Diesel Sonata beats Epica to market

Compression ignition is all the rage; nowhere more so than within the labyrinthine halls of Hyundai's vehicle development facilities. So it's no surprise -- and doubtless encouraged by the warm reception afforded the diesel i30 -- that the Korean company has beaten Holden to market (more here) with a diesel medium segment family car, the Sonata CRDi.

Hyundai is introducing the diesel versions of the Sonata to market -- along with a new model year upgrade -- just as some quarters of the media are beginning to express doubts about the long-term viability and cost effectiveness of diesel cars. Add to this the continuing concern over the state of the Australian economy and you have all the ingredients for a volatile market.

On that front, Hyundai's Director, Sales & Marketing, Kevin McCann, says: "The market slows down about six to eight months behind the economy".

So the problem for Hyundai won't be one of failing to see the market react to any downturn in the economy.

"The trouble is convincing the factory that the economy is slowing," says McCann.

For the moment however, the company will trust in the economy and maintain stock levels accordingly. As a sign of that on-going trust, the company will shortly complement the Sonata CRDi with a diesel version of the company's Australian flagship, the Grandeur.

Whilst the Grandeur CRDi is not due here until sometime in the third quarter, Hyundai has announced that the new variant, part of a facelifted and upgraded range for the 2009 model year, will be priced at $41,990 -- $2000 more than the V6 petrol model.

Identifiable by the indicators located in the exterior mirrors, a new design 17-inch alloy wheel, revised grille and chrome inserts for the bumpers and side protection strips, the Grandeur will also gain blue instrument illumination for audio and HVAC readouts, new woodgrain and metal interior trim coordination, USB/aux jacks and iPod connection for the audio system.

The 2.2-litre diesel engine will be combined with a five-speed automatic transmission for a combined-cycle fuel consumption figure of 7.9L/100km. Maximum power for the Grandeur CRDi is 114kW at 4000rpm and, more importantly, peak torque is 343Nm between 1800 and 4500rpm. Hyundai will supply Grandeur CRDi buyers with latex-free vinyl gloves, for filling the tank.

The 3.8-litre petrol V6 develops 194kW of power at 6000rpm and 348Nm of torque at 4500rpm. According to ADR81/01 combined-cycle testing, the petrol Grandeur achieves a fuel consumption figure of 10.8L/100km.

Available immediately, the upgraded Sonata introduces the 2.0-litre diesel engine, a variant from the same engine family as the Grandeur CRDi's 2.2-litre powerplant.

Unlike most companies, that only offer the diesel engine option with either a manual or an automatic transmission, Hyundai offers the Sonata CRDi with a six-speed manual as standard and a four-speed automatic as an option. In effect, this engine replaces the petrol V6 in the previous model range and provides peak power of 110kW at 3800rpm, plus maximum torque of 305Nm available between 1800 and 2500rpm. Employing variable geometry turbocharging and common-rail induction, the engine is an inline four with DOHC. As with the Grandeur CRDi, the diesel Sonata is sold with vinyl gloves for keeping hands clean while filling the tank.

The company also continues to offer the 2.4-litre petrol four, although this 'Theta II' engine has been reworked for the upgraded range and now boasts dual continuous variable valve timing (for the exhaust camshaft also) and a variable [length] induction system.

Hyundai has retuned the suspension of the Sonata specifically for the Australian market and reduced the number of turns, lock to lock, from 3.3 in the previous model to 3.0.

Safety has been enhanced by reinforcing the front end and dashboard with two-way box-sections and upper tunnels. The cowl and the join area between cowl and A-pillars have been strengthened. Hyundai has also adopted single-pressing body side inner panels and reinforced roof corners and the rear shelf.

In the event of a collision, active head rests reduce the prospects of whiplash and all models are fitted with four-channel ABS, EBD, traction control and ESP as standard, to avoid the collision in the first instance. HALO (Hyundai Active Locking Operation) is a new security feature which locks the doors automatically once the car is on the move and automatically unlocks the doors when the key is removed from the ignition. The system also incorporates manual unlocking, deadlocking, immobiliser, keyless entry and alarm.

The facelift for the Sonata comprises redesigned bumpers, the grille finished in chrome and larger headlights. Inside, the interior has been restyled and now features a large LCD display. An iPod connection has been added to the specification of all Sonata models and the Elite models gain dual-zone climate control.

Prices and the model structure are as follows:
Sonata SLX 2.4 petrol five-speed manual $27,990
Sonata SLX 2.4 petrol five-speed auto $29,990
Sonata SLX 2.0 CRDi six-speed manual $30,490
Sonata SLX 2.0 CRDi four-speed auto $32,490
Sonata Elite 2.4 petrol five-speed auto $34,490
Sonata Elite 2.0 CRDi four-speed auto $36,990

All models are covered by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty.

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