Hyundai Drops Pricing on New Sonata Hybrid, Starts from $26,545

Hyundai's all-new 2011 Sonata Hybrid sedan will carry a starting price of $25,795 plus a $750 fee for freight charges for a total of $26,545 when it arrives in the firm's dealerships in early January. The most fuel efficient version of the South Korean maker's mid-size sedan will comes in just two flavors, with the next version being the tech-feature-packed Premium model priced at $30,795, or $31,545 if you add the freight charge.

Both variants deliver 40-mpg on the highway and 35 mpg in the city, with a 37 mpg combined rating from the EPA. Hyundai's first hybrid in the States features a proprietary parallel hybrid drive system, which utilizes a 169HP 2.4-liter Theta II (operating on an Atkinson Cycle) linked to a 6-speed automatic transmission, a 30kW (151 lb-ft) electric motor and a lithium polymer batteries.

Its two propulsion units produce a combined output of 209 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, and 195 lb-ft of torque.

"[The] Sonata Hybrid offers something new to the mid-size sedan segment, with its segment-leading 40-mpg highway fuel economy rating, differentiated appearance, and incredible value," said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America president and CEO. "Like the 2.4L direct-injected Sonata and the 2.0L Sonata Turbo launched earlier this year, Sonata Hybrid demonstrates Hyundai's unique approach melding innovative technologies and emotional design into products more and more people want to put in their driveways."

Both versions of the Sonata Hybrid come equipped with LED lights, audio system, power windows, locks and mirrors, and alloy wheels as standard. For more details on each models features check out the list below.

SONATA HYBRID KEY FEATURES

• 2.4L Atkinson Cycle 4-cylinder hybrid engine
• Hybrid starter-generator (HSG)
• Permanent magnet high-power density motor
• 270V lithium polymer battery
• 6-speed automatic transmission
• Electronic stability control with traction control system
• ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist
• Front active head restraints
• Front, front seat side and curtain airbags
• 16-inch Eco-spoke alloy wheels
• Headlight LED accents
• LED taillights
• Front fog lights
• Side mirror-mounted turn signal indicators
• Unique, tinted chrome front grille
• Bodyside molding tinted chrome inserts
• Chrome window belt-line moldings
• Chrome exterior door handles
• Proximity entry with push-button start
• Remote keyless entry, alarm and immobilizer
• Electroluminescent instrument cluster (Supervision)
• 4.2-inch TFT multi-function trip computer with hybrid technology display
• Dual automatic temperature control
• Floor console mounted rear vents
• Power driver seat with lumbar support
• Chrome interior door handles
• Leatherette interior door panel inserts
• Tilt & telescopic steering wheel with cruise and audio controls
• Metalgrain interior accents
• AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 with iPod/USB & Aux input jacks
• Power windows, locks, heated mirrors
• Integrated Bluetooth with phonebook transfer
• Automatic light control
• Solar control glass

SONATA HYBRID PREMIUM PACKAGE ADDS THESE FEATURES

• Panoramic sunroof with tilt & slide
• 17-inch Eco-spoke alloy wheels with unique finish
• Navigation system with high-resolution touch-screen display
• Rear backup camera
• Infinity premium speakers, subwoofer/external amplifier (400-watt)
• HD Radio Technology with multicasting
• Leather seating surfaces with heated front seats and rear seat bottom cushions
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel & shift knob
• Auto-dimming mirror / HomeLink / compass
• Premium door sill plates
• Glossy black door surround and outside mirror housing

2011 Hyundai Sonata Partially Spied in Garage

It's no secret that Hyundai is currently working on the successor of its mid-size Sonata sedan that is rumored to make its debut in production form at either the 2009 Los Angeles auto show or the 2010 Detroit Show next January with sales said to start sometime in the first half of the year. These latest photos, courtesy of a reader over from the Hyundai-Blog that appears to have snapped the test car in some kind of a garage, give us a fractional look of the new Sonata's fascia and profile. Not much to go by, but we'll keep a close eye for any newer spy shots.

Based on a newly developed platform, the next-generation Sonata will be offered with an updated engine lineup. Depending on the market, buyers will be able to choose from four-cylinder and V6 gasoline units plus the Korean firm's newly developed 2.0- and 2.2-liter turbo diesels with outputs of around 185HP and 200HP respectively.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

SEMA: Hyundai Teases Tricked Out 2011 Sonata Turbo, Says it's Inspired by Ferrari, Mercedes and Porsche

Hoping to build some hype around the new 2011 Sonata 2.0-liter Turbo before it arrives in showrooms later this year, Hyundai has teamed up with RIDES and 0-60 magazines to trick out the 274-horsepower-strong saloon for the SEMA show, which will take place in Las Vegas this November.

The South Korean firm has no problem admitting that the car's tune-up is inspired by Ferrari, Mercedes and Porsche models.

In particular, Hyundai says the SEMA Show Sonata's exterior modifications will be "modest and tasteful, using influences from the four-door Brabus Mercedes CLS Rocket sport coupe", adding that the interior design has been inspired by the Ferrari F430 "with strategically placed stitched leather throughout and carbon fiber trim accents." No word where Porsche fits in the tune.

Other upgrades will include 20-inch concave monobloc wheels, a matte pearl white paint and a slew of carbon fiber components including the roof, grill, interior trim, side mirrors and rear diffuser, plus turbo and intake enhancements, and a quad tip dual exhaust.

Expect more teaser shots to be released within the next few weeks.

Hyundai to Recall Nearly 140,000 2011MY Sonata Sedans

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that Hyundai is recalling certain 2011MY Sonata sedans over a potential issue with the steering system that could result in a total loss or reduction in steering capability. The recall affects all Sonatas manufactured from December 11, 2009, through September 10, 2010.

Here's how the government safety agency describes the problem with the Sonata's steering system:

"On some of these vehicles the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections may have been either improperly assembled or insufficiently tightened. Improper assembly or insufficient tightening of the connections could result in a complete separation or compromised attachment of the connections, such that the driver could experience a loss of, or reduction in, steering capability increasing the risk of a crash."

Hyundai said dealers will inspect the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections for proper assembly and torque, adding that the company will also update the power steering software free of charge.

The safety recall for the 2011 Sonata is expected to start in early October 2010. For more information, owners may contact Hyundai's customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.

Hyundai's Having a Ball, Sonata and Tucson Driving US Sales to the Moon

According to US Hyundai CEO John Krafcik, Hyundai is looking to set an "all-time" sales record in September partially thanks to high demand for the new Sonata sedan.

Krafcik told Autonews that September "looks fantastic [for Hyundai]. The industry looks decent -- I wouldn't say great -- but I think we're going to be fine." That's because the two latest Hyundai models to arrive have been the well received Sonata and the crisp Tucson.

Due to the firm's recent product /quality blitz, sales for 2010 have risen 17% so far and should help Hyundai pass its 500,000 unit United States sales goal this year. This follows an industry-wide drop in sales after various clunker programs in which Hyundai benefited significantly, so good for them.

These sales also include the company's very conservative goals for its Lexus-fighting Equus. Regarding the Equus' target market of full-size luxury shoppers in the market for something fresh, Krafcik continued, "We recognize that's a tough segment...We're going in with a 2,000 to 3,000 units a year sales objective, which would give us a 6 to 7 percent share."

Other than the top-line Equus, the Genesis Sedan and Coupe will receive mild updates to stay up to date; on the low end, expect the Sonata and Tucson to hold down the fort until the new Accent, Elantra sedan, Veloster small coupe (see the latest spy shots here), and Azera saloon appear in the next year or so.

Expect to see more and more of these out-of-left field Hyundais in the future as the Koreans begin to take advantage of Japanese automakers' lack of direction.

By Phil Alex

Source: Autonews (sub. req.)