Report: Hyundai May Build New Elantra in U.S., Move Santa Fe Production to Kia Plant

A Korean newspaper has reported that Hyundai plans to build the North American market version of its new Elantra saloon (otherwise known as the Avante) at its Alabama plant starting from April 2011 in order to reduce costs.

The report from The Chosun Ilbo, which cites a Korean Hyundai spokesman as its source, goes on to say that the Elantra will replace the current Santa Fe SUV at the Alabama factory adding that the Santa Fe's replacement, which is due in mid-2011, will be moved to sister company Kia's plant in Georgia.

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Detroit Show: Refreshed 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe gets New 2.4-liter Four-Cylinder and 3.5-liter V6 Engines

Oddly enough, even though the refreshed N.A.-spec 2010 Santa Fe is already available at Hyundai dealers, the Korean automaker waited for the Detroit auto show to release official information on its mid-size crossover. The big news for the 2010MY Santa Fe are the new four-cylinder and V6 engines that are paired to six-speed transmissions improving both fuel economy and vehicle performance.

Replacing the outgoing 2.7-liter V6 with 185HP and 183 lb-ft of torque is Hyundai's second generation 2.4-liter DOHC Theta II inline four-cylinder engine that makes 175 horsepower and 169 lb.-ft. of torque.

Despite the fact that it's less powerful, Hyundai says that the four-cylinder engine delivers quicker zero-to-60 miles-per-hour acceleration (no numbers were released) and better fuel economy than its predecessor.

The Korean maker announces a 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway fuel economy rating with front wheel drive and the new six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC ('09 2.7 V6 FWD five-speed manual: 17mpg / 24mpg)

The 2009 Santa Fe's Lambda 3.3-liter V6 engine has also been replaced by a new Lambda II 3.5-liter V6 engine that churns out 34 more horsepower and 22 more pound-feet of torque for an overall output of 276HP and 248 lb.-ft.

The mileage figures for the 3.5 V6-powered Santa Fe are 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (FWD/AT).

Along with the new powertrains, the 2010 Santa Fe also received a mild exterior makeover with new bumper fascias, foglights, bodyside moldings, wheels and grille.

Also new for 2010 is the fuel economy indicator on automatic transmission models, rollover sensors for the side curtain airbags and a new touch screen navigation system.

Facelifted Hyundai Santa Fe Priced Lower than Outgoing Model in the UK

Hyundai has released pricing for its revised 2010 Santa Fe that goes on sale in the UK on the 4th of January 2010. Despite the various upgrades that include minor exterior and interior styling tweaks but most importantly, a new 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine that makes 197-horsepower and is the only powerplant offered in Britain, the new Santa Fe is priced lower than the outgoing '09 model with prices now ranging from £21,495 to £25,495 (at new 17.5% VAT rate).

For the 2010 model year, Hyundai has simplified the Santa Fe's range with a two-model line-up now comprising of the entry-level Style and the higher spec Premium.

The Style's standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, reversing sensors, carbon black interior trim (replaces the previous model's wood trim), a new CD/RDS radio with an AUX/USB connection and full iPod control, ESP and air conditioning.

Move up to the Premium model and you get 18-inch wheels, dual climate control, heated leather seats with electric adjustment for the driver and automated lights and wipers.

European 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Facelift gets New 197HP Diesel and 6-Speed Transmissions

Hyundai is giving its Santa Fe a new lease of life in Europe thanks to new powertrains and a lightly refreshed interior and exterior. As with the Korean market model, the European Santa Fe gets a new three-slatted body-colored grille, restyled bumper, tweaked headlamps and fog lights up front, while new tail lamp crystals, a revised bumper and twin exhausts sum up the changes at the rear. The 2010 model also features new alloy wheel designs, and redesigned side sills and roof rails.

Revisions to the interior are even more subtle and are limited to what Hyundai describes as "a new Supervision instrument gauge cluster", a built-in navigation system, an optional rear view camera and refreshed trim.

The most important upgrades are hidden under the bonnet as the 2010 model year benefits from the introduction of a new 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine, which produces an output of 197 horsepower and peak torque of 422Nm (311 lb-ft) between 1,800 and 2,500 rpm.

Matted to a six-speed manual transmission, the new 2.2 CRDi engine launches the Santa Fe from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in 9.5 seconds, an improvement of 1.8 sec over the outgoing 155HP diesel model, and on to a top speed of 190 km/h (118mph) while returning 6.6 lt /100km (35.6 mpg US) in the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 174g/km.

The new entry-level petrol engine is Hyundai's 2.4-liter four-cylinder Theta-II unit that makes 174 horsepower. Acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h comes in 10.7 seconds while the Santa Fe 2.4 achieves a top speed of 190 km/h (118mph) with an average fuel consumption of 8.5 lt /100km (27.7 mpg US) and CO2 emissions of 203g/km.

Both engines are offered with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard and optionally, with Hyundai's new six-speed automatic transmission.

Already introduced in South Korea, the refreshed 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe will make its European debut at next week's Frankfurt motorshow and go on sale in most markets towards the end of the year.

Hyundai ix35: First Official Teaser Shots of Tucson's Replacement

The above photo along with three more shots that were published on the automaker's Korean website are Hyundai's teasers for the Tucson replacement that will be officially unveiled at the September 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. As speculated, the Tucson's successor will be called ix35 in Europe while the Korean-market model will bear the 'Tucson ix' moniker. No word yet on Hyundai's naming plans for the North American model.

While the cryptic teasers don't reveal anything about the new compact SUV's design, a set of spy photos depicting the ix35 totally undisguised (click here) confirm the company's claims that the production model carries over much of the sweeping styling of the 2009 Geneva Salon ix-onic concept study.

The Korean automaker said that the ix35, which will rival the Toyota RAV-4 and VW Tiguan, represents a major step forward for Hyundai in Europe as it is the firm's first SUV to be conceived and engineered in Europe at the company's Frankfurt-based design and technical centres.

The ix35 will be joined in Frankfurt by the facelifted Santa-Fe that benefits from a series of engineering and cosmetic enhancements. Detailed information on both models are to be announced by Hyundai closer to the Frankfurt Show opening.

Via: Hyundai , KDM Shots: Hyundai-blog