High-performance diesels for Hyundai Santa Fe

A POTENT performance diesel might soon drive a facelifted Hyundai Santa Fe in Australia.

Two new diesels have been launched in a Santa Fe upgrade that also includes some external changes in South Korea.

The company’s Australian division has confirmed a facelifted Santa Fe will be available in Australia, although it would not comment on whether the performance diesels would be part of the range.

Timing for the arrival of the facelifted crossover wagon is also yet to be confirmed.

The minor styling changes include a new body-coloured grille, new front bumper and foglights, as well as new wing mirrors with integrated turn signals.

Changes under the skin are likely to be of more interest to potential customers.

The two new engines, which are part of the company’s new R range, are both direct-injection turbo diesels of 2.0-litres and 2.2-litres in size.

Hyundai says the smaller engine produces 135kW and 329Nm while the 2.2 generates an impressive 147kW and 436Nm.

They use a common rail system with Bosch piezo-electric injectors that pump fuel in under 1800 bar of pressure. A variable-geometry turbocharger is also used.

Both new diesel engines will be linked to a new six-speed automatic transmission.

The R line diesels are also expected to be offered for the Sonata and Tucson models in the future.

It is not yet clear if Australian Santa Fe models will continue on with the ageing 2.7-litre petrol V6 or upgrade to the more costly 3.3-litre V6 which was available when the current Santa Fe was launched before being dropped.

Currently, the Santa Fe is available with a 2.2-litre turbo diesel that produces 114kW and 343Nm and the 2.7-litre V6 producing 138kW and 248Nm.

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Hyundai reveals heavy-hitting new diesels