Spied - Hyundai Elantra caught with no camouflage, ready to hit the showrooms

Looking at the images of Hyundai testing the Elantra, we don't think it'll be long before it hits the showroom floors. We can expect Hyundai to conduct the official launch in the next 8-12 weeks.

Considering the car's already unveiled at the 2012 Delhi Auto Expo, Hyundai has less things to do during the pre-launch period.

They need to pack a diesel engine (perhaps use the 1.6 CRDI from the Verna with some 15hp more) and provide a rear entertainment system. India loves beige interior, a dual tone trim is even better. Offer chrome fittings on the car's front and rear fascias. Don't forget to line the daylight opening with some.

We don't know what the strategy is, but if the Santa Fe launch (CKD route) is a reference point, we can expect more options in the future. A wait-and-watch strategy with the variants is the norm with CKD launches instead of bringing them down all at once. A 1.8-liter petrol is likely to be the partner to the 1.6 CRDI and seeing the demand for petrols fall, the addition could be for the sake of formality.

We know Hyundai hardly gets the pricing wrong. With the Elantra they can look at the space between the Civic and the Cruze as the car has the eagerness of a Civic's design and the power of a diesel engine. There is no immediate launches Hyundai needs to watch out for and we believe the Elantra is going to be a repeat act of the Verna.

[Source - Anything-on-wheels.blogspot.in]