If you would recall the brand ‘Sonata’, you would remember a LONG car that sort of looks like the old Mercedes C Class. Sure, there was a Sonata Embera but that did not turn any eye balls. But Hyundai has finally showcased the Fluidic Sonata at the 2012 New Delhi Auto Expo and is it a looker or what!
It will be powered by a 2.4L GDI engine with 201 PS @ 6300rpm 25.5 kgm of torque @ 4250 rpm. It is mated to a 6 speed manual or automatic transmission depending on your liking. There some very cool features too such as:
- HID xenons
- Cruise control
- Paddle shifters
- 10 way power seats with lumbar support for the driver and a 4 way adjustable seat for the co driver.
- Smart key with push button start
The new Sonata packs in a lot of safety features as well such as:
- 6 air bags
- ABS with EBD
- ESP
- Rear view camera
This is just a showcase so no price announcements done yet. What do you think about the Sonata? Do let us know in the comment section.
click through for image slideshow
DWS reports that Hyundai will debut the i45 saloon during the second half of 2011. This is contrary to other media reports claiming an Auto Expo 2012 launch.
The car will carry the i45 badge instead of Sonata. Test mules have been spotted near Chennai wearing the i45 badge and surprisingly no camouflage. The vehicles on test had a GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) badge hinting that there was a 198hp/250Nm 2.4-liter motor on-board. Hyundai’ ad campaign on TV during the World Cup showed a formation of Sonatas creating sound waves.
There is a good possibility that a 2.2 litre CRDI engine producing 197 bhp/420Nm from the Santa Fe will be fitted to the Sonata, as the segment is moving towards diesel fuel. The VW Passat, Skoda Superb and Honda Accord are going to have company very soon.
The Hyundai Sonata (also known as the i40 and i45) has won the 2010 Australian International Design Awards in the Automotive and Transport category. This award is conferred to most innovative and best designs internationally.
The Hyundai ix35, which was also a finalist for the coveted award was awarded with a Design Mark. The reason for the two Hyundais doing so well in the Design awards is because of Hyundai’s new ‘Fluidic Scupture’ design direction.
Andre Hudson, Design Manager, Hyundai Design North America -
Fluidic Design is a Hyundai signature, a design language which will appear on future Hyundai volume models. It gives our range a unique and premium identity and defines Hyundai as a modern, progressive company. With i45, we wanted to deliver a strikingly modern shape, yet accommodate the wide variety of practical needs which sedan buyers require met.
This Design award is just one more feather in the new Hyundai Sonata’s cap as the new Sonata went off to a flying start setting sales records in many markets. The Hyundai Sonata with its upmarket looks and classy interiors poses a serious threat to global bestsellers Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.
Images of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata has leaked on to the internet. Expected to come with i40 badges in Europe, the i40 is arguably the best looking Hyundai to this date.
Its profile is somewhere in between a sedan and a coupe. Inspired by the sexy Mercedes CLS, you can’t point out one design element that’s common between the two. In India, the i40 will take the Accord-Camry segment to an all new level. If they price it in the Laura-Jetta segment, it is so going to be a steal for that price.
The 2.4 liter Theta II engine with GDI (gasoline direct injection) technology produces about 200 hp. A 2.0 liter petrol engine should be powering in the entry-level model.
Whether or not the 2.2 liter ‘R’ with 204 hp and the Euro 5 emissions standards busting diesel engine will make it to India is anyone’s guess. Even a Lambda V6 engine giving out about 250 hp is in the rumor mill. This could be a perfect candidate to eat into the Skoda Superb V6′ and Honda Accord V6′ pie.
6-speed manual or automatic transmissions will be available. A level of equipment is going to be up there – panoramic glass roof, stop-start technology and paddle shifts on the steering wheel will be bestowed on the new Sonata.
The Hyundai Sonata YF/i40 goes on sale in Korea in October andh in the North American and European markets by early 2010.
click through for press release
Entry posted on January 21, 2009 by
Vibs;
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It has not been even a month since Hyundai launched its i20 hatch in India and now the company plans to launch its i30 and Avante (new Elantra) soon in Indian in what we call a launching spree!
The i30 which was first launched at the Tokyo Motor Show for the Japanese market, is now being considered for an Indian debut because of the tremendous response towards the recently launched i20.
Hyundai’s boxy yet once best selling car, the Santro Xing, which was sidelined after their next gen hatchback ‘i10′ was launched, seems to be back in action.
The Hyundai Santro sales figures have risen to an extent that, Hyundai is now looking to generate almost equal numbers from both, the Santro and the ‘i10′, in 2009. This comes at a time when manufacturers are cutting production and processing pink slips to their staff.
HS Lheem, Managing Director, Hyundai Motor India, said, “The Santro is doing much better than our expectations. In 2009, we are looking at almost the same overall sales number as last year or around 2.3 lakh units. Of this, Santro and ‘i10′ are expected to contribute 85,000 units each.”
IAB in November 2008 “Revealed the Facelifted Hyundai Sonata” Now, Hyundai has officially launched its flagship sedan model Sonata (”Ling Xiang”) in the Chinese market yesterday. Hyundai Motors, said in a statement that the move is part of an effort to woo customers in China. The launch of the China-made Sonata sedan comes early as many analysts expect Hyundai to miss this year’s sales target there.
Even before our earlier article had completed one day on air, we have got more confirmation about the next-gen Tucson and the Sonata/i40 which we speculate will be sharing engines and some vital components but sharing a platform might be too far fetched.
Lets see why, the earlier Tucson was actually based on the Hyundai Elantra platform rather than the Sonata and this time, we expect the same as the Tucson is a size down.
