2015 Hyundai Sonata revealed

New Hyundai Sonata is longer and wider, gets new kit; driving dynamics, noise levels reportedly improved.

Engine options for the new Hyundai Sonata currently include 2.0-litre and a 2.4-litre petrol engines.

The 2015 Hyundai Sonata sedan has been officially revealed in its home market of Korea. Based on an updated version of the current car's platform, the new Sonata boasts greater torsional strength (thanks largely to an increased use of stiffer, lighter high-strengh steel), and the car is also marginally longer and wider overall.  

The car's styling follows what Hyundai calls Fluidic Sculpture v2.0, and is an evolution of the manufacturer's popular design language. Overall, it appears a lot more restrained than the current car's dramatic lines, and borrows cues from the bigger Hyundai Genesis sedan. With the claimed structural changes, as well as a reworked suspension, Hyundai also says the new Sonata's driving dynamics are improved over its predecessor. The carmaker has stated that it has also worked on significantly reducing the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels in the cabin.

Speaking of the cabin, like the exterior, it adopts a cleaner, more sophisticated design, with a clear inspiration from bigger Hyundai cars, including the new Santa Fe. The carmaker has also said that it has used higher quality materials for the interior this time around.

Engine options for the new Hyundai Sonata sedan currently include a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder  petrol motor good for 165.7bhp and 20.5kgm of torque, and a 2.4-litre direct-injection, four-cylinder petrol engine putting out 190.4bhp and 25.2kgm. Power is sent to the front wheels via either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox.

The 2015 Sonata also gets new features like a lane departure warning system, auto-opening boot, rear-side window blinds, blind spot detection, radar-guided cruise control and automatic emergency braking, among others.

Courtesy: AutoCarIndia dot com

Hyundai considering Genesis launch in India

Hyundai Genesis likely to be brought in as a CBU unit and will be launched with a 3.8-litre V6 engine here.

Hyundai has launched its next-generation Genesis luxury sedan globally. The Korean carmaker plans to bring its flagship sedan to India, albeit in limited numbers, and the car will serve as a halo product in the carmaker’s portfolio. Hyundai’s luxury offering, the Genesis sedan will come here through the CBU route and is expected to be priced at around Rs 45 lakh. 

Internationally, the Genesis is available with two engines. A 3.8-litre V6 that makes 311bhp and a more powerful 5.0-litre V8 that produces a hefty 420bhp. Both engines are mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox that sends power to the rear wheels. However, the 3.8-litre variant also comes with an optional all-wheel-drive system. Apart from standard equipment you can expect in a luxury sedan, the Hyundai Genesis also offers a large 9.2-inch high definition touchscreen interface and a 17-speaker Lexicon audio setup. Also, at 4,990mm in length, the Genesis is slightly longer than the Mercedes E-class.

Hyundai is expected to launch the 3.8-litre variant here and while the estimated price-tag of Rs 45 lakh may seem a bit pricey, the Hyundai Genesis can easily rival luxury German sedans as far as equipment and power are concerned. The only thing it falls short on is badge value ¬– the Indian buyer may be reluctant to spend so much money on a Hyundai badge. 

Courtesy: AutoCarIndia dot com

2012 Hyundai Elantra Fluidic Sedan

Hyundai India has yet again put the proposed diesel engine plant on the back burner even as the Indian government’s policy uncertainty on diesel fuel’s pricing and the taxation on diesel engined cars remains an unknown area. Due to these factors, the South Korean automaker is not yet certain of setting up a diesel engine manufacturing plant with an investment of INR 400 Crores at its existing production facility at Sriperumbudur, off Chennai. Currently, Hyundai imports all its diesel engines from South Korea. The car maker has been contemplating a diesel engine manufacturing plant in India for a while now.

2012 Hyundai Elantra Fluidic Sedan

Uncertainty of Hyundai i10's Diesel Version

The Hyundai i10 has been a big selling model for the South Korean brand in India, ever since its launch. A facelift imbibing the Fluidic design later, the i10 has motored on all along with a choice of two petrol engines. The car, while also featuring a LPG powered dual fuel model is yet to see diesel power coming aboard. This could change in the coming months, if the Indian market continues to show the huge tilt towards diesel engined cars. In that scenario, having only petrol engines for the i10 does not make sense as the car could be overtaken by competition, offering diesel power on its models.

2012 Hyundai i10 Hatchback used as an illustration

2012 Hyundai Elantra Fluidic Sedan

Hyundia India has begun testing the 2012 Elantra Sedan sans camouflage hinting at a launch that could happen in the near future. The Elantra Fluidic, which was showcased at the 2012 Indian Auto Expo, is also known as the Avante in international markets. This D-segment car has been a huge success for Hyundai globally and when the car arrives into India, it will be a long due replacement for the now-discontinued Elantra sedan, which the South Korean car maker used to sell in the country many years ago. The uncamouflaged 2012 Elantra Fluidic car has been spotted on the outskirts of Chennai, a city which plays host to Hyundai’s Indian factory.

2012 Hyundai Elantra Fluidic Sedan Spyshot

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe 7 Seater Crossover

South Korean automaker Hyundai is planning to launch a new flagship crossover that will take on the likes of the Audi Q7 and the Mercedes Benz M-Class. This crossover is expected to sit above the 2013 all new Santa Fe crossover, that Hyundai showcased a few months ago. while the Santa Fe will be available with two wheelbase variants, a shorter 5 seater and a longer 7 seater model, the new luxury crossover is expected to be bigger than the Santa Fe and will be capable of seating 7 adults. Given that it will be positioned as a luxury crossover, expect a range of safety and creature comforts.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe 7 Seater Crossover used as an illustration

Hyundai's Elantra 3rd version expected to come on roads in September 2012

The Hyundai's Elantra is expected to return to India in September 2012.Rumors flew that Elantra was tested in south India.

The design of Elantra is expected to be at par and contemporary with perfect lines blended rick look. Its interiors are also expected to have rich and appealing sensational look and feel.

Elantra On Board Old Steering View

Expectations on the Launch of Hyundai Elantra sedan by Diwali 2012

Hyundai India could make a re-entry into the D-segment sedan space, a space that it has left vacant ever since the previous generation Elantra sedan went out of production a few years ago. This time around, the Elantra sedan is a much more refined and better looking car than ever before, so much so that its namesake in the United States, the Avante sedan, has gone on to be a top selling sedan, besting the likes of the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic. So, Hyundai has clearly raised the bar with the latest Elantra/Avante sedan and this very car could be launched in India by Diwali 2012.

2012 Hyundai Elantra Fluidic Sedan