Hyundai India showed its presence at the Auto Expo 2012 with numerous exclusive offering, which comprised of Hyundai Hexa Space, Hyundai Elantra and Veloster along with its premium sedan, new Hyundai Sonata. The new Hyundai Sonata surely was a show stealer at the Hyundai stall at the Auto Expo 2012 in New Delhi. The new Hyundai Sonata has been beautifully crafted and followed the principles of its signature Fluidic design. The front grille is in perfect harmony and gives you a feel of a smooth and stunning waterfall. With top-line interiors accompanied with cutting-edge architecture, Hyundai Sonata 2012 stood at the Hyundai Stall with utmost proud.
The all new Hyundai Sonata replaces the Hyundai Sonata Transform that was present in India since 2007. The new Hyundai Sonata which has arrived in India in 2012 already entered many nations before. This super luxury saloon car is better known as Hyundai i45 in Australia, Singapore and New Zealand. The car is also accorded with the tag of Hyundai i40 in Asia. The new Hyundai Sonata is the sixth generation of the premium sedan and comprise of some remarkable features, such as rear and front ventilation, cruise control, high intensity Xenon headlamps, ten way adjustable power seat accompanied with lumbar support, four way power adjustable front passenger seat and paddle shift. Hyundai Motors India Limited has tried to make the new Hyundai Sonata eco-friendly as it comes with an ample of occupant-protection accessories and equipment. The safety features comprise of anti lock braking system with EBD (Electronic Brake Force distribution), smart key with push start, rear view camera, Electro chromic mirror and six airbags that would protect the driver and the passengers in case of accident or collision.
Talking about the exteriors of 2012 Hyundai Sonata, the car gets the fluidic design sculpture, a part of family treatment to all Hyundai cars, which sports numerous smooth lines and is accompanied with elegantly stretched tail and headlamps on either side of the car. The huge sized chrome grille is designed with utmost care and looks like a stunning waterfall thereby giving the front fascia a premium and lavish look. The new Hyundai Sonata have got beautifully curved coupe like roofline along with prominent wheel arches that fits in strong 17 inches of alloy wheels. Under the hood, all new Hyundai Sonata comes with a powerful 2.4 litre of GDI (Hyundai’s direct petrol injection technology) petrol engine, which churns out 198 BHP of peak power at the rate of 6300 rpm along with 25.5 kgm of peak torque at the rate of 4250 rpm. This powerful 2.4 litre of GDI petrol engine is further mated with the six-speed automatic and manual transmission with paddle shifters, depending on the model one chooses.
The exteriors of 2012 Hyundai Sonata are certainly impressive, the interiors doesn’t let down as well. The new Hyundai Sonata is adorned with a lot of features, which would enhance the driving experience of the owner to a great extent. The centre console has been placed very intelligently and has a glossy film that leads to a much sportier look. Hyundai Motors was fully aware of the fact that with sound engine and stunning exterior it is very crucial for the sedan to have comfortable and chic interiors. therefore, the car comes jam-packed with some premium equipments, which comprise of a six CD changer music system with AUX-in and USB support, ventilated leather seats for rear and front, ten way electrically adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, four way adjustable seat for the front co-passenger and push button keyless start.
On the whole, the new Hyundai Sonata is the premium sedan, which replaces Hyundai Sonata transform in the Indian car market. The sedan is said to deliver excellent performance and will be highly fuel efficient and will emit low carbon dioxide emissions as compared to the previous model and the credit for this goes to the directly injecting highly pressurized fuel into combustion chamber thereby strapping up the gain of VTVT or Dual variable timing valve train. This premium sedan is the epitome of luxury and defeats the rivals with sheer technology.
Exteriors
Keeping in mind the beauty of the orchid flower the all new Sonata is crafted on the principles of “Fluidic Sculpture ” where contrasting surfaces create a vision of continuous motion. The cues for the front grille design are taken from the harmony of flowing water. Exteriors of Hyundai Sonata cannot be described just by calling them stunning. The outer shell of 2012 Hyundai Sonata is exotic and renders the car a ten on ten for shedding luxury all the way it will travel. The detailing done on the design of the car leaves the spectators spell-bound. When Hyundai Sonata runs on its 10 spoke alloy wheels it is bound to create a jaw dropping aura. New Hyundai Sonata can compete with any entry level Merc, Beemer or Audi in terms of appearance, although it will sit in a segment much below them near Rs 20 lakh.
The awe-inspiring touch starts from the front of the sedan. From a more executive look which was kind of bland to look at, Hyundai has given a fluidic design to Sonata with lots of curves and character lines running through-out the body. Hyundai Motors did the same thing earlier with its entry-level sedan Verna also. Fluidic Verna was introduced by Hyundai India at a time when Verna Transform failed to bring the potential customers to the showroom. Hyundai India has taken up the challenge to turn around the lukewarm sales of the Hyundai Sonata Transform replacing it with the all new Hyundai Sonata Fluidic. The revamped version speaks volumes of the Hyundai’s new Fluidic design concept which has garnered unimagined success with new Hyundai Verna Fluidic where the car enthusiasts are still finding it beyond their slightest imagination to imbibe the luster of the new car. Hence, Hyundai Motors has decided to carry the Fluidic lineage forward which is clearly evident in the 2012 Hyundai Sonata model.
The new Sonata Fluidic is an eye candy by any standards with its liquid flowing design and sparkling new exteriors . On an overall, the new version looks more refined with high intensity xenon headlamps especially at the corners with a brilliant sparkle within it. Hyundai Motors have decided to retain the delicate looking grille as usual but endowed it with ample chrome in large proportions which stands out the most matching up with the smooth lustrous finish of the car. The 2012 Hyundai Sonata looks more graceful and upmarket than before especially with the new air duct which sheds off the ventilated look from before.
The side skirts of the car are carried forward from the previous version but look more prominent with the dazzling new exteriors to make one wonder if it went missing in the past. Another crease running parallel from the fascia of the car to the rear end, but more near the seams of the car is also retained in the new Hyundai Sonata which blends easily into the car design now, than it was before which used to hang out like an addition as an afterthought. The delicate near invisible lines on the bonnet helps the new car build a look which exudes a feminine curvaceous form or rather confirms if its well-toned look is an additional expert touch on its blessed superfluous beauty.
The pair of rather imaginary lines converges into a ‘V’ shaped form to blend into the grille symbolically ensuring the success of the new Hyundai Sonata. The new bonnet design is a rather enticing replacement of the more prominent lines from before which more worked like a catalyst in spoiling the overall look of the sedan bringing out a cheaper image to it. Just in tandem with the rest, the fog lamps, present at front and rear have taken a new form altogether to suit the premium image to offer perfect symmetry to the onlookers. The turn indicators integrated body-colored external side rear view mirrors add the much required charm quotient to look more appropriate while it looked so out of place in the predecessor. To cap it all, the new Hyundai Sonata globally known as Hyundai i45 is a perfect choice for a premium car buyer which does not carry a single dent (figure of speech) as far as the car exteriors are concerned meeting all the requirements of the luxury car buyer with ample 523 L boot space under the extended well-crafted rear of the car which could be ideal for long travels.
Exterior Measurements
New Hyundai Sonata is 4820 mm long, 1835 mm wide and 1490 mm in height. The wheelbase is 2795 mm , thus giving a long saloon look from the sides and the ground clearance is 155 mm . Front track and rear track of 2012 Hyundai Sonata is 1591 mm.
Interiors
Hyundai India has launched the 2012 Hyundai Sonata integrating its Fluidic concept in the revamped version to see an ample change from the previous model with a new style factor to make up for all the deficits in the predecessor. The all new interiors of Hyundai Sonata carry a special oomph factor to fill in for all the gaps where the consumers have found the Hyundai Sonata Transform to be a let-down. The Korean auto giant Hyundai Motors has ensured to deliver maximum driveability in the new Hyundai Sonata with all the more plusher interiors to make the drive on the new Sonata memorable. A test drive on the car is enough to have the well-cherished memory engraved forever in the mind. Long drives on the car can be carried out with utmost ease and comfort without a single joint in the body creaking out for mercy with the spacious interiors where the passengers can relax and enjoy the entire drive with a pleasant blissful smile on the face.
Hyundai Motors has made a thoughtful replacement of the rich black interiors with a pleasanter hue with the perfect mixture of beige, grey and black color tones to forget the stressful environment at work to enjoy a home-like comfort inside the safety haven of new Hyundai Sonata Fluidic. The new sedan is as luxurious as ever before with much richer color combinations with new vintage leather upholstery and intelligently laid out features just ready to perform at the users’ commands and all well within reach. The center console is positioned ergonomically in a high gloss film that lends it a sporty look. hi-visibility supervision cluster and a X-shaped centre fascia are other key highlights of Sonata. The beige color tones have crept into the power steering as well apart from the chrome inserts and the illuminated audio controls which will not disappoint the consumers in the least.
Interior Comfort
The modifications in the A/C vents are extremely prominent in the 2012 Hyundai Sonata which catch the consumers’ appraisal first before anything else does. The vertical looking cool air promoters are smartly placed to squeeze out more space instead of looking overcrowded with all the essential techno-gadgetry. The LCD touchscreen for easy manipulation of audio and navigation controls onboard the car is sleeker than before to override the wide box-type screen from before. The uncompromising legroom is quite evident in the premium sedan as Hyundai Motors is determined to deliver utmost driving experience on the car with the extended wheelbase in the new Hyundai Sonata where the comfort can be doubled with the 4-way power adjustable driver and passenger seats. The headroom for the passenger comfort is also impressive in the new Sonata apart from the wider seats to accommodate the passengers completely. The cockpit is however as charming as ever before with the two arches on the driver and passenger side in the front seats to portray a feeling of a partition in the center to separate the two sides. Hyundai Sonata Fluidic now poses a potential threat to the Honda Accord in true spirit with the spacious interiors and new attractive exteriors. On an overall, Hyundai Motors has delivered the results and now it is the time to keep its fingers crossed hoping for a success for the extreme efforts it has put in.
![Hyundai Sonata Transform Gear]( "Hyundai Sonata Transform Gear")
Acceleration & Pick-Up
New Hyundai Sonata is equipped with a 2.4 litre petrol engine with GDI technology. The sedan is quick enough to zoom from nil speed to a superb 100 kmph in just about 12 seconds . The engine is a super machine and Hyundai engineers have put in their best efforts to tune it. The car can attain a top speed of atleast 210 kmph.
Engine and Performance
The new Hyundai Sonata is offered in petrol variants, where petrol options will be two in number. The Hyundai Sonata with 2.4 litre of GDI petrol engine is uses the company’s gasoline direct injection technology, which boosts up the power, fuel efficiency and the engine response accompanied with low CO2 emissions. The 2359 cc litre of GDI petrol engine fitted in 2012 Hyundai Sonata keeps the ability and capacity to produce maximum power of 198 BHP @ 6300 rpm along with 250 Nm of torque @ 4250 rpm. This amount of power allows the sedan to perform well on the road and could give a stiff competition to its opponents in the Indian car bazaar. The engine is transversely mounted in front. Apart from petrol, one can wait for the diesel version too, which will come later. This 2.0 litre of CRDi diesel motor would churn out 194 bhp of power.
The petrol version of 2012 Hyundai Sonata is intelligently mated with six speed manual gearbox as well as six speed automatic transmission, respectively. Therefore, by replacing the MPI engine with GDI, Hyundai India has surely made a very wise decision and added more appeal to the sedan and made it much better than the previous Hyundai Sonata Transform.
![Hyundai Sonata Transform Mileage]( "Hyundai Sonata Transform Mileage")
Mileage
Delivering a good mileage is very important for any car and same applies to the 2012 Hyundai Sonata saloon. However, the petrol variants of new Hyundai Sonata doesn’t deliver an impressive mileage, but it gives a decent fuel efficiency of 13.5 km per litre from 2.4 litre of GDI version of Sonata Manual transmission , whereas 12 km per litre of mileage is delivered by 2.4 litre of GDI petrol variant in automatic transmission . The use of Hyundai’s gasoline direct injection technology further gives a bit of jump in the fuel economy by directly injecting highly pressurized fuel in the combustion chamber and tapping the benefits of Dual Continously VariableValve Timing (D-VTVT).
Power of Hyundai Sonata Transform
The premium Sonata establishes Hyundai as a pioneer in innovation and design. The new 2.4 litre GDI engine packed in Sonata petrol variants proves its worth in technology by delivering 198 bhp of power at 6300 rpm and a bombastic 25.5 Nm of torque is produced at 4250 revs . The well refined engine delivers best in class power due to the presence of D-VTVT.
Braking & Handling
2012 Hyundai Sonata will be associated with ventilated disc brakes in front and solid disc brakes at the rear wheels so as to behave proactively while applying brakes. Independent Mac Pherson struts and anti roll bar suspension are used for front wheels while Multi-link, coil springs, anti roll bar suspensions are used at the rear. Braking will be superb with Anti-lock-Braking System mated to Electronic Brakeforce distribution (EBD).
Safety & Security
2012 Hyundai Sonata is loaded with ample of luxury features and with these features, Hyundai India has not forgotten to provide top-class safety and handling too. The new Hyundai Sonata sedan comes with 6 inbuilt airbags that would save the driver and the passengers in case of collision or accident. The amplitude selective damper enhances the stability and comfort level of the car. A steady handling is preserved even on the bumpy Indian terrains. The brake booster along with the disc brakes and anti lock braking system further adds more safety while driving the sedan. Another highlighted safety features in the new Hyundai Sonata sedan is the electronic stability program (ESP) , which regulates brake force and engine torque that in-turn helps the driver to maintain the control on the car. The foot parking brake immobilizes the car safety more.
Wheels
2012 Hyundai Sonata runs on alloy wheels with a tyre size of 215/55 R17 . Tubeless tyres are good to go on Indian roads as they have less wear and tear are otherwise very safe.
Pros
1. Classy exterior style and appearance.
2. Utility based comfort features.
3. After sales service is quite good.
4. Engine performance is reliable.
5. Leg and shoulder space is very good.
Cons
1. Initial cost of ownership is too high.
2. Fuel efficiency is poor
3. Safety standards can be much better.
4. Interior design is not as expected.
5. Ground clearance is too low.
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