Hyundai India, the country's second largest passenger car maker, is currently busy on the development of facelift Sonata, which is expected to mark its entry in the Indian market soon. Initially launched in 2009, Sonata is due for another facelift, which will be introduced in early 2014. Sources close to the development process have revealed that the South Korean auto maker seems prepared to incorporate a new version of the Fluidic designing language. Reportedly, the new Sonata will feature Hyundai's much appreciated Fluidic Sculpture 2.0, which will surely create a buzz in the Indian auto market. Industry experts are of a view that Fluidic design terminology happens to be the main force behind driving success story of Hyundai's cars.
Owing to the latest fluidic sculpture, the auto maker will be offering a more aggressive design to the new Sonata, which is somehow missing in the current generation model. The executive sedan is anticipated to welcome refined designing elements, single hexagonal grille and rich colour themes with quality plastics. Sources further said that the next generation Sonata will feature a number of changes at both interiors and exteriors and will also house a number of segment leading comfort features. Key highlights of the new Sonata will include LED fog lights, new front grille and reworked central console. Coming to its technical specifications, the engine is anticipated to remain same; however some tuning is expected to belt out more power and torque outputs. A change in technical specifications expected to feature in the new Sonata would be diesel engine option, which is somehow missing in the current generation model.
Industry experts believe that since Sonata has been only offered with a petrol engine, it was not able to create a stir in the executive sedan segment. The current model is powered by a performance oriented 2.4-litre petrol engine, which produces a maximum power output of 199 bhp along with a peak torque of 255 Nm. It must be noted that a senior Hyundai executive has confirmed that the next generation Sonata model will be launched in 2014 in the international markets. According to him, the designing of new model would not change drastically as pillars, creases and shut lines will be sourced from the current generation model of Sonata. It is also being said that the launch of a new facelift model is not right for Sonata; however it may also happen that Hyundai retains its both models like it did with i10 and Grand i10.
