New look Hyundai Sonata unveiled

It's been spied undergoing testing and in the studio, but finally Hyundai has taken the wraps of its new Sonata mid-size sedan in South Korea.

Looking something like the offspring of a Toyota Camry and a Volkswagen Passat CC, Hyundai would probably be happy for the car to sit between those two in terms of sales and style.

The company is calling the new design "fluidic sculpture" and it is clear that Hyundai is trying to push the Sonata upmarket with the new design. The high waistline, low roofline and short, sloping boot lid are all hallmarks of the recent 'four-door coupe' trend that started with the Mercedes-Benz CLS.

"The Sonata will set a new standard for world class mid-size sedans with state-of-the-art technology, superior build quality and emotional design," said Euisun Chung, Hyundai's Vice Chairman. "The new Sonata will raise Hyundai's brand values."

Development of the all new car -- codenamed YF -- began in 2005 and since then Hyundai has invested over $400 million on getting it production ready.

Under the new design is an equally new chassis, but Hyundai isn't giving away details of it just yet. They have revealed dimensions though, so we can tell you the new Sonata is 4.8m long, 1.8m wide, 1.4m tall and has a 2.7m wheelbase.

Power for the South Korean market models come from either a 2.0-litre petrol or 2.0-litre LPG engine. The petrol unit produces 121kW at 6200revs and 198Nm at 4600revs while the LPG is good for 105kW at 6000rpm and 189Nm at 4250rpm.

Both engines are available with a six-speed automatic transmission as well as a manual.

By the time the new Sonata lands in Australia Hyundai will have added a 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol to the engine line-up and expect a diesel as well, even though there was no mention of it in the official announcement from South Korea.

But while Hyundai is aiming to sell 60,000 examples of the new model by the end of the year in its domestic market, Australian customers are unlikely to get their hands on it until at least midway through 2010.

"Our intention is to bring the YF here," Hyundai Australia spokesman, Ben Hershman told the Carsales Network. "But our priority now is to bring the new Santa Fe and ix35, which is the Tucson replacement."

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at www.carsales.mobi