Not much may have been heard of the Hyundai automakers, but the piece of good news is that, Hyundai’s midsize Sedan-Sonata has undergone total makeover, incorporating third-generation vehicle platform to give the 8th generation Sonata an amazingly inspiring appearance and improved performance.
Expected to debut in Nigeria soon, Hyundai Motor Company said the new platform will improve the market competitiveness of Hyundai’s newest Sonata and its future models, which are already being infused with greater flexibility, enhanced overall design, safety, efficiency, power and driving performance.
The all-new Sonata begins a fresh chapter for the automaker’s longest-standing model, continuing a global success story that started in 1985. Quite unlike any of its predecessors, this particular model is a four-door-coupe style that showcases the brand’s new ‘Sensuous Sportiness’ design language.
As a signature product for the brand, it represents Hyundai’s future design vision, while also incorporating advanced safety systems and cutting-edge technology, engineered to be effortless and intuitive in function.
It is the first model to be based on brand’s new, innovative ‘third-generation’ modular vehicle platform, which delivers increased strength and reduced weight to enable improvements in design, safety, efficiency and driving performance.
The car uses an extensive application of advanced technologies to boost comfort, convenience and active safety. It is also the first model to premiere a new collaboration with Bose to deliver an exceptional audio experience
According to Hyundai, the platform builds on the former platform’s core advantages, enabling a stable design with a lower center of gravity that allows Hyundai to implement sporty and stylish design elements to the new version. It is also offering reduced weight and improved fuel efficiency while achieving stronger durability with the new platform.
The platform is also expected to deliver significant improvement in collision safety through the adoption of a multi-load path structure, ‘Hot Stamping,’ and super-high tensile steel plate.
Hyundai said the platform has been designed to allow the tyres to move outward during a small overlap collision to maximize customer safety. Such technology inhibits vehicle from spinning and prevents possible secondary collisions.
The Korean automaker also noted that the extended application of Hot Stamping will prevent deformation of the passenger room, thereby improving vehicle safety just as it is expected to improve power, driving performance, which would all be fused into Hyundai’s next-generation engine called the Smartstream Powertrain.
Featuring a system that controls the flow of air, the new platform improves air movement to the engine bay and heat dissipation, which enhances stability in the lower part of the vehicle thus minimizing air resistance to deliver excellent efficiency and power performance.
Stability has also been enhanced by lowering the position of heavy equipment in the platform, which reduces weight and lowers the center of gravity.
This transformation will enhance handling by dramatically expanding lateral stiffness, while positioning the steering closer to the wheel center and providing stable and balanced driving performance through tyre-optimization technology.
What’s more, Hyundai has reduced offensive cabin noise, using reinforced sound-absorbing systems in vibration-sensitive parts.
“Through implementation of the third-generation platform, the new generation Sonata is expected to provide world-class value in overall vehicle performance,” Fayez Abdul Rahman, Vice President, Architecture Group Hyundai Motor Company assured.
“Starting with the new Sonata model, Hyundai will gradually expand the use of new platform in order to provide joy of driving and comfort to the customers,” he added.
MIKE OCHONMA
