[dhoosee]

Wondering if anyone knows if the US-bound GTS is manufactured in the Czech Republic, and just when we may see the first cars in North America?

I spoke to my local dealer here in Chicago about 2 weeks ago, and was told while they were not yet able to place orders with the factory, they were currently expecting their first cars "some time in July." Anyone else have an update?

Finally, I find it odd that no one in the motoring press has access to this car for test drives and reviews. Why not get the word out early to build excitement? Ive watched plenty of Australian & German sub-titled i30 reviews on YouTube, but am itching to get more domestic advice. Come on, Hyundai....send a couple of cars out to the press and let them have at it!

 

[AlfaDog]

Wondering if anyone knows if the US-bound GTS is manufactured in the Czech Republic, and just when we may see the first cars in North America?

I spoke to my local dealer here in Chicago about 2 weeks ago, and was told while they were not yet able to place orders with the factory, they were currently expecting their first cars "some time in July." Anyone else have an update?

Finally, I find it odd that no one in the motoring press has access to this car for test drives and reviews. Why not get the word out early to build excitement? Ive watched plenty of Australian & German sub-titled i30 reviews on YouTube, but am itching to get more domestic advice. Come on, Hyundai....send a couple of cars out to the press and let them have at it!

I agree...it's a little frustrating that if the car is due to hit dealerships in July (assuming your local dealer's info is accurate), why is there not more info about this car on the web. I've found a bunch of pages and videos showing the same info or driving footage, but no real in-depth review of the car. I am very anxious to test drive one of these, and I'll be purchasing something at the end of summer/beginning of fall. It would be a nice to have more details. Pricing info is going to be crucial, and I'd like to see some concrete performance stats, too.

This will be the first Hyundai that I'm even considering. I know they've done an awesome job with the quality of their products, but the hatch/hot hatch is a pretty competitive segment, and some of the traditional hot hatch models are being priced to move. Our local Ford dealer in Columbus has Fiesta ST around $19K to $21K and Focus ST from $22K to $25K, so Hyundai is going to have to bring it to compete. Extrapolating performance data from the Kia Forte5 SX and Veloster Turbo would suggest that the Elantra GT Sport will have slightly lower performance numbers. Ride quality and options will probably better for the Hyundai, so I am really interested in seeing how that translates into pricing.

 

[dhoosee]

I agree...it's a little frustrating that if the car is due to hit dealerships in July (assuming your local dealer's info is accurate), why is there not more info about this car on the web. I've found a bunch of pages and videos showing the same info or driving footage, but no real in-depth review of the car. I am very anxious to test drive one of these, and I'll be purchasing something at the end of summer/beginning of fall. It would be a nice to have more details. Pricing info is going to be crucial, and I'd like to see some concrete performance stats, too.

This will be the first Hyundai that I'm even considering. I know they've done an awesome job with the quality of their products, but the hatch/hot hatch is a pretty competitive segment, and some of the traditional hot hatch models are being priced to move. Our local Ford dealer in Columbus has Fiesta ST around $19K to $21K and Focus ST from $22K to $25K, so Hyundai is going to have to bring it to compete. Extrapolating performance data from the Kia Forte5 SX and Veloster Turbo would suggest that the Elantra GT Sport will have slightly lower performance numbers. Ride quality and options will probably better for the Hyundai, so I am really interested in seeing how that translates into pricing.

This would be the first Hyundai for me too. Dropping my '08 Mini Cooper with 93K miles...its rattling and getting pricey to keep running properly. I, too, love hatchbacks, and also love the Fiesta ST, but the car is dated and the materials and overall interior feel is a bit low rent, though I drove one and it is FUN to drive. The EGTS is offering some great options only found on more expensive cars like Panorama roof, heated and ventilated seats, Safety nanny's, and nice leather seating. If it handles nicely and is even moderately fun to drive, I'm picking one up for a daily driver. Great warranty, and from what friends tell me, they are pretty reliable. A nice little exhaust growl would be appreciated, and I am going to wait for the 6-manual for additional driving fun!

 

[AlfaDog]

Speaking of the 6 speed manual, does anyone know if that is going to be priced higher or lower than the DCT? I love manuals, but I also don't mind a DCT if it's done right. I was wondering because some other models are pricing their manuals a little higher than the automatics.

I would love to get a stick, but if it's a couple of grand more and the DCT is actually faster (which is usually the case), then I'm going to be torn on what to get. My wife is voting for the auto (I'm the only driver in the house that can operate a manual transmission), but I would love the manual on the GT Sport to be cheaper, since I can use that as a reason to get the stick.

 

[GTSport]

The manual transmission should be cheaper than the DCT as it's a less complex system and essentially costs less. Now note I said "should" as like you've mentioned sometimes it's the other way around which doesn't make any sense to me.

It's cheaper when you're looking at the regular GT though on the Hyundai website so it should follow suit.

 

[AlfaDog]

The manual transmission should be cheaper than the DCT as it's a less complex system and essentially costs less. Now note I said "should" as like you've mentioned sometimes it's the other way around which doesn't make any sense to me.
It's cheaper when you're looking at the regular GT though on the Hyundai website so it should follow suit.

That's my thinking, but I know the manual on the Kia Forte5 SX is more expensive (hate to keep comparing things to the Kia, but I assume that they're will be a lot of similarities between the two models). It's a good sign that the regular GT has the manual as the less expensive option. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[GTSport]

No problemo, didn't even think of that until you mentioned it and I was like darn... that is a good question haha.

Years ago I swear the manual option was always cheaper which made perfect sense. Apparently not anymore.

I guess you'll be taking both transmissions out for a test drive?

 

[Parteklman]

Wondering if anyone knows if the US-bound GTS is manufactured in the Czech Republic, and just when we may see the first cars in North America?

I spoke to my local dealer here in Chicago about 2 weeks ago, and was told while they were not yet able to place orders with the factory, they were currently expecting their first cars "some time in July." Anyone else have an update?

Finally, I find it odd that no one in the motoring press has access to this car for test drives and reviews. Why not get the word out early to build excitement? Ive watched plenty of Australian & German sub-titled i30 reviews on YouTube, but am itching to get more domestic advice. Come on, Hyundai....send a couple of cars out to the press and let them have at it!

I just found this. https://www.elementfleet.com/resources/motor-company-information/buildout-startup So it looks like July is spot on.
I'm pretty sure The North American EGT is built in Ulsan Korea. The factory in the Czech Republic doesn't build the 1.6 TGDI From what I can tell.

 

[Parteklman]

Canadian dedicated site is up.
https://www.hyundaicanada.com/en/showroom/2018/elantra-gt

Not digging the amber LED DRL's

 

[GTSport]

Neither am I... so I guess waiting for the aftermarket to come out with a resolution is going to be needed.

I'm also really not digging the amber turn signal covers in the headlights (that little reflector piece in the corner of the headlights) and I think euro versions would get that in clear? Maybe swapping those out would have to get done as well to really please me.

 

[Parteklman]

Neither am I... so I guess waiting for the aftermarket to come out with a resolution is going to be needed.

I'm also really not digging the amber turn signal covers in the headlights (that little reflector piece in the corner of the headlights) and I think euro versions would get that in clear? Maybe swapping those out would have to get done as well to really please me.

Okay it looks like based on the below video that the EGTS is getting the Amber lights (1:11) while the EGT gets white(0:55). (Although this could only apply to Canada I hope.) Should be easy to swap out with factory parts as long as the White ones are Bi color for turn signal usage.

 

[Parteklman]

Canadian Spec First Drive!!

First Drive: 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT | Driving

 

[Parteklman]

Another one:

http://www.autotrader.ca/expert/20170623/first-drive-2018-hyundai-elantra-gt-and-elantra-gt-sport/

 

[Electra]

16'' front brake rotor and 15'' rear brake rotors are huge for a hatchback, surprised Hyundai put such large brakes in a hatchback.

 

[Parteklman]

So I just got an email from a Senior Manager at HMA that in regards to my question "When will I be able to give you my money for a 2018 Elantra Gt Sport?" His short response, "They should start Shipping to dealers in July".

 

[GTSport]

July is literally in a week. So therefore, you should be able to give your deposit on one or even talk to your dealer who may or may not be able to set you up with a build sheet no?

 

[Parteklman]

July is literally in a week. So therefore, you should be able to give your deposit on one or even talk to your dealer who may or may not be able to set you up with a build sheet no?

Maybe.. but I'm not trying to let the sales folks know I'm as interested in the car as I am.

 

[GTSport]

That's always a good tactic! And walking out on the "first date" always helps too. Play hard to get

 

[dhoosee]

Looks like they are doing the red seatbelts on the GTS (for Canada, anyway). Hope that they do them for cars shipping to the USA, though I'm willing to bet that they wont; we get nothing fun here!

2018 Hyundai Elantra GT and Elantra GT Sport First Drive Review

 

[GTSport]

Sweet!! There's something about colored seat belts that just add so much attitude to an interior. Gotta make sure to keep them clean though. Couple that with the red stitching and the shift knob and that's a real sporty interior.