The Hyundai Santa Fe, as the name suggests (popular holiday destination in the US), is an SUV primarily conceived for the American market. Launched in 2000, it has built a steadily increasing reputation in the States to surpass the one million mark in sales today.
An example from the third generation Santa Fe launched at the New York Auto Show last year is the jubilee car. The crossover SUV's Storm Edge design philosophy gets the proportions and the stance spot on and is offered in two different wheelbases (5- and 7-seater).
The Santa Fe was originally manufactured at the company's Montgomery plant in Alabama but the majority of the production was later shifted to the plant at West Point, Georgia.
Commenting on the occasion, John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America said -
When the 2001 Santa Fe launched in the United States 13 years ago, not only was it Hyundai's first SUV, but it was one of the first compact crossovers on the market – just behind Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V. Santa Fe has played a significant role in Hyundai's success and growth in the United States.
The long wheelbase version is powered by a 3.3 litre V6 petrol engine which pumps out 290 bhp. The 5-seater meanwhile gets either a 190bhp 2.4 litre GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) petrol or a 2.0 litre 264bhp GDI twin scroll turbo petrol motor. All engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission which drive the front wheels although higher variants do offer an all wheel drive system.
The new Santa Fe is expected in India sometime next year but the standard wheelbase variant will be the only version available locally. The 2.2 litre 194bhp diesel motor that powers the current model would be retained paired to a 6-speed manual or automatic gearbox.
Head to Page 2 to view the press release.
Hyundai Santa Fe Press Release
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