Latest Avante boasts ‘sensuous sportiness’

A rendered image offers a peek at the seventh-generation Avante compact sedan. [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

Hyundai Motor released advertising materials offering a peek at the design for the new Avante compact sedan on Wednesday, ahead of its planned domestic launch next month.

The seventh-generation Avante offers a substantial overhaul of the sedan since its last model was released five years ago.

The car is making its official debut at an event in Los Angeles on March 18 and will start sales in the United States later this year.

The Avante, launched in 1990, has sold more than 1.38 million units around the world and has become a flagship model for Hyundai Motor. The Avante lineup was sometimes known as the Elantra in foreign markets in the past.

Korea’s largest automaker said the new Avante follows its design philosophy of “sensuous sportiness” to contain futuristic and dynamic exterior and interior designs. The company applied the same design language to its eighth-generation Sonata and the upgraded sixth-generation Grandeur sedans, both of which launched last year.

The new Avante contains significant upgrades in architecture, styling and equipped technologies, Hyundai Motor said.

A parametric jewel pattern will be printed across the front to replace the grille and headlamps, along with a sharp taillight design.

The driver’s seat and connected interior features for the new Avante resemble an airplane cockpit, with a single low, wide line starting at the door and continuing around the console. The sedan will also come with a 10.25-inch touch dashboard connected to another 10.25-inch display infotainment system.

While no more specifications have been released at this point, Hyundai Motor said its new Avante will be equipped with the latest safety and convenience features while containing dynamic on-the-road performance combined with high fuel efficiency.

BY KO JUN-TAE [ko.juntae@joongang.co.kr]