Spyshots: 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe

The second-generation Hyundai Santa Fe is about to receive its first facelift and these spyshots are here to give us a glimpse into how the refreshed lineup will look like. Although both the front and the rear are camouflaged, it still lets us notice a bunch of modifications that will join the future lineup. For example, the new grille is clearly visible through the camo, with its style being fairly similar with the one seen on the 2010 Hyundai Portico prototypes.

Additionally, there are also new headlights plus redesigned front bumper and lower fascia with slightly reshaped taillights.

As for the engines, the current configurations - the 2.7-liter and 3.3-liter V6 - will be still offered to new buyers but a new configuration is expected to also join the 2010 model year. A 2.4-liter 4-cylinder powerplant, now offered on the Hyundai Sonata, is likely to power the 2010 Santa Fe as well.

On the other hand, other rumors that surfaced last month hinted the new Santa Fe will be offered with four-cylinder diesel engines, 2.0- and 2.2-liter, both of them more focused on fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions than their predecessors. The 2.0-liter powerplant develops 135 kW (181 horsepower) and 392 Nm of torque while the larger configuration generates 147 kW (197 hp) and 436 Nm of torque. Both engines are complying with Euro 5 emission ratings.

There's still no release date available but some sources are indicating that the redesigned Santa Fe is projected to go on sale in the South Korean market in August, with overseas buyers expected to get it later this year.