2010 Sonata

[CJ]

PRESS RELEASE:

Hyundai Motor Begins to Take Pre-launch Orders for YF (Sonata)

(Sept. 1, 2009) Hyundai Motor Company is ready to start taking orders tomorrow for its all-new Sonata, codenamed YF, ahead of the car's official launch Sept 10th in the Korea domestic market. In replacing the NF Sonata which was launched in Sept. 2004, Hyundai decided to retain the Sonata name as the mid-size car has been Korea's perennial best-seller.

The new Sonata is fitted with a 6-speed automatic transmission and delivers gratifying performance through its 2-liter Theta II gasoline engine. Delivering 12.8 kilometers per liter, it achieves the highest fuel economy in its segment. In addition, safety has been upgraded with Vehicle Dynamic Control now supplied as a standard feature.

*VDC : Improves the safety of a vehicle's stability by detecting and minimizing skids.

The overall comfort has been enhanced through a variety of new technologies and premium specifications such as a panoramic sunroof, gear shift paddles attached to the steering wheel, and a push-button starting system.

The rendering preview features coupe like body style and exudes a dynamic image. The front side communicates an image of strength through a wide radiator grill and sharp-edged headlamp.

The flowing coupe-like lines of the new Sonata eloquently express Hyundai's "fluidic sculpture" design language, a new design direction that will play a pivotal role in enhancing the brand. Hyundai is confident that the new Sonata, equipped with the company's latest technologies, will continue the long string of successes earned by Sonata over the years.

Since the launch of the very first generation Sonata in October 1985 in Korea, 4.45 million units of Sonata have been sold worldwide. In 2004, Sonata earned the highest ranking in J.D. Power's Initial Quality Survey in the Entry Midsize Car category.

[Catman]

That's exactly what it will look like.

[cawimmer430]

That looks more like 2035 than 2010.

[ifcar]

There have been uncovered spy shots that show the same styling cues -- including the roofline and the garish grille -- but more normal proportions.

[nickdrinkwater]

[Catman]

Wheels now look too small.

[Galaxy]

The grill certainly looks interesting but it is hard to make out the detail. looks good all in all.

[WookieOnRitalin]

Oh my....

[93JC]

The crease down the side looks bizarre, and there are too many details. It's tough to tell what's going on with the grille because of the lighting effects, but my gut feeling is that in normal everyday lighting and angles it won't be pretty.

[Cookie Monster]

That looks pretty ugly.

[Vinsanity]

I think it looks cool, but I hope the design ages better than the early-2000's model

[Northlands]

Any bets on whether or not Hyundai decides to make a Sonata version of the Crosstour? 

[ifcar]

Any bets on whether or not Hyundai decides to make a Sonata version of the Crosstour? 

They probably would if it were a success for Honda. Why not?

[Pommes-T]

I wonder if the Koreans will ever have an evolutionary design language.

[Payman]

Holy shit. I'll reserve judgement until I see better pics.

[MX793]

Looks like a previous generation Camry.  Not good (unless you like ill proportioned, bloated styling).

[Tave]

That said, I like the profile and rear, and I really like the sketches.

[CALL_911]

Looks like a mix between a Sebring and a Passat CC.

Actually, I don't mind it so much.

[sportyaccordy]

I kind of like it

Of course it would look better lowered and with bigger wheels, but it's a start.

LOLOLOLOL @ Korean design evolution. Cmon now be serious.

[Submariner]

Pre launch orders?

Are they under the impression this is the new 458?

[ifcar]

Pre launch orders?

Are they under the impression this is the new 458?

The Korean market is almost entirely Korean-made cars, so one of three midsize sedans coming out redesigned soon is a huge deal there.

[Onslaught]

Holly shit that body line will be a bitch to fix. I work on a ton of Sonata's these days.

[thewizard16]

The sketch looked interesting but the spy shot of the front looks like it's trying to eat something. Not particularly attractive, in my opinion.

[omicron]

What on earth?

And whilst I'm airing my dislike, headlights and taillights are not supposed to meet in the middle of the car.

[ifcar]

And whilst I'm airing my dislike, headlights and taillights are not supposed to meet in the middle of the car.

[omicron]

On the side of the car, I mean.

[Raza]

What, did they run out of metal?  Why does the front look so much smaller than the back?

[cozmik]

I kind of like it honestly. The grille is a bit large, but overall, it looks decent. And it's actually got some visual interest as well, unlike the current Sonata.

[565]

Here's a question, why draw ridiculously stylized concepts only to water them down later till they look awkard and tacky.

Honestly I think that's the primary reason why 75% of the cars on the market look like shit.  They let some artsy design student with no concept of realistic automoblie production draw up some fancy rakish vehicle that everyone knows cannot be produced.  Then the bean counters and the engineers try to make that concept realistic, and thus create a ridiculous mess of it all.  It's like writing accordion music with a full orchestra and a composer, it's just not going to translate well.  You are better off just designing a realistic car from the beginning, making sure everything works in realistic proportions, without rubber band tires, huge wheels, no ride height, no consideration for interior room, etc etc.

[SVT666]

Here's a question, why draw ridiculously stylized concepts only to water them down later till they look awkard and tacky.

Honestly I think that's the primary reason why 75% of the cars on the market look like shit.  They let some artsy design student with no concept of realistic automoblie production draw up some fancy rakish vehicle that everyone knows cannot be produced.  Then the bean counters and the engineers try to make that concept realistic, and thus create a ridiculous mess of it all.  It's like writing accordion music with a full orchestra and a composer, it's just not going to translate well.  You are better off just designing a realistic car from the beginning, making sure everything works in realistic proportions, without rubber band tires, huge wheels, no ride height, no consideration for interior room, etc etc.

I don't know.  I think it looks pretty faithful to the sketches.