screen and songs can be given the familiar Pandora thumbs up or thumbs down. (By selecting the thumbs down icon, that particular song will never be played again.) Pandora can be connected to the head unit via a USB cable and integrates album cover art.

• Pandora, the leading internet radio service, gives people music they love anytime, anywhere, through personalized radio stations available on a wide variety of connected devices
• Personalized radio stations launch instantly from a single song, artist or composer "seed" and are refined to each listener's taste through simple thumbs-up and thumbs-down feedback
• Pandora has more than 200 million registered users and more than 70 million monthly active listeners who stream more than a billion hours every month
• More than 80% of Pandora's total listening hours occur via mobile and other connected devices
• Approximately one out of every two U.S. smartphone users has listened to Pandora in the past month

Elantra owners can also get premium features, such as a proximity key with push button start and immobilizer, power sunroof, one touch up/down driver's window and leather seating surfaces. This modern, sophisticated interior is also whisper quiet.

NVH IMPROVEMENTS 
Since the launch of the current generation in 2010 as a 2011 model, Elantra has undergone significant changes to reduce cabin noise for both driver and passengers.

Features to help block engine noise:

• New HVAC duct absorption material
• Increased anti-vibration upper cowl pad thickness and coverage area
• New hood insulator added to Elantra Sport and Limited
• Raised cowl top

Features to help block road noise:

• New higher density carpet
• Increased anti-vibration floor pad thickness
• Additional expandable foam in the A pillars
• New 16-inch and 17-inch wheels for improved NVH
• Applied full underbody cover

Features to help block combustion noise:

• New perforated anti-vibration material in dash panel

SAFETY           
Named a "2014 Top Safety Pick" by the IIHS and the holder of a NHTSA five-star overall crash safety rating, safety is at the core of Elantra's design. In the 2014 model year additional safety features like Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC), driver's blind spot mirror and Blue Link were added. HAC minimizes rolling backwards on steep ascents while the blind spot mirror provides a view of the driver's blind spot.

2015 Standard Safety Features

• Six airbags
• Vehicle Stability Management
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) /Traction Control (TC)
• ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist
• Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC)
• Seatbelt pretensioners
• Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
• Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
• Driver's blind spot mirror

CONNECTED CARE AND HYUNDAI BLUE LINK®
Hyundai's telematics services program, Connected Care, is available on 2015 Elantra Limited or 2015 Elantra Sport equipped with the Tech package. This innovative ownership program provides Hyundai owners with proactive safety and car care services via the Hyundai Blue Link telematics system. Blue Link® combines safety, service and infotainment features to simplify owners' lives, reduce stress and distracted driving.

Blue Link brings seamless connectivity directly into the car with technologies like Remote Vehicle Start, Stolen Vehicle Recovery, and Remote Access from the Blue Link mobile application, including POI Search and Send-to-car. Blue Link can be easily accessed from the buttons on the rearview mirror, the web and via the smartphone app.

Hyundai also provides a mobile application for the Blue Link telematics platform. This mobile app allows subscribers to remotely access various optional Blue Link features and services through compatible mobile devices. Google Android and Apple iOS users can download the app from Google Play or Apple iTunes, respectively. A BlackBerry version is also available.

Blue Link is an innovative telematics solution that brings seamless connectivity for safety, service and infotainment capabilities and is offered in three packages: Assurance, Essentials and Guidance.

Blue Link is offered in three service packages: Connected Care, Remote and Guidance:

Connected Care package (complimentary for 1-year):

• Automatic Collision Notification (ACN) and Assistance
• SOS Emergency Assistance
• Enhanced Roadside Assistance
• Monthly Vehicle Report
• Maintenance Alert
• Automated Diagnostic Trouble Code Notification (DTC)
• Recall Advisor
• Service Link

Remote package:

• Remote Vehicle Start
• Remote Door Lock/Unlock
• Remote Horn and Lights
• Car Finder via Mobile App
• Stolen Vehicle Recovery/Slowdown/Immobilization
• Geofence
• Valet Alert
• Speed/Curfew Alert
• Panic Notification
• Alarm Notification

Guidance package:

• Turn-by-Turn Navigation Service
• POI Search by advanced voice recognition system
• POI Web Search and Download
• Daily Route Guidance with Traffic Condition
• Traffic
• Gas Station Locations and Gas Prices
• Restaurant Ratings
• Eco-Coach
• Weather

More details on Hyundai Blue Link are available at www.hyundaibluelink.com.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Blue Link Connected Care provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for one year with enrollment. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.    

For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.com

Please visit our media website at www.hyundainews.com and our blog at www.hyundailikesunday.com

Hyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140703/124245
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20131002/LA90771LOGO-b

SOURCE Hyundai Motor America

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