Hyundai Sonata Turbo and Hybrid for 2011
Seemingly on a roll, Korean carmaker Hyundai has debuted two new versions of the redesigned Sonata, one a turbo model and the other a hybrid, at the 2010 New York Auto Show.
A 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine in now available for the 2011 Sonata, with premium features such as “GDI” direct injection and a twin-scroll turbocharger, previously only seen in German brands. While Hyundai has already declared that the Sonata will not be offered with a V6, the small turbo engine produces 274 hp at 6,000 rpm and 364 Nm of torque from only 1800 rpm all the way up to 4500 rpm without requiring “Super” RON98 petrol. Already more powerful than any Japanese competitor, the Sonata 2.0T will also deliver 8.4 litres/100 km, lower than most V6 engines. The engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic with paddle-shifters.
More unique is the Sonata Hybrid, with a completely unique front-end, clear tail lamps and a 169 hp 2.4-litre 4-cylinder engine aided by a 30kW electric motor to deliver a total of 209 hp at 6,000 rpm and 264 Nm of torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic. The fish-faced Sonata is apparently the lightest midsize hybrid sedan on the market, can cruise on only electric power at up to 100 kph, and consumes only 6.2 litres/100 km of petrol.
Both the Sonata Turbo and the Sonata Hybrid have again beaten everything else in its class in terms of tech, and when combined with build quality and lower prices than any of its competitors, it is hard to see Hyundai and sister-company Kia placing a step wrong anytime soon. However, the complexity of both these models may mean that they will never be offered in the UAE or any other GCC country.
Comments
BJD
I like the headlights, fog lights and tail lights of the hybrid. Futuristic designs here.
I do like the new optima better though.
ivan
The front-end looks a bit too exaggerated, I like the car overall though. 🙂
Zao
hope to see both sonata and optima turbo models in middle east…
BJD
turbos are always eased off here and produce lower power because of the low quality fuel. So it might not beat out all the V6 of the japs when it comes here.
*If it comes here*
BJD
turbos are always eased off here and produce lower power because of the low quality fuel. So it might not beat out all the V6 of the japs when it comes here.
Thats If it comes here
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
BMW managed to make direct-injection and turbos work here, and judging from my test figures, without detuning. I read somewhere that UAE fuel is fine and that Saudi fuel is sulphur-tainted crap, but the GCC is one market. Of course, the long-term implications may be ignored by BMW anyway, considering they already advocate 25,000 km oil changes and lifetime transmission fluid.
Zao
lol who needs power to beat japanese…already there are enough speed cameras in the whole uae that we cant think about speeding…lol a midsize car with about 200hp with decent handling is good enough for our normal use….before atleast in abudhabi dubai highway i was driving at 180 – 190 now on highways also police with sniper radars are catchin….even inside city u cant imagine going beyond 80km…
Abdabu
the koreans r developing