Hyundai's Newest Hot Hatch Set to Debut Next Week
The 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT will bow at the 2017 Chicago Auto Show next week.
The Korean automaker released a few teaser images previewing the upcoming hot hatch, which is expected to be a U.S. version of the i30 that debuted at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. The 2018 Elantra GT will usher in Hyundai’s new design language featuring a hexagonal grille framed by a thick, chrome-look trim along with a set of swept-back headlights. It will also ride on a slightly longer wheelbase, offering more interior room and cargo space than its predecessor.
SEE ALSO: 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT Review
It’s unclear what the 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT will sport under the hood in the U.S., but expect it to share the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine from the standard Elantra sedan. That powerplant offers 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. Of course, we hope Hyundai offers a high-performance version with the Elantra Sport’s 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 200 hp.
Discuss this story on our Hyundai Elantra Forum
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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Why would the new Elantra GT inherit the weaker 2.0 engine when the outgoing model already makes 173 HP? Unless they just want this new one to be a hatchback version of the new Elantra sedan which would be a departure from the original GT design. It's not unheard of, but that would seem like a step backwards unless, like you say, they offer the turbo version as well, giving people a true choice between sedan and hatchback models.