Editor’s Note: We set our man Nathan Adlen loose on the floor of the 2010 LA Auto Show this week and asked him to scoop out what’s hot & what’s not at this year’s show. Here’s what Nathan reports:
The second day of most auto shows is a tad anticlimactic. Only a few car companies do débuts on the second day and usually to less significant fanfare. Odd then that Hyundai used the second day for their new Elantra. There were others to be sure, but the whole business of first day exposure was lost on their PR.
Another thing that was lost was the sense connection some of these representatives had with their product. You see, TFLCar.com wants photos of babes and cars. Usually, they are at these shows in droves. But, in this case, even when there were only representatives that were photo-worthy and NO models available – many declined to be shot… so we shot them anyway.
You can thank us later.
As for second day highlights – – – well, there were a few.
Category – “Most kind-a, sort-a Significant-ish Debut” 2011 Hyundai Elantra
Tidbits: The 2011 Elantra has a 148 hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 131 lb-ft of torque. This is an all new power-plant mated to a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. Priced just under $15,000.
This is why you will dig it:
1. It’s will be able to get up to 40 mpg on the highway. That’s territory for only a few, smaller, cars.
2. Hyundai has perfected its interiors and the new Elantra looks to be best in class.
3. It’s a damn good price considering the fat warranty.
4. It looks amazing, even if it does have a fish-like-thing going on externally. It’s slightly less obvious than its bigger brother the Sonata. It emotes a tighter, more useful vehicle.
Look, this new Elantra has serious potential and definitely warrants further scrutiny. Perhaps if they pushed its debut for the first day, it would feel more impactful. Still, considering the other vehicles in its bracket and how special the 2011 Hyundai Elantra looks, I think any debut is worth noting.
Follow on twitter @TFLcar or watch latest car
review videos on YouTube.
