Next-gen Santa Fe due 2013

Hyundai's in-house corporate look, Fluidic Sculpture, is set to be pressed into service for the 2013 Santa Fe.

According to the spy photographers at Carparazzi the vehicle they caught engine and brake-testing in the Swiss Alps and pictured here is the ix45. That's a name the local arm will probably forego in favour of the existing Santa Fe badge when the new model arrives in Australia. Hyundai has recently executed an about-turn on global nameplates and unless the company changes its mind again in the meantime, that points to the SUV being sold here as the Santa Fe.

The spy photographers reckon the new Santa Fe is due in Europe by 2013, which is in line with upcoming pedestrian safety legislation — legislation the current Santa Fe almost certainly wouldn't pass. One thing about fluidic sculpture, based on the look of the ix35, it can accommodate a high bonnet line better than many styling themes from other car companies — something the spy pics for the Santa Fe also support.

A 2013 release date in Europe also fits in with a six to seven-year model life cycle, since the current second-generation Santa Fe has been on sale in Australia since 2006. The first-generation Santa Fe was introduced to Australia in 2000. Depending on priorities for the factory (right-hand drive specifically), the third-gen Santa Fe might reach Australia before Europe, but it will almost certainly hit the North American markets first.

— with Carparazzi

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