Hyundai Sonata

Remember when Honda was the sole four-cylinder holdout in the mid-size sedan market? The company insisted that there was no need for the extra thirst of a V6 in the Accord, despite the demands of a horsepower-hungry US market. These days, there's an Accord V6, but for 2011 the Hyundai Sonata is doing without a six-cylinder version.

The move simplifies the lineup, but it's not the only motivation. Recent advances in engine technology have made a four-cylinder a viable alternative to a V6, and considering the growing role that fuel efficiency is playing in purchase decisions, Hyundai is gambling that more mid-size sedan buyers won't mind that the Sonata is missing a couple of cylinders.

Try to picture a 2010 Sonata. Unless you own one, or your beloved uncle was killed by one, you can't can you? That's why there's new, more "emotional" styling to go with the rethought powertrain philosophy. Strong, expressive body lines dominate the new Sonata's look. The hood's curves carry down into the bumper, while bulges at each side grow out into a beltline marked with a distinctive chrome spear that carries into the headlights. The body side echoes this curve with a deep character line. The Sonata's new silhouette is similar to the current European "coupe-sedan" look, though the car was penned in Irvine, California. Complainers will whine about a new era of "jellybean" cars. Ignore 'em. The Sonata looks good.

The interior is similarly appointed to impress. The Sonata's new swept-away dash has several textures and looks like it belongs in a more expensive car. If Hyundai's work with the instrument panel is anything to go by, the days of the indifferently designed corporate dashboard are a thing of the past. The new Sonata's two-pod instrument panel features clever off-kilter curves that could've come from a concept car. The climate controls uses a silhouette-type interface reminiscent of that used by Volvo, and Bluetooth connectivity is standard. And all of that's just in the base model. Moving up the price scale, the Sonata Limited gets a pushbutton start, heated front and rear seats, and rear seat air vents. USB and iPod jacks are available, as are a 400-watt Infinity sound system, HD radio and a special wine-colored leather interior. A navigation system with a 6.5-inch screen is available on all Sonata grades, and for price convenience it's available as a stand-alone option rather than being bundled with options like a backup camera.

The new 2.4 liter four-cylinder is a DOHC, 16-valve unit that uses direct fuel injection. Power is comparable to many V6 cars, with 198 horsepower--the dual-exhaust-equipped SE model adds two horsepower, if you want to split hairs. The four-cylinder's advantage comes at the fuel pump, of course, where it returns 23/35 fuel economy. A performance Turbo version will be along shortly, for the buyers who are looking for real speed. In stock form, the Sonata's engine is the most powerful four-cylinder in its class. What's even more impressive, its 35-mpg freeway rating matches that of some hybrids. The torque is available down low, and Hyundai's given the Sonata a light throttle to ensure that drivers notice. Power is good, though like most big fours the 2.4 liter sometimes sounds overworked. This is a noise issue--big four-cylinders tend to sound harsh at higher revs. Did I miss having two extra cylinders, however? Nope.
The new six-speed automatic transmission is lighter than the five-speed it replaces. It's a sealed, maintenance-free unit, as many new automatics are, and it features paddle shifters. Guess what? The Sonata is still available with a six-speed manual transmission, too. They're a tiny percentage of sales (less than two percent) but there are still those of us who car. In this market, the price savings is the primary reason for choosing a stick, rather than sporting intentions.

That said, there is a sporting Sonata; the SE has slightly different suspension tuning in addition to its dual exhaust. The SE gets stiffer springs and a fatter stabilizer bar. On all Sonatas, MacPherson struts are used up front, with a lightweight aluminum multi-link rear. Out on the road, the Sonata is composed and quiet. That's not a surprise though; the Sonata has had the basics down for a good long time. The new suspension is tied down better, with crisper responses than I've come to expect from Hyundai. That's a good thing. A bit of road noise is all that intrudes into the quiet cabin. Around town, maneuverability's enhanced by electronic power steering with a tight turning circle. Stability control, anti-lock brakes, traction control and Corner Brake Control are all on the standard-equipment list, so the Sonata is well-equipped with driver aids to keep families feeling secure no matter how poor the road conditions.
Expect to hear a lot in the coming months about this car; it's poised to be a home run for Hyundai, and just might change the market. At the very least, the 2011 Sonata gives Hyundai a credibility it's never had when it comes to competitive mainstream product. That doesn't mean that the brand has lost its trademark value, however. Sonata pricing starts at $19,195, and is reasonable throughout the range. Want a family sedan with a navigation system for $22,600? The new Sonata is your chariot.

All specs are for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata
Length: 189.8 in.
Width: 72.2 in.
Height: 57.9 in.
Wheelbase: 110.0 in.
Curb weight: 3199 lb.
Cargo space: 16.4 cu.ft.
Base price: $19,195
Engine: 2.4 liter direct-injection inline DOHC four cylinder
Drivetrain: six-speed automatic, front-wheel drive
Horsepower: 198 @ 6300
Torque: 184 @ 4250
Fuel capacity: 18.5 gal.
Est. mileage: 23/35

By Chris Jackson - MyCarData

8:03 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Hyundai Sonata - in 4-Major

If some of the major players in the mid-size family sedan market don’t get it into gear quickly, they’re going to be looking at the tailpipes of a Korean juggernaut leaving them in a cloud of unhappiness. Hyundai is finished playing nice. The 2010 Sonata takes all of Hyundai’s upscale Genesis sedan goodness and moves it down a rung for the rest of us. The car is beautiful, powerful, and loaded with tech. Most important, it has SOUL. Get an earful of this orchestra.

Mercedes pioneered fastly raked four-door sedans with coupe rooflines when it introduced the CLS, but the Sonata makes the fetching shape affordable. High doorsills, narrow window slits, and tapered trunk give the illusion of a tight coupe, but there’s plenty of space for four and a pinch inside. A prominent chrome strip up the beltline is a little old-world Buick, but it looks as sharp here as it did on the Park Avenue in its day. A large chrome grille has a hint of Toyota Avalon; it and the hood look like they were shaped by water over centuries. Large 17” alloy wheels complete the car’s sporting character.

A surprise to some might be the Sonata is not available with a V6 engine. Truth is, it doesn’t need one. Twenty years ago, V8 engines barely made 200 horsepower. My 1989 Corvette, one of the fastest and most powerful cars of its day, generates 245 HP from a 5.7-litre V8 engine. Ten years ago, V6 engines produced around 200 horsepower without turbos. Now, the Hyundai Sonata’s direct-injected four-cylinder engine produces that much power. With a turbo, output jumps to 274-HP! You will not miss the extra cylinders, and will salivate over fuel economy ratings of 22/35-MPG city/highway.

I’m not sure why everybody crinkles their noses up in high-snoot when I tell them there is no V6 option. Their unwillingness to look at four-cylinder cars completely cracks me up. It is a ridiculous position to take. Look at horsepower, torque, and performance by all means. But, who cares how many cylinders are under the hood? It’s just stupid! There, I’ve said it. Send the letters.

Getting over cylinder envy is helped along by smooth power and a crisp six-speed manumatic transmission. Back in the dark ages, it was hard to get power out of a four-cylinder engine because it was always over-revving or bogging down without enough transmission cogs. Today’s six-speed (and higher) transmissions shift seamlessly between gears to always find the right power band. As a result, cars like the Sonata rarely feel under-powered and cruise happily at Interstate speeds. Sonata comes with a six-speed automatic with manual shift mode so you can let the computer go about its business without interference or you can snap through the gears as you please.

Given the chassis’ willingness to play, you may want to. Sonatas are not Mustangs, so there are limits, but the four-wheel independent suspension soaks up bumps and backroads with aplomb. Steering feel is firm and communicative, with very positive feel when it moves even a little off-center. Over rough pavement, nothing upsets the body structure or suspension. There is a feeling of precision, with a healthy dose of soul that is lacking in many competitors. Building a solid car is one thing, but making one that is actually enjoyable to drive, is exhibited in Hyundai’s new level of maturity.
Designers gave the Sonata an interior worthy of its smooth exterior and spirited powertrain. Equal parts Star Trek and Corvette, the dash wraps around the driver and front passenger, enveloping them in luxury cocoons. Combined with the high windowsills, you feel as if you are tucked down inside a high-performance sports car. Large analog gauges, stylized four-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, and comfy leather seats complete the illusion. Our test car came loaded with push-button starting, automatic climate control, heated seats, Bluetooth cell phone connectivity, USB port for MP3 players (allows them to be controlled through the car’s knobs and buttons), rear backing camera, navigation, and XM Satellite Radio. Our car also had the deep burgundy interior package that colored the seats and steering wheel spokes to match. Black piano finish on the doors and center console flashed elegance.

Hyundai may be a Korean company, but the car is very American. It was designed in California, engineered in Ann Arbor, MI, engines are produced in the U.S., and the car is assembled in Montgomery, Alabama. The transition over the last decade from being purely Korean to significantly American coincides with the car’s popularity here, and its overall excellence. Hyundai means business and has invested billions on research, development, design, and manufacturing to make the point. One drive in the Sonata and you will come to believe the investment was worth it. This should all be music to your ears.

Base Sonatas start at $19,195, and Limiteds begin at $25,295, but our loaded test model came to a very reasonable $28,215. Competitors include the Chevy Malibu, Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Chrysler 300.

By Casey Williams - MyCarData

8:00 AM | 0 comments | Read More

2010 Hyundai Tucson – a 21st Century Station Wagon

South Korean automaker Hyundai has accomplished much over the past couple of years including the creation of the new mid-sized Sonata sedan that has become a benchmark for its segment.

Another rabbit-out-of-the-hat trick is the creation of a small crossover that has taken center stage in the extremely competitive segment. The all-new 2010 Tucson can unapologetically stand toe-to-toe with such industry stalwarts as the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Ford Escape and Nissan Rogue.

The new second-generation Tucson has the ingredients to please shoppers — an attractive thinking-out-of-the-box head-turning design, a fuel-efficient but willing 4-cylinder engine, available all-wheel drive that has a full four-corner locking feature, a confident on-road demeanor, a stylish dashboard and interior, and room for five people including four adults.

We believe that the modern crossover is the 21st Century station wagon, and the new Tucson may be the — all things considered — cream of the small station wagon crop.
The original Tucson, which came to market for the 2005 model year, was a competent but nondescript vehicle that got its work done in unexciting fashion. There was nothing about the Tucson that would give pause to the traditional RAV4 or CR-V buyer.
The sophisticated design, which came from Hyundai’s Frankfort studio, gives the Tucson an air of luxury. Three inches longer and an inch wider than the previous vehicle, may not appeal to everyone, but we found the styling, which incorporates an incredible number of creases and curves, very appealing. At the least we think it’s more attractive than the traditional SUV box.

The interior is equally attractive offering shapely lines using high-quality appearing materials. And it’s not just all about form over function. Hyundai has kept swtichgear simple and easy to use. Most of it is very intuitive making searching for the owner’s manual unnecessary.

The Tucson provides decent passenger room, especially when it comes to leg room for second-row passengers, but the small crossover falls short in cargo capacity when compared to competitors. If 25.7 cubic feet of luggage space is enough for your needs and a maximum of 56 cubic feet with the second row folded is adequate for your lifestyle, than space will not be an issue. For comparison, the Honda CR-V has 35 and 73, the RAV4 sports 36 and 73 and the Escape 28 and 66.
While interior room in total is a question mark, interior comfort is another thing. The Tucson seats are narrow in width and the surfaces are nothing short of hard. Getting into a good driving position is not difficult, but you’ll find you won’t want to sit there for an extended period.

The most important aspect of any vehicle is the driving experience. And in this regard the Hyundai does well. It has very adequate power from a new 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine making 176 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque.
As it did with the Sonata, Hyundai dropped the V-6 engine option. But the smallish V-6 in the previous vehicle was never much of a choice and we found the new 4-cylinder, mated to a six-speed automatic, up to the task of pulling the 3,516-pound vehicle. A six-speed manual transmission is also available — a rarity in these ranks — if you opt for the base trim level.

Even when a lot of engine is requested for such events as merging into fast-moving traffic, the engine responds with enough forward momentum to accomplish the task. As is the case with many four-bangers, however, the engine becomes a bit raspy under hard acceleration. A small 34.7-ft. turning circle makes Tucson agile in tight quarters.
We drove the Tucson on some steep grades in the mountains and hundreds of miles over two weeks on both the east and west coasts. We encountered very little gear hunting, and if need be the Tucson can be shifted manually.
We were pleasantly surprised at the vehicle's road-holding ability on the curves. On the downside you’ll find a rather stiff suspension that may be on the harsh side for some people.

Also noteworthy is gas mileage measured at 23 mpg city and 31 mpg highway with front-wheel drive and 21/28 with all-wheel.
We carried a third passenger much of the time, and she seemed satisfied with the rear leg room. The rear seats do not, however, move fore or aft or recline as is the case in many competing vehicles. This might be a concern for comfort if long-distance driving is the rule rather than the exception.

Our passenger’s biggest complaint during a spate of 90-plus-degree weather was the lack of rear air vents even in the top line Limited edition. Hyundai might put center console-mounted vents on a list of equipment to be added to future vehicles.
The Hyundai comes in just two trim levels — GLS and Limited — starting at $19,790 for a manual-shifting front-wheel drive GLS. The least expensive all-wheel drive vehicle comes in at $22,290 including destination charge.

The GLS offers a wide assortment of standard features including a couple of driving aids not found as standard equipment on many vehicles in this segment — hill-holding (prevents rolling back on inclined stops) and hill descent control (automatically brakes the vehicle on steep off-road hills when activated). Standard safety items include four-wheel antilock brakes, electronic stability control and a full range of airbags.
Other items include 17-inch steel wheels, keyless entry, air conditioning, full power accessories, tilt-telescoping steering wheel, and a six-speaker audio with satellite radio and CD player.
There are few options, the biggest of which is a navigation system with backup camera, upgraded audio system and panoramic sunroof. It runs $3,700 in the GLS trim and $2,850 in the Limited edition.

Our top Limited trim test vehicle with all-wheel drive and navigation came in at $29,490.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman - MyCarData

7:52 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Hyundai Sonata - can be had for a "song"

If the Genesis is its flagship until the Equus comes galloping in, what is the sixth-generation Hyundai Sonata?

I'd have to call it the burgeoning South Korean car company's cabin cruiser, with a bit more Donzi and less Chris Craft than some of its competition in the styling arena.
With a look that makes this Camry, Malibu and Accord competitor stand out in the crowd, the 2011 Sonata was introduced earlier this year at the Los Angeles Auto Show, with a revelation – while the others pack a four and a V-6, this baby only offers one naturally-aspirated four, with a turbo and hybrid version a-coming.
Madness, or miracle thinking? Let’s sing a Sonata and find out.

*Sonata style- This sedan is the latest example of what Hyundai calls its Fluidic Sculpture design language, the second vehicle in the company’s new product initiative to bring out seven new models in two years, after the new Tucson. According to Hyundai, Fluidic Sculpture is a “consistent, cohesive design language that will ripple through the entire Hyundai showroom.” OK, what that means, I guess, is that we’ll see a family face in all the models with a bit more dare and sculpt to its shape. If that’s the case, the face was borrowed a bit from the first-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS, aka the four-door coupe. Near-slit headlights angle sharply along the hood’s cutlines, framing smoked chrome bars of the V-shaped grill, its inner accent lines forming edgy power lines on the hood. The hood shut line gets a chrome spear to showcase it as a design element that flows into the windshield pillar bases, while a separate design line melds with the frame after flowing up off the grill’s flanks. A bit of BMW and CLS mix in the sharp side lines, one paralleling the beltline, another spearing up off the front fender flares to become part of the taillight’s BMW-esque upper shape, and a third line accents the sill. It’s a long look to the wheelbase, nice 5-spoke wheels wearing xzxzx rubber that nicely fills the wells. Beware – the 16-inch wheel size on the base model makes the car look very under-tired. The flowing roofline looks coupe-like, the rear pillar flowing into the rear decklid, where there’s an overall BMW look with a petite exhaust tip under the rear fascia. FYI – get the SE and you get duals, and 2 more hp.
The best benefit of the sleek shape, unlike any of its competition, is a very slick .28 co-efficient of drag. But since at least one neighbor and lots of drivers have a new Sonata, no one really looked at our Limited’s shape, even in a well-done Pearl White.
*Hyunda habitat – There’s so much room in here thanks to more than two inches extra wheelbase over its ancestor that after you open the door keylessly, that the EPA classifies this as a Large car, with more space than the Camry, Altima, Fusion and Malibu (all midsize cars). And once settled into the 8-way power driver’s seat, with OK side support and overall good comfort, it’s a very nice design that greets you.
A tilt/telescope 4-spoke steering wheel offers audio, Bluetooth cellphone, voice command and cruise control buttoms, plus a fat leather clad rim with nice soft-touch paint on the inside. The inset smoked chrome-rimmed main (160-mph speedometer/8,000-rpm tach) gauges get white needles and numbers with an ice blue color ring, the hubs neatly hosting the LCD engine temperature/door status gauge on the left, and the gas/gear indicator on the right. Nice design! A clear trip computer display is in between.
The grill’s V-shape is echoed in the center stack, where buff alloy plastic frames a 6.5-inch touch screen for navigation, plus a superb 9-speaker, 400-watt Infinity AM-FM-XM- six disc CD/MP3 changer with HD Radio and real-time XM NavTraffic, Weather, Sports and Stocks. The iPod/USB inputs are at the base of the dash center, while the audio system has 8 GB of memory storage. Two great design touches are here. One is the audio/navigation interface under the screen, with a nice big power button ringed by the volume, and all other function buttons handy. The other is the human-shaped climate control main switch, which is just a nice blue-lit outlined mode button on a gloss black panel. In fact, there’s nice touches of gloss black all over the cabin as well as silver and chrome, although some of the black plastic surfaces look and feel a but less nice – the padded dash in front of the passenger had some rub marks on our 7,000-mile-old sedan. That said, every switch had a precision feel, and everything worked quietly and smoothly in our 95-degree travels. The glove box is big, door map pockets slim but with water bottle holders, and the center armrest storage ample, with a slot to stick the keyless remote to start the car in case its battery goes flat. There’s even more storage behind a door under the dual-zone climate controls.

In back, that “large car” designation shows up, with great head and leg room, rear air vents and a center arm rest, although tall folks may have to duck under that swoopy roofline when getting in. The rear seats are a bit flat, too. But the trunk is big and flat, with some hinge intrusion, and the rear seat backs fold via well-placed trunk latches to expand its 16.4-cu. ft. of space.

* Sonata speed – OK, so you wonder if this Montgomery, Alabama-made Sonata has the right stuff with only has a 198-hp four under its hood. Well, its Theta II 2.4-liter four has a direct injection fuel delivery, (2.-liter turbocharged GDI four- and a 2.4-liter hybrid come next) and a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shifting, plus its body shell is fairly light for a mid-size. Hit the gas and it starts slow, then has some guts in mid-range and hits 60-mph in a decent xx-seconds. The engine note is OK, and the shifts were crisp, although we had an abrupt downshift once or twice in a turn. An Accord EX’s 190-hp four, a Camry XLE’s 167-hp four and Subaru Legacy 2.5i’s 170-hp flat four were almost a second slower. Sonata fuel mileage was acceptable in around-town driving, just a tad under 21-mpg on regular – a bit under the expected EPA averages.
The ride on our Limited was quite good thanks to the McPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension, with lighter alloy components in back and 19 percent stiffer platform bending rigidity than the 2010 model. The result was a very compliant yet controlled ride on almost every surface, going where it was pointed with minimal understeer. It’s no sports sedan – the SE’s bigger rubber and suspension tuning may be the more fun model, but the Limited is a quiet comfortable cruiser. The power steering had a decent feel, the brakes offered good feedback and minimal fade after hard use, with good control. There’s Electronic Stability Control to handle the oops moments too.
*Hyundai cost – A base Hyundai Sonata starts around $19,000, but our Limited had a base of $25,295, with lots of standards except: $2,100 navigation package with Infinity sound system and backup camera, $200 Pearl White paint and $100 carpet mats, for a total $28,415. The Accord is more, the Legacy less.

*Bottom line – I really like the 2011 Sonata, and still find it hard to believe this car company has become such a contender in 20 years, with product and price that must make some competitors look in their mirrors a lot. The shape is great, the ride and power is competitive, and the fit and finish good to great. Just improve the interior plastics to the caliber of some of the other mid-sizes out there, and the world can be had for a Sonata song.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited
Vehicle type -- mid-size 4-door sedan
Base price -- $ (as tested - $)
Engine type – DOHC, 16-valve direct-injected CVVT in-line four-cylinder engine
Displacement – 2.4-liter
Horsepower (net) – 198 @ 6,300 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) – 184 @ 4,250 rpm
Transmission -- 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase -- 110 inches
Overall length – 189.8 inches
Overall width – 72.2 inches
Height – 57.9 inches
Front headroom -- 40 inches
Front legroom – 45.5 inches
Rear headroom – 37.8 inches
Rear legroom – 34.6 inches
Cargo capacity – 16.4 cubic feet
Curb weight – 3,316 pounds
Fuel capacity – 18.5 gallons
Mileage rating – 22 mpg city/35 mpg highway

By Dan Scanlan - MyCarData

7:49 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Hyundai Sonata - fast becoming a mainstream power

Hyundai designers threw out the playbook and started with a fresh sheet of paper with the 2011 mid-sized Sonata. It breaks new styling ground inside and out in a segment loaded with “me-too” designs.

The segment is perhaps considered too important for outside-the-box thinking. It’s best to follow the leader when it comes to both exterior and interior styling, when the sale of hundreds of thousands of vehicles hangs in the balance. Taking chances is too risky.
Not for the thinkers at the California-based Hyundai Design and Research Center who took a bold, fresh take on how a family sedan should look. It has apparently paid off judging from the initial reaction from the automotive press and the car-buying public.
The new Sonata has a depth of good looks usually reserved for such luxury brands as Mercedes and BMW. Its sleek shape suggests motion with a fast-back roofline, a down-swooping character line running from the taillight to the front fender and a chrome strip running along the beltline through the hood to the headlight cluster. Incredibly neat! Although the beltline is fairly high, a styling trait that came in vogue over the past few years, sight lines in all directions are excellent.

Hyundai calls it “fluidic sculpture design.” It mimics the Mercedes CLS fastback sedan, which has been on the market for several years. It also looks a lot like the Volkswagen CC, but the Hyundai design was probably already locked in by the time the CC was first revealed so it seems fair to say that both cars owe at least some of their lines to the Mercedes. No matter the origins of the Sonata’s striking looks, they work.

Look inside and you’ll see a handsome setup with a center stack that flows down through the center console. Our SE test car came with nice gray-and-black cloth upholstery, and easy-to-read gauges and soft-to-the-touch switchgear. The brushed-aluminum-looking trim is the only thing that gave us pause, just a bit too cheesy but not enough to spoil the overall feel of the interior as a whole. The top line Limited edition comes with rich-looking piano black trim.

The ironic thing here is that Hyundai has climbed the ladder of success over the past two decades unabashedly copying the competition. This may be the first Hyundai that clearly steps away from that strategy, even if does pay a slight homage to the CLS. The new Sonata really stands on its own.

And here’s perhaps the most interesting thing. There is much more to this sedan than exterior and interior styling. Hyundai has created a spacious five-passenger vehicle that leads in other areas as well including a combination of performance and mileage here-to-fore not seen in most of the mid-sized nameplates.

For the moment there is only one engine option and we think it will appeal to a vast majority of people shopping in this segment. Hyundai has worked some magic developing a 2.4-liter direct-injection 4-cylinder developing 198 horsepower or 200 horsepower, depending on trim level, mated to a slick six-speed automatic transmission.

The engine is energetic, measured from 0-to-60 in less than eight seconds in several magazine tests. And the really good part — it is rated at a class-leading 35 mpg on the highway and 22 city with a combined rating of 26 mpg.

We found the Sonata SE, with the 200-pony rating, to be more than satisfying and the car’s road-holding ability rewarding for a mid-sized family vehicle. In that regard, you might find the suspension a tad on the stiff side, but we had no problem with the ride and we think most people will find it acceptable.

For those of you disappointed that Hyundai dropped the V-6 option when virtually all the competition has a V-6 choice, fear not. Hyundai this fall it will introduce a turbocharged 4-cylinder developing 274 horsepower while yielding an astonishing 34 mpg highway. That model should satisfy all performance junkies.

And if you desire even better mileage, Hyundai will also introduce a hybrid model this fall expected to be rated at around 40 mpg. It will develop 206 horsepower and come with the six-speed automatic rather than the more traditional continuously variable transmission found in most hybrids.

Another of our few concerns is that the steering wheel tilt and telescope feature did not have enough travel to give us a truly comfortable fit. Also, the gauges, which look spectacular at night, tended to wash out in bright sunlight making it a chore to read the speedometer.

Passenger space is exemplary with very generous leg and foot room for rear-seat passengers. The only complaint here is with the sloping roof, which may create some head room problems for tall passengers. The generous rear-seat room does not impede on the usefulness of the trunk, which will hold 16 cubic feet of stuff, two more than the Honda Accord, which is basically the same size as the Sonata. We easily loaded two sets of golf clubs.

The Sonata comes in three trim levels — GLS, SE and Limited — starting at $19,995 for the GLS with manual transmission and $20,915 with automatic. We think most people will opt for the SE beginning at $23,315 including destination charge. Considering the high level of standard content, these prices meet and in most cases trump the competition. Our SE test car with the $2,600 navigation option, which also included premium audio and a sunroof, carried a bottom line of $26,015.

In June automotive marketing and consulting firm AutoPacific named the Sonata winner of its first ever President’s Award declaring the sedan had received the highest score ever in its initial owner satisfaction survey. Not a bad start for the all-new Sonata.

By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman - MyCarData

7:47 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Hyundai Sonata - The new Sonata ups its game

Hyundai has taken a back-door approach to accessing the American automotive market. Originally, they basically copied other successful models and sold them at a lower price with longer warranties. Not a bad strategy.

Then they began adding more features than the competitors and improving quality. Now in an outlandish move, they are taking the lead in innovation and making a run at being the class leaders.
The midsize sedan segment has the toughest competition in the industry. There are lots of very fine vehicles with Toyota and Honda as the perennial sales leaders. To beat them, the Sonata has to be really really good.

To begin with the styling on the car is ground breaking…it makes most of the competitors look dated and passé. I’ve always contended that it doesn’t cost an auto manufacturer any more to make a good looking car than an ugly one. You just shape the body panels differently and Hyundai has proven my point.

The car is large but because of clever engineering, the weight has been kept low in an era when vehicle weights are ballooning. Lower weight means that smaller engines can get the job done, which means lower prices for the car and higher fuel economy. The Sonata’s base price of $19,195 before incentives and discounts is low. This is a well equipped car and is a great value compared with many smaller cars that auto companies are now charging a premium for merely because they are small and therefore are perceived to be more popular today.

The vehicle driving dynamics are really quite good. It leans to the comfort side of the automotive landscape but the car goes where you point it and effectively screens out the unpleasantness of the outside world.

The interior styling is also very attractive. The gauges and instrumentation are informative and nicely styled. Interior space is ample and the trunk is large. The seating is inviting and the car has a very nice driving feel even with the base 4 cylinder engine and 6 speed automatic transmission.

The Sonatas EPA economy rating is 24/35 which is a very good number for this size of car and is actually as good as or better than many smaller ones.

The standard engine on the Sonata is a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder with 200 horsepower. That’s the same power as a 3.0 liter V6 just a few years ago but the fuel economy is much better. The Sonata is also offered with a turbo 2.4 boosting power to 274 horsepower and a 22/33 EPA rating. The Sonata will also have a Hybrid version with new lithium polymer technology allowing smaller and lighter batteries and even better economy.

The base Sonata is about the same price as the last fully loaded Chevy Aveo that I tested awhile ago. Its a subcompact with old technology, no side curtain airbags and the same fuel economy. Its less than the last 2 new Ford Fiesta’s that I’ve driven. It’s the same class of car as the new Buick Regal but priced $7,000 less etc…you get the picture. Though the equipment levels are not totally comparable on all these models, the point I’m making is that the Sonata is a great value. You get lots of new technology, great styling, satisfying ride, good safety, good quality and reliability and a long warranty for not too much money in today’s market. Is the new Sonata good enough to be considered the class leader? In some ways, yes…but the jury is still out. Notwithstanding, it’s a great car at a very attractive price.

By Kelly Foss - MyCarData

7:41 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Hyundai Elantra GLS - great looks, drive and feel

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.
So it is no surprise that after the Hyundai Sonata’s “fluidic sculpture” design was so well received, its baby brother would want a similar new set of clothes.
Introduced at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the fifth-generation Elantra compact hits the streets from the company’s Alabama plant with a sweeping body shape, a new engine and starting price that’s less than its competition.

For a car company that started with a class-below compact back in 1986 on U.S. shores, the latest Elantra seeks to make us sit up and take notice of a stylish small sedan that has what Hyundai calls “Class-above” mid-size car interior volume. So let’s advance on the new Elantra GLS.

· Elantra elegance – The new compact Elantra is the fourth of Hyundai’s planned seven new models in 2011/2012, coming after its new Tucson, Sonata and full-size Equus luxury sedan. Fluidic sculpture refers to a design that “considers the interplay of wind with rigid surfaces to create the illusion of constant motion,” according to Hyundai press-speak. No matter how you phrase it, the new shape is worlds away from the chunky compact look of the old. Our GLS model’s dual-level grill gets a hexagonal design line to frame them, the upper one slim with a prominent Hyundai emblem with slim headlights sweeping up and back, the lower one wider, with chrome accents and flanked by inset faux side vents. It does look like the wind sculpted it, further detailed by the flowing lines on the flanks that accent the doors and especially the rear fenders. The flattened front fender flares start with a design line that comes of the nose, while those in back line off the lower door sill’s curve. Our GLS looked a bit under-tired with its 16-inch Continentals on five-spoke alloys – I’ve seen a Limited with the 17-inch rubber that fills the wheel wells better. But the swept-back windshield and the steeply fastbacked rear window with high, shirt rear decklid with molded-in spoiler add a sleekness to the design. The taillights carry the rear fender flow as they curve around into the trunk, while the rear bumper carries more of the fender curve. Designed at Hyundai’s California studio, the new car rides on a 106.3-inch wheelbase, two inches longer than the last generation, while there’s almost an extra inch to its overall 178.9-inch length and almost two inches less height. The overall effect is very sleek and sculpted, with a decent .28 drag coefficient, actually a tenth better than the Chevrolet Volt, according to Hyundai. But other than some other Hyundai owners, no one gave our blue test car a second look.

· Hyunda habitability – Inside, a sweeping design that matches the exterior, an interior big enough now to classify as mid-size car, says Hyundai. A neighbor called it a “wicked” design. Our test car’s dark gray over light gray design is padded on top, with a small hard plastic binnacle housing black-faced 160-mph speedometer and 8,000-rpm tach with a white LCD trip computer with gas and temperature bar gauges, all neatly designed and legible. The tilt and telescopic steering wheel has neatly integrated cruise, stereo and Bluetooth hands-free cell phone buttons on its silver spokes, and a fat padded vinyl rim. The dash center gets pewter plastic framing of a 172-watt AM-FM-XM Satellite-CD-MP3 audio system with six-speakers with a big ice blue display. Below that, a well-designed single zone climate control, the fan speed knob nicely integrated inside the temperature knob for eye appeal and ease of use. The dash flows down into the center console with a touch of gloss black accent, the iPod/USB and MP3 input jacks in a lidded unpadded compartment with a 12-volt power outlet and digital player slot on the right side of the console. Twin cup holders sit next to a real parking brake lever and a padded center armrest with storage. The front bucket seats were comfortable and supportive, but with no lumbar support, the insets done in a swirling fabric design matched by the cloth door panels. Storage is limited to small door map pockets with water bottle/coffee cup holders and a decent glove box. In back, decent head and leg room for two adults on a low cushion with a fold-down center armrest, but a third might be tight atop the center bump. The near-fastback roof line also means I bumped my head getting in. The 14.8-cu. ft. trunk has no external release, only key fob and driver’s-side buttons. But it is deep, expandable due to 60/40 fold down seat backs that can be dropped remotely via trunk-mounted pull knobs. There’s also a segmented storage compartment under the trunk floor. Hyundai says interior volume beats the Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra and a few other compacts, even a mid-size or two. Nice touch – all buttons and displays were ice blue backlit, very pretty at night.

· Elantra energy – Under the hood of our 3,100-mile-old test sedan was Hyundai’s new 1.8-liter Nu four-cylinder engine with 148 hp and 131 lb-ft of torque, a tad coarse in engine noise when pushed. That’s smaller than the 2-liter Beta engine in the last-gen Elantra, weighs 74 pounds less, and gets better gas mileage. It’s also a perky powerplant as well, with electronic throttle control, aluminum block and a plastic two-stage Variable Intake System that can switch between long and short intake manifolds for performance. Tech aside, that means 60-mph comes up in 8.5 seconds, vs. 8 seconds for the 138-hp 2007 Elantra I tested with 4-speed automatic back then. The 2011 Elantra’s new six-speed automatic shifted cleanly, and had a manual shift option. We averaged an OK 28-mpg on regular, aided by an “ECO” indicator on the gauge package that let us know when we were light-footing it on the gas pedal. Under the platform, the car rides on a McPherson strut front suspension with coil springs and gas shock absorbers and a lightweight coupled torsion beam rear suspension. The set-up means a nice ride with a bit of softness around the edges. The car handles curves well, slicing its way capably with some understeer and body roll – it still is an economy compact. The use of more high-strength steel meant a 37 percent stiffer body for a quiet ride, weighing only 2,701 lbs. vs. the 2007’s 2,895-lb. rating. The new Elantra has a stability management system that manages its stability control and electric steering, applying steering assist in slippery conditions to counter torque steer. The electric power steering was direct at low speed, and weighted up nicely at highway speed, but with a bit of artificial feel when there. The brakes came on fast, but with assuredness, and we had decent stops with minimal fade after hard use. For safety, dual front/front seat-mounted side-impact/front and rear side curtain airbags.

· The price of the base Elantra is $14,830, while our GLS was $17,080, with everything standard above except a $550 preferred equipment package with the alloy wheels, Bluetooth hands-free phone system, cloth door insert trim, sliding center armrest, illuminated driver’s sunvisor mirror with extension and illuminated ignition; $85 carpet mats; and $35 iPod cable. Total price - $18,480. A Chevrolet Cruze LT is $18,350, with 136-hp; a Ford Fiesta SE is $16,065, but smaller. The Fiesta is more fun to drive, as is the Mazda3 and Civic.

Specifications
Vehicle type 4- door compact sedan
Base price - $ ($ as tested)
Engine type - DOHC, 16-valve continuously variable valve timing in-line four
Engine size – 1.8 liter
Transmission – 6-speed automatic
Horsepower (net) - 148 @ 6,500 rpm
Torque (lb.ft.) – 131 @ 4,700 rpm
Wheelbase – 106.3 inches
Overall length – 178.3 inches
Overall width – 69.9 inches
Height – 56.5 inches
Front headroom - 40 inches
Front legroom – 43.6 inches
Rear headroom – 37.1 inches
Rear legroom – 33.1 inches
Cargo capacity – 14.8 cu. ft.
Curb weight – 2,701 pounds
Fuel tank – 12.8 gallons
Mileage rating - 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway
Last word – Great looks inside and out, more room and more power

By Dan Scanlan MyCarData

7:39 AM | 0 comments | Read More

Hyundai’s Model Naming Conventions: From 0 to Fubar in 4 Years

Hyundai is one of the world’s biggest automakers, and the most visible of South Korea’s business and industrial acumen. So you would think a company that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of Toyota and pre-bailout GM would be pretty consistent with its model naming conventions, right?

Well, not exactly. When Hyundai first launched the i30 hatchback in Europe, Australia and other markets, it seemed that familiar nameplates such as Elantra and Sonata would soon be dead and buried. Not so. In fact, the i30 CW (basically, the station wagon version of the i30), is still sold in the U.S. as the Elantra Touring.
And there's another thing. When the “i” and “ix” naming convention was introduced by Hyundai, it seemed to me that the “i” names would be for cars and the “ix” for the brand’s SUVs. This too was not to be. In Australia, the Hyundai Sonata is sold as the i45 and the upcoming ix20 is a B-segment MPV, not a mini SUV.
So what gives, Hyundai? Why can’t you keep the names internally consisted? Audi never had this problem. A’s for cars and Q’s for SUVs. Oh, I forgot about the TT and R8. Damn it, guys! It can’t be that difficult to stay consistent. It irks me, as I’m a pedant and a stickler for uniformity.
So that’s my two cents. We now return you to your regular scheduled blog.
 

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2012 HYUNDAI Veloster

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Hyundai introduced its cutting-edge Hyundai Veloster three-door coupe in a world debut at the 2011 North American International Auto Show. The 2012 Veloster delivers innovation to the compact coupe segment with a unique third door for easy rear-seat access, Hyundai's Blue Link telematics system, Pandora internet radio with seven-inch touch-screen display, and a new 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine mated to Hyundai's first dual-clutch transmission.

MOTORCYCLE INSPIRATION

Hyundai Veloster's unique design takes inspiration from a high-performance sport bike. Veloster has distinctive black A-pillars that give the glass a motorcycle helmet visor appearance. In the front is an aggressive form of Hyundai's signature hexagonal front grille, hood scoop detailing, and unique Hyundai-signature LED position lights. Optional packages add a chrome grille surround, piano black highlights, fog lights, and a massive panoramic sunroof.

In profile the Hyundai Veloster features "Fluidic Sculpture" character lines, muscular wheel arches, bodycolor door handles and mirrors, and wraparound headlights and taillights. Hyundai Veloster comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels and offers two types of 18-inch wheels. The top-of-the-line 18-inch wheel comes with painted inserts, a segment first.

Hyundai Veloster's dynamic rear design has a distinctive glass hatch, dual centered chrome exhaust tips and black lower fascia that complements the assertive front fascia.

Inside, the center stack and controls resemble a sport bike fuel tank and incorporate an available push-button starter. The air vents are inspired by motorcycle tailpipes, while the floor console mirrors the seat of a bike. Metallic accents abound throughout the interior. Alloy pedals and a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob are also available.

THE THIRD DOOR

Hyundai Veloster combines the style of a coupe and the functionality of a hatchback, while also incorporating an additional passenger-side door. In the past, some coupes have used smaller rear-hinged access doors. These coupes have always been compromised by having to open the driver-side door before the rear door could be opened, proving to be inconvenient for both the driver and passenger, and extremely difficult to operate in tight parking lot situations. Hyundai's fresh take here implements a conventionally hinged door on the passenger side of the Hyundai Veloster, providing safe and ready access to the surprisingly spacious rear seats. The passenger-side rear door handle is hidden to maintain the coupe design.

GAMMA 1.6-LITER GDI ENGINE

The all-new Gamma 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine is the smallest Hyundai engine to use Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI). GDI technology helps deliver estimated highway fuel economy of up to 40 mpg, lower emissions and higher reliability.

"Gasoline-direct-injection technology allowed Hyundai engineers to create an engine that is powerful, fuel-efficient, and has fewer emissions," said Hyundai American Technical Center Inc. (HATCI) powertrain director, John Juriga. "Despite its small size, it generates some big numbers, with both impressive horsepower output and up to 40 mpg on the highway."

Through the use of GDI, the Gamma 1.6-liter engine delivers an estimated peak output of 138 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and maximum torque of 123 lb.-ft. at 4,850 rpm. But GDI is only part of the story as the new Gamma also features Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing, an electronic throttle control, a roller timing chain, variable induction and innovative anti-friction coatings such as CrN Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating and Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating.

NEW SIX-SPEED DUAL-CLUTCH TRANSMISSION

Hyundai's commitment to making the Gamma engine extremely fuel efficient continues by pairing it with a standard six-speed manual transmission or an all-new, six-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) developed by Hyundai.

Hyundai's new DCT takes the benefits of a manual transmission, including low fuel consumption and sporty driving, and blends them with automatic transmission benefits, such as high comfort levels and smooth shift quality. In addition, the DCT enables direct connection for high efficiency and uninterrupted torque transfer during shifts. Automatic transmissions lose power and fuel economy in the torque converter.

Other improvements of a DCT over a traditional automatic include a five to six percent improvement in fuel efficiency as well as a three to seven percent improvement in acceleration performance.

Hyundai Veloster's DCT can be thought of as two traditional manual transmissions, each with its own clutch operating in parallel and alternating shifts. Hyundai Veloster is a six-speed with one clutch acting on gears one, three and five and the other used for two, four, six and reverse. This shifting process results in quick smooth transitions with none of the efficiency loss normally associated with torque convertors. The clutch actuator assembly features electric motors for actuation, and an external damper improves NVH.

This powertrain also has an Active Eco mode which modifies engine and transmission control for improved fuel economy that translates into more than a seven percent improvement in real-world fuel economy.

WORLD-CLASS WEIGHT EFFICIENCY

World-class weight efficiency is a program target for all Hyundai models. This strategy delivers outstanding fuel economy and performance simultaneously. At just 2,584 pounds, Hyundai Veloster is more than 400 pounds lighter than the Scion tC. This priority on weight efficiency allows the Hyundai Veloster to deliver a great combination of agility, performance, and fuel efficiency.

FUN TO DRIVE

The Hyundai Veloster is fitted with a McPherson strut front suspension, coil springs, gas shock absorbers and a 24 mm diameter front stabilizer. The rear suspension is a light-weight V-torsion beam, a Hyundai-first with an integrated 23 mm stabilizer bar to allow bracing of the arms for greater stiffness and to further control body roll. The rear suspension also uses monotube shock absorbers for ride comfort.

Hyundai Veloster features sport-tuned electric power steering that adjusts instantly to changing driving conditions while improving fuel economy over a conventional steering system. A quick-ratio steering rack is used for crisp feel on turn-in. Hyundai Veloster's turning diameter of 34.1 feet is better than tC's 37.4 feet, CR-Z's 35.4 feet, Mini's 35.1 feet and Mini Clubman's 36.1 feet. Standard are 215/45HR17 tires on 17-inch alloy wheels. There are two optional 18-inch alloy wheels with lower profile 215/40VR18 performance rubber.

ADVANCED STANDARD SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES: PART OF HYUNDAI'S ASSURANCE COMMITMENT

Veloster has an exceptional level of standard safety features for the sporty car segment. Hyundai Veloster has a Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) system which optimally manages ESC (Electronic Stability Control) and the Motor-Driven electric Power Steering (MDPS).

VSM works to control two effects. The first is when a driver accelerates or brakes on a split-mu surface (slippery on one side, dry pavement on the other) and the vehicle wants to pull in one direction. VSM detects this condition and sends a signal to the MDPS to apply steering assist. VSM counters the pull and automatically provides eight Newton meters of counter steering. VSM reacts the same way during sudden lane changes or fast cornering.

Hyundai Veloster features six airbags—including dual front, front seat-mounted side-impact, and front and rear side curtain airbags.

The Hyundai Veloster also features a state-of-the-art braking package. The package includes four-wheel disc brakes and an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) including Brake Assist, which provides maximum braking force when a panic stop is detected, and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), to automatically adjust the braking force to front and rear axles based on vehicle loading conditions.

CONNECTIVITY/TECHNOLOGY

In the digital age everyone wants to be connected to their electronics at all times, so Hyundai Veloster comes standard with a multifunction seven-inch touch-screen display. At engine start-up, the screen comes to life with a Hyundai Veloster image and a unique sound. There are three interface layouts the user can choose from.

Pandora internet radio is integrated into Hyundai Veloster. The display screen has a Pandora icon to stream internet radio from an iPhone, Android or Blackberry. Pandora can also be viewed on the display screen and songs can be given the familiar Pandora thumbs up or thumbs down by pressing an icon.

Gracenote improves how Hyundai Veloster drivers access and manage their music through licensed cover art, enhanced voice recognition capabilities and "More Like This" automatic playlisting. Gracenote helps organize song metadata from a driver's music collection, and associates specific genre classifications (e.g. Indie Rock, R&B, Classical) with the identified tracks. This lets Hyundai Veloster drivers create targeted similar music playlists with a single button or voice command using Gracenote's Playlist Plus™ technology.

Gracenote MediaVOCS® technology improves the accuracy of the system's voice recognition capabilities for music search and navigation, letting drivers pinpoint bands, artists and albums with hard-to-pronounce names, irregular spellings and nicknames. For instance, Gracenote MediaVOCS helps the system understand artist names like Beyoncé and AC/DC. And drivers can use "The Boss" as a voice command to access tracks from Bruce Springsteen.

Gracenote also powers the Hyundai Veloster's 3D carousel of album cover art, producing a driver-friendly interface that makes it easy to search for music, select albums and display cover art during playback. The combination of these Gracenote technology features provides Veloster drivers a safe and easy way to manage and enjoy their music on the open road.

The head unit features virtual CD downloading which is like having a 10-disc CD changer on board. This feature allows for up to 10 CDs to be stored on the systems memory. The systems memory also allows for viewing and storing of jpeg images, AVI videos and Mpeg videos from a USB stick.

One of the display's unique features is an Eco Coach scoring system. This system acknowledges fuel-efficient driving with an eco rewards score and it accumulates points over time for a total Eco Score. The Eco Coach also provides instant fuel economy feedback so drivers can compare their average fuel economy with other Veloster owners.

With video games being an important element of entertainment, Hyundai integrated a USB jack, RCA jack and 115-volt power outlet in Hyundai Veloster to support gaming consoles for ultimate gaming sessions when in park.

Hyundai Veloster is available with two audio systems. Standard is a 196-watt AM/FM/Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system with six-speakers and iPod®/USB/auxiliary input jacks. A 450-watt Dimension Premium Audio system with eight speakers including an eight-inch subwoofer and external amplifier is available. An XM Satellite Radio interface is also integrated into the head unit and features channel logos and XM Data services, such as XM NavWeather®, XM Stock Ticker and XM Sports Ticker.

A Bluetooth hands-free phone system with voice recognition, address book download and audio streaming is standard. Touch-screen navigation is optional. The system also integrates a rear-view camera, which cannot be found on the CR-Z or tC.

HYUNDAI BLUE LINK

"Blue Link combines safety, service and infotainment into a complete package that works to both help simplify Hyundai owners' lives and reduce distracted driving," said Barry Ratzlaff, director of customer satisfaction and service business development, Hyundai Motor America. "We've carefully studied how drivers rely on smart phones and navigation systems as an innovative link to the outside world. Blue Link brings that seamless connectivity directly into the car with technology like voice text messaging, POI web search download, turn-by-turn navigation, and monthly vehicle reporting. Our agent-assisted advanced voice recognition system offers a 21st century solution to performing POI searches in the vehicle. This unique and innovative approach enables Hyundai to deliver fast, accurate searches and downloads of POIs to vehicles without the unnecessary costs of traditional operator-only type systems of our competitors."

As part of the Blue Link launch, Hyundai also will provide Blue Link Assurance on Blue Link-equipped vehicles, which includes core safety services for an introductory period. These key safety services include: Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) and Assistance, SOS Emergency Assistance, and Enhanced Roadside Assistance. After the introductory period, owners of Blue Link-equipped vehicles can choose to extend these and other services as desired. Blue Link package subscription fees will be announced this spring on Sonata.

Blue Link Assurance further expands Hyundai's industry leadership formerly established by Hyundai Assurance, the industry's most comprehensive suite of new-vehicle protection. Hyundai Assurance already offers a 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable bumper-to-bumper warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, 5-years complimentary Roadside Assistance, and Buyer Protection - a credit-protecting job-loss vehicle return program.

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New Hyundai i40 Mid-Size at Geneva Motor Show 2011

Making its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, is the estate version of Hyundai’s all-new, Europe-specific D-segment model, the i40. Designed and engineered at Hyundai’s R&D headquarters in Russelsheim, Germany, with European buyers in mind, the i40 will fill the gap left by the outgoing Sonata model in the South Korean automaker's range and will compete against the Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat. A four-door sedan version will be introduced this year, with most bets going towards the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show in September.
The i40 Estate will go on sale across Europe in the summer with engine options including a 1.7-liter turbo diesel emitting as little as 113 g/km of CO2 and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit. Strangely, Hyundai has not yet released any other details on the i40 series. When the Koreans decide to share, we'll post an update. In the meantime, scroll down to check out the gallery and a video from Hyundai's Geneva Motor Show booth.


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Hyundai Drops New i40 Mid-Size

Making its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, is the estate version of Hyundai’s all-new, Europe-specific D-segment model, the i40. Designed and engineered at Hyundai’s R&D headquarters in Russelsheim, Germany, with European buyers in mind, the i40 will fill the gap left by the outgoing Sonata model in the South Korean automaker's range and will compete against the Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat. A four-door sedan version will be introduced this year, with most bets going towards the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show in September.

The i40 Estate will go on sale across Europe in the summer with engine options including a 1.7-liter turbo diesel emitting as little as 113 g/km of CO2 and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit. Strangely, Hyundai has not yet released any other details on the i40 series. When the Koreans decide to share, we'll post an update. In the meantime, scroll down to check out the gallery and a video from Hyundai's Geneva Motor Show booth.

8:18 PM | 0 comments | Read More