This is my just 3 days impression of a brand new Hyundai Elantra petrol.One of my close friend got it just 5 days back.Yesterday we 3 (me, he & Elantra)were together for about 3 hrs and aprrox 100 km(mainly in Gurgaon, Delhi, NH-8).Now I will explain you the real story.My friend(Sandy)short listed Honda cityVTEC, Optra 1.6 Royale and Elantra CRDi..He was quite impressed by the Vtec but then he thought for the same money he can buy a bigger car.Optra 1.6 royale is fully loaded but comes for Rs 10 lakh+.He wanted around 8.The Elantra CRDi is for 10+ .The Elantra petrol model packed with allmost all goodies is offered at just 8 lakh.Sandy finalised Elantra petrol GLS(top model).I asked him why not the diesel one which runs very economically?He justified by saying that he will put petrol worth Rs 1.5 lakh in his car for 1.5 year!(good logic but I think he will cry later when it comes to resale value).
My personal opinion is that I dont like the looks of this car.The grille & grille doesnt appeal to me.The car’s design is ’’boring’’.Sandy’s GLS model came with alloy wheels, rear spoiler.fog lamps & everything body colored improving its looks.A stop lamp is incorporated in the spoiler as well.This car feels like an elder sister of Accent.The 1.8 Litre engine generates 127PS power.Pick up is impressive.The suspension is tuned for great handing & cornering.It feels bumpy on rough roads.The Elantra is projected by Hyundai as ’’the first performance luxury seadan’’, so thats why it comes with stiff suspension.
The GLS comes loaded with a huge list:
> Electronic brake force distribution(EBD)-helps to distribute braking force equally to all wheels,
> 2 air bags in front.
> Passenger presence detector-it is an sensor which detects the presence of passenger in the front seats & there by activates the airbags in case of collision.If there is no one sitting adjacent to the driver, this sensor will prevent opening of that airbag(cool !),
> Traction control system(TCS)-when driving on slippery surfaces or driving on rough roads above 60kmph this system helps to stabilize the body, minimizes body roll, & prevents skidding of tyres,
> Brake assist system-you just need to touch the pedals..it jams!
> Collapsible steering wheel..during collision the steering will not damage your ribs but slide down & prevents serious enjuries,
> Pretentioned seat belts-they prevent you from sliding forward during an accident,
> Side impact beams in the doors-for added protection from side collision,
> Warning lamps-detects if any of the door or boot lid are open.
> Central locking-helps you close & open all the doors on just press of a button,
all 4 power windows,
> Tiltable power steering-can be adjusted acc to your height & comfort for driving,
> Automatic climate control system-it also tells outside tempreture & you can adjust tempreture of your choice,
> Power wing mirrors on the doors.
The interiors- wooden inserts on the dashboard & door paddings.The seats & the door trims are all in leather.I dint like the shape of air vents, all the 4 vents are of diff shape & size!There is no vent provided in the rear but the AC is good enough to chill.The powerful blower will raise your hair!
The cabin is full of small & big storage spaces{in the glovebox, cup holders near the gear box, trunk below front arm rest, sunglass holder(located cleverly in the roof), toll ticket holder, nets behind front seats, a huck to hold upto 3 kg weight(mentioned on it!), deep pockets in all the doors.
There is dead pedal to reduce stress on your hard working left foot.The Tachometer & Odometer are large & clear.Lovely digital tripmeter.
The front seats are very sopportive and hugs you tightly(I dont know about back seat comfort as I dint give myself a chance to sit there, I was either driving or sitting at front.) For safe winter driving the GLS comes equipped with fog lamps and rear defogger.(SAFETY.. full marks!)
The music system is a CD/cassate/radio & it doesnt play MP3 format.It comes attached with 4 speekers & 2 tweeters.The sound quality is ’’ok’’..nowhere close to my Pioneer!
The fuel consumption as told by my friend is 10 kmpl in city (but I dont believe).Its a fuel addict machine for sure :-)
Please dont sign your cheque take a test drive & you will agree with my facts which I will tell you now.This car is not for those who dont like driving.When you sit inside the car, feel good..start it, its fine..now drive it and you will hear the noise of rubber wheels, the thuds of suspension system in all small pot holes & brakers.I think this can lead to head ache!This is not expected from from a car belonging to D segment.If you think you will drive only on highways & there is no need to worry, you will be disappointed by the roaring sound of rubber.To satisfy your ego you can switch on to Radio Mirchi.
When I asked Sandy what do you dislike in your car, he told ’’Yaar MP3 to dena tha.’’
I asked what else, he said ’’yaar meri ZEN hoti to batata kaise gaadi bhagaate hain, isko to pyar se chalana padta hai kahi koi thok dega to das hazaar rupye ka choona lag jaega.’’& we both had a great laugh after that.
The next day Sandy came to my place & we both went to ’’Safdarjung Hyundai’’ showroom in Gurgaon.He told me ’’saali ko laye ek hafta hua nahi or music system ka remote kaam nahi kar raha’’.When we complained there, they told that this remote is not for Elantra but for some other car & he felt sorry for that.The showroom had promised Sandy that they will give him a Car Cover after 2-3 days for free.When Sandy asked he told ’’sorry sir I cant help that offer is over & no stocks now’’.I was surprised to listen all this!
The company is selling this car on big discounts, schemes & freebies.This car’s design is not well digested by Indians thats why its a flop model.Can you imagine so many features & goddies at Rs 8 lakhs?Moreover our ’’Desi’’ donot understand what is TCS, ABS etc( for example Sandy).The staff in Hyundai showrooms becomes very excited when someone enquires about Elantra.What I feel is the petrol GLS model of Elantra is value for money.The diesel (CRDi) GLS makes no sense as it is trying to enter the more contemporary cars like Octavia & Corrola.
But if you want to see a car showroom located on ’’SECOND FLOOR’’ please visit Safdarjung Hyundai, Gurgaon.I was amazed to see cars on second floor and the view of DLF towers is great from there! Enjoy.... :-)
Sandy’s favourite line from past 2 days, ’’Yaar choti gaadi ka koi mukaabla nahi hai’’
Please wish my friend Sandy a happy drive in his Elantra and I pray he never need these safety gizmos! :-)