Hyundai Motor unveils Sonata New Rise

SEOUL, March 8 (Yonhap) -- Hyundai Motor Co. on Wednesday launched the latest version of its Sonata midsize sedan, one of the best-selling car models that is again expected to boost the company's dwindling sales in South Korea.

The new Sonata New Rise is a facelift of the seventh-generation Sonata launched in March 2014 but has enough substantial changes that could easily make it the next generation, the company said.

"The Sonata New Rise has many dramatic changes that exceed a simple design change or a facelift," the top South Korean automaker said in a press release.

In terms of design, the new Sonata has a sportier look than its predecessor with a wide cascading front grille offering a family resemblance to the all new Grandeur sedan launched late last year.

The car has a whole new look in terms of performance as well.

The Sonata New Rise comes with four different engines, with 1.6-liter turbo gasoline and 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engines added to the lineup of 2.0-liter gasoline and 1.7-liter diesel engines.

The 2.0-liter turbo gasoline engine comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission, becoming the first locally produced midsize car to be equipped with an eight-speed transmission.

Also in terms of safety, the new vehicle introduces the latest and most advanced safety features that could have been meant for its future generation.

The lane keeping assist system and its advanced smart cruise control system put in the car are some of the latest technologies seen in self-driving cars, along with the autonomous emergency braking system that will automatically stop the car when its smart sensors detect a possible collision with a car or a pedestrian.

Reflecting a growing interest in environment and health, the car also introduces the new one-touch air purifying system for the first time in its segment, according to Hyundai Motor.

"The Sonata New Rise, which is thoroughly user-oriented, will set fresh standards for the midsize car segment in the local market," Lee Kwang-kook, Hyundai's chief official for the local market, said at a media event in Seoul. "The company will continue to move toward user-oriented changes and innovation."

The new Sonata has a price range of 22.55 million won to 32.53 million won (US$19,624-$28,309).

bdk@yna.co.kr
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