Hyundai launches Sonata with an efficient V6 2.7-litre engine

Mohini Bhatnagar
24 October 2002

New Delhi: Hyundai Motors India has launched a new, more powerful version of the Sonata, its premium luxury car, equipped with an efficient V6 2.7-litre engine, at an estimated ex-showroom price of around Rs 16 lakh to Rs 16.3 lakh.

Hyundai Motor India president B V R Subbu says the new Sonata comes with a 2.7-litre engine and is equipped with H-Matic transmission that allows the driver to choose between an automatic and a manual transmission mode.

Apart from this it has an eight-way power adjustable driver seat, dual front airbags, an electronic brake distribution system and an anti-lock braking system as standard fitment. It also has a new radiator grille and a dual collapsible steering column.

Thus, the new Sonata is the only brand other than the Honda Accord in the domestic market that is available with auto transmission in this segment though it will be the cheaper than the Japanese car, which is priced at about Rs 17 lakh.

Though the new model currently has a local content of less than 50 per cent, this would be brought up to the level for the existing 2.0-litre Sonata in the next few months, says Subbu. The Sonata 2.7V6 will be rolled out across top 67 dealerships out of its dealership network of 107.

The existing model of the Sonata with manual transmission is steered by a 2-litre engine. It is priced in the range of Rs 11.90 lakh to Rs 13.5 lakh and is the most economical model among the luxury cars.