All-new 2013 Hyundai Elentra makes city debut

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Porsche Centre Winnipeg general manager Gerald Boiteau says the new dealership is scheduled to be open for business by early December

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Hyundai's new 2013 Elantra GLs, which just arrived in Manitoba dealers' showrooms in early July, are selling fast.

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Hyundai's new 2013 Elantra coupes, which just arrived in Manitoba dealers' showrooms in early July, are selling fast.

Hyundai's all-new 2013 Elantra GLs and Elantra coupes, which just arrived in Manitoba dealers' showrooms in early July, are selling like the proverbial hotcakes.

"We sold a lot of our GTs in just the first week," says Murray Hyundai sales rep Pat Guenette. "People like the new styling, the fuel economy and the larger wheelbase, which produces a smoother ride."

The coupe, he adds, is also a very hot model. "We have just two or three coupes left in stock right now," he says, "although more models are on the way."

The new models are powered by a 1.8-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine with dual CVVT. The models get 7.3 litres per 100 kilometre in city driving and five on the highway.

Guenette notes the new models come with more standard features than their predecessors. The GL four-door sedan's new standard features include heated seats, cruise control, air conditioning and Bluetooth connectivity. The two-door coupe adds a sunroof to the list of standard features.

The GL base model sells for a base price of $22,000 (including freight). The Coupe starts at $23,000.

New Porsche Centre Winnipeg

Exciting things are happening at Auto Haus Volkswagen/Porsche on Pembina Highway. Work has begun on a stand-alone building for the newly renamed Porsche Centre Winnipeg (as of June 1).

Porsche Centre Winnipeg's new home will be in what was formerly Auto Haus's stand-alone autobody shop.

"Our new Porsche building will be a state-of-the-art boutique store," says Porsche Centre Winnipeg general manager Gerald Boiteau. "It will be intimate. It will be a dealership like nothing Winnipeg has ever seen before. It will look more like an upscale jewelry store with lights on all night."

Boiteau reports that all the furniture is on order from Germany. The new store will have a six-car showroom with the finest furnishings imported from Germany -- and a full service and parts department. One prominent feature, Boiteau adds, will be a "fitting lounge" where customers can custom-order their Porsches.

Boiteau notes the new dealership is scheduled to be open for business by early December. That will be about the same time renovations will be concluded at Auto Haus Volkswagen, which will be expanding into the former Porsche space.

The Volkswagen showroom is being expended to accommodate eight vehicles. The redesigned Volkswagen dealership will also be lit up inside all night and resemble a jewelry store.

"We will be adding sales staff later in the year," Boiteau says. "Our sales growth for both Volkswagen and Porsche has been incredible."

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition July 13, 2012 E2