Hyundai Sonata EF Facelift Unveiled at Shanghai Auto Show

There are many good reasons why numerous Chinese automakers turn to European studios when it comes to designing cars - Hyundai's new mid-size sedan that is codenamed for the time being BT01, is one of them. The BT01, which is in fact a redesigned version of the previous generation Sonata (EF), is the very first model to be independently styled by Hyundai's Chinese joint venture, Beijing Hyundai Motor Company (BHMC).

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.

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

New Recall on Hyundai Sonata and XG300 - 350 over Subframe Rust Issues

Update:Hyundai Santa Fe, Tiburon & Elantra Also Recalled over Rust Problems

About a year ago, Hyundai issued a rather embarrassing recall on all MY1999-2002 Sonata cars due to reports of severe corrosion of the front subframe that could lead anywhere from suspension failure to partial or even complete wheel detachment. Well, guess what; apparently the problem was more widespread than initially thought as Hyundai has issued a new recall for the same issue that now also includes MY2001-2004 Sonata and MY2001-2004 XG300 and XG350 sedans. Overall, 175,765 cars are being recalled in the States.

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

Hyundai Santa Fe, Elantra and Tiburon Also Recalled over Rust Problems

No sooner than we told you about the new recall on the MY2001-2004 Sonata, XG300 and XG350 models over corrosion issues of the front subframe, we learnt that Hyundai has also just issued two more separate recalls for a total of three vehicles, again for rust-related problems. In particular, the Korean carmaker issued a recall on 170,610 MY2001-2003 Elantra and MY2003 Tiburon Coupe models for corrosion and thinning of the steel in the lower control arms of the front suspension and another recall on 85,036 MY2001-2003 Santa Fe SUVs, this time for rust problems in relation to the rear suspension trailing arm.

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.

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