Archive for the ‘Sonata’ Category

Direct injection, once the domain of luxury and high-performance models only, will soon be available on a humble Hyundai. The South Korean automaker has unveiled its new 2.4-liter Theta II GDI (gasoline direct injection) that will debut in the 2011 Sonata early next year.

With a compression ratio of 11.3:1, the 2.4-liter Theta II GDI delivers a peak output of 198 horsepower and 185 pound-feet of torque--enough to justify Hyundai’s decision to drop the V-6 option on the new Sonata.

Direct injection technology works by spraying fuel directly into the combustion chamber at pressures of more than 2,000 psi. This results in a more...

The all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata isn’t due to make its U.S. debut until the 2010 Detroit Auto Show in January but already we have the first tentative details about its American specifications. The big shocker is that the car will likely miss out on a V-6 engine option, instead being offered with a four-cylinder engine only at the initial launch and then a gasoline-electric hybrid option towards the end of next year.

The four-cylinder engine destined for the new Sonata is based on the current model’s 2.4-liter unit but gets a few nifty features to boost performance and fuel economy. Dubbed the 2.4-liter Theta II GDI, the new mill...

• What is it?: The next generation of Hyundai's mid-size family sedan • The basics: Exceptional styling, and a hybrid version in the works • On sale: Summer 2010, with a public showing at the Detroit Auto Show • Price: $20,000 (est.)

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is months away from a U.S. debut at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, but the sixth-generation of the popular nameplate has now made its debut in its home market of South Korea.

The new car was designed and developed in Hyundai's Orange County, California offices, and shows a design flair that's been absent from the model's repertoire. It adopts a new "fluidic...