Spy Shots: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid caught in the desert
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Aug 10th 2009 at 3:28PM 
2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery
Hyundai's first U.S.-bound hybrid is due to be released in late 2010, and the next-generation Sonata-based hybrid has its aim set on the stalwarts of the midsize sedan segment. As we can see from this series of spy shots, testing is well underway, with a heavily camouflaged 2011 Sonata Hybrid out and about with hybrid versions of the Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry and Nissan Altima in tow.Hyundai has taken a slightly different approach to energy storage, using flat lithium polymer battery packs holding 5.3 Ah of capacity at 270 volts in lieu of nickel metal hydride or lithium ion technology. Expect the hybrid bits to add 30kW of power to Hyundai's 2.4-liter Theta II four cylinder powerplant mated up with a six-speed automatic transmission. A quick glance underhood shows the telltale bright orange wiring normally associated with hybrid automobiles.
A closer look at the spy photos shows that Hyundai will apply the popular four-door coupe trend to its next Sonata. We also clearly note radically sweeping headlamps that stretch all the way past the front wheel arches, a rising bodyside ridge and a vaguely Genesis-esque front grille treatment. Expect all of these styling elements on both the standard 2011 Sonata and its accompanying hybrid sibling.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
JPark 3:41PM (8/10/2009)
What if Hyundai only released hybrid versions of this car at normal prices?
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Dan 5:17PM (8/10/2009)
Then Hyundai would go out of business. Hybrid powertrains costs money.
carguy 3:50PM (8/10/2009)
What kind of "spy" photography catches the inside of the engine bay? Maybe the type produced by Hyundai PR?
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Arumage 3:56PM (8/10/2009)
Does it matter? All the other details were known prior to these pictures. Other than the orange wiring, it doesn't look all that different than that of a traditional Sonata.
MikeofLA 4:03PM (8/10/2009)
@ carguy
I was thinking the same thing. Real spy photo's have the guys rushing to cover things up and they never get close up views of the engine bay. This is for sure PR, and KGP seems to have sold out in that respect. If you were that close to a prototype, where are the shots of the interior?
carspy 12:23AM (8/11/2009)
The shot was taken from a third-floor hotel window while the engineers worked on the car below, unaware. How that equates to being "close to the car" escapes me. There was nothing PR about this shot.
KGP
Patrick 3:53PM (8/10/2009)
Holy huge headlights batman!
I prefer my headlights on the FRONT of the car. Not halfway down the damn fender almost touching the doors. Sheesh. The Fiesta's are bad enough, although I still like that car.
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fedor23 4:04PM (8/10/2009)
dam , hyandai starting to look good
-zsportscars.blogspot.com
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Jin Kim 4:13PM (8/10/2009)
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=yf+sonata&gbv=2&aq=f&oq=&aqi=g1
its called YF Sonata in korea.
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Dan 4:27PM (8/10/2009)
No amount of cladding can make me think it's worth hiding.
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homunculus 4:31PM (8/10/2009)
fix your ugly logo hyundai.
your cars are no longer ugly enough to wear them.
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jsjs 9:34PM (8/10/2009)
Yeah, the logo has to go, but it's not any worse than Toyota's.
P.V. 6:34PM (8/10/2009)
It looks very Audi-esque, which is to say that it looks positively beautiful. I think this may be the first serious competitor to the VW CC style-wise, price-wise, materials-wise, and performance-wise!
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hakuta 10:19PM (8/10/2009)
Hyundai cars are dangerous.
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ConceptVBS 11:41PM (8/10/2009)
Back up your statement with facts if you dont want to sound like a hater.
ConceptVBS 11:41PM (8/10/2009)
Corea! Corea! Corea!
jsjs 12:08AM (8/11/2009)
Yeah, dangerous to the Japanese auto industry.
And oh, btw, the Kia Soul scored better than the Honda Fit in the European NCAP tests.
HotForMacintosh 10:29PM (8/10/2009)
The 2010 Sonata looks so much better in this spy shot:
http://www.hyundaibuzz.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/yf_korea2.jpg
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RockStoneSteel 11:26PM (8/10/2009)
"popular four-door coupe"... again Autoblog/Jeremy, where are you getting this lame terminology??? You keep perpetuating this bogus term that doesn't even make sense. Please tell me even one characteristic that makes this resemble a two door coupe, even just one characteristic. You can't. A coupe is by definition a two door vehicle. In fact, "coupe" would be considered more of a sub-category of two door vehicles, as a coupe would have a trunk or more of a notchback. A two door could also come in the hatchback and/or a fastback variety. Likewise, you can also have four doors in a notchback/trunk, hatchback, or fastback design. However, a fastback on a four door makes it no more "coupish" than a trunk on a two door makes it "sedanish". This new sedan would appropriately be referred to as a "four door fastback".
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Rick 11:27AM (8/11/2009)
"We also clearly note radically sweeping headlamps that stretch all the way past the front wheel arches" Really? Because based on the posted photos, the lights appear to stop at the front to mid of the wheel arch. Unless you are confusing the pad inside the camo above the arch to be the headlight.
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