Hyundai Announces Elantra Touring For 2009 Model Year in the U.S.

Hyundai Elantra Sedan

By Alexander
August 8, 2007 10:31 PM
Filed Under: Hyundai

Hyundai has announced it will construct an all-new five-door compact, named Elantra Touring, with deliveries starting in the spring of 2008 as a 2009 model year car. Hyundai executive John Krafcik said that "the 'Touring' name captures this all-new model's combination of high-function and fun-to-drive character."

Aside from the usual marketing jabbering of class-leading safety, which nonetheless is fairly impressive with six airbags and Electronic Stability Control (ECS) as standard, the Elantra Touring will "have the most interior volume of any five-door in its class." It will feature a "unique sport suspension and steering tuned for greater response and handling" and offer the nice features such as a USB port, aux. jack and XM Satellite Radio as standard.

The Elantra Touring's main competitors will be the Toyota Matrix, Dodge Caliber as well as the Mazda 3.

Source: Hyundai Motor America

Press Release (Click to expand)

HYUNDAI ANNOUNCES NAME OF FUTURE FIVE-DOOR
All-New 2009 Elantra Touring Moves a Popular Nameplate in a Sportier,

More Functional Direction

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. Aug. 8, 2007 – Hyundai Motor America Vice President of Product Development and Strategic Planning John Krafcik, speaking at the Center of Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars, announced Hyundai's all-new five-door compact will be named "Elantra Touring." Elantra Touring will reach dealers in the spring of 2008 as a 2009 model year vehicle. The "Touring" name captures this all-new model's combination of high-function and fun-to-drive character.

Elantra Touring will once again extend Elantra's product line into the compact five-door segment. (The previous generation also featured a sporty five-door model). Elantra Touring will come with class-leading standard safety technologies, including Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control, ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution, and six standard airbags, including side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. The vehicle will be the first compact five-door with standard Electronic Stability Control.1

Elantra Touring will have the most interior volume (passenger volume plus cargo space) of any five-door in its class and will be powered by the same fuel-efficient 2.0-liter, in-line four-cylinder found in the Elantra sedan. This newest Hyundai will also feature unique sport suspension and steering tuned for greater response and handling, while offering Hyundai's first USB port, along with a standard auxiliary jack and standard XM Satellite Radio®. Elantra Touring's competition will include the Toyota Matrix, Dodge Caliber and Mazda3.