Hyundai has taken the wraps off a new sedan at the Beijing motor show, the Lafesta. The model, only to be sold in China for now, is based on the Hyundai Elantra, though it features a different suspension set-up.
The car’s styling takes more than a few design cues from the radical-looking Le Fil Rouge concept that was displayed just a month ago at the Geneva motor show. The Lafesta is a four-door sedan but sports a coupe-like swoopy roofline, and looks decidedly sporty. Expected to launch in China’s market by the end of this year, Hyundai plans to target younger affluent buyers with this model.
While the Le Fil Rouge concept was a larger-looking high-end model, the Lafesta, with its 4,660mm length and 2,700mm long wheelbase, is larger than the Elantra but smaller than the Sonata, and is expected to slot between the two in Hyundai’s China range.
It will be powered by two engine options – a 1.4-litre turbo-petrol and a 1.6-litre turbo-petrol – in varying states of tune from 130hp to 240hp. Both are paired to a seven-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels.
While there is no word on Hyundai bringing the Lafesta to India, as the model is based on the Elantra sold here, it has potential for our market.
Do you think Hyundai should bring this model to India? Let us know in the comments below.
Viraaj Bhatnagar
Uday Singh
Suraj Viswanathan
