More Revealing: Hyundai Dishes More Photos of 2011 Elantra

So it’s not exactly the 2011 Hyundai Elantra expected in the United States sometime next year, but these photos are a good preview. The photos are of the 2011 Hyundai Avante, which is the South Korean, home-market version of what is known as the Elantra here in the U.S.

Slowly, Hyundai has been unleashing details specifically about the Avante, but most of the features, excluding the engine, will likely carry over to the U.S. model. Last week Hyundai offered a picture of the new car’s interior, which looks substantially better than the current car’s. Material quality and overall fit and finish will be the determining factors before we make a final judgment.

Today, more official exterior photos of the 2011 Avante have surfaced, and like the interior, the exterior goes beyond the current car’s rather bland styling. Hyundai did a good job of creating a unique look for the Elantra rather than simply making a two-thirds-scale Sonata, though it clearly evokes Hyundai’s new design theme.

Like the 2011 Sonata, the new Elantra will feature similar, angular, flared wheel arches and similar headlight and foglight treatments. It’s still unclear whether Hyundai will craft a new grille for the U.S. that keeps a family resemblance, as it did for the Genesis luxury sedan, or retain the Avante’s grille.

Side profiles of the Sonata and Elantra reveal a similar rising beltline and character line that flows into the taillights. On the Elantra, however, there is a stylish C-pillar kink, and the character line actually begins at the flared front wheel arches. The Elantra’s rear end is almost identical to that of its larger sibling, save for different reverse light locations, fender treatment, and the notable absence of dual exhaust pipes.

As of now, it’s unclear exactly when Hyundai will launch its new Elantra in the U.S. It’s due out sometime next year and is likely to be powered by Hyundai’s new 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter, direct-injected I-4 engines. A six-speed manual and six-speed automatic are likely transmission choices for the U.S. market.

Source: Hyundai