Hyundai is planning to expand its Elantra range with a five-door wagon-esque variant that’s expected to be based on the European-designed i30 model. When Hyundai redesigned the Elantra for the 2007 model year, it didn’t include an updated version of the popular Elantra 5-door hatchback – just a traditional four-door sedan.
The i30 was designed in Europe (it is similar to the also-European Kia Cee’d) and will be available in five-door hatchback, as well as wagon variants. The hatchback, pictured, won’t actually serve as the base for the Elantra Touring. Rather, the Elantra Touring will be based on the i30 wagon. But the i30 wagon and five-door should share very similar styling.
Hyundai Motor America says that the Elantra Touring will have the most cargo capacity in its class. It’ll be powered by the same 2.0 liter four-cylinder that powers the rest of the Elantra range. Hyundai says that standard features will include stability control, a USB port, XM Satellite Radio and active head restraints in addition to six airbags and ABS. A five-speed manual is expected as standard equipment, much like the rest of the Elantra line.
Hyundai expects the Elantra Touring to compete with the Dodge Caliber, Mazda 3 five-door and Toyota Matrix . It should go on sale in early 2008 as a ’09 model.
Hyundai i30 Five-Door
