2011 Hyundai Sonata: Looking Sharp

[JDLM]

This time last year when I heard that there was going to be a new, redisigned Sonata for the 2011 MY, I got excited.
So excited that I started cranking out renderings of what I thought the Sonata should look like. Then when I heard that it was going to take the theme of a "four-door-coupe" I got even more excited. Well, I have here what looks to be another rendering of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata.

I found this rendering on YFlove.net, and also found an interior shot of the center stack. These few pictures are really making me smile.

What do you make of the rendering? Do you think that it will have this general design?

http://autospies.com/images/users/blaniac22/main/balgg.jpg

http://autospies.com/images/users/blaniac22/2011-Hyundai-Sonata-Interior/hyundai.jpg

[JDLM]

http://www.hyundai-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/hyundaigrillefront.JPG

Here are the latest spy shots of the 2010 Hyundai Sonata sedan. Prototypes of the next gen Sonata have been caught while undergoing pre-production testing for several times by now, but none of the images has shown the new Hyundai mid-sizer from up-close.
Today, a near-production prototype of the next generation Sonata has been spied again and shots that I am posting here are revealing it in all its glory.

The current generation Hyundai Sonata might be recognized as a boring looking sedan, but thats not the case this time. Unlike many of its competitors, the new Sonata sports a four-door coupe like exterior design. At the first glimpse it looks similar as a Merceds-Benzs CLS or VW Passat CC, both sporting a similar low-slopping roof line.

While its front is still massively disguised, I reckon it will feature a very attractively designed front fascia. A part of the front fascia has already been revealed today, when I showed you a real life image of Sonatas bumper. Now, you can also see the headlights and a three-bar chrome grille up-close.

Until now, Sonata prototypes were wearing black pre-production alloy-wheels, but now the car has been equipped with beautiful alloy-wheels. Most likely, those are production alloy wheels and will be available when Sonata goes on sale. Another interesting part are the rear-view mirrors that look like they were taken from some race-car.

Parked near Sonata YF is a 2010 Hyundai Tucson, codenamed LM. The compact crossover is also expected to make its official debut pretty soon with official sales beginning in December 2009.

http://www.hyundai-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/hyundaifrontbumper.jpg

Back in February, I brought you a rendering of the next generation Hyundai Sonata/i40. That rendering revealed the look of Sonatas front fascia in details. You could have noticed huge front grille with three chrome bars positioned in-between a pair headlamps at the upper part of front fascia, while the lower part featured three elegant air-intakes and no fog lights.

Following that rendering I brought you earlier this year, is the first real-life image of the 2010 Sonatas front bumper. Those who doubted the rendering to be accurate have now a chance to compare three images (after the jump) and see they are all a perfect match.

As the image above and some spy shots from before already revealed, the 2010 Sonata will be radically different to the current model and will feature far more modern styling. In addition, Hyundai revealed the future Sonata will have some advance powertrain options including new 2.2L R-diesel engine and a gasoline turbo engine.t will also be available as a hybrid car, using the same hybrid powertrain as we have seen debuting at L.A. Auto Show last year. The 2010 Sonata is going to be Hyundais first foray on to global hybrid car market therefore I am really looking forward to see whether the vehicle will be capable of competing head to head against its main rivals from Toyota and Honda.

Codenamed YF, the next generation Hyundai Sonata/i40 will make its official debut at the end of this year and is expected to go on sale in early 2010.

[KUweatherman]

Sweet Lexus.

[Attn2detail]

Whats it doing with Volvo S80 climate controls?

http://www.carpages.co.uk/volvo/volvo_images/volvo_s80_interior_09_04_06.jpg

[JDLM]

yeah I don't see S80 (3D vs 2D) design... sorry

[Attn2detail]

You don't see the layout of knobs and the little sitting guy. It was suppose to be more of a funny resemblance than anything.

[JDLM]

You don't see the layout of knobs and the little sitting guy. It was suppose to be more of a funny resemblance than anything.
yeah I see the sitting guy and I was mentioning that the sonata image was more 3D than the S80

Same sort of layout yes, I have never been a volvo fan :lol2: sad excuse for a lux brand if you ask me.

[Attn2detail]

Stop getting so technical on me. I'm just saying the little dude in the controls is the same, lol.

[tommygun]

Stop getting so technical on me. I'm just saying the little dude in the controls is the same, lol.

Dont disrespect Hyundai :bowrofl:

[JDLM]

Stop getting so technical on me. I'm just saying the little dude in the controls is the same, lol.

:lol2:

Sorry I took too many design/art classes if the economy wasn't crap and car companies would hire designers I would be going back for that

[huskerpower02]

:blech:

[Dave B]

Hopefully in this car they can fix the suspension clunkiness of EVERY single freaking Hyundia I rent. Today I had a 6K mile 09 Sonata rental for work today. When driving over rutted surfaces at sub 30mph speeds, the suspension at both ends clunked horribly. Every Santa Fe, Sonata, and Elantra I've had for rentals since 2006ish have clunky suspensions. I don't get how all these cars (must be 20 rentals now), ALL exhibit this issue. Apparently Hyundia suspension engineers can neither feel or hear the racket from this thier cars. Otherwise, the 09 Sonata I4 was pretty decent. It got about 34mpg and had adequate power with the 5AT.

[JDLM]

Hopefully in this car they can fix the suspension clunkiness of EVERY single freaking Hyundia I rent. Today I had a 6K mile 09 Sonata rental for work today. When driving over rutted surfaces at sub 30mph speeds, the suspension at both ends clunked horribly. Every Santa Fe, Sonata, and Elantra I've had for rentals since 2006ish have clunky suspensions. I don't get how all these cars (must be 20 rentals now), ALL exhibit this issue. Apparently Hyundia suspension engineers can neither feel or hear the racket from this thier cars. Otherwise, the 09 Sonata I4 was pretty decent. It got about 34mpg and had adequate power with the 5AT.

fwiw it is Hyundai ;)

[JDLM]

http://yflove.net/data/file/26/2106490584_b94e7538_DSC06196.jpg

Nav option

[Kyle H]

The climate controls are pretty odd w/o the nav option. With the look great.

[KUweatherman]

http://yflove.net/data/file/26/2106490584_b94e7538_DSC06196.jpg

Nav option

What Nav option? I see some nice trees and a man standing in the foot well. :lol2:

[JDLM]

it is in the center stack :lol2:

[KUweatherman]

it is in the center stack :lol2:
No, I saw it. :lol2: Was just noting that the spy picture sucked ass. Can tell more of what's going on OUTSIDE the car than you can inside it. :)

[JDLM]

No, I saw it. :lol2: Was just noting that the spy picture sucked ass. Can tell more of what's going on OUTSIDE the car than you can inside it. :)

yeah, there are not many around KIA and Hyundai are running new mules and people keep confusing the 2 it is funny :lol2:

[JDLM]

Spy Shots: Rakish 2011 Hyundai Sonata draws closer

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Hyundai has really upped its game with new entries like the Genesis Coupe and Sedan, but right now its high volume products like the midsize Sonata are simply "good enough." The Korean automaker has already committed to big plans for Sonata, as it has promised direct injection and turbocharging for improved efficiency. A quick look at some well camo'd photos of a 2011 Sonata mule shows that improvements could come in design as well.

The most eye-catching dimension of the spy photo pictured above is a sleek, Volkswagen CC-like greenhouse. Hyundai even seems smitten with the ten-spoke wheel design of the VW, as the two alloys look like fraternal twins. Beyond the four-door coupe look, the 2011 Sonata mule is very well camouflaged, although you can see what appears to be some interesting surfacing above the front wheel well that could give it a beefier-looking stance.

Up front, the front grille and headlamps are exposed. The grille doesn't appear to be dramatically different than what we we see on today's Sonata, but there is no hiding the dynamic new shape of the mule's headlamps. The high-tech lights sweep around the corners, giving the impression that the 2011 model will sport a more rounded front end than the 2009 model.

We likely have a bit longer to go before the 2011 Sonata begins its strip-tease act, but photos in the gallery below at least look promising. Whether the next-gen Sonata will be good enough to take on the well established midsized monsters from Toyota, Honda, and Nissan will clearly be a question for another day. Hat tip to James J.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/2011-sonata-spy1c.jpg

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/04/2011-sonata-spy1a.jpg

[JDLM]

Spy Shots: 2011 Hyundai Sonata interior


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We've already seen the exterior pics of the next Hyundai Sonata, and though the mule was well disguised, it had attractive proportions. What those images didn't reveal was the new Sonata's cabin, but a new spy shot shows a nearly production-ready interior.

The first thing that caught our eye in the Sonata interior is the dual cockpit design, giving the driver and front passenger their own living quarters. There also appears to be a smattering of high quality materials, which makes sense given the highly competitive nature of the mid-size segment. Though the steering wheel is partially blocking the center stack, it appears that Hyundai is taking a page out of the Volvo playbook by using similar HVAC controls. Volvo uses the silhouette of a seated occupant in button form, making it easy to choose hot or cold air to the floor, dash, or windshield. The new Sonata steering wheel looks positively hideous in the spy photo, but we're guessing that it's unfinished and won't look this unpolished in production form.

The Hyundai Sonata may still be a way from production, but the increased amount of spy photos surfacing tells us that this Hyundai is rapidly approaching its debut. At any rate, the Sonata is looking more impressive with each pic, and the final product looks like a lock to be a vast improvement over an already decent mid-size sedan.

[JDLM]

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[Henry]

Not bad lookin at all for a Sonata.

[JDLM]

http://www.hyundai-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/yfsonata2.jpg

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Its been a while since we saw the first two renderings of the next generation YF Sonata surfacing to the web. Those renderings created quite a buzz among Hyundai fans and automotive media as well as both indicated a much sportier exterior look than we have been used to see on latest Hyundai mid-sized sedans.

Thhose two computer generated images have been based partly on Genesis sedan but also featured some body lines from Sonata prototypes that have been previously spied in wild.

Now, here we have an all-new Sonata rendering thats seems to be fully based on Sonata prototypes. It also features a similar head-lamp design as we have seen at Sonatas teaser shot a while ago and its side profile looks the same as on Sonata prototypes. It even features a strong side character line that was also seen on previous Sonata spy shots.

Just as expected the overall exterior design looks pretty clean and very sporty. In my humble opinion, this rendering could be the first one thats pretty close to the final Sonata design. What do you think about it?

In addition to the rendering image above, I am adding two more Sonata YF spy shots taken up-close, sent to me by a Hyundai fan from Korea. Thanks for the pics Lee!

[JDLM]

http://www.hyundai-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/hyundaisonatayf.jpg

This is the very first image of the 2010 Hyundai Sonata completely undisguised. Unfortunatelly the Sonata image is so small that you will hardly see all the front fascia details, but still, its good to see it finally uncovered. Besides, once we see the first such image, it means that soon we are gonna see more shots leaking to the web.

As we previously reported, the 2010 Hyundai Sonata is going to feature a lot sportier exterior design, while interior will be improved and built from better interior plastics and materials. Codenamed YF, the new Hyundai Sonata is expected to be available in two variants, as a sporty four-door coupe -sedan and a wagon. Sonata wagon is rumored to go on sale only in Europe where midsized sedans prove to be very popular.

[JDLM]

When the wraps will fall off the 2010 Hyundai Sonata, many of you will be surprised by its attractive exterior styling. Long ago I told you that the main reason for buying the next generation Sonata will be a desire to drive it and not only its exceptional value.

While Hyundai has done pretty well with the current generation Sonata in the US market, it was far from success in Europe, where competition in the mid-size car segment is known to be much stronger. With the aim to increase its presence in the European mid-size sedan market, Hyundai had to radically improve its Sonata, especially its exterior and interior design.

The first impression is very good and it seems like the makeover has been a complete success. Even with camo, the next generation Sonata sedan looks light years ahead of the current model. It features a four-door coupe like styling with a low slopping roof and a distinctive side character line similar to that of a tuner-friendly, rear-wheel-drive Genesis Coupe.



http://www.hyundai-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/sonata3.jpg

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[Honad]

It's a sharp looking car because most of the bits look like other cars that I like. Ultimately, it is a Sonata, it would be hard for me to care any less.

[JDLM]

http://www.hyundai-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/2010hyundaisonatayf.jpg

The highly anticipated 2010 Hyundai i40, known also as Sonata sedan, has made another appearance today. While parked at an unknown location somewhere in South Korea, a pre-production prototype has been caught by an amateur car enthusiast who managed to snap some new, exciting images of the new Sonata/i40 sedan.

Thanks to the heavy camouflage applied to the cars body, the up-close taken spy shots do not reveal us much of its exterior, but at least these shots confirm that the next Sonata will sport a revolutionary and much more exciting exterior design than the current model.

We are less than six months away from official Sonata / i40 unveiling. According to Hyundais future product timeline, the next generation Sonata is scheduled to go on sale in South Korean market in September 2009, while official US sales have been confirmed to commence in February 2009.


http://www.hyundai-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/hyundaisonatamirror.jpg

Even though no official information regarding the engines were so far released, it is fair to assume that the engine line-up will consist of highly advanced gasoline and diesel engines. The gasoline power will come from a 2.4L Theta II engine and a 3.3 Lambda V6. Both gasoline engines have been tweaked to improve their fuel consumption numbers while at the same time provide even more power to the wheels.

Just recently, Hyundai introduced a pair of all-new, EURO5 compliant, R-diesel engines with dramatically enhanced power and torque ratings - when compared to the current Hyundai offerings and Sonata is expected to benefit from both of these two engines. The 2.2L diesel engine provides 145 kW of power and 436 Nm of maximum torque while the 2.0L unit delivers 135 kW and 392 Nm. Figures that make the R-diesel engine family class leaders in comparison to similar offerings from BMW, Toyota, Honda and Volkswagen.

Diesel engine availability will of course depend on market. Europe and South Korea will get them both, while diesels wont be available in the North American market.


http://www.hyundai-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/hyundaisonatataillights.jpg

Latest reports also suggest that Hyundai will broaden its Sonata line-up with a sporty wagon variant, joining the range in late 2010 about six months after Sonata sedan hits the market.

When talking on Sonatas future powertrain options, I almost forgot to mention, the popular Hyundai mid-size sedan will also get a highly advanced hybrid drive system. Hyundai first introduced its in-house developed Blue Drive hybrid system at the 2008 L.A. Auto Show and confirmed it to arrive in the market in late 2010 or early 2011.

In addition to that, Hyundai also confirmed it will bring a plug-in hybrid car to the market in 2012 as a 2013 model product, but refused to reveal whether their plug-in hybrid car will be based on the 2010 Hyundai Sonata / i40 sedan or it will be stand alone model similar to Chevy Volt, Toyota Prius or Honda Insight.



http://www.hyundai-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/hyundaisonatayf.jpg

[carlos64030]

Nice lookin' car.

[JDLM]

The interior of the all-new Sonata has been kept under wraps until a few months ago, when we brought to you the very first interior spy shot, that revealed the 2010 Sonata will feature a very modern interior lay-out. After giving you one of the best interior shots so far, we’ve now gotten our hands on another sweet spy shot of the Sonata interior.

The interior lay-out of new Sonata seems to follow general trends that Hyundai has exhibited in some of its latest concept cars, and shares many similarities with the all-new Hyundai Genesis Coupe.

What we can see from our latest spy image is the two-tone center console that features a large LCD display a top of it and a plethora of audio and climate buttons positioned below. The interior might look a bit plain, but this is due to the fact that this is a pre-production model with low-quality materials applied. When the new Sonata goes on sale, it will feature a higher grade interior materials comparable to those found on latest Volkswagen Passat CC and Audi A4.

Scheduled to hit Hyundai dealerships in South Korea in September, the 2010 Hyundai Sonata is intended to do the battle with competitors such as Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and VW Passat.

http://www.hyundai-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/hyundaisonatayfinterior.jpg

[JDLM]

Sneak peak preview: new Hyundai Sonata
The fellows over at YFlove.net have published an image that gives us a sneak peak preview at the new Sonata. The 2010 Hyundai Sonata is expected to be officially unveiled in Korea in about three months with official sales expected to commence by the end of September.

The all-new Sonata will be completely redesigned and will radically deviate from the current Sonata design. The model will be available as a sporty sedan and for the first time, as a wagon. The Sonata wagon will first go on sale in Europe, where mid-sized wagons have been gaining on popularity and taking away market share from their four-door sibling models.

The 2010 Sonata will incorporate Hyundais latest powertrain technologies, including a R-series diesel engines ranging from 2.0L to 2.2L. Both diesel engines feature the latest, third generation direct injection technology and offer class leading performance and fuel consumption ratings.

For the first time, Hyundai will equip Sonata with the brand-new 6-speed automatic transmission, which Hyundai has co-developed with its sister firm Kia Motors. The new auto tranny is expected to be applied to other Hyundai vehicles such as upcoming Hyundai Tucson and next generation Hyundai Azera.



http://www.hyundai-blog.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/yfsonata.gif

The all-new Hyundai Sonata will also feature Hyundais hybrid powertrain consisting of Hyundai Theta II gasoline engine and electric motor. The hybrid system, which has been first previewed at last years L.A. Auto Show, will find its way into production in late 2011. Hyundai Sonata hybrid will be the second mass produced hybrid car from Hyundai after Hyundai Elantra LPi, which is going on sale in South Korea next month.

Hyundai Motor Company plans to release the new Sonata sedan in North American and European showrooms in February of 2010. In Europe, Sonata will adopt Hyundais latest naming scheme and will be named the i40, while its wagon variant will carry the i40 CW

[JDLM]

Nearly undisguised next-gen Hyundai Sonata snapped in Dubai!

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/dubai-spy-hyundai-sonata-580.jpg

One of our loyal readers was vacationing in Dubai when he happened upon this nearly undisguised and totally unattended 2011 Hyundai Sonata mule. Sammy_R-Gti of assayarat.com explains that he was driving around on vacation and stopped to observe mid-day prayer at a mosque. When he emerged from said house of prayer, he spied the car parked outside of a neighboring spa resort (perhaps some engineers were taking a much-deserved break?), and our man was able to rattle off the photos seen here. Because Sammy_R-Gti (correctly) figured that whoever was with the car probably wouldn't want him photographing their quarry, our man didn't have time to take it all in, but he did gain perhaps the best look yet at Hyundai's pivotal new sedan.

As expected, the roofline and short rear deck indicates that the Korean automaker is going for a much more rakish look, adopting the 'four-door coupe' aesthetic that is so in vogue these days. Unlike earlier spy shots, Sammy has managed to score an almost completely undisguised look at the car's Lexus ES350-like headlamps and its simple three-bar front grille, as well as new details about the sheetmetal's contouring. Judging by the fact that this prototype was fitted with relatively high-profile tires and modestly sized steel wheels with covers, we're guessing that it is a base model.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/07/djsammy_dsc00301y.jpg

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[JDLM]

Spy Shots: Are you the 2011 Hyundai Sonata?

What you're gawking at appear to be the first undisguised images of Hyundai's forthcoming Sonata sedan caught by the folks at Hyundai Blog during what appears to be a photo shoot (check out the interior cutaway above), likely in its home market of Korea (check out the badging on the decklid).

If only in looks and not in price, the 2011 Sonata appears to be making a concerted move for the premium end of the midsize swimming pool, what with its more rakish roofline and expressive design. We've heard for some time that the Sonata was to gain a four-door coupe profile and more assertive fascias front and rear, and these dark, grainy photos cinch those details for us, although the car's aesthetics don't appear to be so radical as to be off-putting or even terribly divisive. Without looking too hard, we can see little bits of various competitors in the model's design, but overall the Sonata still manages to look quite fresh.

We'll have to wait until we see the car in the metal for ourselves to pass judgment (or at least get a gander at a few higher-quality photographs - especially a dead-on profile), but thus far, we continued to be encouraged why what we see. Check out the not-so-high-res images in the small gallery below.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/08/brightened-2011-sonata-pix-630.jpg

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[Ricerking13]

Looking good... I sure do love mine... but I won't be upgrading Sonatas... the Genesis is next in my sights :mrgreen:

[Hyper Blue]

:shock:

Whoa.

[JDLM]

HUGE improvement for Hyundai

:headbang:

Ricerking: You need the Genesis sedan :mrgreen:

[Hyper Blue]

This thread reminds me...I still have yet to test-drive a Genesis coupe.

Tomorrow!

:dd2:

[JDLM]

Drip, Drip, Drip - More 2010 Hyundai Sonata images find their way onto the interwebs

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/hyundai_sonata_010.jpg

Hyundai isn't happy about it, but the 2010 Hyundai Sonata has been caught in the Internet's voracious maw eight days before its official launch in South Korea. Hyundai then released designer's sketches of the new car... but the pics of the actual car are better because they're the realness.

Apparently caught during an ad or photo shoot, it's immediately clear that this Sonata is – as with every recent Hyundai – a break from the current competent but safe-as-houses Sonata. That long nose and greenhouse, the hood ridges, the bevels, swoops, and that serious gash down the side of the car are not the Hyundai of old. From what we can tell, it looks quite expressive and it doesn't appear to be a bad looking car, but we'll wait for next week's launch to get definitive.

You can have a look at the pics in the gallery below, but we will leave the dissection of its design to you in the comments section. Hat tip to everybody and their mothers!

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/01_hyundai_sonata_011.jpg

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PRESS RELEASE:

Hyundai Motor Begins to Take Pre-launch Orders for YF (Sonata)

(Sept. 1, 2009) Hyundai Motor Company is ready to start taking orders tomorrow for its all-new Sonata, codenamed YF, ahead of the car's official launch Sept 10th in the Korea domestic market. In replacing the NF Sonata which was launched in Sept. 2004, Hyundai decided to retain the Sonata name as the mid-size car has been Korea's perennial best-seller.

The new Sonata is fitted with a 6-speed automatic transmission and delivers gratifying performance through its 2-liter Theta II gasoline engine. Delivering 12.8 kilometers per liter, it achieves the highest fuel economy in its segment. In addition, safety has been upgraded with Vehicle Dynamic Control now supplied as a standard feature.

*VDC : Improves the safety of a vehicle's stability by detecting and minimizing skids.

The overall comfort has been enhanced through a variety of new technologies and premium specifications such as a panoramic sunroof, gear shift paddles attached to the steering wheel, and a push-button starting system.

The rendering preview features coupe like body style and exudes a dynamic image. The front side communicates an image of strength through a wide radiator grill and sharp-edged headlamp.

The flowing coupe-like lines of the new Sonata eloquently express Hyundai's "fluidic sculpture" design language, a new design direction that will play a pivotal role in enhancing the brand. Hyundai is confident that the new Sonata, equipped with the company's latest technologies, will continue the long string of successes earned by Sonata over the years.

Since the launch of the very first generation Sonata in October 1985 in Korea, 4.45 million units of Sonata have been sold worldwide. In 2004, Sonata earned the highest ranking in J.D. Power's Initial Quality Survey in the Entry Midsize Car category.

[Hyper Blue]

:shock:

Wow. We need to get Hyundai's design team together with Honda's engineers.
Oh, the possibilities!

[Scorpion34]

Drip, Drip, Drip - More 2010 Hyundai Sonata images find their way onto the interwebs

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/09/hyundai_sonata_010.jpg


Reminds me of the CLK from this shot.

[JDLM]

Reminds me of the CLK from this shot.

It states in the article "4 door coupe like" same as the CLK and CC

[JDLM]

Revealing: next-gen Hyundai Sonata pics

With only a few days left until Hyundai officially introduces the 2011 Sonata sedan in Korea, its images continue to surface to the web. After we have seen leaked photos of new Sonata sedan two days ago, we are bringing you another set of shots, that provide us with a bit more detailed sneak-peak preview of Sonata’s elegant interior lay-out.

In addition, here are a few close-up images of the 2011 Sonata that provide us a great look over the Hyundai’s latest “fluidic” design with sweeping and gently curved lines that have a distinctly European fee

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[KUweatherman]

The door handles in that last picture need to be body colored. The chrome look doesn't look right. Steering wheel looks cheap too. Other than that, I like it. :cheers:

[JDLM]

The door handles in that last picture need to be body colored. The chrome look doesn't look right. Steering wheel looks cheap too. Other than that, I like it. :cheers:

I like this a lot, the chrome is usually a Korean only thing (at least with past models) the US will most likely get a body colored handle, and other chrome parts won't be here unless it is like a limited package or what not.

[comtrang]

And I thought the current generation looked sharp.. this thing looks great! I don't exactly love the face but overall it looks good.

[JDLM]

And I thought the current generation looked sharp.. this thing looks great! I don't exactly love the face but overall it looks good.

Agreed I see a lot of the Lexus ES in it, not always a bad thing but it does look 100% better

[Ricerking13]

WOW... the 2011 closes most of the complaints I had with my Sonata versus the Altima 3.5 I first looked at... if you can get the 2011 for the same price difference as is currently there between Altima and Accord, this car should sell like freaking crazy. :yesnod:

[JDLM]

Officially Official: Hyundai reveals 2010 Sonata in Korea

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Hyundai has just unveiled its all new Sonata mid-sized sedan in its home market of South Korea, and after months of spy shots, it's new look is a surprise to no one. Nonetheless, the new Sonata is a major departure from the current strong selling but incredibly bland model. The new one follows the current design trend towards more coupe-like styling with a sweeping shape, arched roof line and short decklid very reminiscent of the Volkswagen CC.

The home market version gets a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 165 horsepower that's rated at 30.1 mpg (US), an 11 percent improvement from the outgoing model. The North American version will go into production early next year at Hyundai's Alabama factory and be badged as a 2011 model. Here in North America the standard engine will be an upgraded version of the current 2.4-liter four-cylinder with direct injection. The U.S.-market Sonata is expected to debut at either the LA Auto Show later this year or Detroit Auto Show in early January. About a year after launch, the new Sonata will be the first U.S. market Hyundai to get the hybrid system that was shown at last year's LA show. Thanks to everyone who tipped us on this!

[JDLM]

PRESS RELEASE

Hyundai Unveils the New Sonata

* Hyundai's sixth-generation Sonata encompasses new `fluidic sculpture' design philosophy
* Features 2.0 Theta II MPi engine, 6-speed automatic transmission

(Note: All specifications and details in this release are based on the Korean domestic model)

(Seoul, Korea) Hyundai Motor Company's all-new Sonata, being introduced today, is expected to shake up the world's mid-size sedan market with its daring design.

The 2010 Sonata adopts Hyundai's new "fluidic sculpture" design language, boasts outstanding performance with the segment-leading safety features and fuel efficiency. Incorporating state-of-the-art technologies, the new Sonata will further elevate the Hyundai brand.

"The Sonata will set a new standard for world class mid-size sedans with state-of-the-art technology, superior build quality and emotional design," Euisun Chung, Hyundai's Vice Chairman said at the launching ceremony for the car today in Seoul. "The new Sonata will raise Hyundai's brand values."

The ceremony, held at a trendy riverside cafe, was attended by more than 200 VIPs, company executives and media members.

Sonata has been the perennial best-seller in Korea since the first generation model was launched in 1985. The sixth-generation Sonata will continue this successful tradition with impeccable quality seen today in other Hyundai premium models, such as the Genesis and EQUUS.

Hyundai began developing the new Sonata in 2005 under the codename YF (Note: The car may be launched under a different name in some regions). The project took 4 years and 450 billion won (US$ 372 million*) to go from concept to customer.

Although it is a completely new vehicle, Hyundai is retaining the Sonata name as the mid-size car has been Korea's most popular sedan. Applying a new design aesthetic of "fluidic sculpture," the 2010 Sonata pursues a younger and sensuous image in its interior and exterior profiles. Inspired by nature, the "fluidic sculpture" tries to reflect sophistication and dynamism in the shape of the vehicle and will serve as the core of Hyundai's future design identity.

The outer design of the new Sonata exudes a voluminous look that creates character through the refined and harmonized lines. The interior has a dynamic look that matches the exterior while not compromising comfort or convenience. The Sonata is available in nine exterior colors, from Remington Red to Blue Black to Espresso, satisfying the diverse tastes of younger customers.

The new Sonata delivers powerful performance through its 2-liter Theta II MPi gasoline engine (Max output 165ps, Max torque of 20.2㎏·m). Delivering the highest fuel economy in its segment at 12.8 kilometers per liter, fuel economy is more than 11% improved compared with today's Sonata. Furthermore, all engines are offered with a new six-speed automatic transmission for heightened performance.

To meet the most stringent automotive safety and crash requirements, the Sonata is built with hot-stamped ultra high-strength steel while featuring six standard airbags.

In addition, safety has been upgraded with standard Vehicle Dynamic Control including Hill-start Assist Control and Brake Assist System functions-an industry first in this competitive segment.

The new Sonata comes with a three-piece panoramic sunroof, giving a sense of openness and freedom as well as a stylish look. The Parking Guide System (PGS) allows drivers to avoid obstacles during parallel parking or when driving in reverse. The Dimension premium sound system offers high-quality sound in three types of modes to satisfy customers' wide-ranging musical tastes.

The Mozen system, a telematics service that debuted in 2003 in Korea, has evolved to become more sophisticated, offering more diverse and upgraded multi-media and IT functions. The newly applied Mozen Premium Wide Navigation system provides drivers with a faster communication service through the third-generation WCDMA wireless network. For two years, it also offers free safety services such as an SOS and anti-theft tracking service. The audio-visual functions have been upgraded with the 8-inch wide screen and JBL Premium Sound system.

In the new Sonata, Hyundai offers a wireless vehicle monitoring service-another industry first-- through the Mozen Autocare service, linking the vehicle's electronic control systems to a monitoring center. The center checks various components for errors, informs the driver of the analysis, and provides directions to nearby service centers, saving time for drivers.

Hyundai plans to sell 60,000 units of the new Sonata in Korea this year. Overseas, Hyundai will start production of the new Sonata at its Alabama plant early next year, while production and sales in China will start in early 2011. Hence, Hyundai expects to sell 450,000 units annually in all markets (Korea & overseas combined) beginning from the year 2011.

In addition, Hyundai plans to present the gasoline version in January next year with a 2.4 liter Theta II GDI engine, which will be offered as a standard engine in the U.S. market.

The new Sonata's price will range from 21.3 million Won to 25.95 million Won (US$17,600 to US$21,450).

Hyundai is confident that the new Sonata, with vastly improved features, will attract and satisfy new as well as current customers. The added specifications are as follows: VDC, Electronic Parking Brake, Amplitude Selective Dampers, High Mounted Stop Lamp, Rear Heated Seats.

* Based on today's currency exchange rates.

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[JDLM]

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[Scooby24]

damn that interior looks sexy

[JDLM]

Hyundai Sonata 2.4L GDI

The 2011 Sonata sedan to be available with Hyundai’s all-new 2.4L Theta II GDI engine.

Earlier this year, we have told you that Hyundai plans to introduce a wide variety of highly advanced engines in the forthcoming Sonata sedan. Dependng on market, the all-new Sonata will be available with modern hi-tech diesel and gasoline engines.

When Sonata made its official debut two weeks ago, Hyundai released official press release that included a very limited info regarding its engine options. The company did announce a 2.0L Theta II gasoline powerplant, which will be standard engine option in the home Korean market, and also provided some detailed numbers for its power and fuel-consumption ratings.

However, the company did not reveal any spec on other engine options, including the 2.4L four-cylinder Theta II engine. Reportedly, a technologically highly advanced 2.4L Theta II unit will be standard engine on all US-spec Sonata models and is rumoured to feature around 200 horsepower.

The 2.4L Theta II GDI engine will be equipped with latest gasoline direct injection technology -GDI, which cuts exhaust emissions and improves efficiency. By injecting the fuel directly inside the cylinder in small, precise amounts, the technology also helps improving the response and performance of the engine.

Hyundai’s state-of-the-art four-cylinder engine also includes Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) that further improves its efficiency. While there are no information about the fuel efficieny of the powerplant, you can expect the engine to achieve up to 10 percent higher fuel efficiency compared to the existing 2.4L Hyundai unit.

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According to latest rumours, this high-tech four-cylinder gasoline engine will be fitted in various new Hyundai and Kia models in the near future. As mentioned before, the very first Hyundai car to be equipped with the all-new 2.4L GDI powerplant will be the 2011 Sonata sedan. Such particular model has already been caught by one of the Hyundai fans in Korea (see the image)

[redlobster]

i want to hear more about this diesel option, the interior is sharp in the hyundai

[JDLM]

i want to hear more about this diesel option, the interior is sharp in the hyundai

doubt the US will see that engine option to be honest

[JDLM]

Hyundai planning a coupe based on the 2011 Sonata

According to the latest reports, it appears that Hyundai is planning a 2-door coupe version of the brand new 2011 Sonata, which was recently unveiled last month. Although some reports pointed the Veloster Concept as the upcoming coupe from the Korean manufacturer, it seems that the concept will be built in the shape of a 3-door Accent. The Sonata Coupe will be a larger coupe and will borrow the same front end from the sedan while the rear hints at a CTS-Coupe. Under the hood it is possible to find the 2.4-liter GDI engine capable to deliver around 200 hp.

[JDLM]

Rumored Sonata-based coupe is a fiction, says Hyundai

Talk (and at least one Photoshopped image) of a possible two-door based on Hyundai's Sonata had Autoblog HQ abuzz – for a while, anyway. We never actually believed it was real, but that didn't stop us from dreaming about another choice in the coupe market - a car that would slot neatly between Nissan's Altima couple and Honda's Accord. We checked with one of our favorite Hyundai insiders, who replied back that any talk of a Sonata coupe is sending us down the wrong path.

All is not lost in the spice patch of Hyundai's garden, however. There's the Genesis Coupe, but if your tastes are for a front-driver, you'll have a short wait until the Veloster hits stores. While the rear-wheel drive Genesis Coupe is able to mix it up like a pony car, the Veloster has been described as "a little car you can take out and wring its neck and still get good mileage" according to Hyundai of America CEO John Krafcik. If we had to pick between a two-door Sonata or a neo-Honda CRX dubbed Veloster, we'd make the same choice that Hyundai has, especially since the coming four-door sedan is rakish enough.

[JDLM]

Hyundai launches first direct-inject four-cylinder engine, replaces V6 in new Sonata

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When the swoopy new 2011 Sonata goes into production at Hyundai's plant in Alabama early next year, it won't offer a V6 engine anymore, but it will get the company's first ever direct-injected engine. This week in South Korea, Hyundai took the wraps off its 2.4-liter Theta II GDI four-cylinder. Like similar engines from other automakers, Hyundai's engineers have taken advantage of the charge cooling effect of direct injection by boosting the compression ratio to 11.3:1. As a result the engine produces 198 hp and 184 pound-feet of torque at 4,250 rpm in Korean spec.

The direct injection system is setup to use a two-pulse strategy similar to modern common rail diesels. The initial smaller pulse is ignited by the spark plug and then followed by a second larger pulse as the piston begins its downward stroke. GM uses a similar strategy for its 2.4-liter DI Ecotec because it helps warm the engine faster, heating the catalytic converter and reducing emissions. The GDI Theta II produces from 7-12 percent more torque across its rev range than the port-injected version of the same engine. Efficiency should also improve by about 10 percent although the final certification figures aren't complete yet. The Theta II also gets continuously variable valve timing on both camshafts to round out its high tech upgrades. In addition to the regular Sonata sedan, this engine will likely also be used for the new Sonata hybrid when it debuts late in 2010.


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press release

HYUNDAI DEVELOPS ITS FIRST GASONLINE DIRECT INJECTION ENGINE


- GDI lowers emissions while improving fuel economy & torque


- 2.4 Theta II GDI generates 201ps@6300rpm and 25.5kg.m@4250rpm


- First application in 2010 1H on new Sonata


- GDI to be first in mid-size sedan segment, beating competitors to market


- Unveiling coincides with 9thHyundai-Kia Int'l Powertrain Conference




(Namyang, Korea) To help meet its goals of environmental leadership, Hyundai Motor Company today unveiled the 2.4 Theta II GDI, its first Gasoline Direct Injection engine before an audience of engineers attending the Ninth Annual Hyundai-Kia International Powertrain Conference.



Representing the biggest advancement in fuel injection, an '80s technology that replaced the carburetor, GDI puts Hyundai at the cutting edge of engine design and management by achieving three seemly incompatible goals: GDI lowers emissions while raising power output and improving fuel economy. Prior to GDI, a gain in one area came at the expense of the other two.



With a compression ratio of 11.3:1, the 2.4 Theta II GDI delivers 201ps@6300rpm and 25.5kg.m@4250rpm in its Korean domestic market specification.



"The Theta II GDI convincingly demonstrates Hyundai's advanced powertrain engineering capabilities," said Dr. Lee Hyun-Soon, Vice Chairman and Chief Technology Officer.



Developed with a budget of 170 billion won over a 46 month-long research period, the new 2.4 Theta II GDI engine will make its debut in the first half of 2010 starting with the recently launched Sonata, beating the mid-size sedan competition to market with this exciting new technology. GDI application will subsequently be expanded across the gasoline engine family and applied to other Hyundai models.



One serious limitation of conventional fuel injection is that as engine revolutions increase, the valve opening and closing times get progressively shorter, thus reducing the time available to inject fuel. GDI avoids this problem altogether by positioning the fuel injector in the most optimal location, directly inside the combustion chamber to offer unparalleled precision. With this shorter and more direct path, far greater control is attained over the combustion process: A high pressure fuel pump injects the fuel at pressures of up to 150 bar, in precise amounts and intervals.



The injection is split into two phases to achieve optimum combustion: in the first phase, the pilot injection and ignition trigger the pistons downward power stroke. Then, in the main injection phase, during the pistons descent, more fuel is injected and is ignited. This split-injection technique reduces loading on the catalytic converter and helps lower emissions. This is particularly beneficial during cold starts when emissions are highest because the catalyst has not reached its optimal operating temperature. Split-injection enables the catalytic converter to reach the optimal operating temperature faster thus reducing emissions by 25 percent during cold starts and meet's California Air Resources Board's ULEV-2 and PZEV standards



GDI's other benefits include improved dynamic performance and better gas mileage. Compared to a conventional engine of the same displacement, GDI delivers 7 percent more torque at low revolutions and 12 percent more torque at the high-end for better take-off and overtaking performance. And perhaps best of all, a vehicle equipped with a GDI engine will get about 10 percent better mileage than a vehicle equipped with a conventional multi-point fuel injected engine. Precise mileage figures will be announced when retail sales begin.



GDI has been applied to the second generation of Theta: Theta II features numerous design enhancements over its predecessor starting with the application of a three-stage variable induction system (VIS) which improves engine "breathing," automatically adjusting the volume of the air sucked into the combustion chamber to create the "optimal" air-to-fuel mix under different engine load conditions.



Further performance gains were made possible by incorporating Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (DCVVT) which improves engine breathing on the intake and exhaust sides for better fuel economy and lower emissions. Depending on engine load and speed, DCVVT can extend or shorten the duration of the valve opening and closing for more power and lower emissions. And the DCVVT system is governed by a new steel chain with an innovative roller and tooth designed for silent operation and durability.



While DCVVT and VIS improve power output, engineers have also come up with several important weight saving innovations. Special attention was focused on the bulkhead, the area of the aluminium cylinder block accumulating the highest stresses: Reinforcement yielded a stiffer block without incurring a weight penalty. A redesign of the crankshaft (semi-eight-balance type) led to an equally important weight reduction. The catalytic converter is also lighter thanks to a new canning process which allows for the use of thinner gauge stainless steel and requiring far less welding.



Another major engineering challenge was to reduce internal friction to attain better fuel economy. Friction reduction measures include a revision of the piston pin from a fixed-type to a full-floating design which cuts down on friction between the piston and cylinder wall. And under the piston crown, engineers have added a cooling jet which sprays oil over the piston walls reducing friction and contributing to an improvement in fuel economy.



The Conference's plenary session open today under the banner "Creative Sustainable Powertrain Evolution for Green Growth." Wednesday will see a large number of technical presentations delivered in various sessions covering the future of gasoline engines, new developments in exhaust emission after-treatment, fuel efficiency improvement and transmissions. Some 600 specialists from Europe, Japan, the United States and Korea are attending this years event.

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[Hyper Blue]

Damn, that interior is sexy.
:wstupid: :yesnod:

[JDLM]

New Hyundai 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder makes 200 hp in 2011 Sonata

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When Hyundai's all new Sonata goes on sale early in 2010, it will arrive in U.S. showrooms with only one available engine, a thoroughly revamped version of the 2.4-liter Theta-II four cylinder. The new engine is Hyundai's first production powerplant with gasoline direct injection, but John Juriga, director of powertrains at the Hyundai-Kia Technical Center (HATCI), promised it wouldn't be the last. Juriga told a media briefing at HATCI recently that Hyundai was planning to roll out GDI across its lineup in the coming years.

For now though we have to be content with the new Sonata engine, which is now more powerful than the engine it replaces with 200 hp and 186 pound-feet of torque. The basic internal dimensions are carried over from the 2010 port-injected edition, with bore and stroke of 88 mm x 97 mm for a total displacement of 2,359 cc. The new fuel delivery system has allowed the engineering team to bump the compression ratio from 10.5:1 up to 11.3:1. Like other direct injected engines, the charge cooling effect of injecting the fuel in into the high temperature compressed aid allows the elevated compression without the risk of knock. Read on to learn more about the first GDI Hyundai engine.

[Source: Hyundai]

Just as on the latest common rail direct injected diesels, the system on the Theta is capable of executing multiple fuel delivery pulses per ignition cycle. While all modern diesels uses multiple fuel pulses, this is a relatively new phenomena for gas engines. Hyundai is not the first to do it, with Ford's EcoBoost V6 and General Motors' 2.4-liter direct-injected EcoTec using dual injection pulses during cold start periods. The split pulse strategy helps increase the exhaust temperature to heat up the catalytic converter faster.

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On modern engines, most of the emissions produced (aside from carbon dioxide that is produced whenever the engine is running) occur immediately following a cold start. Since the catalyst is ineffective until it heats up, getting it warmed up fast is key to eliminating the remaining emissions. The changes to the GDI Theta help it reduce emissions by 30 percent to earn a ULEV-2 and PZEV rating from the California Air Resources Board.

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Besides direct injection, Hyundai has added several other enhancements to the four cylinder. A variable intake system speeds up the flow of air into the cylinders at low speed while reducing the restriction at higher speeds. Variable phasing is also implemented on both of the camshafts, although the lift remains fixed. In combination with the increased compression ratio made possible by the DI, all of this helps to the boost the torque, which in turn improves driveability. According to Juriga, the low end torque is increased by 7 percent while the improvement is as much as 12 percent at the upper reaches of the rev band.

Maximum output of the GDI engine in the dual exhaust SE model is now 200 hp (198 hp in the single exhaust GLS and Limited models) at 6,300 rpm compared to 175 hp at 6,000 rpm in the 2010 model. Peak torque, meanwhile, goes from 168 pound-feet to 186 pound-feet at 4,250 rpm. With Hyundai's emphasis on quality in recent years, the GDI four and all of the other engines being used in U.S. market cars are put through extensive testing including 300-hour durability cycles on the dynamometer. That's equivalent to 120,000 miles of driving at wide-open throttle. One of the Theta's that had already gone through this testing and had been torn down was on display adjacent to the cutaway engine.

Final EPA fuel economy numbers aren't yet available but Hyundai is estimating a ten percent improvement. The company's officials made it clear that we could expect to see DI availability expanding in coming model years along with the addition of turbocharging and downsizing, a recent trend with engines whenever direct injection enters the picture. The Theta-II GDI has been in production at Hyundai's Alabama engine plant for several weeks now and production of the new Sonatas will start shortly.

[TRsixxx]

Hopefully in this car they can fix the suspension clunkiness of EVERY single freaking Hyundia I rent. Today I had a 6K mile 09 Sonata rental for work today. When driving over rutted surfaces at sub 30mph speeds, the suspension at both ends clunked horribly. Every Santa Fe, Sonata, and Elantra I've had for rentals since 2006ish have clunky suspensions. I don't get how all these cars (must be 20 rentals now), ALL exhibit this issue. Apparently Hyundia suspension engineers can neither feel or hear the racket from this thier cars. Otherwise, the 09 Sonata I4 was pretty decent. It got about 34mpg and had adequate power with the 5AT.

shut up.

[JDLM]

2011 Hyundai Sonata debuts with style, four-cylinder only and less weight

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Cheap and inexpensive are not necessarily synonymous. Inexpensive is generally considered a positive thing. Cheap? Not so much. Hyundai automobiles have always been relatively inexpensive compared to their direct competitors. In recent years, the Korean company has worked extremely hard to rid itself of any talk of cheapness by improving quality, introducing an unprecedented 10-year/100,000 mile warranty and engaging in some remarkably clever marketing campaigns.

It wasn't always so. Way back in 1983, Hyundai first entered the North American market when the Pony hatchback went on sale in Canada. Two years later, the replacement for the Pony, dubbed "Excel" went on sale in the United States. To say that the launch did not go well would be the understatement of the decade. While those early Hyundai models were indeed cheap, the company nearly met the same fate in this market as Yugo.

Unlike the abysmal Yugo, Hyundai persevered. The company kept redesigning its cars, making each subsequent generation better than the last and extending its warranties to generate confidence in its products. More than two decades later, Hyundai is introducing its latest challenger, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, into what is arguably the most fiercely contested segment in the U.S. market - that of the family sedan. Check out our high-res galleries below, and then click through to the jump to read more of our impressions and check out Hyundai's press release and specifications.




The previous generation Sonata went a long way towards cementing Hyundai's reputation for making affordable and reliable cars. The Sonata was roomy, well equipped, reasonably fuel efficient and absolutely, positively forgettable to look at. Come on, we dare you – describe a current-model Sonata. It has all the features of the top sellers in the class (the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord) and, if possible, it is even more appliance-like. Oh, it received a mid-cycle refresh just 18 months ago that gave it a new grille, but that didn't go nearly far enough.

Enter the new sixth-generation Sonata, which goes into production in mid-December before going on sale early in 2010 as a 2011 model. Visually, at least, even if this is an appliance, it's a premium, highly styled one. The pedestrian three-box sedan profile of the last model has given way to a shape that looks more inspired by the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Volkswagen CC than any Camry. Hyundai designers have adopted the increasingly popular coupe-like sedan profile with a low, sweeping roof-line that blends neatly into a short rear deck.

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We've seen some photos of the new Sonata from Korea since its introduction there recently, but when you see it in person, it is truly striking. The design language was described by product planning director Scott Margason as "Fluidic Sculpture." It's not an entirely unique direction or concept as we head into 2010, but it does seem very well executed on this sedan. Starting at the grille, the Sonata gets a stylized three-bar look (what is it about three bars these days, Ford, Honda... and now Hyundai?) that departs from implementations done by other brands. A pair of longitudinal creases in the bars flow back into the hood giving an effect of two waves moving toward the center of the car – a visual trick similar to that employed on the hood of the new BMW Z4.

Sculpting of the body surfaces on the front fascia and along the car's flanks help catch the light and give the design the appearance of motion. A rising crease that starts behind the front wheel and ends at the taillights gives a wedge-like look to the body with a bit less of the fall-away rear you get on the CLS. One interesting detail is the chrome strip that begins at the trailing edge of the headlights and continues along the lower edge of the hood cut-line before following the belt-line to the C-pillar. This will evidently be standard on certain trim levels of the 2011 Sonata.

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Speaking of which, the 2011 Sonata will come in three trim levels: GLS, Limited and SE, with the latter being targeted as the sport-minded model. Only the Limited and SE get the chrome grille. The GLS will receive the same design, albeit painted body color. Speaking of paint, Hyundai has been doing some notable work on colors for this important new model.

At a preview prior to the car's LA Auto Show debut, we saw the sport-minded Sonata SE model, which gets a dual exhaust system and paddle shifters. The car was painted in what Hyundai calls Iridescent Silver Blue. In the dim light of the facility where we saw the car, it was still apparent that this was one of those paints that changes color dependent on the viewing angle. The display model was a pilot build unit from the Alabama factory where Hyundai is building North American market Sonatas. At the time this car was built, the engineers were still doing some tuning on the paint shop, and the bumper cover didn't quite match the fender from some angles. Depending on how you looked at it, the bumper appeared darker than the adjacent body work. Shift 18 inches to the left and they matched perfectly. Hyundai promises to have this worked out before cars hit dealerships in a couple of months.

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While most of the Sonata's competitors have been growing steadily from one generation to the next, Hyundai has decided that the current model is large enough. Overall dimensions of the new YF Sonata are virtually the same as that of the model it is replacing. The biggest difference is in overall length (where it is less than an inch longer) and the wheelbase, which has grown by 2.6 inches to 110 inches. In spite of that sloping greenhouse, the YF only loses 0.4 inches of rear headroom as compared to the current model. This was achieved through a combination of scooping out the rear headliner and lowering the seat cushion slightly. We sat in the back and although the seating position is marginally lower than before, it didn't strike us as uncomfortably so. We'll have to judge it in more detail at a later date.

Aside from the wheelbase, the most significant dimensional difference with the new car is its mass. The YF Sonata is actually about 130 pounds lighter than its predecessor (Huzzah!!). This was achieved through increased use of aluminum in the suspension and ultra-high strength steel in the body. The new materials also contribute to body rigidity increases of 19% in bending and 25% in torsional resistance.

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t launch, the new Sonata will only be available with one engine, a 2.4-liter direct injected four-cylinder. With over 90 percent of current Sonata sales coming with I4 engines and a firm commitment by Hyundai to meet future CAFE standards early, the company has opted to take a pass on a V6. In single exhaust form (read: GLS and Limited), the four banger yields 198 horsepower and 184 pound-feet. The dual exhaust system on the SE adds two units to each of those numbers.

All transmissions in the new Sonata will receive six forward gears and the base GLS will be available with a manual transmission. As previously mentioned, the more sporting SE model will be equipped with steering wheel-mounted paddles for those so inclined. The pilot build SE that we saw at the Hyundai KIA America Technical Center in Ann Arbor had a gated shifter for the automatic, but we have been told that production models will get a straight PRNDL shifter with a leather boot. Final EPA numbers aren't in yet, but Hyundai is estimating that the Sonata will be rated at 23 mpg city and 35 mpg highway compared to the 22/32 mpg of the 2010 model. That would also beat all of the Sonata's major non-hybrid competitors by 2-to-4 mpg on the highway.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/12/2011hyundaisonata013_opt.jpg

At this point, Hyundai doesn't acknowledge any plans to put a V6 in the new Sonata. Nonetheless, there appears to be plenty of room in the engine compartment to accommodate one. There will however be one additional powertrain option later in 2010. The Sonata will be the first U.S. market Hyundai to get the company's new hybrid system.

One thing is clear: Hyundai's 2011 Sonata adds a huge dose of style to its segment. Any questions of performance, dynamics and execution will have to wait until we get a chance to drive it in a couple of months, but we like what we see.

[JDLM]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/03/2011hyundaisonatahybrid---02opt.jpg

It wasn't that many years ago that no one really took the engineering capabilities of Hyundai all that seriously. Thanks to recent introductions like the Genesis coupe and sedan, the Tucson and the Sonata, as well as consistently improving quality, the Korean automaker is rapidly gaining respect. Today at the 2010 New York Auto Show, Hyundai debuted its first production hybrid model for the U.S. market based on the recently launched 2011 Sonata.

As we saw in the teaser photo released last Friday, Hyundai has set its hybrid apart from conventional models with an all-new front fascia. However, the changes go well beyond the new grille and headlights. The new wheels combine with extended rocker panels to improve airflow across the flanks. At the back end, the bumper cover has been reshaped with sharp creases at the corners to control the air coming off and minimize drag, and there are set of really interesting taillamps with a sort of neutron molecule-like quality to them. The body alterations drops the hybrid's projected drag coefficient from the standard Sonata's already slippery 0.28 to just 0.25. As you might suspect, the really important stuff, however, is under the skin.

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[Username:*]

No mention of the turbo one? 270+hp and it gets over 30mpg on the highway. Yummy. :yesnod:

[Username:*]

Nevermind. It's in the other thread.

[JDLM]

Nevermind. It's in the other thread.

yep they both are, I forgot about this post :lol:

[JDLM]

2012 Hyundai Sonata Coupe: An Early Look

http://blogs.insideline.com/straightline/sonata_r34_hyundai_ns_9998_042610.jpg

Hyundai is on a serious roll with the Sonata. It started out with the redesigned 2011 Sonata and its very capable standard power plant -- a 198-horsepower, direct-injected 2.4-liter engine -- and it escalated at last month's New York auto show with the unveiling of the 274-hp Sonata 2.0T and the lithium-polymer battery-equipped Sonata Hybrid.

So what's Hyundai's next move? Well, sources close to the company have suggested it will be the Sonata Coupe. When you look at the fast roofline of the sedan, it's as if the coupe body style is meant to be -- and we have no doubt Hyundai picked the final design for the Sonata with this in mind.

It's a logical move, we think, given that Honda has managed to make money in the front-drive midsize coupe segment for many years now with its Accord coupe, while Nissan moved in with its Altima coupe in the 2008 model year. Styling carries some weight among the two-doors in this price range, and a two-door Sonata would likely be the most fashionable of the three.

Since Hyundai already has the rear-drive Genesis Coupe to lure enthusiast-minded buyers, the Sonata Coupe probably won't be overtly sporty. Don't be surprised, though, to see Hyundai offer slightly more aggressive suspension tuning and tires on a high-line SE model with the 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. Lower-line coupes will come with the normally aspirated 2.4-liter engine.

Don't look for the Hyundai Sonata Coupe before the late 2011 to early 2012 time frame.

[JDLM]

Preview: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Convertible

With Hyundai’s entry into unexpected market segments in the past year with its Genesis Coupe and Equus, Hyundai is expected to expand its Sonata line.

It’s expected that the shapely sedan would give rise to a coupe and to a convertible as well. Sources say that Hyundai is currently developing the Sonata convertible. This move would be well-timed especially since production for the Toyota Solara has stopped while Chrysler-Fiat is rumored to be thinking about ending the Sebring’s run for good. These renderings show that the droptop Sonata has a simple, cost-effective cloth top with a built-in, body-color tonneau cover. Buyers can opt for a simple windblocker but to make this vehicle more affordable, it’s unlikely that Hyundai will design its own AirScarf system. Two engines are available: the 198hp, normally-aspirated, direct-injected 2.4-liter four-cylinder and the 274hp, turbocharged, D.I. 2.0-liter four. Since the take rate for manual transmissions is historically small on midsize convertibles, Hyundai is expected to offer the six-speed automatic transmission as standard. For the remainder of 2010, Hyundai will be concentrating on launching the Sonata 2.0T and Sonata Hybrid so it’s unlikely that the Sonata convertible will be produced in the near future. However, the Sonata coupe is expected to have its launching in the spring of 2012.

http://4wheelsnews.com/images/2010/may/hyundai/sonata-convertible/2011_hyundai_sonata_convertible_4.jpg

[JDLM]

Spy Shots: Hyundai Sonata wagon captured for the first time

by Sam Abuelsamid (http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/sam-abuelsamid/) (RSS feed (http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/sam-abuelsamid/rss.xml)) on May 31st 2010 at 11:30AM http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/swipe-spy-shots.gif (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/SpyShots/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/hy-i40-wagon-4-copy.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-hyundai-i40-kombi-sonata-wagon/) 2011/2012 Hyundai Sonata wagon – Click above for high-res image gallery

We recently published some renderings of what a station wagon (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/07/rendered-speculation-ask-and-ye-shall-receive-hyundai-sonata-s/) variant of the new Hyundai Sonata (http://www.autoblog.com/model/sonata) might look like, and we now have our first actual photos of the real thing undergoing testing. While it (predictably) doesn't feature the two-door shooting brake layout we might have hoped for, it actually does look quite close to the four-door image. Hyundai designers appear to have opted for more of a sporty slant-back look like the Audi (http://www.autoblog.com/make/audi/) Avant wagons than the more utilitarian box we typically get from Volvo (http://www.autoblog.com/make/volvo/).

When the Sonata launches in Europe, it is expected to adopt the current iXX naming convention used there to become the i40 Kombi. Europeans will apparently get the wagon first, followed by the sedan. At present, it remains unclear if the wagon will ever arrive in the States. From what we can see through the camo, the i40 will get a different grille from the North American model, as well as a different treatment around the base of the A-pillar. At least on this prototype, the Euro-version has chrome trim that wraps around the mirror, while the chrome on the American variant extends straight down to the trailing edge of the headlamp cluster.

[JDLM]

2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo: 274 HP, $25K




June 21st, 2010 The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is selling strongly out of the gate--but two new versions on the way later this year will give mid-size sedan (http://www.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1046370_2011-hyundai-sonata-turbo-274-hp-25k#) shoppers a couple more reasons to reconsider the V-6-powered competition. Green-car fans can look forward to the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, which shows up at year's end with a set of lithium-polymer batteries, a conventional six-speed automatic transmission and a potential 40-mpg highway fuel economy rating, according to John Krafcik, CEO for the American unit of the Korean automaker. Enthusiasts will skip ahead to the Sonata 2.0T turbo, which Krafcik says will complete the "perfect trifecta." Under the hood: a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 274 horsepower. He estimates the Turbo version will only lose 1 mpg of fuel economy from the standard four-cylinder car, for a possible 34-mpg EPA highway rating. "We think no car has ever put those tow numbers together," he adds. The Sonata turbo won't be much more expensive than standard Sonatas, he notes. The new Sonata carries a base price of about $20,000, which rises to about $26,000 in the Limited edition. The Sonata 2.0T Turbo will range from about $26,000 to just under $30,000 in Limited form, he says. Hyundai starts production of the new turbo version in September, with sales starting at the end of that month. Krafcik also confirms Hyundai's American sales arm is looking closely at a proposed wagon version of the Sonata. The new model's in development for other world markets, particularly for Europe, and Krafcik admits he'd like to see it come to the U.S.--particularly as new fuel-economy regulations for 35-mpg cars are phased in over the next few years. (http://www.thecarconnection.com/image/100306833_2011-hyundai-sonata)http://images.thecarconnection.com/sml/hyundai_100306833_s.jpg (http://www.thecarconnection.com/image/100306833_2011-hyundai-sonata)2011 Hyundai Sonata
Enlarge Photo
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata (http://www.thecarconnection.com/review/1042800_2011-hyundai-sonata) is selling strongly out of the gate--but two new versions on the way later this year will give mid-size sedan (http://www.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1046370_2011-hyundai-sonata-turbo-274-hp-25k#) shoppers a couple more reasons to reconsider the V-6-powered competition.
Green-car fans can look forward to the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (http://www.greencarreports.com/blog/1046368_2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-could-hit-40-mpg), which shows up at year's end with a set of lithium-polymer batteries, a conventional six-speed automatic transmission and a potential 40-mpg highway fuel economy (http://www.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1046370_2011-hyundai-sonata-turbo-274-hp-25k#) rating, according to John Krafcik, CEO for the American unit of the Korean automaker.
Enthusiasts will skip ahead to the Sonata 2.0T turbo, which Krafcik says will complete the "perfect trifecta." Under the hood: a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 274 horsepower. He estimates the Turbo version will only lose 1 mpg (http://www.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1046370_2011-hyundai-sonata-turbo-274-hp-25k#) of fuel economy from the standard four-cylinder car, for a possible 34-mpg EPA highway rating.
"We think no car (http://www.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1046370_2011-hyundai-sonata-turbo-274-hp-25k#) has ever put those tow numbers together," he adds.
The Sonata turbo won't be much more expensive than standard Sonatas, he notes. The new Sonata carries a base price of about $20,000, which rises to about $26,000 in the Limited edition. The Sonata 2.0T Turbo will range from about $26,000 to just under $30,000 in Limited form, he says.
Hyundai starts production of the new turbo version in September, with sales starting at the end of that month.
Krafcik also confirms Hyundai's American sales arm is looking closely at a proposed wagon version of the Sonata. The new model's in development for other world markets, particularly for Europe, and Krafcik admits he'd like to see it come to the U.S.--particularly as new fuel-economy regulations for 35-mpg cars are phased in over the next few years.

[JDLM]

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Could Hit 40 MPG




June 21st, 2010 The 2011 Hyundai Sonata has been a huge sales hit for the Korean car company, outpacing the Chevrolet Malibu and Nissan Altima in recent months. The news could get better for Hyundai later this year, as the new sedan gets a greener version that could hit a class-best fuel economy target. Hyundai's American CEO John Krafcik said this morning that the Sonata Hybrid could earn a 40-mpg highway fuel economy rating by the time the sedan gets its final EPA certification. "We're working on final calibration...and the fuel economy estimates could come in a little better than before," Krafcik said. "We said the Sonata Hybrid will have the highest fuel economy of any mid-size hybrid. We predicted 39 mpg (http://www.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1046368_2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-could-hit-40-mpg#), we may hit 40 mpg." The competitive Ford Fusion Hybrid, by comparison, has earned a 41/36 mpg rating from the EPA. The Toyota Camry hybrid checks in at 33/34 mpg, the Nissan Altima hybrid at 35/33 mpg. Krafcik credits Hyundai's "breakthrough battery technology," which uses lithium-polymer batteries while cars like the Fusion Hybrid use less effective nickel-metal hydride batteries. He also points out the Sonata Hybrid will use a conventional automatic transmission without a torque converter instead of a CVT, will help keep the price difference from a standard Sonata minimal. That price won't be announced until later in the year, but Krafcik says the Hybrid will span a range close to that of the Sonata 2.0T turbo. The range? From about $25,000 base to just under $30,000--substantially lower than any of its sedan competitors. The difference is so slight, Krafcik adds, some buyers might choose the Sonata Hybrid simply because of its distinctive front-end styling and its revised interior. The Sonata Hybrid goes on sale later this year. (http://www.thecarconnection.com/image/100309419_2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid)http://images.thecarconnection.com/sml/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid_100309419_s.jpg (http://www.thecarconnection.com/image/100309419_2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid)2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Enlarge Photo
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata (http://www.thecarconnection.com/review/1042800_2011-hyundai-sonata) has been a huge sales hit for the Korean car (http://www.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1046368_2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-could-hit-40-mpg#) company, outpacing the Chevrolet Malibu and Nissan Altima in recent months. The news could get better for Hyundai later this year, as the new sedan gets a greener version that could hit a class-best fuel economy target.
Hyundai's American CEO John Krafcik said this morning that the Sonata Hybrid could earn a 40-mpg highway fuel economy (http://www.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1046368_2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-could-hit-40-mpg#) rating by the time the sedan gets its final EPA certification.
"We're working on final calibration...and the fuel economy estimates could come in a little better than before," Krafcik said. "We said the Sonata Hybrid will have the highest fuel economy of any mid-size hybrid. We predicted 39 mpg, we may hit 40 mpg."
The competitive Ford Fusion Hybrid (http://www.thecarconnection.com/review/1045982_2010-ford-fusion-hybrid), by comparison, has earned a 41/36 mpg rating from the EPA. The Toyota Camry hybrid checks in at 33/34 mpg, the Nissan Altima hybrid at 35/33 mpg.
Krafcik credits Hyundai's "breakthrough battery technology," which uses lithium-polymer batteries while cars like the Fusion Hybrid use less effective nickel-metal hydride batteries. He also points out the Sonata Hybrid will use a conventional automatic transmission without a torque converter instead of a CVT, will help keep the price difference from a standard Sonata minimal.
That price won't be announced until later in the year, but Krafcik says the Hybrid will span a range close to that of the Sonata 2.0T turbo. The range? From about $25,000 base to just under $30,000--substantially lower than any of its sedan (http://www.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1046368_2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-could-hit-40-mpg#) competitors.
The difference is so slight, Krafcik adds, some buyers might choose the Sonata Hybrid simply because of its distinctive front-end styling (http://www.thecarconnection.com/marty-blog/1046368_2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-could-hit-40-mpg#) and its revised interior.
The Sonata Hybrid goes on sale later this year.

[JDLM]

2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo: 6.5 Seconds To 60 MPH, 34 MPG Highway



June 22nd, 2010 We've known since the 2010 New York Auto Show that the turbocharged 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T would score an estimated 22/34 mpg city/highway from its 274-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. And now we know it'll get to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds. The information, revealed by Hyundai to Motor Authority in Korea today, puts the Sonata a full second behind the much pricier, 300-horsepower turbocharged inline six-cylinder BMW 335i sedan, but right on par with the manual-transmission BMW 328i sedan and 0.4 seconds ahead of the automatic 328i. Not bad considering the Sonata Turbo is only available with an automatic transmission--and is likely to start at least $5,000 cheaper than the 328i. While the Hyundai Sonata isn't on par with the BMW's interior refinement, it's not as far off as you'd think if you haven't been in the car, especially when outfitted with the full luxury treatment. For more on the standard Sonata, including our take on its handling and quality, check out our first drive review here. [Hyundai] (http://www.motorauthority.com/pictures/1046426_2011-hyundai-sonata-turbo-6-5-seconds-to-60-mph-34-mpg-highway_gallery-1#100309422)http://images.thecarconnection.com/med/2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t_100309422_m.jpg (http://www.motorauthority.com/pictures/1046426_2011-hyundai-sonata-turbo-6-5-seconds-to-60-mph-34-mpg-highway_gallery-1#100309422)
2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0TGallery (http://www.motorauthority.com/pictures/1046426_2011-hyundai-sonata-turbo-6-5-seconds-to-60-mph-34-mpg-highway_gallery-1)


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We've known since the 2010 New York Auto Show that the turbocharged 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1043904_2010-new-york-auto-show-2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t) would score an estimated 22/34 mpg (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1046426_2011-hyundai-sonata-turbo-6-5-seconds-to-60-mph-34-mpg-highway#) city/highway from its 274-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. And now we know it'll get to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds. The information, revealed by Hyundai to Motor Authority in Korea today, puts the Sonata a full second behind the much pricier, 300-horsepower turbocharged inline six-cylinder BMW 335i sedan (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1046426_2011-hyundai-sonata-turbo-6-5-seconds-to-60-mph-34-mpg-highway#), but right on par with the manual-transmission BMW 328i sedan and 0.4 seconds ahead of the automatic 328i. Not bad considering the Sonata Turbo is only available with an automatic transmission--and is likely to start at least $5,000 cheaper than the 328i.
While the Hyundai Sonata isn't on par with the BMW's interior refinement, it's not as far off as you'd think if you haven't been in the car, especially when outfitted with the full luxury treatment. For more on the standard Sonatahttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/2_bing.gif (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1046426_2011-hyundai-sonata-turbo-6-5-seconds-to-60-mph-34-mpg-highway#), including our take on its handling and quality, check out our first drive review here (http://www.motorauthority.com/review/1042792_first-drive-double-take-2011-hyundai-sonata).

[JDLM]

Spy Shots: 2012 Hyundai Sonata Wagon



June 22nd, 2010 The stylish new 2011 Hyundai Sonata is just starting to hit roads all across the country but soon we’ll be seeing several other variants of the new four-door. We’re already seen the new 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid that’s set to go on sale towards the end of the year and beyond that we’ll see an all new Sonata Wagon as well. Due early next year as a 2012 model, the new Sonata Wagon has been spotted once again in prototype form testing in Germany. Featuring a rakish profile and sloping rear hatch, the Sonata Wagon will be more lifestyle-oriented rather than practical but it should still be able to haul most of your family's gear. Like the sedan variant, the new Sonata Wagon will be available with a pair of gasoline direct injection (GDI) four-cylinder engines, as well as an eventual gasoline-electric hybrid model. The same car will go on sale in Europe labeled as the i40 and could possibly its world debut at this October's 2010 Paris Auto Show. The story doesn’t end there as Hyundai is also reportedly working on a convertible version of the new Sonata; something to go up against the likes of the Toyota Solara and convertible versions of the Pontiac G6 and even the Chrysler Sebring. (http://www.motorauthority.com/pictures/1045652_spy-shots-2012-hyundai-sonata-wagon_gallery-1#100314727)http://images.thecarconnection.com/med/2012-hyundai-sonata-wagon-spy-shots_100314727_m.jpg (http://www.motorauthority.com/pictures/1045652_spy-shots-2012-hyundai-sonata-wagon_gallery-1#100314727)
2012 Hyundai Sonata Wagon spy shotsGallery (http://www.motorauthority.com/pictures/1045652_spy-shots-2012-hyundai-sonata-wagon_gallery-1)


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The stylish new 2011 Hyundai Sonata (http://www.motorauthority.com/review/1042792_first-drive-double-take-2011-hyundai-sonata) is just starting to hit roads all across the country but soon we’ll be seeing several other variants of the new four-door (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1045652_spy-shots-2012-hyundai-sonata-wagon#). We’re already seen the new 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1042657_2010-new-york-auto-show-preview-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid) that’s set to go on sale towards the end of the year and beyond that we’ll see an all new Sonata Wagon as well.
Due early next year as a 2012 model, the new Sonata Wagon (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1045652_spy-shots-2012-hyundai-sonata-wagon#) has been spotted once again in prototype form testing in Germany. Featuring a rakish profile and sloping rear hatch, the Sonata Wagon will be more lifestyle-oriented rather than practical but it should still be able to haul most of your family's gear.
Like the sedan variant, the new Sonatahttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/2_bing.gif (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1045652_spy-shots-2012-hyundai-sonata-wagon#) Wagon will be available with a pair of gasoline direct injection (GDI) four-cylinder engines, as well as an eventual gasoline-electric hybrid model.
The same car (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1045652_spy-shots-2012-hyundai-sonata-wagon#) will go on sale in Europe labeled as the i40 and could possibly its world debut at this October's 2010 Paris Auto Show.
The story doesn’t end there as Hyundai is also reportedly working on a convertible version of the new Sonata (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1044896_report-upmarket-hyundai-sonata-convertible-in-the-works); something to go up against the likes of the Toyota Solara and convertible versions of the Pontiac G6 and even the Chrysler Sebring.

[JDLM]

First Drive: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid looks to split the uprights

by Chris Paukert (http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/chris-paukert/) (RSS feed (http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/chris-paukert/rss.xml)) on Jul 19th 2010 at 12:00PM http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/swipe-featured.gif (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/featured/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/leadsonatahybrid2011fd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/first-drive-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid/)
2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid hails from a nation where Buddhism is one of the dominant religions. After all, this slippery sedan's design is the gas-electric's equivalent of The Middle Path – a road that the company hopes is truly the way to automotive enlightenment.

Say what?

In the still-young history of the modern hybrid automobile, there have been two prevailing schools of thought on design: As the less costly path, The Low Road to hybridization is already a crowded one – it's a design route that basically calls for the electrification hardware to be buried beneath a familiar bodyshell that's shared with a conventional internal combustion-only model (see: Lexus LS 600h, Ford Fusion Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/review-2010-ford-fusion-hybrid-what-a-difference-60-degrees-m/), Chevrolet Silverado (http://www.autoblog.com/model/silverado), etc.). The driving philosophy here is to keep production costs in check while also appealing to audiences that might be otherwise reluctant to embrace "new" technology.

Despite being on the checklist of every politician, environmentalist and Hollywood glitterati, hybrids don't sell in America
By contrast, The High Road calls for swoopier model-specific bodywork – if not an entire dedicated platform – enabling a "greener than thou" halo for its owners and parent company. Unfortunately, this high-visibility strategy also costs a boatload of cash, and the only such model that has managed to make a solid business case for itself is the Toyota Prius (http://www.autoblog.com/model/prius), a vehicle that's become the de-facto postercar for the green movement.

But here's the conundrum that Hyundai (http://www.autoblog.com/make/hyundai/) has keenly recognized: Despite being on the checklist of every politician, environmentalist and Hollywood glitterati, hybrids don't sell in America – they account for less than two percent of new vehicles purchased in the U.S. every year, and their high technology bandwidth means that they require a disproportionate amount of money to develop. Basically, Hyundai knows that the Sonata Hybrid is a necessity for improving its technological capabilities, as well as for burnishing its industry-leading CAFE scores, but it also seems to understand that it is almost certain to lose money on each one it builds. Which is why they've taken The Middle Path.

In this case, the Sonata Hybrid tries to integrate the best of the other two hybrid strategies – create a distinctive new model with a unique look that says "I care more about the earth than you do" without incurring the cost of a whole new platform and all-new sheetmetal. Have they been successful? We flew all the way to South Korea to find out...

[JDLM]

While it shares its platform, doors, glass and roofline with the conventional gas-powered models, the Sonata Hybrid has a surprisingly assertive look all its own. Just check out its gaping hexagonal air inlet with a floating bumperette and license plate holder – it looks nothing like the controversial wavy slat assembly on the gas Sonata. The same goes for the piercing new headlamps with integrated light tube ribboning, as well as the wing-shaped chrome garnish on the hood's leading edge. The Sonata Hybrid's visuals are actually bold enough that one could be forgiven for thinking that Hyundai might have reserved it for the forced-induction 2.0T model (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/12/first-drive-2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t-brings-turbo-to-main-stree/). We wouldn't call it a pretty face, but it's clearly got aggression to spare.

Move along the Sonata Hybrid's profile, and you first notice the KitchenAid-spec 16-inch alloys and the subtle rocker panel extensions employed for better aerodynamics. Out back, the rear bumper cap has also been resculpted to more cleanly detach air (notice the harder-edged lines around the corners), and a blacked-out lower fascia helps to visually lighten the design. The Sonata Hybrid's coolest design element? Its clear rear lights, because the brake lamps appear to incorporate an atom symbol graphic when lit. All of those changes help drop the coefficient of drag from a slick 0.28 cD to a positively eel-like 0.25.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lead2sonatahybrid2011fd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/first-drive-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid/#3183534)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lead3sonatahybrid2011fd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/first-drive-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid/#3183530)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lead4sonatahybrid2011fd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/first-drive-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid/#3183531)

The Sonata Hybrid's Middle Path approach continues beneath the skin. While Hyundai is the first to make use of lithium polymer batteries in a mass-production hybrid, it also incorporates some more common hardware, including a conventional six-speed automatic it shares with other Sonata models. By eschewing the complexity of a continuously variable transmission, Hyundai has cut costs while delivering a driving experience that's closer to that of a normal internal combustion vehicle. In this application, the house-developed gearbox is attached directly to the electric motor – there is no torque converter. A small clutch pack with an electric oil pump can uncouple the 169-horsepower 2.4-liter Theta II engine entirely, allowing the 30 kW motor to deliver its 151 pound-feet of torque, whirring car and driver noiselessly to speeds up to 62 miles per hour.

Although Hyundai hasn't downsized the Sonata's gasoline engine for hybrid duty, it has converted it to run on a more efficient cycle. While abandoning Nicolaus Otto (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikolaus_Otto) for James Atkinson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Atkinson_%28inventor%29) generally results in improved fuel economy, it also comes at the expense of low-end torque (in this case, 156 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm). Conveniently, twisting down low is exactly the electric motor's strong suit, so it picks up the slack to help the Hybrid deliver a more traditional driving experience.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lead8sonatahybrid2011fd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/first-drive-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid/#3183549)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lead9sonatahybrid2011fd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/first-drive-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid/#3183551)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lead10sonatahybrid2011fd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/first-drive-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid/#3183552)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lead11sonatahybrid2011fd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/first-drive-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid/#3183555)

[JDLM]

Additional good news arrives in the form of the Sonata Hybrid's LiPo battery pack. It may have cost more than a nickel metal hydride solution, but Hyundai claims that the magazine-like prismatic cells offer greater robustness and lighter weight than other batteries. Compared to the yestertech NiMH pack in the Toyota Camry Hybrid, Hyundai claims that its 1.4 kilowatt-hour pack is 20-30 percent lighter, 40 percent smaller, and a tenth more efficient. You might expect for this to pay dividends in the area of cargo capacity (the batteries are located in the trunk), but in truth, the Hyundai's 10.7 cubic-foot trunk is still dramatically smaller than that of a gas-only Sonata (16.4 cubes) and it's about the same size as its competitors. Even if the flat-pack configuration doesn't help free up more luggage space, Hyundai says the cells have improved thermal efficiency to help prolong life – the company's durability targets for the pack stands at 10+ years and 150,000 miles.

Thanks in part to the LiPo batteries and the Sonata's already light construction, the Sonata Hybrid checks in at 3,457 pounds, meaning that not only does it weigh a good bit less than the Ford Fusion Hybrid (along with the rest of its rivals), it actually undercuts the Blue Oval's sedan in V6-flavor.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lead6sonatahybrid2011fd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/first-drive-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid/#3183554)

Unfortunately, we didn't really get a feel for how this lightness impacts handling because we were limited to very brief, largely straight-line runs in prototypes at Hyundai's Namyang Proving Ground outside of Seoul. What we can tell you is that at first blush, the Sonata Hybrid accelerates and shifts gears like a normal family sedan. By this we don't mean "normal for a hybrid"– it just gathers speed in an utterly familiar, drama-free fashion. Yes, if you're reserved with the throttle, you'll generally be able to accelerate to around-town speeds without awakening the 2.4-liter until the battery's depleted, but when driven as you would normally, you'll realize that Hyundai's decision to go with a conventional stepped gearbox over a CVT was a smart choice as the drivetrain acts and sounds like any other four-cylinder powertrain – no wonky stretched rubber band sensation or soundtrack that many CVT units deliver. We did notice a couple of incidents where the transmission 'clunked' a bit from gear to gear under part throttle, but Hyundai engineers acknowledge that they still have some bugs to work out before the car enters production.

Hyundai quotes a total combined power estimate of 209 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 194 pound-feet of torque. Both figures are actually slightly better than the gas-powered Sonata's 198 hp and 184 lb-ft, although obviously the Hybrid is heavier. The gas-only car already has class-leading fuel economy figures of 22 miles per gallon in the city and 35 on the highway, while Hyundai estimates the hybrid will drum up 37 mpg in the urban cycle and 39 mpg out on the highway. As we've already observed over 40 mpg on the highway in a non-hybrid Sonata, we're guessing that the factory estimates may be under-reported a bit. Even still, as with most hybrids, you're really only likely to garner huge fuel savings – about 40 percent – if most of your driving is conducted in the city, not out on the open road. Either way, Hyundai has yet to officially reveal any other performance metrics, but we did note a Powerpoint slide suggesting 0-62 mph in 9.2 seconds, which seems a tad conservative.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/07/lead7sonatahybrid2011fd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/first-drive-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid#3183533)

The Sonata Hybrid's cabin is nearly identical to other models in the range, with its most noticeable departure being the 4.2-inch LCD sandwiched in the middle of the gauge cluster. It displays the usual types of data for a gas-electric vehicle – mpg, EV-mode, energy flow diagrams and so on. As is the way these days, there's also a video game-like mode to tell the driver how eco-conscious he or she is being, with points accumulated over time and a visual efficiency telltale that ranges from gray to bright blue. Beyond the gizmology, interior differences are expected to include a hybrid-specific color option as well as different seat patterns. All of which is fine by us, as the Sonata already has one of nicest interiors in the family sedan segment (though we admit we're getting a bit tired of the blue gauge backlighting).

We'll have to wait to arrive at a verdict on the Sonata Hybrid until pricing is revealed and we get substantially more time behind the wheel of a production model, but thus far, it looks pretty compelling. Treading The Middle Path for its development has not only saved Hyundai cost in certain areas (e.g. shared body panels and transmission), it's enabled the company to splash out and go for broke in the ones that are important (LiPo batteries, distinct front-and-rear ends). Will it lead to a state of euphoric enlightenment for hybrid shoppers? Hyundai sure hopes so.

[JDLM]

Spy Shots: 2012 Hyundai Sonata Wagon



August 26th, 2010 The stylish new 2011 Hyundai Sonata is just starting to hit roads all across the country but soon we’ll be seeing several other variants of the new four-door. We’re already seen the new 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid that’s set to go on sale towards the end of the year and beyond that we’ll see an all new Sonata Wagon as well. Due early next year as a 2012 model, the Sonata Wagon has been spotted once again in prototype form testing in Germany. Featuring a rakish profile and sloping rear hatch, the Sonata Wagon will be more lifestyle-oriented rather than practical but it should still be able to haul most of your family's gear. Like the sedan variant, the new Sonata Wagon will be available with a pair of gasoline direct injection (GDI) four-cylinder engines, as well as an eventual gasoline-electric hybrid model. The same car will go on sale in Europe labeled as the i40 and could possibly make its world debut at this September's 2010 Paris Auto Show. The story doesn’t end there as Hyundai is also reportedly working on a convertible version of the new Sonata; something to go up against the likes of the Toyota Solara and convertible versions of the Pontiac G6 and even the Chrysler Sebring. http://images.thecarconnection.com/med/2012-hyundai-sonata-wagon-spy-shots_100320111_m.jpg (http://www.motorauthority.com/pictures/1045652_spy-shots-2012-hyundai-sonata-wagon_gallery-1#100320111)
2012 Hyundai Sonata Wagon spy shots Gallery (http://www.motorauthority.com/pictures/1045652_spy-shots-2012-hyundai-sonata-wagon_gallery-1)


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The stylish new 2011 Hyundai Sonata (http://www.motorauthority.com/review/1042792_first-drive-double-take-2011-hyundai-sonata) is just starting to hit roads all across the country but soon we’ll be seeing several other variants of the new four-door. We’re already seen the new 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1042657_2010-new-york-auto-show-preview-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid) that’s set to go on sale towards the end of the year and beyond that we’ll see an all new Sonata Wagon as well.
Due early next year as a 2012 model, the Sonata Wagon has been spotted once again in prototype form testing in Germany. Featuring a rakish profile and sloping rear hatch, the Sonata Wagon will be more lifestyle-oriented rather than practical but it should still be able to haul most of your family's gear.
Like the sedan (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1045652_spy-shots-2012-hyundai-sonata-wagon#)variant, the new Sonata Wagon will be available with a pair of gasoline direct injection (GDI) four-cylinder engines, as well as an eventual gasoline-electric hybrid model.
The same car (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1045652_spy-shots-2012-hyundai-sonata-wagon#) will go on sale in Europe labeled as the i40 and could possibly make its world debut at this September's 2010 Paris Auto Show.
The story doesn’t end there as Hyundai is also reportedly working on a convertible version of the new Sonata (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1044896_report-upmarket-hyundai-sonata-convertible-in-the-works); something to go up against the likes of the Toyota Solara and convertible versions of the Pontiac G6 and even the Chrysler Sebring.

[JDLM]

Hyundai Previews 'Supercar-Inspired' Sonata Turbo SEMA Showcar



September 30th, 2010 Hyundai has looked to RIDES and 0-60 magazines, and in turn found some inspiration from Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche, to put together a special custom version of its upcoming 2011 Sonata Turbo. The exterior mods on the car are described as "modest and tasteful," with influences from the Brabus Mercedes-Benz CLS Rocket, and an effort to broaden the Sonata's vehicle lines. The rendering shows flashy concave momobloc alloy wheels, a prominent rear lip spoiler, more aggressive rear fascia, lower-body cladding, and pearlescent paint. According to the release there's "a slew of carbon fiber components," for the roof, grille, interior trim, side mirrors, and side air diffuser. LED fog lamps have also been worked into the bumper. There's also a quad-tip exhaust and intake enhancements. On the inside, they've found inspiration from the Ferrari F430, with stitched leather and cabon fiber accents, but the rendering doesn't give any of the other details away. The 274-horsepower, 2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo, which will arrive late this year, is capable of getting to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds. Yet its EPA fuel economy ratings, of 22 mpg city, 34 highway, trump those of any comparable V-6 sedans. [Hyundai Motor America] http://images.thecarconnection.com/sml/rides-hyundai-sonata-2-0t_100324642_s.jpg (http://www.motorauthority.com/image/100324642_rides-hyundai-sonata-2-0t)RIDES Hyundai Sonata 2.0T
Enlarge Photo
Hyundai has looked to RIDES and 0-60 magazines, and in turn found some inspiration from Ferrari (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1049954_hyundai-previews-supercar-inspired-sonata-turbo-sema-showcar#), Mercedes-Benz, and Porsche, to put together a special custom version of its upcoming 2011 Sonata Turbo. The exterior mods on the car are described as "modest and tasteful," with influences from the Brabus Mercedes-Benz CLS Rocket, and an effort to broaden the Sonata's vehicle lines. The rendering shows flashy concave momobloc alloy wheels (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1049954_hyundai-previews-supercar-inspired-sonata-turbo-sema-showcar#), a prominent rear lip spoiler, more aggressive rear fascia, lower-body cladding, and pearlescent paint. According to the release there's "a slew of carbon fiber components," for the roof, grille, interior trim (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1049954_hyundai-previews-supercar-inspired-sonata-turbo-sema-showcar#), side mirrors, and side air diffuser. LED fog lamps have also been worked into the bumper. There's also a quad-tip exhaust and intake enhancements.
On the inside, they've found inspiration from the Ferrari F430, with stitched leather and cabon fiber accents, but the rendering doesn't give any of the other details away.
The 274-horsepower, 2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo (http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1046426_2011-hyundai-sonata-turbo-6-5-seconds-to-60-mph-34-mpg-highway), which will arrive late this year, is capable of getting to 60 mph in just 6.5 seconds. Yet its EPA fuel economy ratings, of 22 mpg city, 34 highway, trump those of any comparable V-6 sedans.
[Hyundai Motor America]

[JDLM]

2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo priced at $24,145

by Damon Lavrinc (http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/damon-lavrinc/) (RSS feed (http://www.autoblog.com/bloggers/damon-lavrinc/rss.xml)) on Oct 4th 2010 at 3:27PM http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/swipe-breaking.gif (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/breaking/)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/sonatakorea0801opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/12/first-drive-2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t-brings-turbo-to-main-stree/) 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T – Click above for high-res image gallery

Hyundai's (http://www.autoblog.com/make/hyundai/) ever-expanding Sonata (http://www.autoblog.com/model/sonata) lineup will soon include the delectable 2.0T model, packing a turbocharged and direct injected 2.0-liter (Theta II) four-cylinder. You've probably already memorized the most important figures – 274 horsepower, 269 pound-feet of torque, 33 mpg on the highway, all on 87 octane fuel – but here's a new one for you: $24,145. That's what the 2011 Hyundai Sonata SE 2.0T will set you back, and there's a lot more on offer than just a hot engine.

Mated to the blown 2.0 is a six-speed automatic that can be manipulated through a set of steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, while a (modestly) sport-tuned suspension holds up 18-inch wheels wrapped in high-performance summer rubber. A host of standard features are included in the kit, while two packages – Navigation and Sunroof and Limited – are available when sales begin later this year. Get all the details in the press blast after the jump (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/04/2011-hyundai-sonata-turbo-priced-at-24-145/#continued) and read our impressions from behind the wheel (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/07/12/first-drive-2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t-brings-turbo-to-main-stree/).


Show full PR text
Hyundai Announces Prices for All-New Sonata 2.0T Turbo

Twin-Scroll Turbocharger and Direct Injection Give Sonata 2.0T 274 HP, 33 MPG on Regular Fuel


The Sonata 2.0T debuts with Hyundai's first four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline direct-injection engine
With a remarkable 33 mpg highway fuel economy rating, the 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline direct-injection engine also delivers best-in-class 274 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque across a broad rpm range (1,750 rpm to 4,500 rpm), giving the Sonata 2.0T four-cylinder more power than all competitive mid-size V6 engines, all while using regular fuel
The 2.0T is a key part of Hyundai's industry-leading Blue Drive fuel efficiency strategy
The twin-scroll turbo system design minimizes turbocharger lag while maximizing combustion efficiency and power output
The Sonata 2.0T is the second element of the game-changing 2011 Sonata product lineup, with the Sonata Hybrid, powered by Hyundai's all-new Hybrid Blue Drive system, featuring breakthrough lithium-polymer batteries, to debut later this year


FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Oct. 4 -- Hyundai Motor America has announced pricing for its all-new Sonata 2.0T Turbo, starting at $24,145 MSRP for the Sonata SE 2.0T and $27,045 for the Sonata Limited 2.0T.

"When we first showed the Sonata Turbo earlier this year, we promised more horsepower than our V6 competitors, with great four-cylinder fuel economy, all for under $25,000," said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America president and CEO. "With the introduction of the Sonata 2.0T, we're delivering on all three of those commitments, with an MSRP of just $24,145 for an incredibly well-equipped Sonata 2.0T SE. The new Sonata lineup demonstrates what Hyundai's Blue Drive approach to fuel economy leadership is all about – game-changing products with industry-leading fuel efficiency that aren't compromises or low-volume 'special-fuel-economy' marketing ploys."

SONATA 2.0T VERSUS ITS RIVALS

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With the addition of the all-new 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged GDI engine, the new 2011 Sonata offers an unprecedented combination of segment-leading fuel efficiency and power, with 33 mpg highway and 274 horsepower. Remarkably, the Sonata 2.0T delivers these industry-leading benchmarks on regular fuel. Turbocharging and GDI are key elements of Blue Drive, the company's environmental initiative to lead the industry in fuel efficiency.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine produces 274 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 269 lb-ft of torque from 1750-4500 rpm with regular fuel, while delivering 22 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. Hyundai's 2.0T engine features a twin-scroll turbocharger that, when combined with the GDI system, results in crisp, responsive power delivery. Twin-scroll turbochargers have traditionally been used on more expensive high performance engines, but as with direct injection, Hyundai has chosen once again to apply this efficient technology in high volume to its most popular model.

The 2.0T engine will be available on the SE and Limited trim level, with the 2.0T SE adding an upgraded fully automatic temperature control system, and the Limited adding the SE's 18-inch hyper silver alloy wheels, dual exhaust, and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. MSRPs excludes destination charge of $720.

Sonata SE 2.0T

2.0L Turbo GDI 4-cylinder engine
6-speed automatic with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters
18-inch Hyper Silver alloy wheels with performance tires
Sport-tuned suspension and steering
Dark chrome front grille
Chrome exterior door handles
Proximity entry with push button start
SE leather bolster/cloth insert sport seats
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
Front fog lights / dual exhaust
Dual automatic temperature control
ESC/TCS/ABS/TPMS
Front active head restraints
Front, front seat side and curtain airbags
Chrome window belt-line moldings
Tilt and telescopic steering wheel with cruise, audio and phone controls
Metalgrain interior accents
AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 with iPod/USB and Aux input jacks
Remote keyless entry and alarm
Immobilizer
Power windows, locks, heated mirrors
Advanced trip computer with custom settings
Active ECO System
Integrated Bluetooth with phonebook transfer
Daytime Running Lights (DRL)
Solar control glass

Navigation and Sunroof Package

Power tilt and slide sunroof
Navigation system with high-resolution touch-screen display
Dimension premium speakers, subwoofer/external amplifier

Sonata Limited 2.0T

Replaces/Adds/Deletes SE 2.0T equipment:

Power tilt and slide sunroof
Side mirror turn signal indicators
Leather seating surfaces
Heated front seats with heated rear seat bottom cushions
Floor console mounted rear vents
Premium door sill plates / "Limited" badge
In-dash 6-disc CD-changer
HD Radio technology with multicasting
Dimension premium speakers, subwoofer/external amplifier
Unique interior accents (Piano Black or Woodgrain)
Auto-dimming mirror/HomeLink/compass
Deletes sport-tuned suspension and steering

Navigation Package

Navigation system with high-resolution touch-screen display
Rear backup camera
Infinity premium speakers, subwoofer/external amplifier
Deletes 6-disc CD-changer and HD Radio Technology

[KUweatherman]

Hmm, trade in the Si for the 2.0T Limited?

[comtrang]

Is the six speed automatic the only available transmission? Seems like that's what I read somewhere else, before.

I love the new Sonata. There's already tons of them as taxi's in Korea and they're so damn comfortable. Especially after a long night.

[JDLM]

Is the six speed automatic the only available transmission? Seems like that's what I read somewhere else, before.

I love the new Sonata. There's already tons of them as taxi's in Korea and they're so damn comfortable. Especially after a long night.

Yeah no manual option in the US

[stangkilr]

Looks like shit...really

[comtrang]

Yeah no manual option in the US

That sucks.. but as long as this engine makes it to the Genesis Coupe, I doubt there'll be much complaint.

[JDLM]

Exclusive Real-Life Photos Of The 2011 Hyundai 2.0 Turbo and Hybrid
If you haven't figured out by now the Agent001 is previewing the 2011 Sonata (http://autospies.com/news/Exclusive-Real-Life-Photos-Of-The-2011-Hyundai-2-0-Turbo-and-Hybrid-58301/#) 2.0 Turbo and New Sonata Hybrid today then you just are reading now are you?



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[MO.3G]

I actually like the look. A little too much headlight, but otherwise a sharp lookin car.

[KUweatherman]

Love it!

[babymobilss]

put that turbo engine in the genesis coupe ill trade my tbss in tomorrow.

[JDLM]

Second Drive: 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T


http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011hyundaisonata2.0t---01opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t-first-drive/#3464888) 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T – Click above for high-res image gallery

Here in the U.S., the mid-size sedan market is thought to be all but impregnable to newcomers. Ruled for decades by models that have become icons of the industry, the segment has enjoyed a long and peaceful reign by the likes of the Toyota Camry (http://www.autoblog.com/model/camry) and Honda Accord (http://www.autoblog.com/model/accord). But the funny thing about success is that if you're not very, very careful, it breeds complacency. While the titans of the four-door kingdom have been sleeping on beds of cash made on the innovations of two decades ago, Hyundai (http://www.autoblog.com/make/hyundai/) has been busily polishing its reputation and pouring over $550 million into fresh research and development for new and advanced drivetrains for its 2011 Sonata (http://www.autoblog.com/model/sonata).

One of the long accepted tenants of the mid-size sedan is "Thou Shalt Have a Six-Cylinder Option." Ironically enough, this mode of thought arose as a challenge to the previously held belief that if you wanted to move four-doors in America, you had to offer a V8 under the hood. But when Japan's Big Three proved they could dish out V8 horsepower with six-cylinder fuel economy, the eight-cylinder family hauler all but disappeared from the scene. Now, Hyundai is out to repeat history by debuting a turbocharged four-cylinder designed to rattle the cages of Toyota, Honda and Nissan (http://www.autoblog.com/make/nissan/).


From the exterior, there's little to differentiate the Sonata 2.0T from its non-turbocharged siblings other than a few subtle badges. The sedan retains the same beautiful "fluidic sculpture" design as the 2.4-liter four-cylinder variant, so buyers can expect the same swept nose, complete with artfully-pointed headlights and sculpted hood up front. Likewise, the profile is still dominated by a single, arching crease that reaches from just below the front fender well to meet the wrapped taillights at the rear. In all, the look is cohesive and is about as far from the copycat designs of the company's past as you can get. We dig it.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011hyundaisonata2.0t---05opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t-first-drive/#3464883)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011hyundaisonata2.0t---06opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t-first-drive/#3464882)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011hyundaisonata2.0t---07opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t-first-drive/#3464881)

Inside, buyers won't find the interior any different from what's available in the base Sonata. The same high-quality soft-touch dash remains in place, as does the smattering of piano black accents along the door panels and center stack. Speaking of the door panels, soft material insets just above the armrest do much to improve their feel.

The Sonata's center stack is dominated by easy-to-navigate dual climate controls and an attractive navigation/entertainment touchscreen. While we typically rail against the easily-scratched faux-metal trim that frames the rest of the waterfall, it serves the Sonata cabin well. Perhaps the best praise we can lay on the interior of the Sonata is that it has its own personality – you're simply not likely to mistake the cabin for that of a Toyota or a Honda, despite the fact the material quality is finally on par with those makes.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011hyundaisonata2.0t---19opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t-first-drive/#3464868)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011hyundaisonata2.0t---21opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t-first-drive/#3464865)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011hyundaisonata2.0t---25opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t-first-drive/#3464861)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011hyundaisonata2.0t---26opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t-first-drive/#3464858)

That's not to say that everything's right as rain inside. The Sonata 2.0T packs a heap of intelligent engineering solutions under the hood, and those tricks had to have cost some serious money. Even so, Hyundai has kept the vehicle's base MSRP down to a miserly $24,145 without destination (compared to $19,195 for the basest of naturally aspirated Sonatas). That means that some things had to be done to keep the price point at an acceptable level, and while most of those concessions remain well out of sight of both driver and passengers, the Sonata's gear selector feels more than a little flimsy. The shifter lock button comes across as light and hung-up more than once during our time behind the wheel. Likewise, the overall action of the transmission stalk felt sloppy and lacked the precision inherent in the rest of the vehicle.

Still, we think we can forgive Hyundai for a cheap-feeling shifter given all that's going on under the hood. The company has managed to successfully blend its direct-injection system with forced induction to create a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder good for a dizzying 274 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque. Even better, all of that twist comes in at a low 1,750 rpm, so you can nearly forget about turbo lag. Of course, slapping a turbo onto a small-displacement, direct-injection engine and calling it a day is nothing new – look no further than the Ford (http://www.autoblog.com/make/ford/) line of EcoBoost (http://www.autoblog.com/tag/EcoBoost/) mills or some excellent-but-unbranded engines from General Motors (http://www.autoblog.com/make/gm/) as proof – but Hyundai has chucked in a few of its own tricks to both improve response and ensure the engine is as bulletproof as any of the company's other powerplants.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011hyundaisonata2.0t---30opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t-first-drive/#3464854)

The little 2.0-liter engine packs some pretty advanced tech, including a cast stainless-steel exhaust manifold. In addition to boasting slightly better thermal properties than a standard cast-iron piece, Hyundai says that the manifold was specifically built to handle pressures well in excess of what the Hyundai-designed, Mitsubishi-built twin-scroll turbo can handle. Why? Longevity. The engineers say this engine has been put through a grueling 300 hours of testing at wide-open throttle. Once that was wrapped up, the powerplant was then subjected to a further 20 hours of testing at engine speeds above the redline.

Of course, that stout manifold is only a small part of the recipe. In order to help keep the engine's temperature under control, Hyundai has implemented something it calls "aluminum thermal sprayed counter spiny liner," which is essentially a new way of layering aluminum onto the exterior of the cylinder sleeve to increase surface area. That greater surface area allows for improved cooling efficiency. According to Hyundai, this is the first application of the counter-spiny liner in the automotive industry.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011hyundaisonata2.0t---18opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t-first-drive/#3464869)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011hyundaisonata2.0t---27opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t-first-drive/#3464857)

Speaking of keeping things cool, Hyundai is also using a unique air channeling system on the vehicle's intercooler. The guide routes air to the intake and outlet areas of the intercooler, and Hyundai claims it keeps intake air up to 50 degrees cooler than with no guide. All these refinements help contribute to that nearly instantaneous throttle response and lofty horsepower figures.

But here's the real shocker. Hyundai has tuned the four-cylinder to have a compression ratio of just 9.5:1. That means that even with all of that grunt on tap, this engine drinks regular unleaded gasoline. Even better, it drinks very little of it. Fuel economy sits at 23 mpg city and 33 mpg highway, though the company has included an Active Eco button that helps flatten out throttle fluctuations to keep fuel consumption as low as possible.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011hyundaisonata2.0t---08opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t-first-drive/#3464880)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011hyundaisonata2.0t---12opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t-first-drive/#3464876)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011hyundaisonata2.0t---15opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t-first-drive/#3464872)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011hyundaisonata2.0t---13opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t-first-drive/#3464875)

[JDLM]

Bolted behind the engine is the same proprietary six-speed automatic transmission found in the regular 2.4-liter Sonata. Hyundai has thrown in a set of steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters for manually rifling through the gears, and while the pieces serve up a satisfying click and feel solid enough, the gear changes are a bit too reluctant to be worth using all the time. Our recommendation is to simply leave the car in Drive and let the computer do the thinking. The shift logic on the Sonata 2.0T is crisp, putting the car in the right cog for the right speed no matter what your driving style.

We spent our time behind the wheel of a Limited model, which comes packed to the gills with all kinds of interior niceties, though Hyundai also offers up an SE model with sport-tuned dampers and springs. Even so, the Limited simply feels good to drive. It has the sort of confident, planted feel that has all but evaporated from the mid-sized import sedan segment, and we have to admit that we're glad to have it back. The ride is comfortable without being marshmallowy soft, and the four-door moves well through bends despite its substantial size. Curb weight has been kept to around 3,400 pounds depending on equipment, and the Sonata 2.0T comes with brakes that are more than capable of handling the tonnage.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/2011hyundaisonata2.0t---02opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t-first-drive/#3464887)

And there's more than enough power to get this show moving, too. The four-door dispatches traffic with glee, all without so much as a peep from under the hood. The revs swell, and there's a slight sense of urgency from under the hood, but the cabin isn't inundated with buzzing from the thrash of four tiny pistons out front nor any whine from the turbo. You simply dart quickly away from surrounding traffic. Hyundai says that the jump to 60 mph from a dead stop takes just 6.8 seconds, and we're inclined to believe them. Even better, there's next to no torque steer, even when your right foot gets overzealous.

It's hard not to be genuinely surprised by the 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T. With more power and better fuel economy than the V6 variants of the Camry, Accord and Altima, all at around $3,000 less than the majority of its major competitors, we just can't find a coherent all-around argument against the turbo'd Korean. Regardless of how many of the cars hop off of the lot when they go on sale this week, it looks like the days of the V6 mid-sized sedan are numbered.

[Username:*]

Love it!

[KUweatherman]

Love it!
.

[JDLM]

Second Drive: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Hyundai Aims To Lead The Mid-size Hybrid Pack

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/03hyundaisonatahybridfd-1287371528opt-1287416214.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-first-drive)
(http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-first-drive)
2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

At some point, the minds at Hyundai (http://www.autoblog.com/make/hyundai/) got serious about the company's mid-sized sedan game. Seemingly in a heartbeat, the Korean manufacturer went from being completely under the radar of the average American family sedan buyer to a viable alternative to default buys like the Honda Accord (http://www.autoblog.com/model/accord) and Toyota Camry (http://www.autoblog.com/model/camry). That jump fell solely on the shoulders of the all-new 2011 Sonata (http://www.autoblog.com/model/sonata), a sedan that has so far delivered the kind of styling, efficiency and low MSRP that sends consumers scrambling for their checkbook. But if you want to go the full distance in this segment, you had better come to the fight packing more than just a competent base model.

That's something you don't need to tell Hyundai. The company has shored up its Sonata line with a potent turbocharged 2.0-liter model (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/14/2011-hyundai-sonata-2-0t-first-drive-review-road-test/) designed to tango with V6-equipped competitors as well as the car you see above – a hybrid model that comes loaded with nearly all of the latest and greatest tech to keep fuel consumption at a minimum. Is it enough to put the Sonata Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/model/sonata+hybrid) ahead of the electrified versions of the heavy hitters already prowling the scene? We took the wheel to find out.


The mid-size hybrid segment is a funny little corner of the automotive world. Most of the players at this table are little more than standard sedans that have had their mechanical innards gutted and replaced with mutant internal combustion/electric motor mashups. From their exteriors, there's generally been little to distinguish hybrid from V6 models other than wheel options and maybe a badge or two. But Hyundai has waded into somewhat uncharted waters by offering the hybrid version of the Sonata with bodywork that goes a long way toward separating the car from its siblings.

The keen-eyed out there are likely to pick up on a handful of small details that both add a bit of funky, slightly futuristic styling to the mix and help slim the vehicle's shape as it cuts through the air. Up front, Hyundai's designers and engineers worked together to come up with that slightly agape front fascia. There's more than a little catfish in that hexagonal opening, but it serves the purpose of setting the Sonata Hybrid apart from the rest of the family. (Note, too, that the 'bumper' bar has been subtly altered from the model that debuted at the New York Auto Show) (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/31/hyundai-sonata-hybrid-new-york-2010/). Additionally, LED daytime running lights grace the front headlights and the low-set fog lights now boast a stylish upkick that wraps around the front fascia.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/lead2hyundaisonatahybridfd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-first-drive/#3476097)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/lead3hyundaisonatahybridfd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-first-drive/#3476103)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/lead4hyundaisonatahybridfd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-first-drive/#3476104)

The profile of the 2011 Sonata Hybrid reverts to more well-established tricks of the mid-size hybrid trade, including re-sculpted side skirts and small but effective badges on the front fenders. Hyundai has also graced its hybrid with two unique wheel selections, a smaller 16-inch roller that shouts, "I'll see you at Mac World," and an optional, more attractive 17-inch five-spoke design like the one on our tester.

Move around back, and if you're paying close attention, you'll notice that the rear fascia is slightly squared-off on both sides. Those sharp edges help the Sonata Hybrid achieve its dizzyingly low .25 coefficient of drag. The standard Sonata makes do with a still enviable .28 cD. To complete the futuristic picture, Hyundai has also thrown in reworked taillights that are designed to evoke the image of an atom when lit.

[JDLM]

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/lead5hyundaisonatahybridfd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-first-drive/#3476161)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/lead6hyundaisonatahybridfd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-first-drive/#3476169)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/lead7hyundaisonatahybridfd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-first-drive/#3476179)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/lead8hyundaisonatahybridfd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-first-drive/#3476181)

But as different as the exterior of the Sonata Hybrid is from its standard internal-combustion brethren, things have been left largely untouched inside. Buyers will still find the comfortable thrones, attractive dash and heaps of soft-touch goodies layered over almost every surface just like in the base Sonata. One difference between the base Sonata and the hybrid comes in the form of decreased trunk space. While the standard Sonata yields an EPA-rated cargo volume of 16.4 cubic feet, the compact battery pack soaks up a full 5.7 cubes all by itself. But the largest change comes at the instrument cluster, where a helpful full-color LCD screen delivers pertinent information on the vehicle's battery state of charge, fuel economy and an "Eco Score." Likewise, the left instrument bezel has forsaken the standard tachometer in favor of a helpful guide that lets drivers know when the vehicle can be driven in all-electric mode.

And when is that, exactly? Officially, Hyundai says that the Sonata Hybrid can cruise on all-electric go-go at speeds of up to 62 mph, though in our testing we saw electric-only driving at 65 mph under light acceleration downhill. and there was some indication from the company's engineers that the car may be capable of doing even better. How do they do it? Under the hood, Hyundai has converted its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine to the Atkinson Cycle and added a 40-horsepower electric motor. The duo is good for a combined 206 horsepower and 193 pound-feet of torque, but the real star of the show is the car's battery pack.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/lead10hyundaisonatahybridfd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-first-drive/#3476203)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/lead13hyundaisonatahybridfd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-first-drive/#3476211)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/lead12hyundaisonatahybridfd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-first-drive/#3476210)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/lead11hyundaisonatahybridfd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-first-drive/#3476209)

Instead of opting for the cheaper nickel-metal hydride cells used in cars like the Ford Fusion Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/review-2010-ford-fusion-hybrid-what-a-difference-60-degrees-m/), Toyota Camry Hybrid and Nissan Altima Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/14/quick-spin-2010-nissan-altima-a-well-mannered-sedan-without-sur/), Hyundai has gone for costlier lithium-polymer cells. The company has crammed a total of 72 cells into the pack, each about the size of a cigar box lid and the weight of a roll of quarters. Throw in all of the necessary electronic wizardry to manage the LiPo goodies and a structure to support them, and you're looking at a battery pack that weighs a relatively svelte 96 pounds.

Hyundai decided to opt for the more expensive battery cells for several reasons, the largest of which is the fact that the lithium-polymer pack weighs considerably less than other materials available right now. In addition, the automaker's engineers note that the cells have no memory, generate less heat than comparable tech and take up less room. Unfortunately, the lithium-polymer tech is also expensive. Hyundai isn't saying how much the company is shelling out for the battery pack in the Sonata Hybrid, but other automakers are looking to use lithium-based cells in their new vehicles, so the automaker is just riding the edge of the technological curve here.

Hyundai says that the Sonata Hybrid is good for 36 miles per gallon in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, and the high-tech battery pack is only a portion of that story. The company's engineers have also rolled in a host of tricks to keep the fuel-economy numbers as high as possible, including what they call an "active air flap" behind that gaping hexagonal inlet in the front fascia. At low speeds, the flap is open to assist in cooling the gas engine, but once the vehicle speeds up, the flap closes to decrease the Sonata Hybrid's coefficient of drag by as much as 10 percent.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/lead14hyundaisonatahybridfd.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-first-drive/#3476185)

In addition, the sedan makes use of an engine clutch that can separate the gasoline engine from the electric motor, helping the hybrid to clip along on electric power even at highway speeds, all without using an ounce of fuel. Hyundai has also made the interesting step of shutting off the gasoline engine entirely when the vehicle decelerates, further conserving fuel and allowing the regenerative brakes to recharge the batteries.

And what does all of that translate into once on the road? During our time behind the wheel, we saw just over 36 mpg in intermittent stop and go driving, though if you're ginger with the accelerator, numbers closer to 40 in combined driving weren't unheard of among the gaggle of writers the company had out to sample the Sonata Hybrid. Just out of morbid curiosity, we spent the last 30 miles of our drive hypermiling the hybrid. When all was said and done, we walked away with a sweaty 60 mpg, further proving that by and large, fuel economy falls on the shoulders of the nut behind the wheel.

When you're not treating the throttle like a hair trigger, the Sonata Hybrid rewards with a surprisingly normal driving experience. The run to 60 mph takes around 9.2 seconds, and thanks to the clutch separating the engine from the electric motor, transitions between internal combustion power and electric go-go are some of the most seamless in the industry. Part of the sensation that you're driving a real vehicle and not some slot-car track escapee comes from the fact that Hyundai opted for the company's proprietary six-speed automatic gearbox instead of a continuously variable transmission. Engineers may have been able to eek out a bit of additional fuel savings had it gone with a CVT, but selecting a conventional torque-converter equipped cogbox has gone a long way toward making this hybrid a more satisfying craft to pilot.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/09hyundaisonatahybridfd-1287375239opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-first-drive/#3476160)


Impressively, despite the fact that this is Hyundai's first shot at a production hybrid, the electrified Sonata successfully avoids one of the biggest pitfalls of throwing an electric motor into an otherwise solid chassis. The regenerative brakes are progressive and feel just like what we expect stoppers to feel like. There's no danger of having your dental work ripped from your mouth thanks to an overly sensitive second pedal.

But that's not to say that Hyundai hasn't left room to grow in the Sonata Hybrid. Interestingly enough, the company chose to forsake its new line of direct-injection engines in favor of its old 2.4-liter mill. A little bit less displacement paired with forced induction would probably help squeeze a few more mpgs out of this equation, but it undoubtedly would have swelled the per-unit cost on a model that's unlikely to make any money to begin with.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/10/04hyundaisonatahybridfd-1287371848opt.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-first-drive/#3476089)

Even with that shortcut under its belt, the 2011 Sonata Hybrid is an impressive first showing from Hyundai in the hybrid game. As it sits, the car is eligible for a $1,300 federal tax credit (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/10/14/hyundai-sonata-hybrid-will-qualify-for-1-300-tax-credit/), at least for the first month it's on sale. Hyundai says that buyers can snap up their own Sonata Hybrid starting this December, but unfortunately, the federal tax incentive program for hybrid vehicles is scheduled to dry up at the end of 2010, so interested parties would do well not to dawdle.

Hyundai hasn't yet said how much we can expect to pay for its new hybrid four-door, nor what kind of warranty the model will carry when it does hit dealer lots. Given the company's long history of providing copious content and an industry-beating warranty for reasonable money, we're guessing that neither will be a point of contention when the car goes on sale. Even with those questions left blank, the 2011 Sonata Hybrid has proven itself more than capable of running with the rest of the mid-size hybrids. Is it the best of the breed? We'll need some back-to-back time to know for sure.

[JDLM]

Hyundai of America wants a Sonata Wagon... do you? (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/29/hyundai-of-america-wants-a-sonata-wagon-do-you-w-poll/)

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/05/hy-i40-wagon-4-copy.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/spy-shots-hyundai-i40-kombi-sonata-wagon/)
2012 Hyundai Sonata (i40) wagon spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

While Hyundai (http://www.autoblog.com/make/Hyundai) has yet to unveil a wagon derivative of its Sonata (http://www.autoblog.com/model/sonata)/i40 family sedan, copious spy shots (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/05/31/spy-shots-hyundai-sonata-wagon-captured-for-the-first-time/) have been captured (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/08/27/spy-shots-2012-hyundai-sonata-i40-wagon-caught-testing-again/) while the car has been undergoing testing around the globe. The load-lugging Korean is a lock for Europe and will doubtlessly surface in other markets, but to date, there has been no word as to whether the wagon will haul itself into U.S. showrooms.

While there's still no official word from Hyundai, Autoblog has learned that American executives definitely want the car and are working to build a business case for it. Further, according to our source: "We can't comment on future product plans. But we certainly are aware of the upsurge in popularity of well-executed wagons, especially in markets like Europe where consumers demand the high degrees of versatility and fuel economy that wagons deliver. The Elantra Touring has been a terrific addition to our lineup and is a huge hit with its customers. A great wagon can bring in incremental customers who otherwise might not consider a given brand's sedan." Despite Volvo (http://www.autoblog.com/make/volvo/) and Subaru (http://www.autoblog.com/make/subaru/) recently giving up (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/03/25/volvo-v70-axed-in-favor-of-front-drive-xc70-s80-v8-going-away/) the U.S. wagon segment (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/08/2010-subaru-legacy-wagon-debuts-in-britain-no-yankee-not-for/) in favor of lifted, more crossover-like two-boxers, we still see a clear area of opportunity for a large, stylish and fuel-efficient wagon. As we've recently proven (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/28/hatchbacks-who-says-americans-dont-buy-em/), hatchbacks and wagons sell in better numbers than many automakers would seem to give the bodystyles credit for, and we suspect that with the new Sonata's rocket-like sales trajectory (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/21/report-hyundai-sonata-overtakes-nissan-altima-for-third-in-mid/), adding a second format would help them close the gap with their Japanese rivals. And while we'd love to see an affordable base model, the smart money suggests that Hyundai would have a better chance of profiting from a Sonata wagon if it were to launch with a single, higher-margin upscale model – a loaded 2.0-liter turbo, say.

What do you think – should Hyundai sell a Sonata wagon in the States? Vote in our poll below and then leave your thoughts in Comments.

[JDLM]

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid priced from $25,795*


http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/03hyundaisonatahybridfd-1287371528.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-first-drive/) 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

Hyundai (http://autoblog.com/make/hyundai) has garnered quite a bit of praise with its all-new 2011 Sonata (http://autoblog.com/model/sonata) sedan, with its most recent accolade being named to the finalists of the North American Car of the Year (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/16/2011-north-american-car-and-truck-of-the-year-finalists-shortlis/). In addition to the naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions, the Korean automaker is offering up the eco-friendly Sonata Hybrid (http://autoblog.com/model/sonata+hybrid) with tweaked styling and the ability to achieve up to 35/40 miles per gallon, city/highway. The first Sonata Hybrids will go on sale this January, and the automaker has just announced that the car will carry a base price of $25,795 (*not including $750 in destination charges).

In addition to the more efficient powertrain, the Sonata Hybrid comes standard with things like LED headlight accents, LED taillamps, fog lights, iPod/USB connectivity, Bluetooth and automatic headlamp control. Adding the $5,000 premium package adds things like a panoramic sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, satellite navigation, a rear backup camera, HD radio, leather seats and an Infinity premium sound system.

Compared to its American rival, the Ford Fusion Hybrid (http://autoblog.com/model/fusion), the Sonata undercuts the Ford (http://autoblog.com/make/ford)'s price by just over $3,000, though the Blue Oval's claim to fame is its 41-mpg city fuel economy number. Still, we're big fans of the Sonata Hybrid's styling and refinement and we suspect it will make a big splash within the mid-size hybrid sedan segment. Follow the jump (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/17/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-priced-from-25-795/#continued) for Hyundai's official release.


[Source: Hyundai] Show full PR text
HYUNDAI ANNOUNCES PRICING FOR ALL-NEW SONATA HYBRID

Delivers 40-mpg, the Best Highway Fuel Economy of any Mid-Size Sedan

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CALIF., 12/15/2010

Hyundai Motor America has announced pricing for its all-new Sonata Hybrid, featuring Hybrid Blue Drive technology and lithium-polymer batteries. In keeping with Hyundai's simplified approach to product packaging, the Sonata Hybrid comes in just two flavors from the factory – the very well-equipped Sonata Hybrid at $25,795, and the incredibly well-equipped, tech-feature-packed Premium version at $30,795. Both deliver a segment-leading 40-mpg highway fuel economy rating, higher than any other mid-size sedan, hybrid or non-hybrid. In city driving, Sonata Hybrid delivers 35 mpg, yielding a 37 mpg combined city/highway rating from the EPA.

* Sonata Hybrid is a key part of Hyundai's industry-leading Blue Drive fuel efficiency strategy, which targets 50-mpg by 2025.
* Sonata Hybrid is the third element of the game-changing 2011 Sonata product lineup.
* Sonata Hybrid offers a segment-leading 40-mpg highway rating, which fits the driving pattern of most Americans, who drive about 57 percent of their miles in highway driving conditions.
* Sonata Hybrid is powered by Hyundai's all-new Hybrid Blue Drive system, featuring breakthrough lithium-polymer batteries.

Sonata Hybrid goes on sale in January.

2011 SONATA HYBRID MANUFACTURER'S SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICING

Sonata Hybrid - $25,795
Sonata Hybrid with Premium Package - $30,795
*$750 freight charge not included

"Sonata Hybrid offers something new to the mid-size sedan segment, with its segment-leading 40-mpg highway fuel economy rating, differentiated appearance, and incredible value," said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America president and CEO. "Like the 2.4L direct-injected Sonata and the 2.0L Sonata Turbo launched earlier this year, Sonata Hybrid demonstrates Hyundai's unique approach melding innovative technologies and emotional design into products more and more people want to put in their driveways."

The heart of Sonata Hybrid's breakthrough Hybrid Blue Drive technology is its remarkable lithium polymer battery pack. Hyundai is the first automaker in the world to incorporate this remarkably efficient battery technology into a hybrid vehicle.

Beyond the innovative powertrain, Hyundai's engineering team have addressed all aspects of vehicle efficiency including the most visually obvious one, aerodynamics. The Sonata hybrid shares the same "Fluidic Sculpture" design language with all other 2011 Sonatas but features a unique exterior that sets it apart from its siblings. The combination of re-shaped front and rear fascias with a deeper air dam, extended rocker panels and lower drag wheels allow the air to flow around the body with less resistance. The drag coefficient for the Sonata Hybrid is the lowest in the industry at just 0.25, which is more slippery than most sports cars including the Porsche 911 GT2 RS (0.34) and the 2011 Nissan GT-R (0.27).

The ability to easily slip through the air combined with low rolling resistance tires, along with the sophisticated Hybrid Blue Drive powertrain with engine decoupling, significantly reduces the amount of energy required to maintain highway speeds, resulting in the remarkable highway fuel efficiency of the Sonata Hybrid, the best of any mid-size hybrid sedan in the market.

SONATA HYBRID KEY FEATURES

* 2.4L Atkinson Cycle 4-cylinder hybrid engine
* Hybrid starter-generator (HSG)
* Permanent magnet high-power density motor
* 270V lithium polymer battery
* 6-speed automatic transmission
* Electronic stability control with traction control system
* ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist
* Front active head restraints
* Front, front seat side and curtain airbags
* 16-inch Eco-spoke alloy wheels
* Headlight LED accents
* LED taillights
* Front fog lights
* Side mirror-mounted turn signal indicators
* Unique, tinted chrome front grille
* Bodyside molding tinted chrome inserts
* Chrome window belt-line moldings
* Chrome exterior door handles
* Proximity entry with push-button start
* Remote keyless entry, alarm and immobilizer
* Electroluminescent instrument cluster (Supervision)
* 4.2-inch TFT multi-function trip computer with hybrid technology display
* Dual automatic temperature control
* Floor console mounted rear vents
* Power driver seat with lumbar support
* Chrome interior door handles
* Leatherette interior door panel inserts
* Tilt & telescopic steering wheel with cruise and audio controls
* Metalgrain interior accents
* AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 with iPod/USB & Aux input jacks
* Power windows, locks, heated mirrors
* Integrated Bluetooth with phonebook transfer
* Automatic light control
* Solar control glass

SONATA HYBRID PREMIUM PACKAGE ADDS THESE FEATURES

* Panoramic sunroof with tilt & slide
* 17-inch Eco-spoke alloy wheels with unique finish
* Navigation system with high-resolution touch-screen display
* Rear backup camera
* Infinity premium speakers, subwoofer/external amplifier (400-watt)
* HD Radio Technology with multicasting
* Leather seating surfaces with heated front seats and rear seat bottom cushions
* Leather-wrapped steering wheel & shift knob
* Auto-dimming mirror / HomeLink / compass
* Premium door sill plates
* Glossy black door surround and outside mirror housing

[JDLM]

Hypermiling Hyundai Sonata Hybrid crosses America in under two tanks [w/video]



http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/sonatahybridatdusk-630.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-blue-drive/)
2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Cross Country Blue Drive – Click above for image gallery

You've got to hand it to Wayne Gerdes. He knows how to go the distance in production passenger cars on very little gasoline. In April of 2009, he worked with a team to go 1,445 miles (http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/28/ford-fusion-hybrid-hypermiles-goes-1-445-miles-on-a-single-tank/) in a Ford Fusion Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/model/fusion) on a single tank of gas. In June of 2010, he went 1,065 miles (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/06/23/2011-hyundai-sonata-1-065-miles-on-16-07-gallons-66-285-mpg/) in a non-hybrid 2011 Hyundai Sonata (http://www.autoblog.com/model/sonata). His most recent trip was in a Sonata Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/model/sonata+hybrid), which he drove 2,269.3 miles from San Diego, CA to Jekyll Island, GA on less than two tanks of fuel – a claimed average of 59.58 miles per gallon.

That's mighty impressive, but for those of us who have been following Gerdes' recent hypermiling drives, the obvious question is, why was he able to get 66.285 mpg in the regular, gas-powered non-turbo Sonata (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/06/23/2011-hyundai-sonata-1-065-miles-on-16-07-gallons-66-285-mpg/) when the hybrid "only" got 59.59 mpg? (and Fusion Hybrid managed 81.5 mpg (http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/28/ford-fusion-hybrid-hypermiles-goes-1-445-miles-on-a-single-tank/).) In part, this can be explained because the trip in the regular Sonata took place in the summer from Chicago to New York, while the hybrid ride was a winter time trek through the mountains – and it was over twice the distance.

In any case, Gerdes has once again showed that it's quite possible to handily beat the fuel efficiency ratings on a car's window sticker. In this case, the EPA thinks you will get 40 mpg on the highway, but clearly a lot is left on the table for those whose sole goal is to eke out every last drop of gas.

Just as importantly, we're not sure if Gerdes and his compatriots employed some of the more radical and dangerous hypermiling staples (drafting semi trucks for lower drag, etc.), but we've got a call in to Wayne to learn more about his techniques. In any case, a short video of the Sonata's mpg display after the first tank is available after the jump.


Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Blue Drive (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-blue-drive/)



http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/sonatahybridatdusk_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-blue-drive/#3734092)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/sonatahybridonthepacificii_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-blue-drive/#3734090)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/sonatahybridinsantaana-pick-up_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-blue-drive/#3734091)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/sonataathmmamontgomeryal_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-blue-drive/#3734093)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/sonata-toughclimboutofelpaso_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-blue-drive/#3734095)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/sonata-takingabreakonthemountaintop_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-blue-drive/#3734096)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/sonata-jekyll-islandoverlookingthemarshes_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-blue-drive/#3734099)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/sonata-sandiegotobrunswickgamapquest_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-blue-drive/#3734118)



[Source: Hyundai]

3koFJInRGvw

[carlos64030]

My buddy picked up a new Sonata the other day. It's REEEEEEALLY a nice car for the money! It's amazing how far Hyundai has come along in the past few years.

[JDLM]

Hypermiler Wayne Gerdes: After 2,269 miles and 59 mpg, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid "kicks ass"



http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/sonata-toughclimboutofelpaso-630.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-blue-drive/#3734095)
2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Cross Country Blue Drive – Click above for image gallery

Last fall, hypermiler Wayne Gerdes proposed to Hyundai (http://www.autoblog.com/make/hyundai) that he drive a 2011 Sonata Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/model/sonata+hybrid) across the country to help the automaker get the vehicle from the media launch location in California to Ann Arbor, MI, saying he thought he could do it with fewer than two tanks of gas. Of course, he proposed it on October, when the temperatures were still pretty warm and before he knew what the Sonata Hybrids's fuel tank capacity is. Back then, he told AutoblogGreen today, he thought, the car was "worth 65 [miles per gallon] in the summer. In the winter, with the mountains, that's a crapshoot."

Gerdes recently finished the drive (http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/03/hypermiling-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-mpg/), which totaled 2,269.3 miles and squeezed out 59.58 mpg. Along the way, Gerdes learned that the car can hold at least 20.6 gallons, because that's how much he managed to put in at the first fill up. The Hybrid's official stated capacity is 17.2 gallons (http://hyundainews.com/Media_Kits/2011_Models/Sonata_Hybrid/Specifications.asp) (the standard Sonata holds 18.5 gallons (http://www.hyundaiusa.com/sonata/specifications.aspx)), but official numbers are not something that concerns Gerdes too much. The EPA rates the Sonata Hybrid at 40 mpg on the highway, and he would need much more than that to make the drive without filling up three times.

In the end, Gerdes learned that, "This thing, on the highway, will eat up anything. In fact, it came damn near the Prius (http://www.autoblog.com/model/prius), but it's a heavier car. And I'm a big Prius fan." The Sonata Hybrid is not a great city car, Gerdes said, but he did have plenty more praise for the vehicle that took him coast to coast (he first drove to Georgia before coming north to Michigan), and you can find that after the jump.


Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Blue Drive (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-blue-drive/)



http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/sonatahybridatdusk_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-blue-drive/#3734092)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/sonatahybridonthepacificii_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-blue-drive/#3734090)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/sonatahybridinsantaana-pick-up_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-blue-drive/#3734091)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/sonataathmmamontgomeryal_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-blue-drive/#3734093)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/sonata-toughclimboutofelpaso_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-blue-drive/#3734095)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/sonata-takingabreakonthemountaintop_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-blue-drive/#3734096)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/sonata-jekyll-islandoverlookingthemarshes_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-blue-drive/#3734099)
http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/sonata-sandiegotobrunswickgamapquest_thumbnail.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-blue-drive/#3734118)



Gerdes set up the cross-country route to be as efficient as possible, but was still uncertain he could meet his target. Once on the open road, one thing Gerdes learned is that the Sonata Hybrid's claimed top all-electric cruise limit of 62 miles per hour doesn't exist and he could get the car to go much faster in EV mode. "I stopped at 88 mph," he said. "That's what's so cool about this. The car does it automatically."

http://www.blogcdn.com/green.autoblog.com/media/2011/01/sonata-sandiegotobrunswickgamapquest.jpg (http://green.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-blue-drive/#3734118)


Gerdes wanted to clarify some details about the three different hypermile experiments he has been on recently and that we mentioned yesterday: the Sonata Hybrid drive, a standard Sonata trip over 1,065 miles (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/06/23/2011-hyundai-sonata-1-065-miles-on-16-07-gallons-66-285-mpg/) that resulted in 66.285 mpg (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/06/23/2011-hyundai-sonata-1-065-miles-on-16-07-gallons-66-285-mpg/) and a 1,445-mile (http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/28/ford-fusion-hybrid-hypermiles-goes-1-445-miles-on-a-single-tank/) Ford Fusion Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/model/fusion) trip where he got 81.5 mpg (http://green.autoblog.com/2009/04/28/ford-fusion-hybrid-hypermiles-goes-1-445-miles-on-a-single-tank/). Each adventure was unique and intended to do different things. The Sonata Hybrid trip was meant to see if the two-tank drive was possible, the regular Sonata was a way to get from Wisconsin to New Jersey and the Fusion Hybrid was along a special route that Gerdes designed with Ford in and around Washington, D.C. as a showcase to politicians there. It was planned to stay on roads that had a maximum speed limit of 40 mph, which helped the Fusion – which Gerdes called "a great city vehicle" that is limited on the highway by its 47 mph EV glide speed – and it happened when the temperatures were between 70 and 90 degrees. The standard Sonata drive was also done in warm temperatures and he had a slight tailwind along the way. While the drives are not directly comparable, Gerdes had enough seat time in each vehicle to figure out where they shine:
"The Fusion Hybrid will give you good city performance but the Sonata is a highway cruiser like I've never experienced before. You don't want to get in a Prius and drive 500 miles. It's not a highway vehicle, but that's where the Sonata kicks ass. It's not an appliance.
Even though he's become a big fan of the Sonata, Gerdes told AutoblogGreen he thinks the Chevrolet Volt (http://autoblog.com/model/volt) will win the 2011 Car of the Year award (http://green.autoblog.com/2010/12/16/2011-north-american-car-and-truck-of-the-year-finalists-include/). Having driven the Volt, his staff was overall unhappy with the car, especially given the limited back seat space, but he thinks the judges will end up picking GM's halo car.

Lastly, it's worth noting that while Gerdes' CleanMPG (http://www.cleanmpg.com/) forum has a disclaimer – "Some posts may describe situations which may in some cases be unsafe or illegal in some jurisdictions. Please use common sense and consult your local laws to make sure you do not hurt yourself or others or break any laws" – he told AutoblogGreen that he did nothing dangerous or illegal during the drive. He stayed within posted speed limits and did not draft behind semi trucks, preferring to say around 3-7 seconds behind the car in front of him. He also didn't do the drive for money (although Hyundai did promise to pay for his fuel), but to challenge himself and to see what the Sonata Hybrid was capable of. That's the most important thing he learned: it's capable of a lot. You can get more details of the drive – and we mean lots more details – over at CleanMPG (http://www.cleanmpg.com/forums/showthread.php?p=292785).

[JDLM]

Hyundai Sonata Wagon? Comely i40 revealed ahead of Geneva debut



http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/i40wagon-web630.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/hyundai-i40/)
Hyundai i40 – Click above for high-res image gallery

In advance of its debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show (http://www.autoblog.com/category/geneva-motor-show/), Hyundai (http://www.autoblog.com/make/hyundai) has released the first pictures and details of its new i40 wagon (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/13/geneva-preview-hyundai-sonata-i40-wagon-gets-officially-rendere/). Developed at Hyundai's European facility in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the i40 is to be launched in Europe in wagon form before the sedan follows later in the year.

Showcasing Hyundai's latest design language, the i40 packs numerous features you'd normally expect to see on a higher-end products – like Hyundai's own Genesis (http://www.autoblog.com/model/genesis+sedan) and Equus (http://www.autoblog.com/model/equus) models, for example. Included in the package are features like heated and reclining front and rear seats and an intelligent de-mist system that automatically keeps the windshield fog-free.

The question of relevance for North American consumers, however, is whether the i40 makes it Stateside as a wagon counterpart to the Sonata (http://www.autoblog.com/model/sonata) sedan. We know that both a majority of our readers and a few key folks at Hyundai of America want it (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/29/hyundai-of-america-wants-a-sonata-wagon-do-you-w-poll/), but we'll have to wait and see if everyone gets their wish. In the meantime, you can check out the pair of images in the gallery below and scope out the specs in the press release after the jump.


Gallery: Hyundai i40 (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/hyundai-i40/)



http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/63106hyu1_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/hyundai-i40/#3895007)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/63106hyu2_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/hyundai-i40/#3895005)



[Source: Hyundai]

[JDLM]

Geneva 2011: 2012 Hyundai i40 is a Sonata wagon we could love



http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/hyundai-i40-geneva.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/hyundai-i40-geneva-2011/) 2012 Hyundai i40 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Geneva has been quite a show for big, handsome wagons, from the stonking Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG (http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/01/2012-mercedes-benz-c63-amg-estate-geneva-debut/) to the shapely Saab 9-5 Sportcombi (http://www.autoblog.com/2011/03/01/2012-saab-9-5-sportcombi-geneva-2011/), there's been a kinschlepper for every taste and budget. Adding to the variety is Hyundai's new i40 estate, and it, too, is a looker.

Boasting the same sharply rising character line as the Sonata (http://www.autoblog.com/model/sonata) sedan upon which it's based, the i40 nevertheless has a more traditional nose, with a smaller grille and headlamps that look more like those from the Sonata Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/model/sonata+hybrid). Overall, the front aesthetic lurks somewhere between the Elantra (http://www.autoblog.com/model/elantra) and an embiggened Veloster (http://www.autoblog.com/2011/01/10/2012-hyundai-veloster-detroit-2011-2/), but either way, it's all Hyundai (http://www.autoblog.com/make/hyundai/) and it's an attractive piece.

Hyundai is quick to note that the i40 was developed in Rüsselsheim, Germany, with the European market firmly in mind, and it will be The Continent's first crack at the model range when it hits dealers later this year. A sedan variant will follow, but it's not known if it will look like the North American YF Sonata sedan, or if it will adopt this car's front clip.

Similarly, we know that more than a few executives within Hyundai of America want to see a two-box Sonata come to the States (http://www.autoblog.com/2010/10/29/hyundai-of-america-wants-a-sonata-wagon-do-you-w-poll/), but it isn't yet clear if a business case has been made for the shapely load-lugger. Here's hoping...


Gallery: Hyundai i40: Geneva 2011 (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/hyundai-i40-geneva-2011/)



http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/01-hyundai-i40-geneva_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/hyundai-i40-geneva-2011/#3934791)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/02-hyundai-i40-geneva_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/hyundai-i40-geneva-2011/#3934792)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/03-hyundai-i40-geneva_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/hyundai-i40-geneva-2011/#3934793)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/04-hyundai-i40-geneva_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/hyundai-i40-geneva-2011/#3934794)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/05-hyundai-i40-geneva_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/hyundai-i40-geneva-2011/#3934796)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/06-hyundai-i40-geneva_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/hyundai-i40-geneva-2011/#3934798)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/07-hyundai-i40-geneva_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/hyundai-i40-geneva-2011/#3934799)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/03/08-hyundai-i40-geneva_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/hyundai-i40-geneva-2011/#3934800)



Gallery: Hyundai i40 (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/hyundai-i40/)



http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/63106hyu1_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/hyundai-i40/#3895007)
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/02/63106hyu2_thumbnail.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/hyundai-i40/#3895005)

[JDLM]

2012 Hyundai Sonata facelift unveiled

Hyundai has quietly unveiled the 2012 Sonata facelift in South Korea.
Virtually indistinguishable from the current model, the car (http://www.worldcarfans.com/111072035101/2012-hyundai-sonata-facelift-unveiled#) features a revised grille, restyled mirrors, LED taillights and new 18-inch alloy wheels. Interior changes are also minor, but include higher quality materials, revised trim and a cooled glovebox.
In Korea, the 165 hp (123 kW / 167 PS) 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine carries over but the 2.4-liter unit has been replaced by a new turbocharged 2.0-liter with 271 (202 kW / 275 PS).





http://cdn1.worldcarfans.co/2011/7/20/medium/4478272591728459046.jpg (http://www.worldcarfans.com/111072035101/2012-hyundai-sonata-facelift-unveiled/lowphotos#0) 2012 Hyundai Sonata facelift - low res - 20.7.2011

http://cdn1.worldcarfans.co/2011/7/20/thumb/1837282102102515112.jpg (http://www.worldcarfans.com/111072035101/2012-hyundai-sonata-facelift-unveiled/lowphotos#1) http://cdn1.worldcarfans.co/2011/7/20/thumb/2031911831686890336.jpg (http://www.worldcarfans.com/111072035101/2012-hyundai-sonata-facelift-unveiled/lowphotos#2) http://cdn1.worldcarfans.co/2011/7/20/thumb/1655835855374643959.jpg (http://www.worldcarfans.com/111072035101/2012-hyundai-sonata-facelift-unveiled/lowphotos#3) http://cdn1.worldcarfans.co/2011/7/20/thumb/1735764045317943207.jpg (http://www.worldcarfans.com/111072035101/2012-hyundai-sonata-facelift-unveiled/lowphotos#4) http://cdn1.worldcarfans.co/2011/7/20/thumb/1851482512052085839.jpg (http://www.worldcarfans.com/111072035101/2012-hyundai-sonata-facelift-unveiled/lowphotos#5) http://cdn1.worldcarfans.co/2011/7/20/thumb/1299351142328731205.jpg (http://www.worldcarfans.com/111072035101/2012-hyundai-sonata-facelift-unveiled/lowphotos#0) http://cdn1.worldcarfans.co/2011/7/20/thumb/1848600324393932121.jpg (http://www.worldcarfans.com/111072035101/2012-hyundai-sonata-facelift-unveiled/lowphotos#6) http://cdn1.worldcarfans.co/2011/7/20/thumb/1676501836568937699.jpg (http://www.worldcarfans.com/111072035101/2012-hyundai-sonata-facelift-unveiled/lowphotos#7) http://cdn1.worldcarfans.co/2011/7/20/thumb/604128043876197420.jpg (http://www.worldcarfans.com/111072035101/2012-hyundai-sonata-facelift-unveiled/lowphotos#8) http://cdn1.worldcarfans.co/2011/7/20/thumb/370644258886847689.jpg (http://www.worldcarfans.com/111072035101/2012-hyundai-sonata-facelift-unveiled/lowphotos#9) http://cdn1.worldcarfans.co/2011/7/20/thumb/18604359502088039536.jpg (http://www.worldcarfans.com/111072035101/2012-hyundai-sonata-facelift-unveiled/lowphotos#10) http://cdn1.worldcarfans.co/2011/7/20/thumb/427857380284504615.jpg (http://www.worldcarfans.com/111072035101/2012-hyundai-sonata-facelift-unveiled/lowphotos#11) > > > See all 15 photos (http://www.worldcarfans.com/111072035101/2012-hyundai-sonata-facelift-unveiled/lowphotos)

[JDLM]

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Decent Fuel Economy, Better Looks, Solid Value

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review/) Vital Stats

Engine:2.4L I4 / 1.4 kWh Li-polyPower:206 HP (net)Transmission:6-Speed AutoDrivetrain:Front-Wheel DriveCurb Weight:3,578 LBSSeating:2+3Cargo:10.7 CU-FTMPG:35 City / 40 HWYMSRP:$26,650 (as tested)



The auto show transition seemed to happen in a flash. One year, automakers were jockeying for dealer traffic with high horsepower, rear-wheel-drive retro rides, and the next year, each one of them ushered in a hybrid or electric vehicle. The paradigm shift was a welcome sight for car buyers wanting to shrink their carbon footprint and save money on fuel, but the majority of those products were years from production. Fast-forward to 2011, and the variety of fuel efficient transportation on offer in the industry has improved quite a bit, including this sleekly styled mid-size offering from Hyundai (http://www.autoblog.com/hyundai/).

The Sonata Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/hyundai/sonata+hybrid/) may have taken longer than expected to hit the market, but its lithium-polymer battery pack and host of fuel-saving features have given Hyundai 35 miles per gallon city and 40 mpg highway fuel economy numbers to flash before consumers. And the Sonata Hybrid isn't battling the competition on fuel economy alone. It also features attractive styling that sharply differentiates it from non-hybrid Sonata models, while also carrying an MSRP thousands of dollars less than the Toyota Camry (http://www.autoblog.com/toyota/camry/) Hybrid and Ford Fusion Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/19/review-2010-ford-fusion-hybrid-what-a-difference-60-degrees-m/).

We spent a week with a modestly equipped Sonata Hybrid, but rather than going light on the pedal to gather up as many Eco points as possible, we drove it like we would any mid-sized sedan to see if it could hang with the daily drudgery of suburban life.
Our Hyper Silver Metallic tester carried a very reasonable price tag of $25,930 (plus $720 shipping), and Hyundai kept that MSRP low by adding only floor mats ($100) and an iPod cable ($35) to the options list. Fortunately, the Sonata Hybrid already comes equipped with a boatload of standard features, including a six-speaker sound system with USB and auxiliary inputs, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, automatic climate control, headlights with LED accents and a 4.2-inch LCD trip computer/hybrid technology display.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/lead2-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review/#photo-4501938)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/lead3-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review/#photo-4501939)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/lead4-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review/#photo-4501940)

"Hybrid" and "low MSRP" generally don't go hand-in-hand, but the $25,795 base price of the Sonata only strengthens its case. This Hyundai also proves that hybrids don't have to be stodgy pods to achieve mpg bliss. The same Fluidic Design that's been a hit with the Sonata Hybrid's gas-only sibling looks just as good with a 30-kilowatt electric motor under the hood. And Hyundai hasn't simply slap on some Blue Motion badging to differentiate its hybrid offering from the hot-selling standard Sonata.

The biggest adjustment comes in the form of a gaping grille that looks like a whale shark on a plankton feeding frenzy (http://www.publicityship.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/whale-shark2.jpg). Further aero improvements come in the form of tweaked bodyside moldings and a more sharply truncated rear end with unique 'atom' element taillamps. In total, exterior engineering adjustments result in a drag coefficient that drops from .28 to an outstanding .25, the same number achieved by the benchmark Toyota Prius (http://autoblog.com/model/prius/).

[JDLM]

We dig the fact that the Sonata Hybrid looks quite a bit different than its sibling, and the Bill Nye taillights are something to behold. Heck, even the Blue Motion badging looks cool. For our money, there is one hybrid-only touch that just has to go: the standard 16-inch alloys. We're not sure what Hyundai's designers were going for here (at least beyond aero supremacy), but they ended up with a set of wheels that draws Blade-Runner-meets-Salad-Shooter comparisons. Luckily, Hyundai offers optional 17-inch wheels that look remarkably classier than the ones seen here. Unfortunately, the upsized wheels can only be had as part of the Premium Package, which will set buyers back another $5,000.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/lead8-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review/#photo-4501942)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/lead7-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review/#photo-4501944)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/lead6-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review/#photo-4501946)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/lead5-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review/#photo-4501953)

Nasty wheels aside, the Sonata Hybrid is a looker, and the interior isn't hard on the eyes, either. Hyundai has decided to carry over the same interior from the standard Sonata, save for some Blue Motion badging and the aforementioned 4.2-inch display. That means hybrid buyers get the same spacious cabin flush with attractive curves and soft-touch materials on the dash, doors and center console. Seats are comfortable and appropriately bolstered as well, and the driver's seat is power-adjustable. Another big plus comes in the form of a standard USB port and Bluetooth connectivity that quickly and easily syncs to a Bluetooth-enabled phone. And the 4.2-inch LED screen? It's bright, with easy-to-read graphics and various ways to dissect your driving habits. The Eco bars aren't nearly as interesting as the fanciful tree leaves adorning the display of the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/lincoln/mkz/), but a driver's eyes should be focused on the road anyway.

The Sonata Hybrid's interior scores big with overall refinement and standard tech, but we observed a few chinks in its armor. The biggest issues are the rubbery steering wheel and shift knob, which makes an otherwise impressive cabin feel like a trip to the Walmart clearance rack. Adding leather to these items the driver touches most again requires the $5,000 Premium Package. Sure, the Ford Fusion Hybrid (http://www.autoblog.com/ford/fusion/) starts at $28,600 ($2,670 more than the Sonata), but it at least comes standard with a leather steering wheel and shift knob, plus a bunch of standard features that can only be had with Hyundai's Premium package.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/lead13-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review/#photo-4501960)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/lead16-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review/#photo-4501964)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/lead15-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review/#photo-4501969)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/lead14-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review/#photo-4501970)

The Sonata Hybrid is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 166 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 154 pound-feet of torque at 4,250 revs. Like other hybrids on the market, the Sonata Hybrid's 2.4-liter engine runs on the more efficient Atkinson cycle, which closes the intake valve late to provide a shorter compression stroke than traditional Otto cycle engines. But unlike many other hybrids that use an electric continuously variable transmission, Hyundai has opted to mate its powertrain to a more conventional six-speed automatic transmission. You'll hear no arguments here, as the transmission did its job well with a smooth operation and reassuring gear selections during our test.

Additionally, Hyundai didn't go with the cheaper, yet tried-and-tested nickel-metal hydride battery pack. Its engineers decided to start with a clean slate, diving feet-first into newer lithium polymer cells for power storage. The end game is a 1.4 kilowatt-hour battery pack that weighs only 96 pounds. The Blue Motion's electric motor isn't as powerful as those found under the hood of the 2012 Camry Hybrid (http://autoblog.com/model/camry/) (141 hp) and Fusion Hybrid (106 hp), but the 30 kilowatt motor still manages to generate 40 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/lead9-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review/#photo-4501955)

Numbers and specs can be fun, but real-world driving is where the Hankook Optimo rubber meets the road. And while the Sonata Hybrid's driving dynamics aren't particularly aggressive, this Sonata's hybrid system is. If you take your foot off the gas at most any speed, the engine turns off in a pinch and the regenerative braking system begins to charge the lithium battery. When the go pedal is handled with care and the speed kept under 70 mph, the electric motor and battery can move the car by themselves, thanks in part to an engine clutch that manages the gas engine and electric motor separately. Even better, the throttle doesn't have to be babied like many other hybrids do, giving the driver more time to enjoy gas-free motoring.

In the past, we'd practice a great deal of restraint when driving a hybrid, because trying to achieve the best possible fuel economy can actually be fun. But for us, the novelty of driving a hybrid in this way goes away after a week – just when the fuel economy game starts to become a bore. For that reason, we took pains to experience the Sonata Hybrid as we would any other mid-size sedan.

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/lead12-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review/#photo-4501948)http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/10/lead11-2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review.jpg (http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2011-hyundai-sonata-hybrid-review/#photo-4501979)

As a regular four-door, the Sonata Hybrid is plenty easy to live with. Power is strong off the line when needed, and the integrated starter generator goes about the job of switching the engine on and off without any major drama. The system isn't as smooth as the one under the hood of the Fusion Hybrid, but the tradeoff is that the Blue Drive system appears to be more aggressive when cutting off the power whenever it isn't needed.

The EPA tells us that Sonata Hybrid owners can expect fuel economy numbers of 40 mpg highway and 35 mpg in the city. Our experience with the hybrid Hyundai wasn't quite in the range of those numbers, as we managed 33.5 mpg in mixed driving, which falls below the EPA combined rating of 37 mpg. We weren't all that impressed with those results, and we're thinking that most diesel-powered mid-size entries would eclipse a combined score of 33.5 mpg. In fact, our Jetta TDI long-term fleet vehicle (http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/03/2011-volkswagen-jetta-tdi-september-2011/) routinely averages more than 40 mpg. And although the Fusion Hybrid costs a bit more and relies on older nickel-metal tech, it still delivers better fuel economy numbers of 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway. The new 2012 Camry Hybrid (http://green.autoblog.com/2011/08/23/2012-toyota-camry-hybrid-first-drive-review/) promises even better fuel economy, with an estimated 39 mpg highway and 43 mpg city. Just as troubling, in our experience, the standard 2.4-liter gas-only Sonata actually tends to return fuel economy figures above its 24/35 EPA numbers, particularly on the highway, so we have to wonder if the standard Sonata isn't the better overall bet when it comes to return-on-investment.

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While we were less than impressed with the Sonata Hybrid's fuel thrift, we were pleased with its overall driving dynamics. At 3,578 pounds, the Sonata Hybrid is still light on its feet, with a structurally rigid chassis that doesn't flex at the slightest change of direction. Power delivery is smooth and predictable, with an estimated 0-60 mph time of about nine seconds. The steering is predictably free of hydraulics, yet Hyundai has chosen to dial in a bit more artificial heft than we expected or really want.

[JDLM]

The Sonata Hybrid Blue Motion is a solid first foray into the world of mixed propulsion motoring for Hyundai. Would we have liked to see better fuel economy numbers? Absolutely. But there is still something to be said about a hybrid that can deliver good looks, solid fuel economy and a driving experience that isn't fun-free. Not every vehicle in this segment can make such a claim, and none can come within $1,000 of this Hyundai's $25,750 price of entry... at least until the 2012 Camry Hybrid goes on sale starting at $25,900.