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Hyundai's new Elantra debuts at LA auto show
Journalists and spectators photograph the new Sportage compact SUV during a launch event at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Wednesday (local time). / Courtesy of Kia Motors
By Lee Hyo-sik
Kia’s new Sportage draws crowd
By Lee Hyo-sik
LOS ANGELES ― Hyundai Motor launched the new Elantra compact sedan in the United States, Wednesday (local time), to solidify its position as a leader in that market segment. Also known in Korea as the Avante, the Elantra, launched back in 1990, is one of Hyundai’s best-selling models globally.
With the introduction of the all-new 2017 Elantra, Hyundai expects to gain an edge in the increasingly intensifying competition with the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla for the world’s largest automobile market. The passenger sedan with upgraded performance and safety features will be available for U.S. consumers in January next year.
“More than 10 million Elantra sedans were sold globally since the car’s launch in 1990. We are glad to introduce the sixth-generation new Elantra today at the Los Angeles Auto Show,” said Dave Zuchowski, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America, during the launch event, Wednesday.
“We expect the new Elantra will stand out among its competitors in this increasingly competitive compact car segment,” he said.
The sedan, which was launched in Korea in September, will be produced at Hyundai’s Ulsan plant and shipped to the United States. The firm’s Alabama plant will also manufacture the Elantra.
Hyundai said that the sixth-generation flagship compact has returned with a more defined and dynamic look than the previous version.
The long-hooded front reminds drivers of the sharpness of a sports car, while a wide hexagonal grill and fluid lines make for a sleeker look. Its body is larger but its fuel efficiency has improved and is now the best in its class.
Hyundai will sell the Elantra sedans with a 2.0-liter continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) engine, or with a 1.4-liter turbo gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine.
Also at the auto show, Korea’s largest automaker showcased a special edition of the Tucson NFL model in celebration of its official sponsorship of the National Football League.
The Sonata, Santa Fe, Genesis and other Hyundai vehicles were also on display at the carmaker’s booth, drawing a large crowd.
Additionally, the N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo show car was on display, making its debut at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt in September. The vehicle is powered by a next-generation hydrogen fuel cell system.
Dave Zuchowski, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America, poses with the carmaker’s all-new 2017 Elantra compact sedan during a media event at the Los Angeles Auto Show, Wednesday (local time). / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor
Kia launches new Sportage
Kia Motors also showcased the new 2017 Sportage compact SUV at the auto show, which the carmaker said has caused many U.S. consumers to think about it differently.
Kia will begin selling the new fourth-generation compact SUV in March, which it expects will help raise its brand recognition and boost its overall sales in the world’s biggest auto market.
The Sportage has been one of Kia’s top-selling vehicles, moving more than 3.7 million units since its 1993 launch.
The company plans to organize test-drive events for journalists and kick off a massive marketing campaign to continue the success story of the urban compact SUV with its improved design and performance.
“The new Sportage certainly differentiates itself from other compact SUVs produced by other automakers,” said Michael Sprague, chief operating officer and executive vice president of Kia Motors America.
“The Sportage is one of the fastest-growing vehicles in the highly competitive market segment. The new Sportage is an innovative model built to thrive in the desert or in the city. It is stronger in quality, and more dependable and reliable,” he said.
The new Sportage, which is larger and more spacious than the previous Sportage R, is widely expected to compete fiercely with the Volkswagen Tiguan and Honda CR-V in the United States.
There will be two engines available ― the 2.0-liter gasoline turbo engine and the 2.4-liter gasoline engine.
Besides the new Sportage, Kia also showcased the new K-series sedans (K5, K7 and K9), as well as the Sedona, its electric vehicle the Soul and convertible show cars, drawing huge crowds interested in what the Korean automaker has to offer.