Hyundai Takes Wraps Off of Sonata Turbo

In March 2010, just two months after releasing the first of several 2011 Sonata models, Hyundai began to tease us with information about its upcoming Sonata turbo. That model, powered by a 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged four-cylinder paired with a six-speed automatic transmission is about to be released, with the potential to shake up what Hyundai calls a bland automotive segment.

Segment Leader

And disturb the segment the Sonata Turbo will do as this model offers class leading horsepower (274), torque (269) and gas mileage (22/34).  Moreover, with a price ranging from about $26,000 to just under $30,000, the Sonata Turbo may prove to be the best value in the segment for those drivers wanting an extra measure of performance.

Already the price leader with its $20K base model, the well-equipped Sonata turbo features a panoramic sunroof, dual exhaust system, steering wheel mounted paddle shifters and 18-inch silver alloy wheels. The Sonata is also the largest car it in its segment, not much off the pace of some full-size sedans.

Three Models

Don’t expect Hyundai to rest on its laurels when the Sonata turbo goes on sale later this year. The company has already announced that a third model, a hybrid, will debut early next year as a 2012 model and has plans to introduce a plug-in hybrid the following year.

Hyundai is also exploring the feasibility of selling its Sonata wagon in North America, a car that is already available across the European market. The wagon market has produced some interest of late including the now defunct Dodge Magnum and the luxury Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon.

Increased Competition

For Toyota and Honda, the market leaders as well as for Ford and General Motors, whose own midsize offerings compete well, a Hyundai Sonata of any stripe is a threat.  The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord look most vulnerable to losing sales, cars that now trail the Sonata badly in a number of categories especially fuel economy.

The biggest winner in all of this may be the consumer who may find that the Sonata Turbo offers everything that they need in a car at an equipment level and price that they can afford.

Source: Hyundai Motor America

Volkswagen Releases Teaser Sketch

What is this, some kind of a joke?!

You have to love the fun folks at Volkswagen. Promising editors that a high resolution photo of its proposed new Chattanooga-made midsize sedan was available for downloading, eager journalists streamed over to the designated page to find none other than a roughly drawn sketch. That’s right, a scribbled outline of what the new VW will look like.

Publicity Stunt?

Maybe we shouldn’t be upset with VW for pulling such a stunt, given that the company wants to hold the vehicle as close to the vest as possible. Due to be released in 2011, the newest VW is being designed and built for the North American market exclusively. That means the Passat will return overseas while a made for America model gets sold in its place instead.

So why the secrecy and false move? I can think of at least four reasons: Ford Fusion, Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Chevrolet Malibu. Include the Hyundai Sonata, Nissan Altima and a host of other midsize sedans with those four and you probably are beginning to understand what I’m getting at: Volkswagen is seeking to find its place in an incredibly tight and popular segment of autodom. Leak too much information in advance and your competition will discover what you’re up to and make needed adjustments in order to repel the new kid on the block.

Chattanooga Plant

The Chattanooga factory, which will be VW’s first US plant since closing down Westmoreland (PA) in the late 1980s, is now under construction. Volkswagen will begin producing the first of its unnamed sedan in late 2011 for the 2012 model year. When fully ramped up, initial capacity will be 150,000 units, but bet on it being doubled if the secretive sedan is a hit. After all, VW wants to increase its US market share and it can’t rely on Audi alone to do that for them.

Speaking of market share, Volkswagen has been on a tear of late, increasing market share while holding down its year to year losses to under ten percent. Even with the end of  “cash for clunkers” in August, Volkswagen saw its month over month sales drop by less than one percent for September 2009. Credit hot cars like the Jetta, Golf and CC with helping to bolster VW sales.

Concept Debut

Will VW release something beyond the horrid sketch anytime soon? Don’t count on it, but expect that at some US auto show in the near future a mock-up concept of this midsize sedan will be rolled out, a tangible teaser we can all wag our tongues over.

Ugly sketch courtesy of Volkswagen.