THE NEW HYUNDAI SONATA IS ALREADY IN KAZAKHSTAN
The eighth generation Hyundai Sonata is ready for launch in the Kazakhstani market: on November 21, 2019, the official distributor Hyundai Auto Kazakhstan (as part of Astana Motors) organized an international media test drive, which was attended by the journalists from Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Hyundai Sonata opens the next chapter in the exciting history of the oldest Hyundai model, which has been successfully sold worldwide since 1985. The eighth generation Sonata is very different from all its predecessors: it reflects Hyundai’s new design language, namely “Sensuous Sportiness”. Now Sonata attracts attention with its sporty four-door coupe look. Sweeping proportions refer to dynamic indicators that have been significantly enhanced in comparison with the previous model.
The experts from the Hyundai’s design studio in California have worked on renewing the Sonata model. The model has a more impressive silhouette, a new stylish cascading grille that is edged with expressive headlamps, and a new rear body frame. The chrome edge of the side windows and the wheels rims of the new design complete the dramatic look. The latest model is based on the new third generation Hyundai platform, which lets completely change the driving experience.
This is the first car of the Hyundai brand, which is based on the new third-generation innovative modular platform. This platform is universal: it lets develop cars for various segments, and it also stands out for its impressive innovations in design, efficiency, and safety.
Passengers are protected with nine air bags, and an advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) alerts them of what they might miss while driving. Besides, under certain circumstances the system may timely warn a driver about a dangerous situation to prevent an accident.
The key functions of the driver assistance system are integrated in the Hyundai SmartSense system, which operates on the basis of data from three radar sensors, eight ultrasonic sensors, and five video cameras.
Depending on the configuration, the following auxiliary systems are included in the ADAS system:
- Active Lane Assist;
- Blind-spot Collision Avoidance Assist;
- Driver Fatigue Assist;
- Blind Spot Assist;
- Cruise Control with Start/ Stop functions;
- Lane Following Assist;
- All-round View Rear Display;
- Rear Cross-traffic Collision Avoidance Assist;
- Parking Assist.
The head-up display (HUD) makes a significant contribution to safe driving. Thanks to the eight-inch projected image size and amazing brightness, it is easy and convenient to read the information under any light conditions.
The car has got a number of advanced functions and systems for increasing the level of comfort and convenience which are characteristic of premium cars. These include an electric parking brake, remote trunk release, a high-speed wireless charging system, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto in the standard configuration, heated and ventilated front seats as well as separate folding rear seats.
Two gasoline engines are available to customers in Kazakhstan. They provide superior dynamic performance and excellent fuel efficiency:
- The 2.0-liter MPI engine with a power output of 152 hp at 6,200 rpm and a torque of 196 Nm at 4,000 rpm;
- The 2.5-liter Smartstream MPI engine with a power output of 180 hp at 6,000 rpm and 237 Nm at 4,000 rpm.
The engines are aggregated with a second-generation 6-speed automatic transmission.
The new-generation Sonata is designed to give a feeling of maximum unity with a driver. The dynamic characteristics are fully consistent with a sportive car body design. In addition, the designers have improved steering and, as a result of it, they have improved handling.
The price of the new Hyundai Sonata model in the Republic of Kazakhstan starts from 9,290,000 tenge.