source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com
Via: Jalopnik, Cardomain, 6Speed, and NBC-2
Inside, Hyundai's designers opted for a two-tone color scheme while seat materials, interior trim and colors were also updated as was the backlighting of the central gauge cluster that was changed from the original green in favor of red which is said to be more popular with Chinese drivers. Other improvements over the outgoing model include a new DVD/GPS Navigation unit located in the centre stack. Power for the BT01 is supplied by a 2.0-liter Beta engine that is hooked up to either a 5-speed manual gearbox or an optional four-speed automatic transmission . Hyundai said that the BT01 will go on sale in China this summer at which time its official name and pricing will be announced. The BT01 will be sold alongside the recently facelifted, domestic market version of the Sonata NF. source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com
On the outside, the rhinoplasty surgeons of Hyundai's Chinese arm gave the Sonata EF a new face job with 'startling' headlamps and a massive chromed grilled. At the rear end, changes include a newly designed bumper and restyled tail lamps that now extend onto the boot.
Hyundai has paid more attention under the skin as the refreshed Santa Fe will benefit from the presentation of at least two new powertrain options including the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder Theta II gasoline engine that produces 175HP at 6,000 rpm and 168 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. The second-generation Theta engine that can be mated to a five-speed manual or automatic transmission has already been confirmed for the U.S. market. Up until now, the Santa Fe was offered in the States only with a 2.7-liter V6 and 3.3-liter V6. Though not officially confirmed, Carscoop's sources state that in the USA, Hyundai will replace the current 242HP 3.3-liter V6 with the Korean firm's new 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 277HP and 335 Nm or 247 lbs/ft of torque. Expect to see the 2010 Santa Fe making its debut at the forthcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September with the first cars arriving in Hyundai's dealerships on both sides of the Atlantic shortly after. source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com
Our spy photographers didn't manage to scoop the prototype's interior but our sources state that Hyundai will update the cabin with new trim options and add a few toys to the vehicle's equipment list.
In Europe, Korea and other international markets, the 2010 Santa Fe facelift will also be available with Hyundai's newly developed 2.2-liter 4-cylinder 'R' diesel engine that cranks out 197HP and 435Nm or 320.1 lbs/ft of torque.
Hyundai said that the recall concerns vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the so-called "salt belt" or "snowy" northern states of the U.S. due to the large quantities of salt used to de-ice roads. According to the Korean automaker, the road salt may result in a progressive corrosion of the front sub-frame leading to the thinning or perforation of the sub-frame steel.
As was the case with the previously recalled MY1999-2002 Sonatas, Hyundai dealers will check out the thickness of the front sub-frame and inspect for corrosion damage. If there's a serious problem, the front sub-frame will be replaced with a new sub-frame incorporating additional holes in the upper and lower panels.
Hyundai said that if the front sub-frame does not require replacement, the dealer will add drainage holes to the sub-frame and will treat the sub-frame with rust-proofing material to arrest the corrosion process.
Needless to say that in either case, the procedure will be performed free of charge. If you have more questions, we suggest you contact Hyundai's customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151.
source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com
If you happen to own any of the affected vehicles and want to learn more about the recalls, we suggest you contact Hyundai directly at the firm's U.S. customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-633-5151 end_of_the_skype_highlighting. source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com
Hyundai said that in both cases, the recalls concern vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the 'salt-belt' states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.
First came the Genesis, a lux-ish sedan that provides a V8 and rear-wheel drive to compete with the big boys from Germany and Japan while undercutting their prices by a wide margin. Then, hot on the Genesis sedan's tail came the Genesis Coupe with its 2.0-liter turbo four or big 300HP+ V6, again offering performance by mating both to a 6-speed stick and RWD.
Finally, just this week in New York Hyundai had their new home-market flagship on the podium, the new Mercedes S-Class sized Equus sedan, you know, just for show (yeah right). No doubt if reactions are good they'll be bringing this puppy across the Pacific to start recruiting Mercedes and Lexus buyers. If prices for the six-cylinder were really to start in the 40k's as rumors suggest, I can imagine a loaded model with the V8 would still come in under most competitors' prices.
I'm not quite sure where Hyundai got the nerve and the skills to leapfrog some of Japan's best attempts at top tier status (Acura and Infiniti, for example), but boldly bearing down on Lexus and Mercedes has definitely gotten consumers' attention. Never in a million years would I have thought that serious people would be comparing Hyundai with manufacturers from the inner circle of luxury.
From the looks of it, the Equus is just the next stage in Hyundai's grand scheme to show people the Japanese aren't the only Asian automotive force to be reckoned with. Having seen its flagship, now I'm (I can't believe I'm saying this) eagerly anticipating the Tiburon's replacement. Mercedes and Lexus, watch your backs. It's looking more and more like Hyundai will be a real contender in the years to come.
source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com
By Phil Alex
Phil Alex was born in Rhode Island in 1985, yet for reasons unbeknownst to him moved to South Carolina. He graduated with degrees in Finance and German from Wofford College in 2007 and has had a strange obsession with cars and travel since he was a wee lad. He currently resides a stone's throw from Japan's international airport in Narita. All of this can be seen on Facebook, so check it out. He makes no apologies for his articles and welcomes all feedback, as long as it is adamantly worded.
