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NEWS photo Nell Lucente

THE COMPACT, front-wheel-drive Hyundai Elantra offers a ‘roomy, handsome interior, seating for five, and a sporty, new 124-horsepower 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine
available on GL models with automatic transmission and all GLS models.

~ TEST DRIVE

THE SOUTH Korean-built
-Hyundai Elantra . compact
.sedan is a relatively new en-
‘try in the economy car
segment. - i

lt was. first introduced in the
fall of 1991'as a.1992 model, and
at the time of its introduction, it
had | the mast powerful standard
engine in its class.

The Elantra also offered interi-
or room comparable to the largest

44 Despite competitors’ gains, the Elantra remains
one of the best values in the import compact
car class. 99

cars in the compact sedan. class.
“it’s indicative of how fast things
change in the automobile business
that some competitors have | al-
ready caught up with the Elantra.

New models such as the Honda
Civic sedan, Toyota Corolla, and
Subaru Impreza have made up
ground in both horsepower and
interior room,

Hyundai has responded by in-
troducing a new U.8-litre dual
overhead cam, (6-valve —four-
cylinder engine that-has 10% more
horsepower (124 versus 113), The
new. engine’ also offers dual
counter-rotating balance shafts
‘for improved engine smoothness.

The 1.8-litre engine is available
in the base GL model with op-
tional four-speed automatic
transmission,’ aad in’ alt GLS
models. GL models with manual
five-speed transmissions retain the
1.6-litre four-cylinder engine.

Despite competitors’ gains, the |
Elantra remains one of the best

values in the import compact car
class.

Base Elantras with the 1.6-litre
engine start at $11,295. Efantras
with the new - {.8-litre four-
eylinder engine start at $12,195,
and GLS models begin at $12,795
and reach about $16,000 when
fully. equipped. This. is con-
siderably cheaper ‘than’. the “sug-
gested. retail price at some Japa-
nese cars. .

In addition, base Elantra
models are not sparsely equipped
price-leaders designed to. lure
buyers into the showroom.

The Elantra GL has such popu-
lar standard features as power
steering, AM/FM. stereo cassette
player with four speakers, variable
intermittent wipers, cloth-covered
seats and 14-inch wheels and tires.

The GLS adds standard 60/40

adds
balance shafts to smooth out in-

split fold-down rear seats, power
windows, tilt steering wheel, a ta-
chometer, upgraded stereo, ‘lum-
bar adjustment’ on the driver's
seal, centre console with armrest
and storage box, and upgraded in-
terior trim.

However, neither the Elantra
GL nor the GLS offers a driver's
airbag or available anti-lock
brakes. ;

“Both Elantra powertrains are
quite. Sporty, with standard
features such as ‘dual overhead,
‘cams, four valves per cylinder,
‘and electronic multi- -port fuel in-
jection. The new 1.8-litre. engine
dual counter-rotating

herent engine vibrations.

Fuel economy of the new |. 8-
litre engine is reasonably ‘good
(averaging 3.0 litres per 100
kilometres/32_ mpg. in combined

‘See Elantra page 27

Price as tested $12,595
Base price $12,195
Type four-door,
passenger sedan
Layout transverse front:
engine/front-wheel drive
Engine. 1.8-litre “four-
cylinder, DOHC, four valves
per *cy linder, multi- “port . fuel.
injection

Horsepower 124 @ 6,000 rpm -
Torque 116 Ibs.-ft. @ 4,500
rpm 7
Transmission
automatic

five-

four-speed

. Curb weight 1,163 “ke/2,563

dbs. ~ .
Wheelbuse 2,500 min/98.4 i ine

- Length 4,358 mm/171.5 in:

Width 1,675 mm/65.9 in.
Height !,385 mm/54.5 in.
Tires P175/65R14 radials ~~
Trunk capacity 333 litres/ 11 8
cu. ft,

Fuel consumption City: 10.4
L/100 km, 27 mpg; Hwy: 7.7
L/100 km, 37 mpg

Warranty three-yr/60, 000 |
km; Powertrain: five-yr/
100,000 km

Inquire about the '93 Elantra
at Hollyburn’ Hyundai, 725
W.. 14th, North Vancouver,