REPORT: 2011 Hyundai Sonata coming to Detroit Auto Show

[Sal Collaziano]

Filed under: Sedans/Saloons, Hyundai

2011 Hyundai Sonata spy shots - Click above for image gallery
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Back in June, we reported on a news story in the Montgomery Advertiser saying that the 2011 Hyundai Sonata would be unveiled in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show. It appears that Hyundai may be holding off the introduction of its bread and butter sedan for a larger audience in Detroit. Inside Line is reporting that the Sonata will bow in the Motor City, giving Hyundai a big-league entry at the North American International Auto Show.

When describing the design direction of the new Sonata, Hyundai USA CEO John Krafcik told IL the 2011 model would be "bold, so bold." Judging from the many spy photos we've seen, we're thinking that could be an apt description. We see well-sculpted sheetmetal punctuated with a four door coupe-like roof line, but we'll have to wait until the covers come off to hand down a verdict..

Hyundai is also rumored to be using direct injection technology to power the four cylinder Sonata. The mooted 2.2-liter powertrain is expected to produce in the neighborhood of 200 horsepower while also improving fuel economy versus the 2009 model by 5% to 10%. Hyundai has been on a roll of late with its successful launches of the Genesis Coupe and Sedan, and if it can pull off a showstopper at the Detroit Auto Show with the 2011 Sonata, the Korean automaker will officially be on fire.


Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Sonata - spy shots



[Source: Inside Line | Images: Sammy_R-Gti of assayyarat.com]REPORT: 2011 Hyundai Sonata coming to Detroit Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.



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[TJPark01]

Proportion-wise looks a lot like an ES350 from the side profile. AM I crazy or does the driver door handle look lower than the back door handle?

 

[Sal Collaziano]

The handle is probably supposed to look like that but it DOES look very strange.. This isn't the first time I've seen something like this - but everyone else does it much better..

 

[Mark_888]

Proportion-wise looks a lot like an ES350 from the side profile. AM I crazy or does the driver door handle look lower than the back door handle?

I don't think you are crazy, but maybe you just had one two many beers.

 

[YEH]

Proportion-wise looks a lot like an ES350 from the side profile. AM I crazy or does the driver door handle look lower than the back door handle?

W/ regard to the driver's door handle, you're not crazy.

Not only is it lower, it's on a slant - following the curvature/slant of the side sheetmetal.

 

[Poopsicle]

Looks kind of like the Chevrolet Malibu.

 

[JOwest]

Proportion-wise looks a lot like an ES350 from the side profile. AM I crazy or does the driver door handle look lower than the back door handle?

Actually, the driver's door handle on the Genesis is lower than the rear door as well. The difference is it looks more natural on the Genesis than the design on the Sonata.

 

[etatauri]

Overall it looks nice but the grill looks pretty generic. It reminds me of the Camry or some of the Ford products. I was expecting something a little more innovative but I hope after the stickers come off it will look different enough. I like the headlights so far.