Now though the Korean car maker has a firm grasp of the workings of the Indian market. The i45 or Sonata was showcased at the Indian Auto Expo to gather feedback from the customers.

The new Sonata draws heavy styling cues from Hyundai’s latest ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ design language. The stretched back head lamps with a massive chrome grill and wide headlamps are quite dynamic to look at. However, on a personal note, I don’t the Fluidic styling on the i45 because it is overstyled. Having said that, the rear does look quite exquisite on the Sonata.

The brochure Hyundai issued at the Auto Expo revealed that the Sonata will be only available in a petrol avatar. It will be powered by the 2.4-litre GDI petrol motor with 198 bhp of power and 250 Nm of torque. A 6 speed manual or a 6 six speed automatic option will be available for cog shifting duties. Expect the mileage to be in the range of 12-14 kmpl.

The Sonata will boost interesting features like

• Push-button keyless start
• Six-CD changer with USB and Aux-in support
• Ventilated leather seats front and rear
• 10-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat (four-way for the front passenger)
• Six airbags plus ABS, ESP and EBD.
• Parking Sensors and a rear-view camera with display which comes on automatically in the rear view mirror.
• Ventilated Disc at front, Solid at rear

Expect the price tag to be around 18 lakhs. The lack of diesel motor will definitely hurt the sales quite badly. Do you think this is another Kizashi in the making?

Dacia’s finally ready to bring out the Lodgy mini van as seen in this spy video. The Renault-owner Romanian low-price vehicle manufacturer previewed the new arrival a few weeks back using pictures. It will be seen for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Renault is also eager to produce its version for markets that are out of Dacia’s reach – Should the Lodgy follow the footsteps of the Duster and sneak into India?

Our Brazilian friends at AutosSegredos are at it once again spying the upcoming Fiat Siena as it was driven to the factory yard without camouflage. The new Siena arrives in March with three engine options and Fiat’s dual clutch automatic transmission.  Fiat does not have immediate plans to sell the Palio sedan outside South America, though lovers of the Italian brand feel this is THE car for Fiat India.

Hyundai’s sandwiching the i10 and i20 models using the unnamed HB hatchback in Brazil. Auto Esporte has rendered the car’s dashboard using spyshots – its a mix of Elantra and Verna. The HB is almost done with its testing according to reports and breaks cover in the next six months. The package of the i20, space of a premium hatchback at the price just above that of the i2o – is this a winning concoction or what?

In Slovakia, Hyundai has supposedly released a teaser image of the i20 facelift speculated to touch down at the Geneva Motor Show in under than eight weeks time. The thematic design of the new i20 is inspired by the Verna and the recently introduced i30 hatchback.

This is a cropped image of the Hyundai i30, the facelift of the i20 will derive some design inspiration from it.

Our friends at Pravda.sk have written that the new i20 will feature environmentally-friendly technologies and possibly include a 1.6 GDi (Gasoline Direct Injection technology India will get on the i45) under the bonnet.

Indian Autos Blog has already submitted to its readers two sets of exclusive spyshots revealing the changes clearly followed by an SRK rendering. For the Indian market the i20 facelift will have a swiveling headlight design and chrome borders to its foglights instead of the LED lights shown in the teaser image.

Stepping inside the car, the upper part of the center console has been redesigned, otherwise interiors are not all that different. Hyundai should use the i20 facelift’s introduction as an opportunity to include variable valve timing on the smaller petrol engine. The current 1.2 petrol, 1.4 petrol and 1.4 diesel will stay on as powertrain options until the successor (codename – IB) is ready in 2014.

[Source - Auto.Pravda.sk]

The ix45 breaks cover at the New York Motor Show about three months from now replacing the model running since April 2006.

The Santa Fe has gained a strong fan following in the US. Hyundai manufactures this three-row SUV in Alabama alongside the Sonata.

Shortly after its launch in India back in 2010, Hyundai began assembly of the Santa Fe at its Chennai plant. Once the new model breaks cover, it is only a matter of time before the ix45 takes over at Sriperumbdur. The same 2.2-liter CRDI engine could be carried forward to the replacement. Even Hyundai will admit that the restyled ix45 has a better chance of invading the Fortuner’s fort.

Hyundai has used the Santa Fe platform to display hybrid and fuel cell vehicles. These were purely experimental and were not introduced in any of the markets. Hyundai could get serious about commercializing a hybrid variant on the ix45 platform in the coming years.

Two images of the upcoming Santa Fe have been leaked on to the internet revealing most design details of the upcoming SUV. The reason why we are extremely sure that this is the new Santa Fe is because the six-point grille seems to match the camouflaged test cars caught before.

As one can see, the new Santa Fe dons an extremely chromed up front fascia. The hexagonal grill with three strips is reminiscent of the 2012 Honda CR-V. The swept back fluidic headlamps are a clear evidence of the the company’ well known design philosophy. There is a thin garnish of LEDs bordering the fog lamps. The 2013 Santa Fe also comes with a skid plate, although we have a feeling it will be more fashion than function.

The leaked image of the rear reveals that the side windows run almost all the way to the liftgate glass leaving a very pinched top of the rear corner pillar. This is a clear evidence of a third row seating. The twin exhaust pipes on one side give the Santa Fe a sporty look.

The new Santa Fe will powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with 274 hp and 364 Nm of torque. A Euro6 2.0-liter diesel engine rated at 150HP will also find a home under the hood.

As this model is a replacement, Hyundai will have to introduce the all-new Santa Fe late sometime in 2012 or 2013.

How do you like the new Santa Fe?

Source: Hyundai-Blog

The next generation i20 should not be confused with the i20 facelift that’s under testing in Chennai.

The current i20, codenamed PB, will receive cosmetic revisions to its front and rear fascias beside subtle revisions to its center console and dashboard. A perfect setting for its global premiere would be the Geneva Motor Show in March. We can get to see this model in Indian showrooms soon after its global unveiling.

The next generation i20 arriving around three years from now is not expected to carry any of the current model’s body panels. A new, more powerful representation of the Fluidic Design philosophy is expected on the successor. The 1.2-liter Kappa engine looks good to carry on, while a new, more refined diesel engine conforming to higher European emission norms is expected to sit under the bonnet of the new model.

The dimensions of the i20 replacement may stay largely the same and Hyundai may introduce an electric powertrain on the new model. As it is with all manufacturers today, features from the C and D segment is bound to trickle into this future product.

Now, thanks to our friends at AnythingOnWheels, the front fascia of the new i20 is unveiled (although not completely). As expected, the new Fluidic design is quite evident on the front of the i20. The new headlamps are now swooping in the side profile of the car. There is also a heavy usage of chrome garnish to make it look upmarket.

Previous spyshots reveal that the rear lights and rear bumper will undoubtedly be updated as well. International automotive press reports the dashboard will also be revamped. However, Hyundai is only focusing on the design of the i20. There will not be any mechanical changes on the updated model. It will continue to be powered by 1.2L petrol, 1.4L petrol and 1.4L diesel engines.

Expect to see the new i20 hitting the Indian roads by the festival season.

[Source: AnythingOnWheels.BlogSpot.com]

The 2013 Santa FE, which might be called the ix45, will powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with 274 hp and 364 Nm of torque. A Euro6 2.0-liter diesel engine rated at 150HP will also find a home under the hood.

As the test mule is wearing heavy camouflage, the only noticeable feature is horizontal three-bar chrome grille. However, one can also see the influence of Fluidic Design in the headlamps of the new Santa Fe.

Back home, Hyundai may continue bringing the new Santa Fe through the CKD route to keep the prices low and gain volumes.

[Source: WorldCarFans.com]