John
sent us these pics of the debut of Hyundai’s new RAV4-fighter, the 2007 Santa Fe. More pics and the official press
release after the jump, with the official Hyundai photos and specs to follow later. Enjoy!
Hyundai’s Second-Generation Santa
Fe Tackles Toyota RAV4 and Highlander
DETROIT, Mich., January 8, 2006 – The all-new 2007 Hyundai
Santa Fe made its North American debut today at the 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). With its
segment-leading standard safety technologies, all-new unibody SUV platform, bold new styling, a choice of
fuel-efficient V6 powertrains, and Hyundai’s first SUV third-row seat, the Santa Fe becomes a
“must-drive” for consumers shopping in the crossover segment.
As the first
production vehicle designed at Hyundai’s design center in Irvine, Calif., the Santa Fe is targeted to meet
American consumers’ demand for safety, style, sophistication and performance. Before designing it, however,
Hyundai engineers benchmarked the world’s leading unibody SUVs, including the Lexus RX, Acura MDX and Volvo XC90.
The result is a more exciting and upscale Santa Fe that combines the best attributes of SUVs with the driving character
of a mid-size sedan.
Hyundai packed the all-new Santa Fe with the industry’s most
effective safety technologies, including Electronic Stability Control (ESC), anti-whiplash active head restraints and
six airbags including side air curtains, which help protect occupants in all three rows during side impacts. Santa Fe
is expected to earn the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) top five-star crash test rating
for front and side impacts.
CHOICE OF V6 ENGINES
Santa Fe will be available
with a choice of two powerful and efficient V6 engines: the new 2.7-liter Mu (???and the modern 3.3-liter Lambda
(????both featuring all-aluminum construction. The standard 2.7-liter V6 is upgraded for 2007 and now includes Variable
Valve Timing and a Variable Intake System to produce more than 180 horsepower and 180 lb.-ft. of torque (preliminary
estimates). This new 2.7-liter V6 produces more horsepower and torque than its predecessor, with improved fuel economy.
The 3.3-liter Lambda V6 is lighter, more fuel efficient and cleaner burning than the previous-generation Santa Fe
3.5-liter V6, while producing an additional 30 horsepower. Preliminary output estimates are more than 230 horsepower
and 220 lb.-ft. of torque. Both powertrains are expected to meet the stringent ULEV emissions requirements.
The 2.7-liter V6 comes with a standard five-speed manual transmission and is available with an
optional four-speed automatic, while the 3.3-liter V6 is mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox. Meanwhile, Santa
Fe’s electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system automatically routes power to the wheels offering the best
traction. A new driver-selectable AWD lock provides a fixed 50/50 torque split between front and rear wheels, which can
improve traction in certain conditions.
SEGMENT-LEADING SAFETY
The all-new 2007
Santa Fe continues Hyundai’s leadership in standardizing the industry’s most effective safety technologies.
The new Santa Fe features six standard airbags, including side air curtains for all three rows of seats. The combination
of side and curtain airbags, which help protect the head and body during side impacts, can reduce fatalities by more
than 45 percent, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Side curtain air protection is
optional on many compact and mid-size SUVs, including Toyota RAV4, Toyota Highlander and Ford Explorer.
In addition, all Santa Fe trim levels come standard with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), one of
the industry’s most effective life-saving technologies. ESC compares the driver’s intended course with the
vehicle’s actual response. ESC then brakes individual front or rear wheels and/or reduces engine power as needed
in certain driving circumstances to help correct understeer or oversteer. NHTSA studies show SUVs equipped with ESC
experience 63 percent fewer fatalities in single-vehicle crashes. Santa Fe joins Tucson, Sonata, Azera, and Entourage
as vehicles in Hyundai’s growing lineup with standard Electronic Stability Control – a commitment to this
sophisticated and effective automotive safety technology that is unmatched by any other non-luxury automotive brand.
Front and rear disc brakes are standard and are coupled with a four-channel Anti-lock
Braking System (ABS) that includes Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) to optimize brake performance even with
differing vehicle loading.
All seating positions feature three-point seatbelts and adjustable
head restraints. Front seat active head restraints help prevent whiplash by automatically reducing the space between a
front occupant’s head and the head restraint during a rear collision.
Santa Fe also
features a standard tire pressure monitoring system.
BOLD DESIGN
With dramatic
new styling that is assertive, refined and confident, the all-new Santa Fe exterior showcases the evolving face of the
Hyundai brand. At 184.1 inches long, the new Santa Fe is about seven inches longer than its predecessor, one inch wider
and almost two inches taller. Its 2.9-inch wider track – wider than Toyota Highlander or Ford Explorer –
provides a strong stance, improved handling and increased interior room.
The 2007 Santa Fe
shares an assertive front grille, confident sculptured lines and finely detailed headlights with Hyundai’s HCD9
Talus concept, which was also introduced at the 2006 NAIAS. For a more aggressive appearance, Santa Fe SE and Limited
models come with 18-inch alloy wheels. Sleeker styling makes 2007 Santa Fe more aerodynamic, improving its drag
coefficient from 0.39 to 0.37. A roof rack with integrated cross rails helps define its clean side profile, while
adding functionality.
EFFICIENT INTERIOR
The all-new 2007 Santa Fe is one of the
most package-efficient crossover SUVs on the market. Hyundai accomplished this by developing an all-new platform that
avoids the compromises inherent in typical mid-size car/SUV platform sharing. For example, although the 2007 Santa Fe
is 2.1 inches shorter than the Lexus RX330, its first- and second-row seats have more head, leg, and shoulder room than
the RX, with enough room left over to allow an optional third-row seat not available in the Lexus. In addition, the 2007
Santa Fe’s third-row seat offers more legroom than the third-row seat in the Acura MDX, Honda Pilot or Volvo XC90,
while matching the legroom of the much larger all-new Mercedes-Benz GL-class SUV.
Santa Fe is
Hyundai’s first SUV with optional seven-passenger seating. Since forty percent of all SUV customers want a
third-row seat, this will significantly broaden Santa Fe’s appeal. The third-row seat is split 50/50 and can be
folded flat like the 60/40-split second-row seat. Total cargo volume is a cavernous 79.4 cubic feet, with plenty of
storage for items of different sizes.
By increasing the use of laminated steel and improving
body rigidity, Hyundai engineers significantly reduced cabin noise. In fact, the 2007 Santa Fe is quieter than the
Volvo XC90 at 60 mph.
Available dual-zone climate controls for driver and front seat
passenger bring a touch of luxury to the Santa Fe. Second- and third-row passengers will enjoy a new level of comfort
thanks to a rear fan switch, B-pillar mounted adjustable vents and dual rear heating ducts.
Other thoughtful convenience features include an available power driver seat with power lumbar
support, steering wheel audio controls, trip computer, heated side mirrors plus a windshield wiper de-icing system.
ALL-NEW, PURPOSE-BUILT PLATFORM
The second-generation Santa Fe rides on an all-new,
purpose-built unibody SUV platform with a 106.3-inch wheelbase that is 3.2 inches longer than its predecessor. This
chassis was specifically designed to deliver more of the ride and handling balance that resonates with crossover
shoppers. The 2007 Santa Fe achieves a 50-percent improvement in body bending rigidity over the prior model and is 59
percent stiffer than Toyota Highlander. This stiff body structure provides a more refined sedan-like ride. Thanks to
the new suspension geometry and wider track width (which enables greater turn angles), Hyundai engineers tightened
Santa Fe’s turning circle by nearly two feet – an advantage Santa Fe drivers will appreciate in their daily
driving.
Santa Fe has MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension systems, with the
all-new front suspension using an increased caster angle to improve stability. All four wheels are controlled by coil
springs and fade-resistant gas-charged dampers, while front and rear stabilizer bars help keep the vehicle flat during
cornering. Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering also contributes to the Santa Fe’s solid handling dynamics.
HYUNDAI VALUE
When the first-generation Santa Fe arrived in 2000, it represented a
bold new design direction and was a remarkable value. Consumers responded enthusiastically, and since then, more than
420,000 Santa Fe’s have been sold. A well-equipped 2007 Santa Fe, with
standard Electronic Stability Control, six airbags, anti-whiplash active front head restraints, tire pressure
monitoring system, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, heated power mirrors, cruise control, AM/FM/CD/MP3
player, 16-inch aluminum wheels, dual exhausts and roof rack will be priced thousands of dollars below a
comparably-equipped Toyota Highlander, carrying on the Santa Fe tradition of exceptional value.
DOMESTIC
PRODUCTION
The 2007 Santa Fe will be built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing America (HMMA) in
Montgomery, Ala., with some early units also being produced at the company’s Ulsan, Korea plant. HMMA currently
produces the 2006 Hyundai Sonata, and with the launch of the all-new Santa Fe, both vehicles will travel down the same
assembly line. Production of the Santa Fe is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2006, with vehicles arriving
in dealerships during summer. By the end of 2006, Hyundai will manufacture more than half of its total U.S. sales
volume in Alabama.
MODEL LINEUP
The Hyundai Santa Fe comes in three distinct trim
levels: The well-equipped GLS, sporty SE and premium Limited. A seven-passenger Touring Package is available
on SE and Limited trim levels.
SANTA FE GLS
Santa Fe GLS
comes well-equipped with a 2.7-liter V6 engine, five-speed manual transmission, ESC, ABS with traction control system,
alloy wheels, rocker panel moldings, heated power side mirrors, power windows, power door locks, and remote keyless
entry. A sophisticated roof rack with easy-to-operate sliding cross rails is also standard. Inside are active front
head restraints, dual front airbags, front seat side-impact airbags plus side curtain airbags. Other useful features
include a tire pressure monitoring system, cargo net, air conditioning and a tilt and telescoping steering wheel. A
four-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission and Premium Package, which includes a power tilt/slide glass sunroof and
heated front seats, are optional.
SANTA FE SE
The SE adds a 3.3-liter V6,
five-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels, power driver seat with power lumbar support,
electrochromic auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, front fog lights and steering wheel audio controls. A Premium
Package with a power tilt/slide glass sunroof and heated front seats is optional. The available Ultimate Package
includes the Premium Package features, plus a rear seat entertainment system with an eight-inch LCD monitor,
AM/FM/CD-changer/MP3 audio system with subwoofer and external amplifier, 115-volt power outlet and HomeLink®. The
SE Touring Package includes seven-passenger seating with the fold-flat third-row seat, conversation mirror and
load-leveling rear suspension.
SANTA FE LIMITED
Santa Fe Limited comes standard
with all of the equipment found on the SE, plus leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, dual zone automatic
temperature control with outside temperature display, HomeLink®, and carpeted cargo area trim panels. A chrome
grille and exterior door handles, as well as a bodycolor hatch spoiler, further distinguish the Limited. A tilt/slide
glass sunroof is offered as a stand-alone option. For even greater luxury, the available Ultimate Package includes a
sunroof, rear seat entertainment system with an eight-inch LCD monitor, an Infinity AM/FM/CD-changer/MP3 audio system
with subwoofer and external amplifier, 115-volt power outlet and power front passenger seat. The Limited Touring
Package adds seven-passenger seating, conversation mirror and load-leveling rear suspension.