Hyundai heats up Santa Fe

Hyundai Australia has confirmed a new high-end sports model of its popular Santa Fe SUV. Appropriately dubbed the Santa Fe SR, the warmed over seven-seater is the fourth model in the company's burgeoning 'SR' performance vehicle range.

According to Hyundai the new Santa Fe SR model "looks, corners and stops harder" than regular versions thanks to the addition of a full sports body kit, Brembo brakes front and rear, recalibrated suspension with new H&R performance springs, plus high performance tyres fitted to lighter 19-inch alloy wheels.

Arriving in Australian Hyundai dealerships from February 2015, the SR model will become the new flagship model in the Santa Fe range, a large seven-seat large SUV. It will slot in above the current range-topping model, the circa $50,000 Highlander variant.

"I think we've ticked a lot of the right boxes. In terms of sports SUVs, at our price point I don't think there are any direct competitors for this vehicle," said Andrew Tuitahi, Hyundai Motor Company Australia's Senior Manager of Product Planning.

That price point, however, has not been revealed, and won't be announced until closer to the vehicle's launch in early 2015, but expect a price of around $55K.

The visual upgrades build on the additions made to the new 2015 model year Santa Fe, which includes the LED fog lights at the front, but takes it one step further with a sports body kit comprised of new-look front chin spoiler, side skirts, and rear diffuser.

New 19-inch matt black OZ alloy wheels are also fitted, as are bigger brake rotors and Brembo brake callipers -- the latter four-piston monobloc calipers at the front and twin-piston calipers at the rear. Together they contribute to what Hyundai says is an eight per cent improvement in stopping power.

High performance Michelin Latitude Tour tyres are also fitted, with 235/55 aspect ratio tyres.

Other chassis changes include the fitment of H&R performance springs, which combine with recalibrated damper settings. The entire suspension package was tuned in Australia for local conditions.

Changes to the Santa Fe SR don't extend to the powertrain, with the 2.2-litre engine to remain as is. That means power and torque outputs of 145kW/436Nm, channelled through the same six-speed automatic transmission as its less-sporty cousins.

No steering wheel paddle shifters are offered for changing gears.

Product planner, Tuitahi, Hyundai explained the company's modus operandi: "For the Santa Fe SR we're sticking with the standard engine while offering unique, sportier styling, improved braking performance and higher-specification tyres

"Combined, these attributes make a significant difference in terms of lateral grip and cornering, and so too do the springs in terms of feel and response.

He noted that the new model will be "more dynamic with more responsive driving performance".

The new Santa Fe SR model comes from the Hyundai's Customising Team in Korea and will imported from the company's Ulsan 'mega factory' in Korea. There is the availability of a dual exit exhaust system, but this will not be offered in the Aussie marketplace as it deletes the full-size spare wheel.

The sporty new Santa Fe follows SR versions of the Veloster Turbo, i30 and Accent.

Stay tuned for a review of the sporty SUV later in the week.