2011 Hyundai Sonata Caught Testing in Dubai

2011 Hyundai Sonata Caught Testing in Dubai

The crew over at the Arabic website Assayyarat dropped these photos of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata in our mail this morning. The prototype model that was captured in Dubai had its front- and rear-end covered in plastic wrapping but we do get a general idea of what the mid-size sedan will look like when it hits showrooms in early 2010. And judging by the raked roofline and the 'stubby' boot design (first-gen Audi A6 ring a bell?), Hyundai is going for a more than welcome 'four-door' coupe look.

The photographer also managed to snap a few pictures of the Sonata's interior that is completely new featuring a swoopy dashboard design with very Volvo-like controls on the center stack and a pair of deeply set gauges which seem to be the industry standard these days.

The Korean automaker's Honda Accord and Toyota Camry fighter is expected to be powered by four-cylinder and V6 gasoline engines while Europeans will also be offered the choice of four-banger turbo diesels including a new 2.0-liter four-pot with 185 horsepower.

Photo Courtesy: Assayyarat

2011 Hyundai Sonata Caught Testing in Dubai

2011 Hyundai Sonata Caught Testing in Dubai

The crew over at the Arabic website Assayyarat dropped these photos of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata in our mail this morning. The prototype model that was captured in Dubai had its front- and rear-end covered in plastic wrapping but we do get a general idea of what the mid-size sedan will look like when it hits showrooms in early 2010. And judging by the raked roofline and the 'stubby' boot design (first-gen Audi A6 ring a bell?), Hyundai is going for a more than welcome 'four-door' coupe look.

The photographer also managed to snap a few pictures of the Sonata's interior that is completely new featuring a swoopy dashboard design with very Volvo-like controls on the center stack and a pair of deeply set gauges which seem to be the industry standard these days.

The Korean automaker's Honda Accord and Toyota Camry fighter is expected to be powered by four-cylinder and V6 gasoline engines while Europeans will also be offered the choice of four-banger turbo diesels including a new 2.0-liter four-pot with 185 horsepower.

Photo Courtesy: Assayyarat

2011 Hyundai Sonata Spied by Reader in South Korea

2011 Hyundai Sonata Spied by Reader in South Korea

A prototype model of Hyundai's forthcoming 2011 Sonata sedan in plastic wraps has been spied parked on the road somewhere in South Korea by a member of the 'Hyundai-Blog' site. The new mid-size sedan that will be called 'i40' in Europe and other international markets, could be revealed in production form as early as this November at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show and go on sale sometime during the first half of 2010.

While Hyundai's people have done a pretty good job with the camouflage, some details like the more raked roofline suggest that the new Sonata will be much more adventurous in its design than the current car.

Built on a newly developed platform, the next-generation Sonata is said to be slightly larger than the outgoing model resulting to improved space for passengers and their luggage.

A four-cylinder and a V6 gasoline engine is sure to be in the mix while in Europe and other markets consumers will also be able to opt between the Korean firm's new 2.0-liter and 2.2-liter turbo diesels delivering an output of 185HP and 200HP respectively.

Via: Hyundai Blog

2011 Hyundai Sonata Spied by Reader in South Korea

2011 Hyundai Sonata Spied by Reader in South Korea

A prototype model of Hyundai's forthcoming 2011 Sonata sedan in plastic wraps has been spied parked on the road somewhere in South Korea by a member of the 'Hyundai-Blog' site. The new mid-size sedan that will be called 'i40' in Europe and other international markets, could be revealed in production form as early as this November at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show and go on sale sometime during the first half of 2010.

While Hyundai's people have done a pretty good job with the camouflage, some details like the more raked roofline suggest that the new Sonata will be much more adventurous in its design than the current car.

Built on a newly developed platform, the next-generation Sonata is said to be slightly larger than the outgoing model resulting to improved space for passengers and their luggage.

A four-cylinder and a V6 gasoline engine is sure to be in the mix while in Europe and other markets consumers will also be able to opt between the Korean firm's new 2.0-liter and 2.2-liter turbo diesels delivering an output of 185HP and 200HP respectively.

Via: Hyundai Blog

Hyundai Sonata EF Facelift Unveiled at Shanghai Auto Show

Hyundai Sonata EF Facelift Unveiled at Shanghai Auto Show

There are many good reasons why numerous Chinese automakers turn to European studios when it comes to designing cars - Hyundai's new mid-size sedan that is codenamed for the time being BT01, is one of them. The BT01, which is in fact a redesigned version of the previous generation Sonata (EF), is the very first model to be independently styled by Hyundai's Chinese joint venture, Beijing Hyundai Motor Company (BHMC).

On the outside, the rhinoplasty surgeons of Hyundai's Chinese arm gave the Sonata EF a new face job with 'startling' headlamps and a massive chromed grilled. At the rear end, changes include a newly designed bumper and restyled tail lamps that now extend onto the boot.

Inside, Hyundai's designers opted for a two-tone color scheme while seat materials, interior trim and colors were also updated as was the backlighting of the central gauge cluster that was changed from the original green in favor of red which is said to be more popular with Chinese drivers. Other improvements over the outgoing model include a new DVD/GPS Navigation unit located in the centre stack.

Power for the BT01 is supplied by a 2.0-liter Beta engine that is hooked up to either a 5-speed manual gearbox or an optional four-speed automatic transmission .

Hyundai said that the BT01 will go on sale in China this summer at which time its official name and pricing will be announced. The BT01 will be sold alongside the recently facelifted, domestic market version of the Sonata NF.

Hyundai Sonata EF Facelift Unveiled at Shanghai Auto Show

Hyundai Sonata EF Facelift Unveiled at Shanghai Auto Show

There are many good reasons why numerous Chinese automakers turn to European studios when it comes to designing cars - Hyundai's new mid-size sedan that is codenamed for the time being BT01, is one of them. The BT01, which is in fact a redesigned version of the previous generation Sonata (EF), is the very first model to be independently styled by Hyundai's Chinese joint venture, Beijing Hyundai Motor Company (BHMC).

On the outside, the rhinoplasty surgeons of Hyundai's Chinese arm gave the Sonata EF a new face job with 'startling' headlamps and a massive chromed grilled. At the rear end, changes include a newly designed bumper and restyled tail lamps that now extend onto the boot.

Inside, Hyundai's designers opted for a two-tone color scheme while seat materials, interior trim and colors were also updated as was the backlighting of the central gauge cluster that was changed from the original green in favor of red which is said to be more popular with Chinese drivers. Other improvements over the outgoing model include a new DVD/GPS Navigation unit located in the centre stack.

Power for the BT01 is supplied by a 2.0-liter Beta engine that is hooked up to either a 5-speed manual gearbox or an optional four-speed automatic transmission .

Hyundai said that the BT01 will go on sale in China this summer at which time its official name and pricing will be announced. The BT01 will be sold alongside the recently facelifted, domestic market version of the Sonata NF.