Hyundai's facelifted Santa Fe packs potent diesel engines

Hyundai has unveiled a mildly facelifted version of its Santa Fe mid-size all-terrainer in its home market, but the big news is the installation of a pair of new state-of-the-art diesel engines.

The four-cylinder oil-burning engines will be offered in 2.0 and 2.2-litre displacements, with the former eking out a robust 137kW and 392Nm, while the latter pumps out a barrel-chested 149kW and 436Nm.

Adding to drivetrain efficiency is a new six-speed automatic that both engines will be hooked up to, and Hyundai claims the transmission alone contributes to a 12 per cent improvement in fuel economy.

The new six-speed auto -- developed for transverse engine applications -- weighs 12kg less than the outgoing five-speeder and it reportedly has 62 fewer parts, which suggests it may be cheaper and easier to maintain.

Visual changes to the MY2010 Santa Fe are confined mainly to the face, with the existing two-slat grille making way for a three-bar item, while the remodeled bumper/spoiler assembly is slightly more angular and aggressive in execution. It also houses a new fog light design.

The current-generation Santa Fe launched here in May 2006, and a subsequent update (in October 2008) brought some minor cosmetic tweaks and trim-level changes.

It remains one of the minor players in the medium-SUV segment, with 845 sales against its name until the end of May. This compares with a tally of 4894 sales for the segment-leading Toyota Prado, followed by the Toyota Kluger (4674), Holden Captiva (3921) and Ford Territory (3762).

The addition of the high-tech diesel engines for the MY2010 Santa Fe may help stimulate its sales figures.

A Frankfurt motor show reveal is tipped for the European-spec version, and we may see the vehicle here late this year, or in early 2010.

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