Details of the new additions to Hyundai Australia’s showroom in 2014.
Hyundai Elantra update (January)
The 2014 Hyundai Elantra will arrive in January with a significantly different suspension set-up tuned by Australian engineers. Hyundai Australia claims it has worked extensively on retuning the Elantra’s suspension to improve both ride quality and body control. Exterior modifications are limited to new alloy wheels, redesigned headlights with ‘blade’ LEDs, and tail-lights with black surrounds. More significant interior changes include remodelled air vents, which have been raised from flanking the lower climate controls to sitting either side of a new infotainment screen, and new ventilation and audio/sat-nav controls. The updated Elantra will retain the current car’s 1.8-litre petrol engine and six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. Its $20K to $30K price range is also expected to remain the same or similar.
Hyundai Genesis (July)
While the original Genesis sedan was designed primarily for American and Korean markets, the new model has its sights set on a global audience – including Australia, which CarAdvice understands will introduce Genesis as early as July. Taking on the likes of the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Lexus GS, the Genesis measures 4990mm long and claims to offer class-leading cabin space. Four petrol engines will be available depending on the market, including 3.0-, 3.3- and 3.8-litre V6s and a 5.0-litre V8. All engines are paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, which sends power to either the rear wheels or all four via Hyundai’s new HTRAC system. Advanced technology promises to be a highlight, with emergency braking and steering support, adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection with head-up display, lane keep and departure systems, auto parking, and a 9.2-inch touchscreen all set to debut. Expect a sub-$60,000 price tag for Hyundai’s most advanced production car to date.
Hyundai i45/Sonata (September)
CarAdvice understands Hyundai is desperate to reintroduce the mid-sized i45/Sonata to the local line-up and could do so as early as September. The local division dropped the sixth-generation sedan from its range at the beginning of 2013 in favour of its European-designed and almost identically sized i40 sibling, though sales of the latter have failed to match the success of the former. Hyundai Australia is looking seriously at all-new seventh-generation sedan, which will be revealed overseas in the first half of this year. Targeted towards the US and Korean markets, the new i45/Sonata is expected to be slightly larger than the i40 though should be positioned beneath its $29,990 starting price. The previous Hyundai i45 started at $26,990 before it was discontinued, giving an indication of where the new model could be placed.
Hyundai Santa Fe update (Q3)
The Hyundai Santa Fe will get a mild update around the third quarter of 2014. There are few details at this stage about the planned upgrades that come just two years after the introduction of the third-generation Santa Fe, which introduced an entirely new platform, new engines, and completely new styling inside and out. Hyundai Australia’s local engineering team may take the opportunity to refine the Santa Fe’s suspension in the pursuit of improved ride and handling, as it has done recently with the smaller ix35 Series II and updated Elantra. Prices are expected to remain on par with current levels, while each trim grade should enjoy a modest equipment boost.
Hyundai i10 (October/November)
While Hyundai Australia looks certain to grow its range upwards in 2014 with the Genesis sedan, CarAdvice believes it will also expand at the other end with the launch of the pint-sized i10 hatchback. Not expected in local showrooms until the final quarter of the year, the i10 would sit beneath the i20 as a genuine Getz successor to rival the likes of the Mitsubishi Mirage and Nissan Micra. Designed and engineered in Germany, Hyundai says the second-generation i10 will meet quality and safety standards expected by European customers. Two petrol engines will be offered in Europe – a 48kW/94Nm 1.0-litre three-cylinder, and a 64kW/120Nm 1.3-litre four-cylinder – while five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions will be available. Expect a circa-$13K starting price if the Hyundai i10 gets the nod for Australia.
