Hyundai India is full of spirits and seems to be in a move to regain its lost charm in Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment with the relaunch of Santa Fe in a transformed version. It is believed that the refurbished SUV will be better in all aspects, from interiors to exteriors and fuel economy. Domestic buyers would get a glimpse of the all new avatar probably during the Auto Expo 2014, which will commence in February. But speculations are rife that Hyundai is eager to remove the curtains and showcase the car much before the mega event.
The ongoing model of Santa Fe, however, does not exhibit any flaw to ones vision but experts are of a view that changes can be incorporated in the existing model. Current model of the SUV is equipped with a 16-valve, 2.2-litre CRDi engine, squeezing 195 bhp of maximum power with a peak torque of 436 Nm. In full throttle, the car blisters to a speed of around 185 kmph, which seems a pretty decent figure considered for Indian roads. The diesel mill is melded with either a manual or an automatic 6-speed transmission, providing the options of 2-wheel and 4-wheel drive as well. Interestingly, the existing car performs well in fuel economy, with the manual transmission version recording 14.6 kmpl and the automatic version covering a distance of 11.7 kmpl.
Apparently Hyundai's think tanks are too concerned about performance that they want to enhance and uplift the existing figures. The new Santa Fe is built on an entirely new platform and is believed to be 40 mm longer and 5 mm wider than the outgoing model. The roofline is dipped by 45 mm and the whole body now flaunts the company's trademark fluidic design. The engine is tuned and the refined 2.2-litre VGT (Variable Geometry Turbo) will be powering the new SUV. Interiors are tweaked as well and the sumptuous charm of the inside will be upgraded by superior quality equipment.
Furthermore, the cost of production has been minimised by the company, with its innovative strategies. The new Santa Fe will be manufactured at the company's Chennai plant, unlike the current model which is brought to India by Completely Built Unit (CBU) route. The next generation SUV is expected to be cheaper by Rs. 3-4 lakh than the outgoing version and will also bear a capacious seating arrangement. Handling and suspension have also been customised by the company, ensuring fine performance and better mileage. In other words, Hyundai has attempted to subjugate the off-roading vehicle capacity with its overhauled SUV.
In the competitive SUV segment, the likes of Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Toyota Fortuner have already made their mark. Nissan X-trail and Mahindra SsangYong Rexton are also striving to intensify their market presence, whereas the upcoming Honda CR-V is set to embark the market with its Dream of Earth diesel engine. Amidst the rumpus, it will be exciting to see how Hyundai publicises its revamped Santa Fe.
