The all-new Hyundai Santa Fe was unveiled to the world at the New York Motor Show last April and since then it has been rolled out in several markets across the globe.
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With the launch of the new Santa Fe, Hyundai has chosen to split the personality into 5 seat and 7 seat models. The 5 seat model (called the Santa Fe Sport) hit U.S. shores a year back and has been a stonking success ever since.
Now, Hyundai has rolled out a 7 seat version of Santa Fe in the U.S. for a starting price of $28,350 (15.08 lakhs INR). The seven seat model will officially take the torch from Veracruz as the new flagship SUV of the Hyundai range.
This long wheelbase Santa FE (3.9-inches longer to be precise) can be chosen in two second row-seating configurations - a traditional bench with 40/20/40 split-folding seatback or an individual second row captain’s chairs.
Unlike the 5 seat model which comes with a 2.4-liter inline-four (190hp) or 2.0-liter turbo (264hp), the seven seat model is powered by a 3.3-liter V6 (290hp) linked to a six-speed automatic transmission sending power to front or all four wheels.
Sure, the new Hyundai Santa Fe is India-bound sometime in mid 2013. However, we will NOT get the 7 seater model because it is designed only in LHD for North American and Chinese markets.
The Santa Fe headed to India will retain its wheelbase and will be powered by a 2.2 litre 194 bhp diesel engine which makes it the most powerful SUV in its class. Premium features such as sunroof, GPS, leather seats and engine start/stop button are expected on the India-bound model.
At an estimated price tag of Rs. 25 lakhs, the Santa Fe will write down the Toyota Fortuner, Chevrolet Captiva and the newly launched Ssangyong Rexton on its target list.
[Source: Carscoop.blogspot.in]
