IAB reader spots the all-new Santa Fe testing in Chennai

25/02/2013 - 10:07 | ,   | Kaustubh Shinde

It seems like Hyundai will open its Indian innings in 2013 with the all new, third generation Santa Fe.

All-new Hyundai Santa Fe test mule rearAll-new Hyundai Santa Fe spied near the Hyundai Chennai plant

The Korean automaker has already started testing the new ‘Storm Edge’ Santa Fe for the Indian market. Indian Autos Blog reader S. Achyuth Vaibhav caught a fully camouflaged test mule of the new Santa Fe testing on the Indian highways for the first time.

Achyuth also passed on a note with the mail. This is what he wrote -

Hi IAB, I spotted the new Hyundai Santa Fe on 16th February, 2013 while near the Hyundai factory. Things which made me to identify it as a Hyundai were the Fluidic front grille, a 'large' stance and a boomerang detailed chrome grille hosting the slanting 'H' badge. It is now in its initial testing stage so it can be launched in a later part of 2013.

This should comes as no shocker for IAB readers because we have been getting you periodic updates on the Santa Fe’s India debut since last September.

All-new Hyundai Santa Fe rear spiedAll-new Hyundai Santa Fe spied testing in Chennai

The all new Santa Fe which premiered at the New York Auto Show last year features the new ‘Storm Edge’ design philosophy which is a refined version of older ‘Fluidic’ design. The new model is 30 mm longer, 5 mm wider and 45 mm lower than the outgoing vehicle. It is an insanely good value proposition because it is loaded with some really interesting features such as –

  • 18/19-inch alloys
  • Reverse parking sensors/camera with Parking Guidance System
  • Front parking sensors
  • Daytime running lights
  • Self-leveling suspension
  • Bluetooth with voice recognition
  • ESP
  • Hill Start Assist
  • Vehicle Stability Management
  • Seven airbags
  • Touch screen satellite navigation
  • Electric folding door mirrors with puddle lamps
  • Dual zone climate control
  • Electric driver's seat adjustment
  • Panoramic sunroof
  • Xenon headlights
  • Keyless entry with engine start/stop button
  • Tyre pressure monitoring system

The Indian spec model is expected to be powered by the same 2.2 litre CRDI engine which generates 194 bhp & 422 Nm of torque. It will be available with 6-speed manual or automatic gearbox with FWD or AWD layouts and arrive in India as a CKD unit.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe spied in Chennai2013 Hyundai Santa Fe side view spied

The 5 seater variant is certainly destined to India but chance of the the Grand Santa Fe (7 seater version) is slim here as the LWB model is only available in LHD format. We'd like to be proven wrong though.

The new Santa Fe should act like a flagship model for Hyundai India just as the Toyota Fortuner, Renault Koleos and the Ssangyong Rexton do for their respective brands. While the new Santa Fe isn’t expected to set Hyundai’s sales charts ablaze, it should most certainly mount a perfect challenge to reigning competition with superior brand image and a reputed service network.

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