STYLE AND FUEL EFFICIENCYThe new 2.4 l gasoline direct injection engine of the Hyundai Sonata Elite automatic not only raises the maximum power output significantly from 131 kW to 148 kW but also creates a smooth and fuel-efficient drivetrain match
Automotive distributor Hyundai Auto- motive South Africa (HASA) says it has continued to introduce new, reliable, cost-competitive and fuel-efficient vehicles onto the South African market, despite being negatively impacted on by the depreciating rand, which is in line with the company’s aim to continue providing South Africa with its latest range of vehicles.
HASA’s most recent offering, the Hyundai Sonata 2.4 gasoline direct injection (GDI) Elite, was launched in June and expanded the company’s passenger vehicle range in South Africa.
HASA marketing director Stanley Anderson tells Engineering News that the new 2.4 ℓ GDI engine for the automatic option not only raises its maximum power output significantly from 131 kW to 148 kW but also creates a smooth and fuel-efficient drivetrain match using the automatic six-speed gearbox.
He notes that the Sonata’s four-cylinder GDI engine produces a maximum power output at 6 300 rpm and maximum torque of 250 Nm at 4 250 rpm, while emitting only 188 g/km of carbon dioxide emissions, compared with the 195 g/km of the previous model. Accelerating from zero to 100 km/h takes just nine seconds, adds Anderson.
Further, the new GDI engine has a more efficient combustion process which delivers a 13% improvement in power and a 10% increase in torque, compared with the vehicle’s previous 2.4 multipoint fuel-injection engine.
“The fuel economy has also improved by 4% from 8.2 ℓ/100 km to 7.9 ℓ/100 km,” he emphasises.
Further, Anderson says the improved economy of the Sonata is the result of its six-speed automatic transmission, featuring H-matic semiautomatic operation and several new developments exclusive to Hyundai.
He explains that the changing ratios can be left up to the gearbox software or taken control of manually by the driver using the gear stick or the shift paddles behind the steering wheel.
“Hyundai’s Eco Coach also suggests when drivers should change to the next gear ratio through the light-emitting diode (LED) information screen to aid drivers in achieving the best possible fuel economy at all times. In automatic driving mode, this feature is indicated by an ‘Eco’ LED display, which also highlights whether the driver is accelerating correctly,” Anderson says.
Additional Features
Anderson points out that the several product enhancements to the Sonata 2.4 GDI Elite include a new sound system with a touch-screen display in the centre console.
“The new engine and the subtle changes to its exterior, coupled with the extensive list of improved specifications, have enhanced this offering from Hyundai in South Africa even more,” he says.
Anderson adds that Hyundai’s trademark ‘fluidic sculpture’ design has also ensured that the vehicle remains aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
“The Sonata is spacious and has an open cabin environment, providing occupants with comfort and enjoyment. Its finish comprises high-quality tactile materials and its ergonomical layout of instruments fits its modern premium status,” he boasts.
The exterior of the new Sonata includes new fog lights in the front bumper, a redesigned grille with more flowing lines and front-park distance control sensors to supplement those of the rear bumpers.
The Xenon headlights, which come standard, have been given more fluid lines and the redesigned front fog lights include LED running lights. The exterior rear-view mirrors have also been made slightly larger, but are more aerodynamic, reducing wind resistance and noise.
The Sonata comes standard with 18 inch alloy wheels, while the spare wheel is still a full-size alloy.
The tail lights of the Sonata have LED illumination, enabling them to shine brighter, and they have been redesigned to blend more harmoniously with the design lines of the car, says Anderson.
Safety Features
The Hyundai Sonata 2.4 GDE Elite fea- tures digital driver assistance for active safety in the form of an electronic stability programme, a brake-assist system and electronic brake distribution for maintaining control even in unexpected driving situations.
“Occupant safety is assured through six airbags – driver and front passenger airbags, curtain airbags and front side airbags – and ultrahigh-strength steel in the crash structure for the most rigid safety cell possible, should there be a collision,” Anderson says.
In the Australasian New Car Assessment Programme, which follows the same test protocol as the Europe-based vehicle-safety-performance assessment programme, Euro NCAP, the Sonata earned five stars with a score of 33.53 out of a possible 37.