Elantra steering modified

STUNG into action after widespread criticism claiming that the new Elantra’s electric power steering set-up was too light, Hyundai Motor Company Australia has introduced a recalibrated version just onto the Australian market.

According to the company's general manager for public relations, Richard Power, the models sent here were related to what Hyundai calls "general markets" such as Southern Asia, South East Asia and some Pacific nations.

"We had a very quick response from Hyundai," Mr Power said.

"They sent down three chassis engineers, and they worked solidly testing not only our cars, but a number of competitors' cars – with and without electric power steering – and came up with, by process of elimination, a new calibration that is unique to Australia.

"They changed the cars that were here, and went back to Korea to change the calibration on the production line within a week, and from the September 20 production time, Australian (bound) cars have their own unique steering calibration.

"It's a totally different feel. It's almost as light as it was at parking speeds, but as you increase your road speed there's more feeling of resistance and self-centring coming into it.

Mr Power said this is a good example of the level of attention that the Australian outfit now receives from head office in South Korea, and that HMCA is called upon for valuable intelligence during product development.

Meanwhile, the Elantra hatchback range – which was loosely previewed as the Arnejs concept car at the Sydney motor show - is still up to a year away from launch in Australia, with production scheduled to commence in South Korea next August.