We've lost count on how many sedans Hyundai->ke201 is unveiling these days. A week after debuting the new Accent/Ventra at the Beijing Auto Show, the Korean-based automaker went back to its homeland to debut another one of its mid-level sedans, the next-generation Hyundai Elantra (Avante in the Korean market).

Similar to the styling cues of the lower level Accent, the Elantra->ke1391 took a page off of the design of the Sonata and, in addition to the aesthetic similarities, the new Elantra also comes with a 1.6-liter direct injected inline-four engine that produces 138 horsepower and about 123 Nm of torque with a six-speed automatic transmission.

The new Elantra/Avante is set to go on sale here in the US sometime in the next year while people from the automaker's homeland will get to see it a little earlier. The Elantra/Avante will be heading off to showrooms in Korea later this year.

Hyundai even provided an animated video to go along with the vehicle's unveiling. Check that out, along with the press release, after the jump.

Press Release

Hyundai Motor Co. had its world-premier of the all-new Avante compact sedan, the company's best-selling model worldwide, at the Busan International Motor Show 2010 today.

"The new Avante encompasses Hyundai's latest ambitions, featuring the best styling and performance in its class," Steve S. Yang, President & CEO of Hyundai's Global Business Division, said at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) today. "We're confident that it will once again redefine the compact segment worldwide."

With sportier and even more elegant lines than its predecessor, the new Avante ? badged as Elantra in markets outside Korea - continues Hyundai's 'fluidic sculpture' design philosophy.

Hyundai has applied its latest 1.6L Gamma Gasoline Direct Injection engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission to the front-wheel drive compact, the first time GDI and six-speed automatic have been featured on a compact sedan in Korea. The new Avante delivers a peak output of 140ps and maximum torque of 17.0kg·m. It is also about 10 percent more fuel efficient than its closest competitors, thanks to GDI, the six speed automatic and other fuel economy enhancements.

The new Avante will delight and surprise with a raft of other advanced features not found on other compacts, including HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlamps, LED combination lamps in the rear, heated rear seats, puddle lamps and a color TFT LCD information display nestled in the gauge cluster.

Under the Avante/Elantra badge, Hyundai has sold over 6 million units worldwide since the car's launch in 1990. Hyundai will begin sales of the all-new Avante in the second half of 2010 in Korea.

At a separate commercial vehicle booth, Hyundai displayed a hydrogen fuel-cell electric bus and a Universe Limousine luxury coach, among other displays.

Hyundai's New 1.6L Gamma GDI Engine

Hyundai displayed its all-new 1.6L Gamma GDI engine in Busan today, which it first showed in Beijing auto show last week. It is the smallest member of the Hyundai gasoline engine family to benefit from the application of Gasoline Direct Injection technology. With the help of GDI, this four-cylinder powermill develops 140ps, an approximately 13 percent improvement over a conventional 1.6L Gamma fed by MPI. GDI technology doesnt only boost power output: It also improves fuel economy while lowering emissions. The new Gamma also features Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing, a Variable Induction System and exotic anti-friction coatings such as CrN Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating and Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating.

For more information, please go to www.thenewsmarket.com/hyundaimotor, where you can find images & videos of the all-new Avante and other Hyundai products launched at motor shows