Drip, Drip, Drip - More 2010 Hyundai Sonata images find their way onto the interwebs [*UPDATED]
2010 Hyundai Sonata -- Click above for image gallery
Hyundai isn't happy about it, but the 2010 Hyundai Sonata has been caught in the Internet's voracious maw eight days before its official launch in South Korea. Hyundai then released designer's sketches of the new car... but the pics of the actual car are better because they're the realness.
Apparently caught during an ad or photo shoot, it's immediately clear that this Sonata is – as with every recent Hyundai – a break from the current competent but safe-as-houses Sonata. That long nose and greenhouse, the hood ridges, the bevels, swoops, and that serious gash down the side of the car are not the Hyundai of old. From what we can tell, it looks quite expressive and it doesn't appear to be a bad looking car, but we'll wait for next week's launch to get definitive.
You can have a look at the pics in the gallery below, but we will leave the dissection of its design to you in the comments section. Hat tip to everybody and their mothers!
*UPDATE: Hyundai has released an official press release (available after the jump) and a pair of renderings available in the gallery below.
Gallery: 2010 Hyundai Sonata
[Source: Bobaedream (translated) via Carscoop]
PRESS RELEASE:
Hyundai Motor Begins to Take Pre-launch Orders for YF (Sonata)
(Sept. 1, 2009) Hyundai Motor Company is ready to start taking orders tomorrow for its all-new Sonata, codenamed YF, ahead of the car's official launch Sept 10th in the Korea domestic market. In replacing the NF Sonata which was launched in Sept. 2004, Hyundai decided to retain the Sonata name as the mid-size car has been Korea's perennial best-seller.
The new Sonata is fitted with a 6-speed automatic transmission and delivers gratifying performance through its 2-liter Theta II gasoline engine. Delivering 12.8 kilometers per liter, it achieves the highest fuel economy in its segment. In addition, safety has been upgraded with Vehicle Dynamic Control now supplied as a standard feature.
*VDC : Improves the safety of a vehicle's stability by detecting and minimizing skids.
The overall comfort has been enhanced through a variety of new technologies and premium specifications such as a panoramic sunroof, gear shift paddles attached to the steering wheel, and a push-button starting system.
The rendering preview features coupe like body style and exudes a dynamic image. The front side communicates an image of strength through a wide radiator grill and sharp-edged headlamp.
The flowing coupe-like lines of the new Sonata eloquently express Hyundai's "fluidic sculpture" design language, a new design direction that will play a pivotal role in enhancing the brand. Hyundai is confident that the new Sonata, equipped with the company's latest technologies, will continue the long string of successes earned by Sonata over the years.
Since the launch of the very first generation Sonata in October 1985 in Korea, 4.45 million units of Sonata have been sold worldwide. In 2004, Sonata earned the highest ranking in J.D. Power's Initial Quality Survey in the Entry Midsize Car category.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Luis 10:44AM (9/01/2009)
If it looks JUST LIKE THIS, then Hyundai is on a roll. If this is a concept that will be straightened out, then boo.
Reply
daleam 11:57AM (9/01/2009)
Nice E Class. Oh wait...
Victor 12:05PM (9/01/2009)
Sadly, the E-Klasse wishes it could look that good
Sal Collaziano 12:56PM (9/01/2009)
I think what we see here is what we're going to get. This isn't a concept - it's the real thing. If there are ANY changes at all, they will be to very minor details.. I'm sure we're going to see this car in showrooms very soon - too soon to make any major changes.. Hyundai is really on a roll lately.. They're certainly in the game these days.. I sat in the Equus last week - and it's as impressive as any S-Class, LS460 or 7-Series I've ever been in...
Sal Collaziano
http://www.hyundaikiaforums.com
Bobby 11:26PM (9/01/2009)
new kia forte koup commercial...it looks great
click on "video" to see the commercial
http://www.mykiaforte.ca/koup/base.html
Venom 10:45AM (9/01/2009)
Not bad.
Lexus, Acura and Infiniti should be worried.
Reply
Luis 10:51AM (9/01/2009)
I disagree...people buy the label and the brand/service that comes with it in addition to the product.
Venom 10:54AM (9/01/2009)
Luis,
I disagree with you.
I drive a six figure Mercedes Benz and I like the Genesis a lot.
I would drive one with no shame at all.
In fact I feel kind of stupid for driving a car that cost almost 4 times as much when it is not 4 times the car.
mapoftazifosho 10:56AM (9/01/2009)
I completely agree, and I think people are going to be willing to take a look at Hyundai. 10 years/100k mile warranty anyone?
Luis 11:00AM (9/01/2009)
Well we'll continue to disagree. People aspire to drive a M-B, BMW or Lexus. No one aspires to drive a Hyundai. Now, people who have $30k and want a good car might haggle down a V6 Genesis or stretch their means for the V8, but many are happy with less equipment and better service.
MeiSooHaityu 11:18AM (9/01/2009)
Luis is right,
For the most part, a nice Hyundai is not going to take sales from BMW and Lexus. It will be thought of as a poor man's luxury car.
Mercedes Benz has crappy quality, but the name sells cars. It is about the name plate and prestige, not the car itself.
It will do descent, but don't expect it to take the luxury world by storm.
jsjs 11:19AM (9/01/2009)
Funny that your handle is Venom, since the front fascia of the new Sonata reminds me of Spiderman's archenemy, Venom.
The overall styling looks better than in the previous photos, but I still prefer the design language of the new Kia sedans.
However, this looks better than anything that has come out of Honda/Acura or Toyota/Lexus recently.
Serge 11:23AM (9/01/2009)
@Venom
LOL... a "six figure Mercedes Benz" does not a Sonta make my friend.
I'll take a CLS63 over a faux E-class any day! So vote me down all you want :)
James 11:23AM (9/01/2009)
Hands down, this New Sonata 4dr coupe looks way better than the painful looking new Accord Crosstour...direct competitor to the segment busting Passat CC (and CLS et al).
This great looking Hyundai makes Toyota and Nissan execs loose sleep...
Venom 11:28AM (9/01/2009)
JSJS,
That is funny.
That is exactly where I came up with my name, based on Venom in Spiderman.
sparrk 1:00PM (9/01/2009)
Hyundai is the exact opposite of Lexus, they do a better job at copying Mercedes than Lexus. Hyundai is actually improving the cars they copy.
while Lexus sells boring things to old, boring, impotent people, Hyundai is going for the young, active generation and the brand is growing and moving upscale as the young people get more money, it's a good strategy. in a few years , Hyundai will be up there with the big boys while Lexus is becoming the new Buick.
William 1:04PM (9/01/2009)
"Well we'll continue to disagree. People aspire to drive a M-B, BMW or Lexus. No one aspires to drive a Hyundai."
Luis, you're just about the biggest, pardon my language, d*ck I've seen on AB. If you hadn't advertised yourself as a BMW owner yourself, maybe your comment about people aspiring to own BMW's would have had some weight. But, did you really have to say that subtle, yet very condescending comment to the many car enthusiasts who cannot afford to burnish Bimmers for the sake of more important matters (represented by pretty much the majority of Americans who drive Camry's and Accord's)? I am not hating anyone driving premium cars. In fact, I know there are many intelligent drivers of premium cars that appreciate mainstream makes as much as premium brands. But I DO hate those who do and discount them in such a patronizing way like you do. And especially in this economic climate, your pretentious attacks against Hyundai and other mainstream makes comes off as just about offensive.
Your constant trolling against Hyundai for its "cheapness" is long outdated. Pack your fancy Nappa leather Louis Vuitton and please just go away.
MastrCake 2:14PM (9/01/2009)
My mother HATED Hyundai, and wouldn't go look at a Genesis if her life depended on it. Until I said I was stranded at the Hyundai lot. (Long story short, I lied) Somehow I convinced her to look at the Genesis. She was impressed. That nav rig caught her attention, she just couldn't stop playing with it! And the interior quality, she thought she was inside of a different brand of car (Lexus?). And then there were other details... the rear sunshade, the rear-view camera, the location of all the switchgear, everything was perfect. She never drove it, though, but I hope I can convince her to return (she's looking for a new car), and drive it.
If every Hyundai skeptic would just sit in this thing, their whole concept of Hyundai would change forever. But that is the main problem, convincing a MB, BMW, Lexus lover to go to one of the lots. It was a problem for my mother, but I convinced her, and she is okay with Hyundai now.
zamafir 2:16PM (9/01/2009)
@Venom and VW! Vw's been trying to move up market a bit, ie the CC, and this things done the best job I've seen of cloning vw DNA ever, honda et-al should take notice. It's no wonder toyota's been scared sh*tless of hyundai for half a decade, we might be adding vw to that list very shortly
anonymous j 2:19PM (9/01/2009)
This car is not bad looking, I really don't see anything so special worth raving about though.