Elantra hatched!

HYUNDAI has revealed the new Elantra hatch that will go on sale in Australia late this year.

The new small car that made it debut at the Geneva motor show last week has been designed with Europeans in mind and is aimed straight at models like the Ford Focus and Holden Astra.

The new hatch will be called the i30 in Europe, but is likely to be sold using the Elantra name in Australia, alongside the Elantra sedan that went on sale last August.

A wagon version was also shown in Geneva, but Hyundai Australia is yet to decide if that model will be sold here.

The i30 hatch has the same 2650mm wheelbase as the Elantra sedan, but is 260mm shorter and 10mm narrower.

In Europe, it will be offered with a choice of three petrol engines, including a 1.4, 1.6 and 2.0-litre as well as three turbo-diesel powerplants.

Hyundai Australia is yet to announce what will power the Australian car, but the Elantra sedan is currently offered with only the 2.0-litre petrol engine.