[Elantra GT] Is the Elantra hatchback dead...?

[Wayne Moses]

I changed the subject line.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: elantra_gt-bounces at gwebworks.com 
> [mailto:elantra_gt-bounces at gwebworks.com] On Behalf Of Paul H.
> Sent: Sunday, November 26, 2006 11:28 AM
> To: 'Drivers & Believers Website : Hyundai Elantra GT forum'
> Subject: Re: [Elantra GT] Chinese copycats?
> 
> Although I have it on good authority that there will be a 
> hatch or wagon
> version of the Elantra (or both) eventually, perhaps 2008.   
> That's how they
> released the hatch version of the XD series.... several month 
> (almost a
> year?) after the sedan was released.

On the other hand, the hatchback was around for some time now, and seems to
be gradually being phased out for some reason. How gradual is a matter for
speculation.

For some silly reason, in this country, hatchbacks were somehow viewed as
low-budget and everything Hyundai is doing now is in the interest of pushing
the image of its vehicles upwards -- even at the expense of price. Granted
they still have warranty on their side, but with the Santa Fe, uprated
Sonata, Azera, and the soon to be released Vera Cruz (
http://ad.hyundai-motor.com/catalog/veracruz/,
http://info.detnews.com/autosinsider/sneakpeek/index.cfm?id=22962 ), Hyundai
is seeking to leave its cheap image behind.

The new Elantra looks like a Corolla -- clearly its intended target -- and
the Corolla has no hatchback, so why waste money on the hatchback? If people
want the hatchback to compete with, say the Matrix, they can go for the
(allegedly more performance focused -- not my words) Kia Spectra S and Rio S
-- two models in the Hyundai (okay Kia) stable.

All that said, Wikipedia is suggesting that the hatchback GT is to be
redesigned and be back for MY2008
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Elantra). Don't know how good their
information is, but maybe their source is the same as yours ....?

If so then this is good news for Elantra GT owners ... The ones wanting to
upgrade their cars in the coming 2 years or so.

Regards,
Wayne