New Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai releases sketches of its new Sonata sedan while leaked photos appear on the web

Not yet a symphony but much more than a solo

From what we can remember here at LotPro.com, the first year the Hyundai Sonata graced our shores was back in 1988. We were around to test drive an example and it was an excruciating experience. The steering was vague, the handling was forgettable and its quality control was suspect (a cloth rear seat release strap ripped of in our hands).

Since that time, the Korean automaker has gotten its act together in a big way. Four generations plus two updates later, the Sonata is now a legitimate player in the mid-size segment with the biggest difference coming from the current model that was introduced in 2006.

2011 Sonata

Even though the Sonata was updated in 2009, the 2010 model will have only a brief run before the company begins production of the 2011 version that will have its world debut at the 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The new Sonata will also mark a “first” for Hyundai in the U.S. market when the company brings out a gas-electric hybrid version of the vehicle in late 2010, using cutting-edge lithium polymer batteries to augment its electric motor and gasoline engine.

And speaking of propulsion, Wards Auto World reports that the vehicle will only be available in the U.S. with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder direct injection gasoline engine (mated to a six-speed automatic transmission), while other sources (Hyundai being tight-lipped at the moment) report that this particular four cylinder will be used for entry-level models, while a 3.5-liter V6 will power a premium version.

Style

While earlier Sonatas could easily get overlooked in mall parking lots, the newest Hyundai, based on the company’s “fluidic sculpture” styling language and designed at its Irvine, California studio, is certain to garner more than a few second looks.

Codenamed “YF,” the new Sonata takes a cue from both the Mercedes-Benz CLS and the Volkswagen CC as the Hyundai features four doors with a distinctive coupe-inspired roofline. In front, a large Genesis-inspired grille is flanked by wrap-around headlamp bezels set between two ridges that start below the grill and flow around the headlamps and curve up to the vehicle’s beltline. A second ridge begins behind the front wheel openings, two thirds of the way up the fender, and continues an upward curve along the car’s flanks to the top of the taillamps and around the trunk.

Although vehicle options are a bit sketchy at this point, expect to see Hyundai’s stability and traction control system (which they call VDC or Vehicle Dynamic Control) as standard equipment on all U.S. models with a panoramic glass sunroof, proximity-sensing keyless entry and push-button ignition available as options.

Tags: genesis, Hyundai, hyundai sonata, Mercedes-Benz, mercedes-benz cls, north american international auto show, Sonata, Volkswagen, volkswagen cc, wards auto world