Next week, Hyundai will begin South Korean sales of the all-new 2011 Avante, which is the home-market version of what we could come to know as the next generation of the Elantra compact sedan, with prices ranging from 14,900,000 Won to 19,500,000 Won or about US$12,600 to US$16,500 at today's exchange rates.
In anticipation of the launch, Hyundai released a slew of new photos along with a more detailed spec sheet. The South Korean market version of the car is powered by an all-new Gamma 1.6-liter Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) four-cylinder engine producing an output of 140-horsepower at 6,300 rpm and a maximum torque of 17.5 kg-m (171Nm or 126.5 lb-ft).
The new four-pot is linked to a standard 6-speed manual gearbox returning a combined fuel efficiency of 17km/lt, which is equal to 5.8lt/100km or 40mpg US. A six-speed automatic transmission is optional.
Depending on the trim level, the new Avante can be equipped with a raft of features including a Smart Parking Assist System (SPAS) that assist the driver when parking between two cars parked by automatically controlling the steering wheel, HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlamps, LED lamps at the back and heated rear seats.
We still don't have any official details about the North American version, but it is expected to make its way on these shores sometime next year, possibly with both a 1.6-liter GDI and a more powerful 2.0-liter unit combined with six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmissions.
