Friday, October 2, 2009

IT'S SHOW TIME

       The sixth-generation Sonata from Hyundai has been deliberately styled to make Japanese saloons like the Honda Accord, Nissan Teana and Toyota Camry look bland.
       As seen in these pictures taken during the Sonata's launch in Korea late last month, the all-new midsize family saloon possesses sleek and modern design cues all over the car.
       The same has been done to the Sonata's interior with many features like the steering wheel and centre console looking like those found in the Teana.
       Hyundai believes that the new Sonata has lots of showroom appeal to divert buyers from cars offered by its Japanese rivals.
       As the Koreans know that customers in Asia and the US prioritise spacious interiors, the Sonata has new-found dimensions to basically match the classleading Accord.
       The wheelbase length of 2,795mm is only 5mm short of the Accord's and promises loads of legroom comfort for rear passengers.
       The Sonata is 20mm longer than before at 4,820mm,5mm wider at 1,835mm and 5mm shorter in height at 1,470mm. Giving cars a more dynamic appearance has already become the norm today for their makers.
       The new Sonata is said to tip the scales at 1,410kg,which is roughly 30-60kg lighter than the fourthgen model.
       Engine &Transmission
       At the time of launch Hyundai announced just one engine: an improved 2.0-litre petrol inlinefour with 165hp and 12.8kpl fuel economy that Hyundai says is the best in its class.
       That claim can be attributed to a brand new sixspeed automatic transmission developed in-house,which is said to be 12% more fuel efficient than a five-speeder and 12kg lighter in weight.
       The Camry uses four-speed and Accord fivespeed auto 'boxes, while the Teana takes a more sophisticated route with the stepless CVT type.
       The current 2.4-litre in the Sonata, which could be possibly tweaked to nearly 180hp, will appear next year when the Sonata is launched in the United States.
       Late next year when the car hits European showrooms, the Sonata is most likely to highlight a new range of highly efficient diesel engines that Hyundai announced in a statement earlier this year, well before the launch.
       The R Diesel engines feature a third-generation common-rail fuel injection. In 2.0-litre form, it produces 184hp/392Nm;2.2-litre generates 200hp/426Nm. This figures put the engines on par with those of BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
       Market & Pricing
       Apart from having a package and drivetrain technologies matching established players from Japan,the new Sonata will also be equipped with a comprehensive range of kits.
       Six airbags are standard, while a host of active safety tech like brake assist and stability control will be offered. Convenience items include sat-nav and an array of IT compatibility features.
       Although the previous Sonata was assembled in Thailand in 2.0,2.4 and bi-fuel CNG forms, the new model won't come immediately - its arrival here could be held back as late as 2011, long after it has made its debut in major markets around the world.
       Ever since Hyundai made a comeback to the Thai market, it has seriously considered offering the diesel version to make the Sonata stand out in its class in the B1.2-1.7m price bracket. None of the its intended rivals have diesels because they are not sold in Europe in their existing body variations.
       The Sonata seen here is dubbed the Asian and US version, while the Europeans could get a more compact variant possibly in the guise of hatchback or estate.
       Sources at Hyundai told Motoring that the Thai office has shown interest in assembling the new Sonata in the country, but it has yet to get the green light from its parent firm in Korea.

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