Hyundai South Africa
has launched a new engine derivative
for the flagship Sonata range. The 2.4 GDI Elite engine measures 2.4-litre
in displacement and is now more powerful
than its predecessor of the same size.
While Hyundai has made great strides in catching up with
some of its competitors, when it
comes to powertrains they are still lagging.
This is evident in the fact that the 2.4 is a naturally aspirated motor at a
time when the likes of Volkswagen
and Ford are pulling out highly
efficient and powerful turbo engines with smaller displacements. Nevertheless
Hyundai is confident that the jump from 131kW
to 148kW at 6300rpm, as made by its
GDI Elite, is enough to impress customers who’ve been flocking to drive off the current 6th generation Sonata since 2010. It generates maximum torque of 250Nm at 4 250rpm. Thankfully the engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. Hyundai says
it will go from 0 – 100km/h in 9 seconds
flat, reach a top end of 210km/h,
while averaging 7.9 litres of
unleaded fuel per 100km.
“The Sonata was already a very elegant, well-designed sedan
that was the choice of many buyers who were looking for a modern premium
motoring package at a very competitive
price,” says Hyundai Automotive South Africa’s Marketing Director Stanley Anderson. “The new engine and
subtle changes to its exterior looks, coupled with the changes on the extensive
list of specifications, has enhanced
this excellent offer of Hyundai in
South Africa even more. It is important to note that this new Sonata is not a facelift – the designers have
merely added some very sensible ‘product enhancements’ on the exterior as well
as the interior.”
Not a facelift? Said “product enhancements” are to the tune
of a redesigned front grille featuring the familiar family face, now with a three-louvre spindle finished in
chrome, a new front bumper with redesigned
headlights, new side mirrors and new rear lights. How is all this not a facelift?
Unless Mr Anderson means a facelift is still on its way…
The other new bit is the interior and it now features a touch-screen sound system (still no RDS though), chrome on the door
handles, two-zone climate control, electrically-adjustable
front seats, cruise control, park assist, USB music port, leather seats with a
3-way memory function for the driver, and others.
Hyundai Sonata 2.4
GDI Price
R379 900
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