Collision repairers will need to be mindful of both the structure and surface on the next-generation 2021 Hyundai Elantra revealed earlier this year.

In addition to carrying Hyundai’s lighter but stronger third-generation K3 platform, the Elantra sports what the OEM calls “Parametric Dynamics” in its exterior aesthetics.

Repairers might find their body-line skills tested by a “bold character” that might also expose ill-fitting parts or missed tolerances.

“Like the first generation, the seventh-generation Elantra/Avante has a bold character,” Hyundai Chief Design Officer Luc Donckerwolke said in a March 17 statement. “The fresh esthetic was completed through unconventional lines and a face that broke a taboo in automotive design. The new Elantra is highlighted by its stance that looks like geometric crystals and divided body surfaces to get a strong emotional response from the customers.”

Hyundai said it took up the gauntlet of three lines meeting at a single point, “which has been avoided in car design.”

Hyundai said the front and rear’s “(w)ell-refined gem-like shapes create harmony with the bodyside surfaces,” while the side’s “(b)old edge runs constantly from the front to the rear.”

All of this parametricness rides on the new K3 platform.

“Hyundai’s third-generation vehicle platform also dramatically enhances the overall design, safety, efficiency, power and driving performance of the 2021 Elantra,” Hyundai wrote in a news release. “The new Elantra weighs less, has better fuel economy and is stronger compared to the previous generation, thanks to the new platform. This platform also allowed engineers to lower Elantra’s center of gravity for more agile handling. In the event of a collision, this platform improves safety because it uses a multiload path structure.”

Hyundai quality, service and technology public relations senior manager Miles Johnson confirmed “the number of hot stamped steel is up on the 2021 Elantra.”

Hot-stamped steel typically carries repair restrictions based on both its metallurgy and intended function during a crash.

Hyundai said the Elantra’s new platform also improves the suspension mounting.

Hyundai last year announced the 2020 Sonata would ride on a “third-generation” platform containing a multiload path, hot-stamped steel and “super-high tensile steel plate.” We’ve reached out to Hyundai to see if this is the same platform as the Elantra.

Other details possibly of interest to repairers:

Hybrid version: Repairers also will encounter the first-ever Hyundai Elantra hybrid, which the OEM estimates could exceed 50 mpg. Besides the obvious possible considerations related to an electrified powertrain, repairers should note the Elantra hybrids carry 16-inch wheels standard and “offer a fully independent multilink setup in the rear.”

Taillights: The back features what Hyundai calls a “High-tech ‘H-Tail Lamp'”

Interior: The car has customizable mood lighting spanning 64 colors.

ADAS: The Elantra comes standard with autobraking with pedestrian detection, lane keeping, lane centering, automatic high beams and driver attention monitoring. Other ADAS is optional, including reverse parking autobraking relying on a rear camera and ultrasonic sensors (it’s unclear if the rear camera is the same as the standard backup camera), and adaptive cruise control tied to radar on the lower grille.

The 2021 Elantra goes on sale during the fourth quarter. Hyundai sold 175,094 last year.

More information:

“All-New 2021 Hyundai Elantra and Elantra Hybrid Make World Premiere in Hollywood”

Hyundai, March 17, 2020

Featured image: The 2021 Hyundai Elantra is shown. (Provided by Hyundai)