It is not a vent. It is not a speaker.
Hyundai unveiled its new Elantra last evening, revealing a completely redesigned design for the compact sedan. The Elantra’s design is inspired by the larger Sonata and features many small details that make it stand out.
The interior is the same. It features a completely new layout, which is a significant improvement on the existing model. Twin 10.3-inch screens are available on the Elantra. The left screen acts as a digital instrument cluster, while the right screen serves as the main infotainment interface. The interior’s multiple displays are the main feature, but there was one design element that left our editorial staff scratching their heads during the unveiling.
To the left of the gauge cluster, there is a panel that has a circular-looking object (with a horizontal arc in the middle). This could be anything. It looked strange at first. We discovered the true air vent below, and we debunked this theory. Okay, so maybe it’s an abstract speaker? It’s not like that.
We reached out to the Hyundai product planning team for a straight-forward response. It’s just a design on glass. It doesn’t serve any function other than aesthetic value.
There you have it. It was entertaining to follow the conspiracy theories for a while, but the truth is simpler. Hyundai doesn’t hesitate to add design elements to the interior, even if they don’t serve any real purpose. Even with this odd addition, the Elantra’s interior is stunning and should inspire others in the segment to improve their tech.