er 8, 1993 - North Shore News - 29 a Ez Photo submitted THE 1894 rtyundai Elantra offers mild styling revirions, a new driver's-side airbag, and available four-wheel disc brakes with an anti-lock system. Base price is $11,695. haga TEST DRIVE AT A base price of $11,695 (up 2.5% from 1993), the 1994 Hyundai Elentra re- _Mains the least expensive imported compact in its class by a margin of at least $1,000. ; Prices of comparable Japanese cars have been rising steadily as a result of the increasing value of the yen, giving South Korean-built Elantra a definite price advantage in the import compact sedan class. . First introduced in $991 asa 1992 model, the Elantra is a com- paratively roomy smal! sedan, with pleasant, inoffensive styling, anda choice of two peppy dual overhead-cam, four-cylinder engines, : The basic Elantra G's standard 113-horsepower 1.6-litre four- cylinder engine continues to be the most powerful standard engine in its class, However, like last year, the base model is nol available with an automatic transmission. Nor is it available with new-for-'94 anti- Jock brake system with four-wheel discs. To get these features, buyers must order a GL or GLS with the bigger 1.8-litre engine, and pay more. Base price of the GLS with the 1.8-litre engine is $14,695, not including the automatic transmis- sion or ABS. For the 1994 model year, a driver’s-side airbag is now stand- ard on the GLS and optional oa the GL, while four-wheel disc brakes with an anti-lock system are available as an option on the GLS. Alf models now have fold-down rear seats and offer environmen- tally friendly non-CFC air condi- tioning as an option. The ’94 Elantras can be distinguished by new, larger taillights which sweep upwards towards the rear corners. The front end has also been revised, but the changes are virtually un- noticeable. Other than the Jack of an automatic transinission, ABS, and tachometer, the base GL model offers features that most buyers want in an economy sedan: stand- ard power steering, five-speed mantiial transmission, AM/FM stereo/cassette player with four speakers, cloth seats, interniittent wipers, centre console, 60/40 split folding rear seats, and 14-inch ra- dials. Ptested a GLS with manual! transmission and optional ABS brakes, The manual transmission is not quite as smooth as some Japanese units, Shifts from one gear to the next feel loose and a bit clunky, but not imprecise, and clutch action is light. The dise brakes with ABS offer powerful stopping power and in- creased steering control when braking in slippery conditions. The Elantra GLS’ 124- horsepower 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine produces sporty sounds on the way up to its 6,000 rpm red line, though it’s not as smooth and free-revving as some engines. At 100 km/h (62 mph) in fifth gear, the engine revs too high (3,200 rpm) creating less-than- relaxed freeway driving experi- ence. On the positive side, the Elan- tra’s multi-valve, overhead cam engine is designed to rev high, and the high revs provide quicker throttle response when passing. In terms of handling, che Elan- tra isa nimble performer. Ride is Base Price $13,695 Type four-door, five-passenger sedan Layout transverse front- engine/front-wheel drive . Engine 1.8-litre four-cylinder, DOHC, [6 valves, electronic multi-port fuel injection Horsepower 124 @ 6,000 rpm Torque 116 ft-lbs. @ 4,500 ion five-speed man- ual (four-speed automatic) Curb Weight 1,163 kg/2,563 Ibs. Tires P105/60HR-14 taut but comfortable, and hand- ling is surprisingly crisp with good steering feel. In general, the Elantra’s cabin ergonomics, seat comfort, and outward visibility are excellent, The roomy interior seats five adults with adequate headroom and legroom; however, like most sedans, the centre rear passenger is required to sit on a raised hump. Large, round instruments and rotary-style controls are well laid out, but the new airbag-equipped Wheelbase 2,500 mm/98.4 in. Length 4,388 mm/172.8 in. Width 1,686 mm/66.4 in, Height 1,385 mm/54,5 in, Trunk capacity 333 litres/ 11.8 cu, ft. Fuel consumption City: 10.4 L/100 knit (27 mpg) Hwy: 7.7 L/100 km (37 npg) Warranty three years/60,000 km; Powertrain: five years/ 100,000 km Inquire about the Elantra at North Point Hyundai, 1606 E. Hastings, Vancouver. Steering has two very smail horn buttons which are easy to miss in a panic. Like its Japanese competitors, the Elantra comes with a com- prehensive three-year/60,000- kilometre basic warranty, and a five-year/100,000-kilometre Powertrain warranty, The Elantra isn't quite as slick or as well built as cars like the Toyota Corolla and Nissan Sen- tra, but for a lower asking price, it doesn't have to be.