The final element: Exploring the alchemy of the all-new Hyundai Creta

It's the oldest of sciences, and for thousands of years, the best available. The concept that everything in life comes from four elements. Earth, water, air and fire, the classical elements that were the basis of science, and the very building blocks of the universe. They are the forces of nature, on which all life depends, and stems from. Pure as the elements are, they're never found in their base state on earth, instead everything is made up of a combination of earth, water, air and fire, even corresponding now to the states of matter, solids, liquids, gasses and plasma. And as the theory goes, getting the mix of these elements right is alchemy, the magical art of creation. And so it is with the all-new Hyundai Creta, which is set to continue the best-selling magic of the first generation Creta. With over 6.6 lakh units of the Creta sold worldwide since its launch in 2015, it's but natural to explore the alchemy of the all-new model.

Earth

Full of a staggering variety of rocks and minerals, and as old as time itself, at least in our perception, the Earth is the backbone of all life. Rich in oxygen and silicon, which when combined to form silica and addressed with fire, gives us glass. Not to mention the abundance of mineral ores, from which steel is procured. The same glass and steel that form the basis of the all-new Creta. It boasts of a rigid structure, made of different grades of strength of steel, used in different parts of the chassis and body to give the strongest, safest structure imaginable.

Of particular importance is the core of the strength of the all-new Creta, and the impressively high use of Advanced High Strength Steel (AHSS). This complex and carefully manufactured material makes up over 74 per cent of the new Creta's structure, for unparalleled strength and crash protection, while also allowing the designers to work their magic on the sheet metal that makes up the avant garde styling. Of course, the electrically operated panoramic sunroof uses tempered glass, the most advanced form of glass for the application, which provides shatter protection and a view of the outside world to the occupants of the all-new Creta. A fitting tribute to the Earth element, from where the all-new Creta comes from.

Water

A truly unstoppable force, the flow of water also possesses a grace, a fluidity, a determination to follow any path offered, and at times, forge its own. Similarly, the all-new Creta moves down the road with quiet confidence, an unstoppable force in its own right.

Its MacPherson struts, torsion beam bar, shock absorbers and coil springs all come together to give the Creta road-holding abilities that set the benchmark for dynamics in its class. A finely tuned electrically-assisted power steering system allows the driver to feel connected to what the new Creta is doing at all times, making confidence a natural trait, and is one of the finest systems Hyundai has made yet. And it's made even better by the impressive driving modes which can change the character of the Creta, all at the turn of a dial, and depending on the mood of the driver.

Of course, the Creta's dynamic abilities don't stop when the road runs out. With the Creta's new terrain modes, it manages to push the limits of what a front-wheel drive SUV can achieve over a variety of challenging terrain. Engineered to provide the optimum traction over a selection of surfaces and road conditions, the Wet, Snow and Mud modes tailor the Creta's responses to help you make the safest, most efficient progress. At the end of the day, the all-new Creta is well equipped to help you continue your journey no matter what you come up against.

Air

Omnipresent, even if you can't see it, the air we breathe gives us the oxygen our body needs. And in the all-new Creta, you can be sure that the air you breathe is as pure as it gets, wherever you are. With a built-in smart air purifier that adjusts the level of filtration automatically, travelling in dusty or polluted areas is no longer a cause for concern.

With controls via the large touchscreen, or via the dedicated touch panel for rear passengers, all occupants of the Creta can keep an eye on the quality of air that they're inhaling. This health and safety feature works alongside the new Creta's powerful automatic climate control system to make the cabin welcoming and comfortable, even when the world outside isn't. From cooling you down in hot weather, to keeping you warm in colder climates, automatic climate control means all you have to do is set the temperature to a comfortable point and forget about it - the climate control does all the rest.

Fire

Often considered the most important element, fire has the power to transform the other elements from one to another. It's no wonder then that fire drives the beating heart of the all-new Creta. Through the science of combustion, fire turns fuel into energy, and in the all-new Creta, there's three choices of combustion available to you. The 1.5-litre petrol and diesel engines offer 115PS of power and a choice of six-speed manual transmissions, or automatics for ease of use, with admirable fuel efficiency to boot.

The literal fire-breather in the line-up is the 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engine, pushing 140PS and 242Nm of torque through its advanced seven-speed twin-clutch automatic gearbox.

Quintessence

The secret element, quintessence, is the power of life. Believed to move through light, it's represented in the all-new Creta in its stunning array of lighting. With a distinct split headlight arrangement, the all-LED lighting elements don't just provide the new-Creta with its unmistakable face, but also lights the way forward safely and effectively.

Between the LED daytime running lights, and LED headlights, it's a bright path for sure. Even around the rear of the Creta, LED elements in a multi-faceted arrangement ensure that the all-new Creta's distinct personality shines through even when the sun's light has faded.

When night falls, the Creta's cabin comes alive, with ambient lighting providing a reassuring glow. In the precise coming together of these essential elements, the all-new Creta truly is alchemy in motion. And all it takes to experience the magic is one drive in it.