The 2019 Hyundai LaFesta is a "Feast" in Your Eyes

Hyundai was probably in good spirits when it came up with the name "LaFesta" for its midsize sedan. "Festa", which is an Italian word that means a "feast, festival, or holiday", may be all about lechon, pancit, and spaghetti eaten to your heart's content.

In the Korean carmaker's case, however, "Festa" is all about "embracing the growing younger generation"--perhaps the reason why it has such a sensuous, youthful vibe to it.

The LaFesta EV sedan, which was introduced at the Beijing International Motor Show, is only sold to the Chinese market. This, however, shouldn't stop you from admiring those sleek contours. The curves are subtle, and at the right place. Indeed, they captured "sensuousness" quite well here.

This electric vehicle can churn out around 200 horsepower and 310 Nm torque--almost similar to the 2019 Chevrolet Bolt EV LT (200 hp) and Hyundai Kona EV Ultimate (201 hp).

While they are not as powerful as the Tesla Model X P100D--which comes with a whopping 518 hp-- the numbers are adequate enough to deserve the name "utilitarian and athletic".

The appearance, however, adds a sporty appeal in its appearance, thanks to its new radiator grille, front and rear bumpers, 17-inch aluminum wheels, LED Head Lamps and Rear Combi Lamps.

Its interior is functional. Expect a 7-inch color Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) cluster showing EV information and the battery charge state; a 10.25-inch LCD Audio-Video-Navigation (AVN) infotainment screen tailored to EV performance; a wirelessly controlled Shift-by-Wire electronic lever; wireless cellphone charger; and a black metallic console.

The Festa measures 4,705mm in length by 1,790mm in width, and by 1,435mm in height. It has a 2,700mm wheelbase, which is bigger than the Lafesta sporty sedan. It's equipped with a "high-capacity" 56.5kWH lithium battery, and can travel a distance of 490 kilometers on one complete charge.

Its safety features include Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS), such as Blind-Spot Collision-Avoidance Assist (BCA), Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA), Safe Exit Warning and Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist (RCCA), six airbags, burglar alarm and others.

We hope this car makes its way to Philippine shores someday. Perhaps, it will--when Filipinos will be more open to electric vehicles.

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