Bizmotors
 

Compiled by L.S.A. Wedaarachchi

Hyundai Santa Fe - latest attraction

The all new 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe made its debut last week at the Hyundai Centre in Battaramulla.

The revolutionary Santa Fe with its segment leading safety features all new unibody SUV Platform, bold new styling, a choice of fuel efficient petrol 2.7 V6/2.2 CRDI diesel power trains and third row seats (seven seats) makes the Santa Fe a "must drive" for consumers.

With dramatic new styling that is assertive, refined and confident, the all-new Santa Fe exterior showcases the evolving face of the Hyundai brand. The guiding words behind the creation of the new Santa Fe would be "Expressive, Athletic, and elegant design directions, all coming into an icon of personal freedom and expression."

The all-new 2007 Santa Fe is one of the most package-efficient crossovers in the market. Hyundai accomplished this by developing an all-new platform that avoids the compromises inherent in typical mid-size car/SUV platform sharing. For example, although the 2007 Santa Fe is slightly shorter than the Lexus RX330, its first and second row seats have more head, leg and shoulder room than the Lexus, with enough room left over to allow an optional third-row seat not available in the Lexus.

The new Santa Fe also comes standard with air vents on B pillars (second row seats), which would supply cool refreshing air to the rear seat passengers. For the third row passengers, separate air vents and rear A/C controller will ensure that a cool temperature will be maintained inside the vehicle.

The M445 high-grade audio system, which is equipped with radio, CD player, six speakers and an internal amplifier, has been standardised for the local market.

The second generation Santa Fe rides on an all new, purpose built unibody SUV platform. This chassis was specifically designed to deliver more of the ride and handling balance that resonates with cross over shoppers. The 2007 Santa Fe achieves a 50 per cent improvement in body bending rigidity over the prior model.

The stiff body structure provides a more refined Sedan like drive. A well equipped 2007 Santa Fe would be offered to the local market with the following options: Dual air bags, Anti lock brake system coupled with electronic brake force distribution, Rear disc brakes, Crash auto door unlock, 17" 5 spoke alloy wheels, High grade audio system with six speakers and an internal amplifier, Steering wheel volume controls, Sporty dual muffler exhaust system.

5 & 7 seater options, Rear controlled air-conditioner, Front fog lights, Load carrier, Keyless entry with burglar alarm, Blue illumination cluster panel, and all other standard options.

Currently, the Santa Fe is offered with a single 2.7-litre V6 petrol engine. Although this is of the same capacity as its predecessor it gains power and torque thanks to the addition of continuously variable valve timing.

Peak outputs are 138kW at 6.00 rpm and 248 Nm at 4000rpm against the previous engine's 129kW and 241Nm.

Despite the increase in power, Hyundai is pushing the engine's fuel economy, which according to the official ADR 81/01 dyno test, is listed at 10.4t/100km for the manual and 10.6t/10km for the automatic on the combined city/highway cycle. This, Hyundai claims, makes it the most frugal in its class and the only mid-sized SUV to achieve a sub-11t/100km figure.

The five-speed manual gearbox is new while the four-speed automatic (complete with tip-shift sequential manual mode) is an upgraded version of the old model's auto transmission.

The drive system is also new and is no longer a full-time all-wheel drive arrangement. The new system is an electronically-controlled on-demand unit that normally drives the front wheels and only sends power rearwards in the event of traction losses.

It does have a switchable 4WD lock that apportions torque evenly between the front and rear axles, however, this is only operatable at speeds of up to 30km/h.

In September, Hyundai will add a second engine to the line up in the form of a 114kW/335Nm 2.2-litre turbodiesel four cylinder unit which is expected to be mated to a new five-speed automatic transmission. In the second quarter of 2007, the Santa Fe gains a third engine option with a 173kW/304Nm 3.3-litre petrol V6 - the same that powers the Sonata Sedan - also expected to drive through a five-speed automatic.