Hatchbacks are becoming more and more popular among Canadian car shoppers- and Hyundai has appropriate announced the addition of a new five-door model to their lineup. It's called the Elantra Touring, and it marks the company's return to the compact five-door segment with a stylish new machine.The previous-generation Elantra was available in a GT designated five-door as well- though the new hatch wears the "Touring" designation which Hyundai says captures the models high-function, fun-to-drive personality.
Elantra Touring will come with leading safety features like Traction control, ABS brakes and brake-force distribution and a full complement of airbags, including side curtains. Active head restraints will also be fitted. The latter are safety device is designed to reduce the risk of whiplash related injuries in a crash. Elantra Touring will also be the first five-door in its class to come standard with Electronic Stability Control (ESC). It's is a feature that's lately been proving itself capable of reducing the risk of an accident. Passive safety features are fitted to a state-of-the-art safety structure including deformable zones, an occupant protection cell, and three-way load-distribution technology. Rigidity is achieved with reinforced A-pillars, a strengthened bulkhead, front members and side members.Power all of this safe excitement is the familiar 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine which drives the standard model. The engine employs dual overhead camshafts and variable valve timing for optimized mileage and power, and helps earn Elantra Touring a classification as an Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV). No performance-upgraded powerplant is known to be in the works.A four-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, or a five-speed manual transmission are available. The stick-shift features a shorter throw than the regular Elantra sedan, which puts an emphasis on driver pleasure.The new hatchback also uses a new sports suspension and a more responsive steering rack. Springs, front and rear stabilizer bars and dampers are unique to the model as well. The Touring model also packs a 24 percent stiffer front spring rate and a 39 percent stiffer rear spring rate. Larger stabilizer bars find their way underneath as well. In English, that means it's going to be a seriously fun to drive car when the road gets twisty.