New Hyundai Sonata Released

South Korean manufacturer Hyundai today unveiled the new Sonata in the domestic market, a launch that will go on sale in Europe in 2010. The car will be sold on the Old Continent as i40, with the estate version likely to be first flavor to be launched, followed by a sedan and the hatchback model projected for 2011.

There are only a few technical specifications available at this point, in spite of the public launch that took place today. For example, the only things we know about the engine range is that the new Sonata will feature the same diesel units introduced on the ix35 and Santa Fe. Several other gasoline and diesel powerplants will be available as well.

Earlier reports indicated that the European model will be powered by a 1.6-liter diesel or gasoline engines as standard. Thanks to Hyundai's direct injection technology, codenamed GDI, the 1.6-liter units develop a power equivalent with that of a 2.0-liter powerplant. The gasoline engines, on the other hand, will include a 2.0-liter four-cylinder unit producing 172 horsepower and a 2.4-liter Theta GDI unit rolling out 200 horsepower. The latter will be only available on the top-of-the-range Hyundai i40.

"The Sonata will set a new standard for world class mid-size sedans with state-of-the-art technology, superior build quality and emotional design," said Euisun Chung, Hyundai's vice chairman according to a report by autocar.co.uk. "The new Sonata will raise Hyundai's brand values."

More details are expected to surface in the upcoming months as we get closer to the official European release.