Have we yet heard what the HP of the turbo version will be?
When will the car be released?
I hear it will come out in the fall and have HP rating in the 250-270 range, torque will probably be about the same as HP, maybe a bit more. So this vehicle will be able to keep up with any V6 midsize cars out there.
Now take that and put into the Genesis Coupe; it probably is the same 2.0L engine + GDI ![Burn Out :skid:](https://www.autos.ca/forum/Smileys/CarTalk/drivingskid.gif)
Not sure if it will be GDI as it runs a bit hotter than regular engines. Add in the Turbo and it might run too hot. It is the same engine out of the Genesis coupe, also the same out of the Lancer Rallyart, and also the Dodge SRT4. So it would only take minor tweaks to give it 250HP, heck put premium in the Genesis coupe and it gets also 10 more horse power.
So you're saying the new "world" 2.0 I4 in the Sonata may not need (or won't use) GDI to output 250HP, but will the G. Coupe with 210HP not seem weak when a family sedan makes faster 0-60? Do you think it calls for some changes for the Geneses coupe, 2011 MY maybe? ![Wink ;)](https://www.autos.ca/forum/Smileys/CarTalk/wink.gif)
All I know is that the 2.0 I4 Turbo that will make it's way into the Sonata will probably not have the GDI as it's not in the Genesis, Lancer, or SRT4. The main reason for GDI is fuel efficiency and why would they make the higher model more fuel efficient than the base model? I can think of only one vehicle(s) that the upgraded engine gets better fuel mileage than the base model, and that's the Jetta/Rabbit/GTI, where the 2.0T gets better mileage than the 2.5 engine. I do think that if they give the 2.0T out of the Genesis a boost and put it into the Sonata then they should do the same boost in the Genesis. Not only because of the Sonata getting more power but because the Genesis competition is getting power upgrades. One of the main competitors for the Genesis is the Mustang and that new stang will be getting over 300HP from their base model and over 400 HP with the GT. I think if Hyundai could upgrade the 2.0T to 260HP for both the Genesis and Sonata, and then tweak the 3.8L V6 to give another 30HP then they can stay competitive. Maybe they should go the GDI route in the 3.8L V6 to get more power and better fuel efficiency, oh and put that engine in the Genesis sedan and Veracruz.
FYI - On Saturday I tried the new Sonata to have a real opinion on the vehicle. The model I tried was red with the beige interior, oh and was the middle range (GLS I think it's called). So it had alloys, auto trans, and sun roof. Someone on here was wondering if the beige was going to be two toned and I can report that it will indeed be two tone and a very attractive two tone. I think I like the two tone VW Passat CC beige better but it is a very good interior color combo. I would like to say that I'm not a fan of beige interior so it would not be my choice by as beige interiors go it is one of the best, another vehicle that we test drove (not this past weekend but within the last 6 months) was the Nissan Maxima and it had a beige interior and it was a terrible color.
Now onto more important things. The engine/transmission - let me first say that me and my wife would never consider a 4 cylinder without it being either turbo charged or super charged (we like to have more performance out of our vehicle), that being said we were both impressed by the engine. I can see why some might say it's harsh(ish) engine but we only found that the case when driving at low speeds (under 40km/hr) and driving leisurely. We do the same route for all our test drives and it includes a section of city driving, highway driving, and a stretch of secondary roads that are rough (lots of heaves, bumps, and pot holes), the route takes about 20 minutes to complete. We do two performance tests to simulate merging (30-90km/hr) and passing (80-120km/hr), for both I always "put the pedal to the metal" so I get the full attention of the trany and engine. The merging performance was surprising as we both expected a 4 cylinder performance but got a more V6 like performance. I won't say that it's a full fledge V6 feeling but I would say it's about as close as you could ever get with a non turbo 4 cylinder. As for the passing test it also surprised pulling very hard and quickly up to 100 km then tappering off for a second before getting a second wind and pulling it up to 120km with ease. Cruising at 115km/hr it was very quite and you could not say it was a 4 cylinder or V6. So that low end harsh(ish) that others have noted is not present at highway speeds or really any speed after 50Km.
The interior is very good. Not sure why others complained about the instrument cluster (binocular like), I thought it was very good and not distracting at all. It had a 3D type of feel to it and the colors (blues) are high end feeling. I wish our new Santa Fe had this interior (we pick it up in 12 days). There was good room in the front and back. I always sit in the back during the rough section to get a feeling of the size back there and get to hear any noise from the back you might miss if you are only in the front. I'm a true 6'2 guy and am built like a hockey player (not some skinny dude) so I'll give you my impressions of the back. Getting into the back seat I had to dip my head a bit more than some of the other sedans we've tried because of the sloping roof line. I put the front seat all the way back and get into the back and my knees just touched the back of the seat (so would not be a problem as someone my size sat in the front and the back the guy in the front could move the seat forward an inch or two and still have plenty of room), now the head room I will say is a bit lacking compared to other (non sloping) sedans. My head was not touching but there was only about 2 inches between me and the roof and going over that bumpy road I did feel my hair and head touch a couple of times. But really how often would you put a 6'2 man in the back seat anyway. The trunk was big but not big enough for me to say it was any better or worse than other sedans. The seats in both the front and back were all very good and comfortable. The interior is very quite but probably not the quitest of all midsize sedans, I found the VW Passat CC quiter. Over rough surfaces it is more than adequate and handles very well for a midsize sedan. The stereo is good but not anything better than competition, again the VW Passat CC has a better standard stereo. Fuel consumption was very good for the trip considering we drove it harder than any normal person would drive the vehicle, also have to consider it being a new vehicle and therefore fuel consumption will improve after the first 10,000 or so kms.
The average for the trip was 8.3L/100km and I think that's pretty good considering the performance tests. Compared to the combined stated on hyundai website of 7.7 it came pretty close and would be closer without the performance tests.
Overall I think Hyundai has a true winner in this vehicle, especially when they come out with the other two engines. It wouldn't be the vehicle we would choose (standard engine, maybe the 2.0T will have enough performance) as we like more performance out of our vehicles, but if we were shopping for a fuel efficient 4 cylinder mid size vehicle this would be the car I would choose no doubt. So for anyone who is in that boat, and even if you aren't, take one out and I'm sure you will leave impressed.
I hope this is easier for you to read.