Google Search

Google

Saturday, March 31, 2012

Test drive: NEW Hyundai Elantra 1.8AT Premium

In this blog entry, I'm posting about my short test drive experience of the NEW INOKOM Elantra 1.8AT Premium.  The test drive covered a short 4km drive only so I can't comment much.

Disappointed with the EXORBITANT PRICE.  It's very expensive for a CKD yet a bit stingy specced car. The 1.6 with 6 speed manual RM87,000 OTR.  1.6 Standard with 6 speed Auto RM92,000 OTR, 1.6 High spec RM97,000 OTR. Eg. 2 Airbags instead of 6 airbags found in Singapore model.  No Elec folding side mirrors (simple but useful feature found even on RM54,000 Myvi 1.5SE), NO ISOFIX Child anchor on rear seats, NO HID, NO Full size spare wheel (only space saver donuts).
The 1.6 generates 130ps@6300rpm and 157Nm@4850rpm of torque.

Difference between 1.6 standard and 1.6 High-spec (HS).  The 1.6 HS comes with ESP (Traction control), Tilt and telescopic steering wheel (VS Tilt only on lower spec), engine start stop button, Leather wrapped steering wheel & gear knob and lastly aluminum pedal.

The 1.8 Premium gets the following extras:  Auto-cruise, 2 zone climate control (1.6 gets Manual control air-cond), Elec glass sunroof, Elec adjustable front driver seat, Nappa leather, GPS+DVD+Reverse camera  and Traction control reserved only for 1.8 Premium spec which priced at WHOOPING RM112,000 OTR.  The 1.8 mated with 6 speed Auto, generates 150ps@6500rpm and 178Nm@4700rpm of torque.


DRIVE  TIME:

During the 4km drive, the Acceleration for the high revving 1.8 Premium's GOOD but engine's VERY NOISY at above 3000rpm. Note that  the torque (pulling power) extends to 4700rpm.  I'd say its pick-up's as good as Civic 1.8IVTEC.  Ride and handing's above average soaking up bumps and uneven roads with ease despite using Cost cutting Torsion beam rear suspension, maybe the front MacPherson struts with anti-roll bar helped a bit.  The Electric power steering (EPS) did its job decently too.  

INTERIOR:

Dashboard plastic's LOOKS and feels cheap.  Headroom and legroom's excellent at front, so does the driving position.  BUT headroom at rear's DISAPPOINTING.  Picture below is 5 feet 8 me. OKAY for me. 

But my 5 feet 10 (177cm) colleague's head brushed the roof liner, though REAR LEGROOM's EXCELLENT (As good as Sonata).  Electric sunroof brightens the cabin and offers rear occupants broader visibility (see photo below).


Boot space a respectable 420L even with Spare saver spare  (picture below).  

Heck, even the Peugeot 308 Turbo hatchback's 10L (430L) more achieved with a FULL SIZE 17" Spare wheel.

That's all I can comment. My OVERALL RATING: 6/10 only.

 Well there's a saying a picture's worth 1000 words.  Here are some photos:



 ABOVE: Location of the ROADSHOW+TESTDRIVE.  Citta mall at ARA Damansara.









 Above: Aerodynamics showcase.  0.28CD.  Below: Briefing+Video 1st, before the aerodynamics showcase.




 Above: 17" Alloy wheels with 215/45R17 Conti tyres on 1.8 Premium.  Others make do with 16" alloy wheels.  Below: Elec sunroof only on 1.8 Premium only.

 Above and below: Excellent legroom on par with Sonata BUT POOR Headroom.


 Above: 60:40 split fold rear seatback.  Below: LED Rear lights.




 Above: It's an INOKOM, "Made in Malaysia" embossed on the bottom right. Yet, the price so SKYHIGH!



 Above: LISTS of Accolades the Elantra Won.
 Above: 6 speed auto gearbox.  Below: Free food and coffee.

 Above: Pathetic 4km test drive routes.  Below: Excellent visibility for rear passangers with the Elec Sunroof.


 Above and below: Leg and headroom (taken during test drive)


 Above: Disappointed, No Rear aircond vents.

 Above and below: MY TURN to take over the wheel.



 ABove: GPS+DVD+Reverse cam supplied by FLYAUDIO and powered by PAPAGO.

 Above and below: the car I test driven.  Nice colour.

 Above; Fluidic sculpture.  Looks best at this angle.


 Above: Engine start stop.  Only available for 1.6 high spec and 1.8 Premium.  Below: 10 way elec adjustable front driver seat (1.8 Premium only).

 Above and below: 1.8 Premium.  Audio control steering + Auto cruise, Below: Nappa leather.


 Above: Taken from the Sunroof.  Below: 1.8D-CVVT Engine.

 Above: SPecifications: Click to enlarge.  Below: INOKOM "DICK" Logo.  Should price RM8,000 LOWER Across the Board.

 Above: Another view from the Electric Sunroof.  This shot can't be done without Sunroof.


If you have booked or bought this car, please give feedback where you bought and recommend your sales exec (if you are happy with him/her).  Also, please state how long you waited for the car.  Thanks in advance.

That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry.  An original Jeff Lim's production.  My original work.