Powerful small-displacement engines are becoming increasingly popular among today's compact cars. The Ford Focus EcoBoost and the newly launched Honda Civic RS pack 1.5-liter motors under the hood, yet can muster output hovering in the 170hp region--clearly normally aspirated 2.4-liter engine territory.
Now, Hyundai follows suit by unleashing the Elantra Sport. The newest variant of the compact sedan range not only trumps the competition by boasting a bigger 1.6-liter Gasoline Direct Injection turbo mill, it even blows them out of the water with robust ratings of 200hp and 258Nm. Even better, buyers can opt to shift gears themselves via a six-speed manual transmission.
The 'Sport' moniker is given some extra credibility with the car's exclusive independent multilink rear suspension. The setup provides more dynamic road feel while still making the Elantra usable for the everyday commute. Naturally, visual cues both inside and out help differentiate it from the regular variants. These include sport seats with red contrast stitching and a flat-bottom sports steering wheel, among other goodies.
The new Hyundai Elantra Sport is set to hit North American showrooms by the fourth quarter of 2016. But with the way things are shaping up in the local market, we won't be surprised if Hyundai Philippines brings this variant over here. Fingers crossed.
