Elantra, Hyundai's C Plus offering, debut advanced

 The company has decided to bring ahead the launch of Elantra to end 2003 from around June 2004, as was being planned earlier. In price terms, the Elantra will compete with Toyota Corolla, Skoda Octavia and Chevrolet Optra.

 Hyundai, it appears, is not taking any chances in the C Plus segment which is already getting crowded, and will launch the Elantra powered by a CRDi (common rail direct injection) diesel engine. Hyundai has already launched the Accent with a CRDi engine in India.

 The only car in the segment that comes with a diesel option is the Skoda Octavia TDi.

 Toyota and GM do not have any diesel plans for their Corolla and Optra models as of now. CRDi engine boosts performance and refinement levels similar to that of petrol powerplants.

 Hyundai is also considering offering the Elantra in two petrol engine versions