The 2019 Hyundai Sonata has been revealed ahead of its arrival in Australia towards the end of this year – it shows a more premium, coupe-esque look.
The 2019 Hyundai Sonata has been revealed ahead of going on-sale here towards the end of the year. The eighth-generation Sonata looks to be taking a dramatic step more upmarket with its swoopy, coupe-esque look; clearly a production version of the Le Fil Rouge concept from the 2018 Geneva show.
But more dramatic still is the fact this eighth-generation model, apparently “fully transformed” comes a little more than a year after the release of the seventh-generation Sonata in 2017.
Speaking about the new Sonata,Sang Yup Lee, senior vice president and head of the Hyundai Design Centre, said: “Sonata celebrates innovative coupe-like silhouette. A short overhang, sloping roofline and low deck lid create a balanced feel, and Hyundai’s signature chrome accent now goes all the way into the hood, making it look even longer. It also has LED lighting built in. These cues bring the Sensuous Sportiness design to life.”
The new Sonata certainly looks more dramatic than its predecessor, and sleeker too. It has a 30mm lower height, is 25mm wider, 45mm longer and an extra 35mm has been added to the wheelbase. At the front, is what Hyundai calls its Digital Pulse Cascading Grille…the cascading grille was intended to represent molten metal (hommage to the fact that Hyundai smelts it own metal for use in its vehicles), but this new grille, the brand said, “resembles the grille of a sports car with its rhythmic visuals, is sleekly connected to the hood, strengthening the overall perception of the front”.
Hyundai said the Hidden Lighting Lamps on the Sonata, a first for any Hyundai, will define the identity of future models. “The Hidden Lighting Lamps appear to be of a chromic material when switched off and become dramatically lit when turned on,” Hyundai said.
On the inside, Hyundai said the shape of the instrument panel was modelled off a Stealth aircraft…”This shape almost levitates or floats when looked at, and this philosophy carries into the long armrests. Satin chrome accents enhance this effect. Designers compressed the height of the dashboard and HVAC vents as much as possible to aid the light-weight feeling, while modern, light fabric colours and leathers provide a fresh and freeing ambience for the driver”.
Unlike other makers which feature separated, large digital screens, Hyundai said it wanted to “alleviate the distracting large screens featured in many luxury cars today and instead threaded the two displays together on the 2020 Sonata, using a unique S curve”. The displays are, apparently, seamless with capacitive touch functionality.
Beyond this, Hyundai is keeping its cards close to its chest, we can no doubt expect more information as we get closer to the local launch.
