Sydney show: Hyundai reveals Sonata potential

HYUNDAI'S headline act at today's Sydney motor show opening was meant to be the Arnejs concept, which was coming direct from its global debut at last month's Paris motor show.

However, it failed to arrive in time for today's media briefing.

The Arnejs previews a five-door hatch derivative of the South Korean maker's new small Elantra sedan, due here in the second half of 2007.

Instead, Hyundai showcased its Sonata SXi concept, as a preview of "what a sporty version of Sonata V6 might look like".

Based on a top-shelf Sonata Elite V6, the show car features Eibach sports springs, lattice-look 19-inch MS Design polished alloy wheels and locally sourced slotted brake discs with red callipers.

Hyundai says the Sonata SXi, which also features a German MS Designs bodykit, black leather interior and silver instruments with amber lighting, will be used to test public reaction "to help assess the potential market appeal of a Sonata model with a similar image".

Left: Hyundai Santa Fe CRDi.

Due to be launched to media tomorrow, Hyundai also announced pricing and specifications for its new 2.2-litre DOHC common-rail direct-injection turbo-diesel Santa Fe CRDi variant, which returns ADR 81/01 fuel consumption of just 7.3L/100km in manual guise.

Hyundai says the CRDi Santa Fe, which offers 114kW and 343Nm of torque from 1800rpm, is not only far more frugal than its Territory, Kluger and Captiva rivals, but also 37 per cent lower exhaust emissions.

The CRDi introduces new SX and SLX variant names to the Santa Fe line-up, with the entry-level five-seat SX CRDi priced at $36,990, which Hyundai claims makes it Australia's most affordable diesel-powered medium SUV.

Combined with a new adaptive five-speed Selectronic automatic, the SX CRDi is priced from $39,990, while the mid-spec auto-only SLX CRDi is priced at $43,490.

The top-spec Santa Fe Elite CRDi auto is priced from $46,990.

Hyundai also showed a limited-edition three-door Accent hatch in Sydney featuring 16-inch alloy wheels and a powered sunroof, just 70 examples of which were retailed to NSW dealers for the duration of the show.

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