Report: Hyundai May Build New Elantra in U.S., Move Santa Fe Production to Kia Plant

A Korean newspaper has reported that Hyundai plans to build the North American market version of its new Elantra saloon (otherwise known as the Avante) at its Alabama plant starting from April 2011 in order to reduce costs.

The report from The Chosun Ilbo, which cites a Korean Hyundai spokesman as its source, goes on to say that the Elantra will replace the current Santa Fe SUV at the Alabama factory adding that the Santa Fe's replacement, which is due in mid-2011, will be moved to sister company Kia's plant in Georgia.

It is also noted in the report that for the first time, Hyundai will install engines made by its China-affiliate in the U.S.-spec Elantra.

Now, Hyundai produces only the Sonata sedan and Santa Fe in the U.S., with the current versions of the Elantra and Accent being imported from South Korea.

If true, the move to build the Elantra in the U.S. is said to drastically reduce exports from the firm's Korean plants as last year, Hyundai shipped around 103,000 units of the car to the States.

Source: Chosun

Detroit Show: Refreshed 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe gets New 2.4-liter Four-Cylinder and 3.5-liter V6 Engines

Oddly enough, even though the refreshed N.A.-spec 2010 Santa Fe is already available at Hyundai dealers, the Korean automaker waited for the Detroit auto show to release official information on its mid-size crossover. The big news for the 2010MY Santa Fe are the new four-cylinder and V6 engines that are paired to six-speed transmissions improving both fuel economy and vehicle performance.

Replacing the outgoing 2.7-liter V6 with 185HP and 183 lb-ft of torque is Hyundai's second generation 2.4-liter DOHC Theta II inline four-cylinder engine that makes 175 horsepower and 169 lb.-ft. of torque.

Despite the fact that it's less powerful, Hyundai says that the four-cylinder engine delivers quicker zero-to-60 miles-per-hour acceleration (no numbers were released) and better fuel economy than its predecessor.

The Korean maker announces a 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway fuel economy rating with front wheel drive and the new six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC ('09 2.7 V6 FWD five-speed manual: 17mpg / 24mpg)

The 2009 Santa Fe's Lambda 3.3-liter V6 engine has also been replaced by a new Lambda II 3.5-liter V6 engine that churns out 34 more horsepower and 22 more pound-feet of torque for an overall output of 276HP and 248 lb.-ft.

The mileage figures for the 3.5 V6-powered Santa Fe are 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (FWD/AT).

Along with the new powertrains, the 2010 Santa Fe also received a mild exterior makeover with new bumper fascias, foglights, bodyside moldings, wheels and grille.

Also new for 2010 is the fuel economy indicator on automatic transmission models, rollover sensors for the side curtain airbags and a new touch screen navigation system.

European 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Facelift gets New 197HP Diesel and 6-Speed Transmissions

Hyundai is giving its Santa Fe a new lease of life in Europe thanks to new powertrains and a lightly refreshed interior and exterior. As with the Korean market model, the European Santa Fe gets a new three-slatted body-colored grille, restyled bumper, tweaked headlamps and fog lights up front, while new tail lamp crystals, a revised bumper and twin exhausts sum up the changes at the rear. The 2010 model also features new alloy wheel designs, and redesigned side sills and roof rails.

Revisions to the interior are even more subtle and are limited to what Hyundai describes as "a new Supervision instrument gauge cluster", a built-in navigation system, an optional rear view camera and refreshed trim.

The most important upgrades are hidden under the bonnet as the 2010 model year benefits from the introduction of a new 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine, which produces an output of 197 horsepower and peak torque of 422Nm (311 lb-ft) between 1,800 and 2,500 rpm.

Matted to a six-speed manual transmission, the new 2.2 CRDi engine launches the Santa Fe from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in 9.5 seconds, an improvement of 1.8 sec over the outgoing 155HP diesel model, and on to a top speed of 190 km/h (118mph) while returning 6.6 lt /100km (35.6 mpg US) in the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 174g/km.

The new entry-level petrol engine is Hyundai's 2.4-liter four-cylinder Theta-II unit that makes 174 horsepower. Acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h comes in 10.7 seconds while the Santa Fe 2.4 achieves a top speed of 190 km/h (118mph) with an average fuel consumption of 8.5 lt /100km (27.7 mpg US) and CO2 emissions of 203g/km.

Both engines are offered with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard and optionally, with Hyundai's new six-speed automatic transmission.

Already introduced in South Korea, the refreshed 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe will make its European debut at next week's Frankfurt motorshow and go on sale in most markets towards the end of the year.

Hyundai ix35: First Official Teaser Shots of Tucson's Replacement

The above photo along with three more shots that were published on the automaker's Korean website are Hyundai's teasers for the Tucson replacement that will be officially unveiled at the September 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. As speculated, the Tucson's successor will be called ix35 in Europe while the Korean-market model will bear the 'Tucson ix' moniker. No word yet on Hyundai's naming plans for the North American model.

While the cryptic teasers don't reveal anything about the new compact SUV's design, a set of spy photos depicting the ix35 totally undisguised (click here) confirm the company's claims that the production model carries over much of the sweeping styling of the 2009 Geneva Salon ix-onic concept study.

The Korean automaker said that the ix35, which will rival the Toyota RAV-4 and VW Tiguan, represents a major step forward for Hyundai in Europe as it is the firm's first SUV to be conceived and engineered in Europe at the company's Frankfurt-based design and technical centres.

The ix35 will be joined in Frankfurt by the facelifted Santa-Fe that benefits from a series of engineering and cosmetic enhancements. Detailed information on both models are to be announced by Hyundai closer to the Frankfurt Show opening.

Via: Hyundai , KDM Shots: Hyundai-blog

Rated R: Lamborghini Murcielago Porks Hyundai Santa Fe

It can happen to the best of us - you know, you're going faster than the vehicle in front of you and all of a sudden he/she slows down or slams the brakes and well, say goodbye to you low insurance rates. In this case, the car behind the Hyundai Santa Fe happened to be a 'wedge-faced' Lamborghini Murcielago and the resulting accident leaves an open window for many erotic-style jokes. According to reports, luckily, no one other than the Lamborghini owner's bank account was hurt in the accident.

Via: Jalopnik, Cardomain, 6Speed, and NBC-2