2015 Hyundai Sonata

  • 2015 Hyundai Sonata makes its world debut in Korea

    2015 hyundai sonata 01

    The 2015 Hyundai Sonata has made its world premiere in Korea, ahead of its show debut in New York next month. The automaker says that the seventh-generation LF Sonata represents the practical application of the design and tech first applied on the Hyundai Genesis which debuted last November.

    The new D-segmenter is slightly larger than the outgoing YF Sonata, being 35 mm longer and 30 mm wider, with improved cabin space as a result of the gains. Wheelbase is up by 10 mm, from 2,795 mm in the outgoing model to 2,805 mm on this one.

    It also displays less showy exterior lines, in line with the ‘Fluidic Sculpture 2.0’ design philosophy path currently taken. Hyundai even has a tagline for the Sonata’s design concept – it’s called Inner Force, a theme that points to the car’s ‘evolved aesthetic and confident design’.

    Tech-wise, the increased use of high-tensile steel (51%, as opposed to 21% previously) and new underpinnings translates to the new Sonata having 41% greater torsional strength and 35% greater bending strength than the outgoing model.

    2015 hyundai sonata 05

    Inside, the new car will offer a more premium outlook, with soft-touch surfaces and improved material choices for trim to be found. Kit will include rear parking sensors, heated leather seats and LED lighting, and new advanced multimedia systems and next-generation infotainment equipment are set to feature.

    There’s also a hands-free smart trunk, which you can open without using your hands. Hyundai’s approach is very different from competitors, which require the user to ‘kick’ an area below the rear bumper. Hyundai’s implementation employs a fender-mounted antenna to detect if the smart key is near the rear bumper for longer than three seconds, with an illuminated and audible warning prior to opening of the boot.

    Hyundai says this is safer as it allows the user to have both feet firmly on the ground, something which is probably important if your hands are full, not allowing you to use them in the first place. As for safety equipment, the list includes rear-side curtain airbags (up to a total of seven airbags), Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure Warning System and Advanced Smart Cruise Control.

    Engine options for the Korean market are a 165hp and 201 Nm 2.0 litre and a 190 hp and 247 Nm 2.4 litre Theta GDI, with a six-speed automatic transmission on the list. The automaker is targeting global sales of 228,000 units for the car this year, with sales outside of Korea due to begin in the second half of 2014.


    2012-2014 Hyundai Sonata YF facelift

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeZytQgfhF0
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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os2hKh1OJUY
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ngdhqq9oSPg

     
     
  • 2015 Hyundai Sonata shows its new face in leaked pix

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    Set to debut later this month, the all-new 2015 Hyundai Sonata has shown its pretty face early in these leaked photos from Korea. Like what you see? Looks like the teaser image released last week mirrors the real thing rather closely, which is rare these days.

    The fluid, flowing lines of the current Sonata YF (see gallery below to refresh your memory) are gone, replaced by a more mature and stoic appearance afforded by Hyundai’s new ‘Fluidic Sculpture 2.0’ design language that debuted on its new Genesis luxury sedan.

    Hyundai has released a sketch of its upcoming D-segment challenger’s interior too, which previews a much more driver-focussed cockpit than before. As with the exterior, the curves of the current cabin make way for a sharper, more involving look.

    The Korean company also talks up the new car’s improved safety, with seven airbags and “new seat belt technologies” being mentioned. So, what do you think of the 2015 Hyundai Sonata so far?


    2012-2014 Hyundai Sonata YF facelift

     
     
  • Next-generation Hyundai Sonata’s cabin previewed

    sonata-cabin-teaser

    Hyundai has released another teaser image of its next-generation Hyundai Sonata, which will be officially launched the end of this month in South Korea. Hyundai started receiving pre-orders for the D-segment sedan in its domestic market yesterday (March 5).

    This latest teaser is of the new Sonata’s cabin, which is quite a big departure from the current YF, design wise. The flowing centre console seen in the YF and Elantra MD is gone, replaced by a centre stack that is more driver-focused. It’s sharper, more cockpit-like, more Optima K5 this time.

    hyundai-sonata-teaser

    Earlier this week, we saw the exterior of the new car, which has a more mature appearance afforded by the “Fluidic Sculpture 2.0” design language (see new Hyundai Genesis). If that hexagonal grille looks familiar, you might have seen it here before.

    Hyundai says more advanced high-strength steel (51% vs 21% previously) has been used in the new car’s platform. Along with increased use of structural adhesives, more hot-stamped parts and the addition of dual-member structures in key body areas, the next-gen Sonata promises to be lighter and 40% more rigid than before.

    The Korean carmaker is aiming for a “Good” IIHS small overlap test score with this one – seven airbags and “new seat belt technologies” are mentioned. Like what you see so far?


     
     
  • Next-gen Hyundai Sonata teased, reveal this month

    hyundai-sonata-teaser

    Here’s an image teasing the next-gen Hyundai Sonata, which is set to be revealed in South Korea later this month before making its world debut at the NY International Auto Show in April.

    The fluid, flowing lines of its YF predecessor are gone, replaced by a more mature and stoic appearance afforded by the ‘Fluidic Sculpture 2.0’ design language (see new Hyundai Genesis). But where have we seen that hexagonal grille before…?

    Hyundai says more advanced high-strength steel (51% vs 21% previously) has been used in the new car’s platform. Along with increased use of structural adhesives, more hot-stamped parts and the addition of dual-member structures in key body areas, the next-gen Hyundai Sonata promises to be lighter and 40% more rigid than before.

    The Korean carmaker is aiming for a “Good” IIHS small overlap test score with this one – seven airbags and “new seat belt technologies” are mentioned. Expect the cabin to undergo some changes, too.

     
     
  • SPY VIDEO: Next generation Hyundai Sonata

    After a massive overhaul of build quality and looks, Hyundai is now on a mission to improve the driving dynamics of its cars and the next generation Hyundai Sonata will hopefully gain some of these improved traits to win the approval of lovers of ‘driver’s cars’ around the world.

    We’ve already seen spy photos of Hyundai testing the next generation Hyundai Sonata near the vicinity of the Nurburgring, but today we can show you a spy video of the car in action on the ‘Ring, offering a better multi-angle view of how the next gen car will look like.

    You can expect to see more Hyundais on the ‘Ring from now on, as Hyundai is now operating a dedicated test centre at the famous track, which it built at the cost of 5.5 million euro. The test base will support the Hyundai R&D centre in Russelsheim.

     
     
  • Next-generation Hyundai Sonata on test at the ‘Ring

    Hyundai-Sonata-2

    With the current-generation Hyundai Sonata first appearing in 2009, We’re looking at a possible 2014 or 2015 introduction for the next-generation Sonata, and development is of course already underway. Here is a first view at what the next-generation Hyundai Sonata will look like, a camo-ed prototype unit snapped around the vicinity of the Nurburgring.

    This car is most likely heading to the track as the driver (but not the passenger?) in the car is wearing a helmet, and you can even see roll bars inside. Hyundai’s test centre at the Nurburgring is due for completion this month, and will support Hyundai’s Russelsheim R&D centre.

    It will help Hyundai tune in good ride and handling for its next-generation cars, and if Hyundai manages to achieve what they want to achieve, journalists will be talking about the next-generation Sonata being a ‘driver’s car’.

    As you can see from the photos, the new Sonata gets a new more upright grille. This is no doubt because of pedestrian crash test regulations, as the current grille is actually quite sloped. The shape of the roof remains coupe-like, but the upright grille gives the prototype an overall stockier and more masculine look. You can see just a bit of the rear tail lamp graphics through the thick black disguise.

     
     
 
 
 

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Last Updated Mar 28, 2024