Hyundai Sonata

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Hyundai Sonata

Also called:	Hyundai NF御翔 (NF Yuxiang) (China) Hyundai Sonica (Italy) Hyundai NF (Russia)
Manufacturer:	Hyundai Motor Company
Production:	1987—present
Assembly:	Montgomery, Alabama (For North America) Bromont, Quebec, Canada (first generation for North America) Asan, Korea (Outside North America) China (for China) Russia (3rd gen. model, for Russia)
Predecessor:	Hyundai Stellar
Class:	Compact (1988-1998) Mid-size(1999-present)
Related:	Hyundai Grandeur/Azera Hyundai Santa Fe Kia Optima
Similar:	Honda Accord Mitsubishi Galant Toyota Camry

First generation

Production:	1989–1992
Engine:	2.4 L 110 hp (82 kW) Sirius I4 (U.S.) 1.8 L (95 hp) and 2.0 L (131 hp) Sirius 3.0 L V6 Mitsubishi 6G72
Transmission:	4-Speed Automatic Overdrive 5-Speed Manual Overdrive
Wheelbase:	104.30 in.
Length:	184.30 in.
Width:	68.90 in.
Height:	55.40 in.

Second generation

Production:	1993–1998
Engine:	2.0 L 126 hp (94 kW) Sirius I4 3.0 L, 142 hp Mitsubishi V6
Transmission:	4-Speed Automatic Overdrive 5-Speed Manual Overdrive
Wheelbase:	106.30 in.
Length:	185.00 in.
Width:	69.70 in.
Height:	55.30 in.

Third generation

Production:	1998–2001
Engine:	1.8 L 134 PS, 2.0 L 149 PS 2.4 L 149 hp (111 kW); DOHC 24V 2.7 L Hyundai Delta V6, 173 hp (127 kW) Hyundai Sirius I4s 2.5 L 170 hp (127 kW) Hyundai Delta V6
Transmission:	4-Speed Automatic Overdrive 5-Speed Manual Overdrive
Wheelbase:	106.30 in.
Length:	185.40 in.
Width:	71.60 in.
Height:	55.50 in.

Updated Third Generation

Production:	2000–2005
Engine:	1.8 L 134 PS, 2.0 L 149 PS 2.4 L 149 hp (111 kW); DOHC 24V 2.7 L Hyundai Delta V6, 173 hp (127 kW) Hyundai Sirius I4s 2.5 L 170 hp (127 kW) Hyundai Delta V6
Transmission:	4-Speed Automatic Overdrive 5-Speed Manual Overdrive
Wheelbase:	106.30 in.
Length:	186.90 in.
Width:	71.70 in.
Height:	56.00 in.

Fourth generation

Also called:	Hyundai NF御翔 (NF Yuxiang) (China) Hyundai NF (Russia) Hyundai Sonica (Italy)
Production:	2005–present
Engine:	16-valve 2.0 L 2.4 L, 166 ps at 5,800 rpm 3.3 L Lambda V6, 234 hp
Transmission:	4-Speed Automatic Overdrive 5-Speed Automatic Overdrive 5-Speed Manual Overdrive
Wheelbase:	107.40 in.
Length:	188.90 in.
Width:	72.10 in.
Height:	58.00 in.

The Hyundai Sonata is a mid-size sedan built by the Hyundai Motor Company. Production started in 1987, with redesigns in 1993, 1998, 2002, and 2006.

1 First generation (1987–1992)
2 Second generation (1993–1998)
3 Third generation (1999–2004)
4 Fourth generation (2005–present)
5 External links

[edit] First generation (1987–1992)

The original Sonata (Y1) was part of Hyundai's expansion in North America after the success of the Excel. It was introduced in South Korea on June 1, 1987. [1] It was then introduced in Canada in September, 1987 as a 1988 model, and in 1988, as a 1989 model in the United States. The exterior was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign. The vehicle received a mid-term facelift in 1991. It replaced the Stellar as Hyundai's Compact car. Some Sonatas were built in Korea, and in Bromont, Quebec, Canada.

The Sonata was a Hyundai design, but still featured some Mitsubishi engineering, including its 2.4 L 110 hp (82 kW) Sirius I4 engine as used in American-market models. [2] Other markets received 1.8 L (95 hp) and 2.0 L (131 hp) Sirius engines. A 3.0 L V6 based on the Mitsubishi 6G72 arrived in 1990. The U.S. received the 2.0 L engine for the 1992, replacing the original 2.4 L.

Trim levels were GL (for 1.8 and 2.0 models) and GLS (for 2.4-litre cars). South Korea models were XD, XE and XT, all with the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.4 engines. XT models were 2.0 only, 1992-93.

[edit] Second generation (1993–1998)

The second-generation Sonata (Y2) debuted in 1993, as a 1994 model. The base engine in most markets was a 2.0 L 126 hp (94 kW) Sirius I4, but there was a 3.0 L, 142 hp Mitsubishi V6 option in some markets. This generation continued after the demise of the Bromont, Quebec plant in 1994. After that, all Sonatas would be built in Korea, until the opening of the Montgomery, Alabama plant in 2005.

A relatively adventurous facelift for the Sonata (Y3) in 1995 saw the exterior style begin to look more upmarket, with Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz styling cues in the headlight area. The rear end also began to look more upmarket—only the central section was retained. Sales were up 25% that first year. ^{[citation needed]} The four-cylinder engine was up to 137 hp (102 kW) that year as well.

[edit] Third generation (1999–2004)

A new model arrived in 1998 (1999 for North America), launching the (EF) series. The styling was slightly less aggressive, and modelled more on a Hyundai show car earlier that year. This redesign kept the German influences, but bore an unintentional resemblance to the Ford Taurus as well. It was also one of Hyundai's first compact cars to be crossed over to the mid-size class.

Engines were 1.8 L 134 PS, 2.0 L 149 PS, 2.4 L 149 hp (111 kW) Hyundai Sirius I4s and an impressive 2.5 L 170 hp (127 kW) Hyundai Delta V6. A special 10-year warranty, along with even more upscale touches and a still-low price, boosted volume considerably in the US.

A very Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Jaguar-esque look was added to the old underpinnings for 2000, the new model debuting in the American market for the 2002 model year (Sonata EF2). The 2002 model featured the all-aluminum, DOHC 24V 2.7 L Hyundai Delta V6 powered the Sonata with 173 hp (127 kW). Sales reached 104,000 for 2004.

The Kia Optima (called the Magentis in Canada and Europe) was based on the platform of this generation of Sonata and shared its doors and some other panels.

This Sonata also lent its platform to the first-generation Hyundai Santa Fe.

This generation of Sonata is still being built (since 2002) and sold in China as of September 2006 by Beijing Hyundai Co. and in Russia by Tagaz.

[edit] Fourth generation (2005–present)

An all-new 6th generation Sonata was launched in August 2004 in Korea. A new platform also was borne out of the project NF for total cost of 290 billion won. The company's first all-aluminum I4 engine, dubbed Theta, debuted in the new Sonata. Engine choices at launch were a 16-valve 2.0 L and a 2.4 L that produces 166 ps at 5,800 rpm.

The U.S. launch of the all-new Sonata kicked off with the historical opening of the first U.S. assembly plant for the Korea-based Hyundai Motor Company in May 2005. The plant is located in Montgomery, Alabama. Hyundai claims the car will launch to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.6 sec source: Car and driver, and have a top speed of 147 mph for the V6. But the car is frequently reported to be going at speeds beyond 160 mph in Korea due to the gear ratios of the sedan. A canadian sports version was available which came with an optional 3.3 247 HP V6 engine a package which was optional extending the high end GLS V6.

2006/2007 models of this sedan did not receive a speed limiter, but U.S. officials are planning to put a limiter because of the powerful transmission when combined with the V6 version. Recently a man was caught doing 157 mph in a rental Sonata which is often discussed in enthusiast forums.

The new Sonata is 2 in (50.8 mm) longer and taller and 1 in (25.4 mm) wider than the previous generation. The US EPA now classifies the Sonata as a "large car". It is priced at US$18,500. A V6 Sonata is priced at US$23,500.

The Sonata received the Good Design Award in passenger car category from the JIDPO (Japan Industrial Design Promotion Organization).

The Sonata was named "Best New Family Car (under $35,000)" in the 2006 Canadian Car of the Year awards.