All-new 2014 Hyundai Sonata makes global debut

All-new 2014 Hyundai Sonata makes global debut

by -

The current Sonata YF is significant for being one of the first models that made the industry sit up and take notice of Hyundai’s brisk progress as an automotive manufacturer. It was also the model which transitioned the Sonata nameplate from being regarded as a poor man’s Accord into a bona fide D-segment contender with up-to-date design and specifications.

Five years on from its introduction in 2009, the Sonata YF enters the twilight of its model cycle and out comes its successor, the all-new seventh-generation Sonata that makes its global debut in South Korea today, and it is shaping up to be another highly-promising product that is bound to give the established Japanese contenders a serious run for their money.

Picking up from the YF’s ‘Fluidic Sculpture’ styling language, the all-new Sonata moves the game on with an evolved ‘Fluidic Sculpture 2.0′, which in our eyes appear to be a much toned down and more mature interpretation of the original design. Hyundai’s more restrained approach is understandable as many critics have remarked that the YF’s design was too divisive and polarizing, even if it succeeded in sending out a powerful statement of intent to the market.

From pictures, we see an evolutionary change from the YF to the all-new model, with the latter sporting a more grown-up and less fussy appearance. The glass area appears unchanged but the powerful character line running along its flanks seems to have been toned down, and this time round, Hyundai did not bother aligning the door handles to flush with it. No issue, we suspect this newer cleaner design would better stand the test of time than the YF.

Inside, the new Sonata’s cabin sports a revised set of ergonomics which Hyundai claims are more driver-focused and intuitive than before. The centre stack is now wider with climate and audio controls spread more horizontally in almost BMW fashion. There is the inevitable addition of a central screen between the central air-conditioning vents – base models settle for a 3.8-inch LCD display whilst higher-end versions get an 8-inch touchscreen.

Despite its stunning appearance and competitive equipment, the Sonata YF was badly let down by its thoroughly uninspiring driving experience. The new model sets out to fix that, with Hyundai having put it through dynamic tests in in a variety of locations worldwide, including the famed Nürburgring in Germany at Hyundai Motor’s dedicated Technical Center, and the Mojave Proving Ground in California, America. Thanks to the increased usage of advanced high strength steel in its chassis construction, stiffness of the new Sonata is claimed to be 41% higher in torsion and 35% higher in bending compared to the YF.

To improve ride and handling, significant changes have been made to the front and rear suspension, which remain all-independent as before. The rear multi-links, which follow a separate spring-shock layout, feature dual lower arms for more effective distribution of lateral forces. The trailing arm, meanwhile, curves upwards from the wheel hub toward its front pivot in similar fashion to what’s seen in Mazda’s SkyActiv chassis. Another criticism which Hyundai made an effort to address is an uncommunicative steering, by engineering a larger data processing unit, increased logic control cycle and motor control speed, and greater column rigidity to the electric power steering system.

For the Korean market, Hyundai launches the Sonata with a selection of three powertrains, starting with a the familiar 2.0-litre Nu MPI engine with outputs of 166hp and 201Nm. An LPI version of the same engine pumps out 149hp and 194Nm, whilst a 2.4-litre mill with direct injection completes the roost with 190hp and 247Nm. A choice of 6-speed manual and automatic transmissions are available, and Hyundai’s release suggest that more engine variants will be introduced as the Sonata goes from market to market.

Since the Sonata badge was first introduced by Hyundai in 1985, cumulative sales have almost reached seven million units, making this the company’s third model ever to achieve the landmark figure. The all-new Sonata, the result of three years of development and an investment of approximately 450 billion Won (RM1.38 billion), is scheduled to be launched outside Korea in the second half of this year. Hyundai targets to sell a total of 228,000 units (Korea: 63,000 / Overseas: 165,000) for this year, while aiming to expand it up to 338,000 units (Korea: 89,000 / Overseas: 249,000) next year.

KON

Pictures: Official Hyundai release.

NO COMMENTS

Leave a Reply