While the international version of the Hyundai Elantra sedan/saloon has enjoyed a large-scale update recently, its Chinese counterpart has only received a new 1.5l, 115-hp (86-kW) engine along with a few cosmetic touches. Today, it turned out that Hyundai had another ace in its sleeve for China: a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
The new Hyundai Elantra PHEV comes powered by the same arrangement of engines as the Ioniq liftback (see the video), specifically, a 1.6-liter gasoline engine (105 hp / 78 kW) joining forces with a modest electric motor (61 hp / 45 kW). The transmission type is six-speed DCT, and the fuel consumption is 4.2l / 100 km (67 MPG-UK, 56 MPG-US).
Unlike the Ioniq, the Elantra PHEV packs a much larger 12.9 kWh battery, which is reportedly sufficient for 85 kilometers (53 miles) of uninterrupted all-electric driving.
In purely visual terms, you can tell the electrified saloon from its gas-powered cousin by the new bumpers, wheels, radiator grille, and charging socket located on the left fender. The cabin, on the other hand, is almost identical, unless you count a few extra controls and a new power indicator where the tachometer used to be.
Clients in China will be able to buy a Hyundai Elantra PHEV starting at U.S. $28,000, however, applying for a state subsidy can shave up to $5,500 off the price tag. The gas-powered model currently ships for $15,600.