Hyundai released a couple sketches of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata today, but real photos were leaked by a Korean web site and are now widespread across the net. Not surprisingly, the low-res photos of the sedan resemble our spy spots of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, just without the body camo.
This should be the first ever Sonata that can justifiably be called swoopy. Perhaps even sexy.
Today's photos show a Korean-spec Hyundai Sonata, which will use the 2.0-liter Theta inline-4 paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Available features will reportedly include a panoramic sunroof, a keyless ignition and paddle shifters.
The redesigned Sonata goes on sale in South Korea September 10. Don't look for it to arrive in the U.S. until sometime in 2010.
Bobaedream via Autoblog
Spy Photos: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid
Inside Line News: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Set for 2010 Launch in U.S.
billt9 says:
03:57 PM, 09/ 1/09
whoa alien vs predator nice.
Why do a Passat/CC, a Camry/Solara/ES, an E500/CLS500... just do it right in the first place.
jederino says:
04:23 PM, 09/ 1/09
Honda and Toyota better look out - Hyundai is designing like they are HUNGRY.
compliance says:
04:44 PM, 09/ 1/09
I like everything but the front, which is wretched.
sabastian says:
05:24 PM, 09/ 1/09
Wow. So this is what family cars are now? Better sell your Honda and Toyota stock before it's too late!
210delray says:
06:59 PM, 09/ 1/09
The actual car won't look that swoopy or angry, I hope!
I like fastbacks, but not low roofs, gunslit side glass, and oversize grilles.
sabastian says:
07:19 PM, 09/ 1/09
delray, this is the actual car. No concepts here.
gharry says:
07:23 PM, 09/ 1/09
Wow! Give it some driving dynamics like the Mazda6 (previous gen, pls) and I'll buy one in a heartbeat. It looks fantastic.
smihal says:
07:58 PM, 09/ 1/09
@ billt9
Because they can charge more for the "sexier" model. People pay more for looks. Why do you think coupes exist? I bought a 335 coupe instead of sedan for no other reason besides the look.
blueguydotcom says:
09:01 PM, 09/ 1/09
That's a gonna be a production Hyundai? Geez, that's swoopy in that lighting. Hyundai is making some impressive stuff...
alman08 says:
11:16 PM, 09/ 1/09
LOL, no reason to buy the unreliable Passat CC anymore... but I will have to agree with compliance... that front end is just too "agressive" for my taste.
And I admire Hyundai's strategy here. They don't need 2 mid-size sedans, the Azera and the Sonata. Now they can use the Sonata as a 4dr coupe model. Excellent!
hollowtek says:
11:31 PM, 09/ 1/09
holy shift. this looks better than MB CLS.
zoomzoomn says:
05:08 AM, 09/ 2/09
The concept sketches look sleeker than the final product. No surprise on the front clip considering the new pedestrian crash standards that have to be figured in the actual car. It just looks a little overblown and goofy from the front. Good effort, though Hyundai! Holy crap!!! Another good looking Hyundai. Go figure.
arumage says:
05:11 AM, 09/ 2/09
alman08,
The Azera is a full-size sedan, more along the lines of an Avalon.
sgude says:
08:17 AM, 09/ 2/09
This is very nice. I wonder what its staying power will be, and whether Honda and Toyota will respond to it.
alman08 says:
08:28 AM, 09/ 2/09
arumage, ummm... ok, sure, the Azera has one inch more in the rear leg room, 4 inches longer overall in the exterior measure...
http://www.hyundaiusa.com/vehicle/comparison/detailed_comparison.aspx?vehicle=Azera&year=2009&trimid=24273|23909
inlinesix says:
03:27 PM, 09/ 2/09
I like the style. I also have to agree that middle line looks very MB CLS.
jyym says:
05:27 PM, 09/ 2/09
The roofline/C-pillar of the VW CC is much more like the CLS than is the new Sonata which is more like a rakish version of the A6 or Azera.
Also, the new Ian Cullum Jaguar XJ design is very similar to the Sonata's roofline/C pillar, just being even more rakish.
As for the ES/Solara comparison up front, the design of the Sonata is much more radical (even disregarding the grille) w/ the "crab claw" headlamps basically being set on the sides.
http://www.edmunds.com/flipper/do/MediaNav/year=2006/make=lexus/model=es330/firstNav=Gallery/photoId=20081261
http://www.edmunds.com/flipper/do/MediaNav/year=2008/make=toyota/model=camrysolara/firstNav=Gallery/photoId=20222261
The "cat eyes" headlamps on the ES/Solara are set much more conventionally on the front.
jyym says:
05:29 PM, 09/ 2/09
Having said that, the front fascia is a bit overstyled/too busy for my taste - but it certainly is distinctive from the drab mid-sized sedans that are on the market currently.
kingkhalas says:
12:34 PM, 09/ 3/09
Make the grill look less like a Honda Insight and it'll be much better.
jedirye says:
01:19 AM, 09/12/09
Alman: The overall marketing and ammenities of the Azera are geared towards enticing Avalon customers and the like. While the Sonata battles the midsized segment leaders, Accord and Camary.
m1miata says:
07:17 PM, 09/26/09
Pretty good looking, in a show car sorta way, but once inside, will it be like driving out of a bathtub? Are we seeing yet another too tall - high beltline, featuring tiny windows, which are gun ports I guess. If you like it for the Mercedes it copies, or the new VW, then I guess you got it at a lower price. Copy cat cars inc.