New turbocharged Hyundai Sonata to replace i40

The next-generation Hyundai Sonata has written the death sentence for the slow-selling Hyundai i40.

Hyundai Australia has run a parallel import program in recent years with the two mid-size models, with the Sonata sitting in the mainstream sedan market and the Euro-focussed i40 providing a wagon and diesel engine.

But, with sales of mid-size cars in a massive decline and diesel power also on the way out, the i40 is certain to disappear in the second half of the year once the all-new Sonata arrives.

No-one at Hyundai, either in Korea or Australia, is prepared to confirm the move officially, but Hyundai Australia’s now-former COO Scott Grant last December pre-empted the decision to axe either the Sonata or i40 in Australia this year.

Now the eighth-generation 2020 Hyundai Sonata has been revealed and the Korean brand’s mid-size car strategy is as clear as its ambition to produce a go-faster N version of the majority of Hyundai models in coming years.

Following the success of last year’s i30 N hot hatch, this year’s i30 Fastback N and the (so far left-hand drive-only) Veloster N, the N approach was obvious in Korea last week when Hyundai unveiled a sporty Sonata 1.6 Turbo model at the Seoul motor show.

Powered by a 135kW Smart Stream G1.6 T-GDi petrol engine and fitted with Hyundai’s first ‘Parametric Jewel’ grille, the all-new Sonata 1.6 Turbo looks for the moment like an N-Line car for the USA, but the enthusiasm for the sporty side of Sonata is obvious when the senior vice-president of Hyundai Design, Lee Sang Yup, poses with the car.

He has rock-solid sports credential after working at Holden Design in Melbourne for two years, when he was responsible for the work that transformed the VE Commodore into the born-again Chevrolet Camaro.

“We will be much more extravagant, more expansive, in all segments,” he says.

The N push is also confirmed, without any detail on the Sonata or the turbocharged engine promised for the US, in Australia.

“It’s unlikely every single model line will have a full-blown N version. But a combination of N and N-Line models should cover the vast majority of the Hyundai range including SUVs and possibly EVs,” Hyundai Australia’s new marketing director Bill Thomas confirms to carsales.com.au.

Hyundai also used the Seoul show to peddle its official new N Performance parts catalogue, which will become available late this year, via the Veloster N Performance concept featuring 45 custom parts.

Among them were lightweight forged wheels, larger brake callipers and brake pads, a high-performance suspension system, and real carbon-fibre side-skirts, diffusers and rear wing spoilers.

Read the new Hyundai Sonata 2019 Review

Although the Sonata will not morph into a new i40 for Europe, no-one at Hyundai is denying that the ‘third generation’ platform under the car will be used for other future models.

Those are most likely to include the Elantra small sedan, which is closing on a complete rework, and the Tucson mid-size SUV.

Hyundai was busy over the past week with displays at the Seoul motor show, as well as announcing the ‘Venue’ name of its upcoming small SUV to slot beneath the Kona, and hosting a group of World Car of the Year judges -- including carsales.com.au -- in Korea.

The Hyundai Venue is expected to reach Australia before the end of the year, when it will play the dual role of bringing new young buyers to the brand and replacing the Accent baby car as Hyundai’s entry model.

“It’s a very important model in a booming segment,” says Thomas.

“It should offer outstanding value for money at a sub-$20,000 price point but, as ever, value will be reflected in more than just the price point -- also the capability, equipment, practicality and tech you get for that price.

“Venue can’t hope to totally replace the volume we will lose when Accent finishes production at the end of the year, but it should achieve healthy sales numbers and be a hit with Australians.”