Hyundai Motor India, the largest exporter and the second largest car manufacturer today launched its all new Sonata Transform, the upgraded version of the internationally acclaimed luxury sedan. The Sonata Transform boasts of dynamic style, power packed performance, elegant interiors along with the Hyundai badge of reliability and value.

Commenting on the launch of the all new Sonata Transform, H S Lheem, MD, HMIL, said “It is our endeavor to constantly upgrade our products. Sonata is a proven success globally and offers high end luxury, top notch comfort and advanced safety features. The all new Sonata Transform is aimed at further delighting our customers as it successfully integrates all the key attributes of a premium sedan.“
The Sonata Transform is powered by the advanced second generation Theta family of gasoline engine which produces a generous 175PS@6000 rpm of maximum power and a peak torque of 23.8Kgm @4000 rpm resulting in robust acceleration and a quick throttle response. The 2.4 litre, four cylinder, DOHC engine is assisted by a Variable Intake System (VIS) and VTVT technology which makes it highly fuel efficient as well as a refined unit. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

The diesel variant powered by a 4-cylinder, 2-litre Common Rail engine (CRDi) with a Variable Geometry Turbocharger (VGT) is both frugal as well as an efficient performer. With a peak power of 150PS@3850 rpm and max torque of 32.1kgm@2000 rpm it generates enough performance to delight the enthusiast. The diesel (CRDi) variant will be available with both - a 6-speed manual and a 4-speed (H-Matic) automatic transmission.

With its technical precision and superior performance, the all new Sonata Transform maintains the high quality standards while adding a host of new features which include the all new alloy wheels, smart key which incorporates remote door opening, keyless ignition and engine immobiliser, new head and tail lights, six airbags for enhanced safety for both driver and occupants. Separate climate control for driver and passenger, steering remote control for the audio, MP3 player with USB and Auxiliary port and complete leather pack which includes seats, steering wheel and gear knob.

The all new Sonata Transform offers enhanced styling on the exteriors with body color – door handles, front and rear bumper insert, outside mirror housing and waistline molding. Other features of the car include rear defoggers, fog lamps, twin exhaust, 2-tone beige interior, auto head lamp off (battery saver), wood-grain finish inserts on steering, dashboard and door panel.

The newly launched Sonata Transform offers one of the best packages in terms of safety features as it comes loaded with several Active and Passive safety systems like Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), six airbags (dual front, side and curtain airbag), seat belt pre-tensioner with load limiter. The Passive Safety includes features like crumple zones, side impact beams and impact sensing door unlocking system.

Exciting features have been added both in the interiors and exteriors to further enhance the luxury, safety and superior driving dynamics that the Sonata is traditionally associated with. Available in 3 variants including a 2.4 petrol, 2.0 CRDi MT and CRDi AT, the all new Sonata Transform arrives with a palette of 5 new solid and metallic exterior hues for the customers to choose from.

About HMIL
Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea and is the second largest car manufacturer and the largest passenger car exporter from India. HMIL presently markets 37 variants of passenger cars across segments. The Santro in the B segment, the Getz Prime, i10 and the Premium hatchback i20 in the B+ segment, the Accent and the Verna in the C segment, the Sonata in the E segment and the Tucson in the SUV segment.

Hyundai Motor India, continuing its tradition of being the fastest growing passenger car manufacturer, registering total sales of 489,328 vehicles in the calendar year (CY) 2008, an increase of 49.6 percent over CY 2007. In the domestic market it clocked a growth of 22.4 percent as compared to 2007 with 245,397 units, while overseas sales grew by 92.5 percent, with exports of 243,931 units.

HMIL`s fully integrated state-of-the-art manufacturing plant near Chennai boasts of the most advanced production, quality and testing capabilities in the country. In continuation of its commitment to provide the Indian customer with global technology, HMIL commissioned its second plant in February 2008 which produces an additional 300,000 units per annum, raising HMIL`s total production capacity to 600,000 units per annum.

HMIL has invested to expand capacity in line with its positioning as HMC`s global export hub for compact cars. Apart from the expansion of production capacity, HMIL currently has 251 strong dealer network across India, which will be further bolstered in 2009.
In 2008, HMIL also successfully completed 10 glorious years of operations in India and to commemorate its achievements, initiated a unique trans-continental drive from Delhi to Paris in two of its hugely popular i10 Kappa cars. The drive created automobile history by completing a distance of 10,000km in just 17 days after which the i10s were showcased at the Paris Motor Show in October. In fact it was at the Paris Motor Show that HMIL first unveiled the Hyundai i20 and the car received a phenomenal response from the auto enthusiasts across the world. Hyundai Motor India also accomplished the landmark of producing the fastest 20th lakh cars in India in 2008.

Like 2008, the year 2007 had also been a significant year for Hyundai Motor India. It achieved a significant milestone by rolling out the fastest 400,000th export car. Hyundai exported to over 100 countries globally; even as it plans to continue its thrust in existing export markets, it is gearing up to step up its foray into new markets. 2007 also saw the launch of the i10 and yet another path-breaking record in its young journey by rolling out the fastest 1,500,000th car.
Hyundai`s new model i10 made a clean sweep of all the `Car of the Year 2008` awards from the leading automotive magazines and TV channels like BS Motoring, CNBC-TV18 AutoCar, NDTV Profit Car & Bike India and Overdrive magazine. The i10 was also the choice of the discerning automotive media of the country as they conferred the prestigious `Indian Car of the Year` (ICOTY) award to the i10 as well.

The Santro and the Accent also received the `TNS Voice of the Customer - 2008` award for the Premium Compact Car (Santro) and the Entry Mid size Car (Accent). In March 2008 it achieved yet another milestone by rolling out the fastest 500,000th export car.

In 2007, the Hyundai Verna had also bagged some of the most prestigious awards starting with the Overdrive magazine`s `Car of the Year 2007`, the `Best Mid-size Car of the Year` award from NDTV Profit Car & Bike India, the `Best Value for Money Car` from CNBC Autocar and `Performance Car of the Year` from Business Standard Motoring.

Hyundai cars have been a favorite at all awards ceremonies and has won many awards. The Sonata Embera won the `Executive Car of The Year 2006` award from Business Standard Motoring magazine and NDTV Profit Car & Bike India had declared the Tucson as the `SUV of The Year 2006`.