More diesels for Hyundai
The i30 is just the start of Hyundai's oiler offensiveHyundai will follow its Euro competitors' lead with more turbodiesel-powered passenger cars. That's the underlying message from the South Korean manufacturer following the launch of Australia's newest and cheapest diesel hatchback, the new Euro-styled 1.6-litre i30 SX this week.
Hyundai is planning to follow up the 1.6 with a 2.0-litre version (more here) from the European market i30. The engine could also find itself under the bonnet of the Sonata.
Hyundai marketing boss Kevin McCann told the Carsales Network: "We'll see the 2.0-litre turbodiesel in some models -- not necessarily the i30 first -- in the coming 12 months."
He admits a diesel option for Sonata would help sales.
Said McCann: "We want to sell more Sonata and we have several options we can explore, and one of the opportunities could be include new engines that lead us to a path of having a diesel."
"We need to promote the car more than we do, and the reason why we haven't is because supply interruption forced us to pull it back and now we have to reposition it. But we've got big plans for Sonata in 2008, including new engines," he said.
Apart from the prospect of a mid-size diesel passenger car, the 2.0-litre turbodiesel would also offer a replacement or cheaper option for the Santa Fe model currently offered with a 2.2-litre diesel.
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