Car buyers now only have two choices if they are looking for a midsize hybrid sedan. There is the 2010 Fusion Hybrid from Ford and the Toyota made Camry Hybrid. That fact will change when Korean carmaker Hyundai unveils the 2011 Sonata Hybrid at the New York Auto Show in six weeks time. This Hyundai release will somehow declare its intention of meeting on with the rival Japanese car maker Toyota that has been experiencing some setbacks with global recalls recently.
The new Hyundai Sonata was showcased during the Los Angeles Auto Show a few months ago. They also announced that to achieve better fuel mileage with their compact crossovers and midsize cars, V-6 engines will no longer installed for these vehicles.
![[Cars]](http://s.wsj.net/public/resources/images/OB-EQ794_incars_D_20091013053049.jpg)
Hyundai conducted minor tweaks to the ‘GK’ model in 2005, for the outgoing named 2006. The vehicle incorporated reworked sleeker blackened headlights, redesigned rear tail lights, a different range of alloy wheel designs, colored stitching on leather seats (half leather seats available for the 1.6 range). A popular modification, as promoted on www.newtiburon.com, saw owners of the 2003 vehicle removing the air-filter resonator box. The resonator box was located directly in front of the front left hand side wheel, behind the fender. This allowed for a greater airflow to the air filter, gaining a minimal increase of (BHP). Hyundai, seeking cost cuts, adopted this modification for 2004+ models.
The 2007 model has seen minor changes in interior & exterior design. Most notably the previously amber gauge and button lighting has been changed to blue and white, similar to what can be found in the line. Exterior changes include muted side scalloping, new headlights and grille design and revised tail lights.
Early-bird ‘YF’ 2011 Hyundai Sonata fans YFLove.net have put together this illustration, showing their idea of what we might be able to expect when the camouflage finally comes off the next all-new Sonata.
The new Sonata has been spotted around South Korea in recent weeks during testing, and the more revealing the camouflage becomes, the more we can probably expect to see of these artist renderings. (You will have seen one illustration that’s been floating around for a while now.)
Whatever the eventual lines of the ‘YF’ Sonata, it’s clear that Hyundai’s volume-selling family sedan is taking on a much sharper, style-focused appearance.
From the coupe-like roofline to the long sloping bonnet and sharply angled headlights, Hyundai is obviously planning big things for the 2010 Sonata.
According to Hyundai, the i-Flow concept is a preview of the D-segment mid-size saloon contender that “carries forward the company’s evocative new ‘fluidic sculpture’ philosophy.” The flowing, elegant lines are joined by the long tail and the short front overhang along with low roofline and swoopy styling that combine to give the concept a futuristic look.
