Rumored Sonata-based coupe is a fiction, says Hyundai
2010 KDM Hyundai Sonata – Click above for high-res image gallery
Talk (and at least one Photoshopped image) of a possible two-door based on Hyundai's Sonata had Autoblog HQ abuzz – for a while, anyway. We never actually believed it was real, but that didn't stop us from dreaming about another choice in the coupe market - a car that would slot neatly between Nissan's Altima couple and Honda's Accord. We checked with one of our favorite Hyundai insiders, who replied back that any talk of a Sonata coupe is sending us down the wrong path.
All is not lost in the spice patch of Hyundai's garden, however. There's the Genesis Coupe, but if your tastes are for a front-driver, you'll have a short wait until the Veloster hits stores. While the rear-wheel drive Genesis Coupe is able to mix it up like a pony car, the Veloster has been described as "a little car you can take out and wring its neck and still get good mileage" according to Hyundai of America CEO John Krafcik. If we had to pick between a two-door Sonata or a neo-Honda CRX dubbed Veloster, we'd make the same choice that Hyundai has, especially since the coming four-door sedan is rakish enough.
Gallery: 2010 Hyundai Sonata
[Source: Hankyung.com]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
hypermiler 11:00AM (10/12/2009)
YF is too big to underpin a coupe. Veloster(Tiburon replacement) is based on Elantra, not YF.
Reply
Sal Collaziano 5:05PM (10/12/2009)
There's no need for a Sonata Coupe. I don't know why anybody would be disappointed in this news. There's a Genesis Coupe and a new Tiburon coming. We need a Genesis Coupe as much as Cadillac feels they need a Coupe DeVille (apparently, they don't).
Sal Collaziano
http://www.hyundaikiaforums.com
MikeofLA 11:16AM (10/12/2009)
"is a Fiction", really? Come on Autoblog, at least get the grammer correct in the title.
Reply
click_playaz 11:18AM (10/12/2009)
man, get a correct spelling " grammar" not "grammer".
MikeofLA 11:20AM (10/12/2009)
That's pretty bad... grammar... Sorry.
click_playaz 11:23AM (10/12/2009)
I was just kidding. :)
MikeofLA 11:24AM (10/12/2009)
lcuikly selplnig dseon't rlaely mtaetr
Smegley 11:27AM (10/12/2009)
Actually, Mike, Autoblog's use of fiction as a noun is correct per dictionary dot com. As an an adjective they would have to say fictional, however one could argue that calling "a" fiction is questionable, but that is more a matter of preference and correct under item 5 below.
See items 3 and 5 in the first part in the link ...
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/fiction
3. something feigned, invented, or imagined; a made-up story
5. an imaginary thing or event, postulated for the purposes of argument or explanation.
jamie 11:20AM (10/12/2009)
I love the newSonata, but the first thing they have got to do is change the Hyundai moniker. How about Chrysler for instance?
Reply
tanooki2003 11:23AM (10/12/2009)
Chrysler??? Ummm No
Level 5 11:28AM (10/12/2009)
See, this is something that irritates me. There's nothing outlandishly wrong with the Hyundai brand anymore. Nothing. This isn't the Hyundai you knew back in 1991 anymore. These aren't Excels and Scoupes on lots anymore. Hyundai is smart, providing excellent value and excellent vehicles. I don't really get why the public's opinion refuses to change.
Even Honda's CEO knows what's up with Hyundai. If any brand should be the butt of quality jokes, it IS in fact Chrysler; and that's coming from a lifelong Chrysler owner.
jamie 12:10PM (10/12/2009)
The point being is that CHRYSLER is a more marketable brand than HYUNDAI is in America. Quite the opposite is true in Asia.
When you are trying to sell a product, you have to go with your strengths (or perceived strengths) to achieve maximum market penetration. Personally, I think Hyundai would sell better as a Chrysler.
Rick 12:12PM (10/12/2009)
So your solution is for Hyundai to sell it's cars with a Chrysler badge?
Bob-omb 12:14PM (10/12/2009)
I can safely say if they put a Chrysler badge on a Sonata, I'd never even consider one. This isn't 1989, sweetie.
jamie 12:23PM (10/12/2009)
Oh pooh.
You guys are insufferable.
Here's a thought for the day...
There are projected to be only 10 automobile manufacturers that will survive the current economic malaise and meltdown. Who are they?
[Hint: 3 in America, 3 in Europe, 3 in Asia]
zamafir 12:37PM (10/12/2009)
"The point being is that CHRYSLER is a more marketable brand than HYUNDAI is in America."
Lmao, seriously? look at chrsyler's sales for the last couple years, specifically any growth or decline in sales. Now look at hyundais. notice an inverse relationship? I haven't seen any studies yet but I'd wager americans are becoming a lot more inclined to favor hyundai products as chrsyler's line continue to lack any real refreshes and continues to sell ancient models like the PT. All the while Hyundai is bringing great products to the market (genesis, genesis coupe, etc) that we've not traditionally associated with them - proving their company is growing and changing positively with the changing automaket.
Bob-omb 12:43PM (10/12/2009)
"There are projected to be only 10 automobile manufacturers that will survive the current economic malaise and meltdown. Who are they?
[Hint: 3 in America, 3 in Europe, 3 in Asia]"
What? First of all, that's 9. Second of all, that is not a foregone conclusion by ANY means. Did you pick up a USA Today this morning and think you know something about Economics? You keep throwing around these terms that anyone with any business training at all would laugh at. And do you honestly think if only 10 manufacturers survived, Chrysler would be one of them?!
Vizel 12:46PM (10/12/2009)
Ah, hot blond dumb chicks. They never fail to amuse me at any day ;)
tanooki2003 1:24PM (10/12/2009)
Great news Jamie
You have just succeeded in lowering your IQ points down a few notches, meanwhile making yourself look like a complete fool when you throw around numbers and perceptions without any actual statistical proof, using only pure speculation and hearsay as a basis for forming a half cracked ignorant comment. Most people are smart these days and know better than to be a brain lemming, basically basing their own conclusions from perceptions of others especially negative ones. The common sense approach in this case would've been to be quit while you were ahead. I guess it's too late for that now. Oh Poooh indeed.
Do yourself a favor Jamie. To prevent yourself from crashing down in flames like this keep comments like these to yourself unless you can come up with actual facts to back up your opinions.
Brandon 2:04PM (10/12/2009)
Actually, Chrysler is more marketable brand than Hyundai in Asia. Chrysler has an advantage of being an "Western" car and didn't have enough time to show its unreliability. People still pops their eyes when they see 300. Chrysler is a entry-luxury car there (it's for people who can't afford BMW and Mercedes)