New Models and Engines are coming to Hyundai

From A

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Looking to sustain its sales momentum, Hyundai will bring out a serie
of new and redesigned products in the United States during the next 1
months

Executives at a press event in Seoul, South Korea, described a wave o
new models, including redesigns of the Elantra and Accent, a smal
Elantra-based sporty coupe, the Equus luxury sedan and hybrid an
turbocharged versions of the Sonata sedan. Hyundai is also studying
Sonata wagon

A string of engine upgrades also are in the works

Over the past two years, Hyundai has moved closer to its three mai
Japanese rivals in the United States: Toyota, Honda and Nissan
Hyundai's sales are up 23 percent through May in an overall marke
that rose 17 percent. It was one of only three brands with highe
U.S. sales last year

The American consumer's perception of Hyundai has, until now, bee
oriented by its lower pricing, but the automaker hopes to chang
that, said Chang-Hwan Han, Hyundai Motor senior vice president
Americas regional division. "By launching these new models, ou
brand image in the U.S. will be enhanced," he said. "Th
purchasing pattern will be changed.

First up are new versions of the Montgomery, Ala.-built Sonata tha
will debut this fall. The turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder Sonat
is designed to compete with V6 entries in the mid-sized sedan segment
The Sonata Turbo will deliver 274 hp and 32 mpg for a sticker pric
below $25,000, said John Krafcik, COO of Hyundai Motor America

A hybrid version, which will have different fascia than the standar
Sonata, is expected to get 40 mpg. It will be the first mainstrea
vehicle on sale that uses lithium polymer batteries. Instead of
continuously variable transmission, the Sonata hybrid will use
six-speed automatic with no torque converter attached, Krafcik said

The Equus luxury sedan will arrive in fall with an expected bas
sticker price between $55,000 and $60,000. The Equus will debut wit
a 366-hp 4.6-liter V8 but will have a running change next spring to
direct-injection 5.0-liter V8 with 429 hp and 376 lb-ft of torque
said H.B. Lee, senior manager of Hyundai Motor R&D powertrai
development. Hyundai's Genesis sedan will get the new V8 engine a
the same time

In January, Hyundai will launch a redesigned Elantra sedan, similar i
appearance to the swoopy Avante that debuted in Korea this year, sai
Michael Deitz, product planning manager for Hyundai Motor America

The Elantra's engine family also will be updated with a 1.6-lite
Gamma-series four-cylinder. Hyundai has yet to decide whether th
engine will be multiport-injected or direct-injected. The U.S
version will debut at the Los Angeles auto show in November

A redesigned Accent subcompact will arrive next spring. The new Accen
will get a redesigned Gamma-series engine with smaller displacemen
than the Elantra's engine, said Tim White, senior manager o
powertrain development for the Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center

A small sporty coupe, tentatively called the Veloster, is based on th
Elantra platform and will arrive next spring. Spy photos show
hatchback roofline. Krafcik said the car will be powered by
1.6-liter direct-injection engine that generates 140 hp. He said i
will get about 40 mpg on the highway

Once the redesigned Elantra and Accent debut next year, every vehicl
in the Hyundai lineup will have timing chains, as opposed to cheaper
but less durable, timing belts

Hyundai's U.S. product planners also are studying the launch of
Sonata wagon. So far the wagon is only scheduled for Europe, bu
Krafcik says he is interested in the segment

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