August 7th, 2003
Elantra
gets free auto in model run-out
AS
dealers begin to run out stocks before an ungraded new Elantra arrives
late this year, Hyundai's “big small car” is being offered with free
automatic transmission, saving auto buyers $1990. All Elantra models benefit from the offer, both
1.8 litre GL and 2-litre GLS variants of the five-door liftback and
four-door sedan, plus the unique Pininfarina-designed LaVita five-door
Euro-hatch.
Prices for the Elantra GL still start where they
did at the car’s launch nearly three years ago; $19,990 driveaway-no-more-to-pay.
This includes air-conditioning, 6-speaker CD-player, driver’s airbag,
power front windows and mirrors, central door locking, engine
immobiliser, tilt adjustable power steering and 15” wheels. Now more entrenched as the small car class value
benchmark, on the road Elantra GL automatic is now around $5000 more
affordable than Toyota Ascent automatic with air-conditioning added and
at least $3000 more affordable than the new Pulsar ST sedan. Elantra GLS sedan or hatch similarly remain
priced from $21,990 driveaway, GLS adding over GL a 2.0 litre engine,
alloy wheels shod with bigger 195/60 tyres, front fog lights, power rear
windows, remote central locking, lidded bi-level centre console, rear
retractable cupholders and more luxurious trim. Similarly well-equipped is the Elantra LaVita GLS
1.8, a city-chic Euro-hatch, mini-MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) and small
wagon all in one. An urban-savvy small car with a tall, unusually
spacious cabin, flexible seating for five and styled short so it can
park where others fear to fit, it is also still priced at its $23,990
launch price of two years ago and deducted driveaway costs of late as
well as now free automatic. Elantra is backed by Hyundai’s 5-year / 130,000
km new car warranty.
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Elantra’s
four-speed automatic transmission electronically adapts its shift speed
and shift points to the suit the driving style employed at any one time.
