Hyundai Sonata 2008 News

Manufacturers including Hyundai, Holden, Jeep, Peugeot, Citroen and Audi have all issued safety recalls for various models, according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC).

A number of potentially hazardous faults have been identified in vehicles sold in Australia, prompting a wide range of recalls.

But that is no surprise with the heads of the Big Three carmakers all skipping the event to continue lobbying for a $US25 billion lifeline from congress in Washington.Ford still splashed with the official introduction of the 2010 Mustang, but Chrysler and General Motors both wound-back their involvement in the second-biggest car show in North America.That left the way clear for the imports, with Mazda pulling the cover off its all-new Mazda3 - the last car it will develop with Ford as its owner - Nissan revealing its revitalised 370Z and a new Cube, and Honda revealing a radical looking new concept coupe called the FC Sport.Lexus also has a new RX SUV, which is being simultaneously unveiled in Sydney and will come as both a pure petrol car and a hybrid, Hyundai is showing a Sonata hybrid concept and the plug-in Mini E electric car is making its first public appearance.The LA show usually draws a crowd of more than one million visitors but the attendance is expected to be well down this year with car sales off by more than 35 per cent in October and America's annual selling rate down by closer to 40 per cent.Still, cars like the Mustang will still draw a crowd in a city which is one of the most automobile driven in the world and there are plenty of pointers to the future including a growing number of electric cars led by the Mini but including concepts from Chrysler. 

In a 10-model comparison of similar sedans published in Motor Trend, the 2.4-litre four-cylinder petrol Sonata (pictured) came in second over a number of high-profile rivals, including the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.The achievement should not be underestimated — think of Motor Trend as Wheels, Motor and Top Gear combined but without the endless Commodore/Falcon comparisons. The mid-size family sedan segment is the most keenly contested in the US.Motor Trend cited the Sonata's interior styling (for which the car isn't noted in Australia), roominess and best fuel economy in the top five.However, locally, the Sonata remains somewhat anonymous, with a meagre 117 sold in July. The most recent addition to the range is a diesel variant with a 2.0-litre commonrail direct-injection turbo unit that produces 110kW/305Nm.The Sonata diesel ranges from $30,990 for the SLX manual to $36,990 for the elite auto. Hyundai has also improved the Tucson compact SUV with a new face and an equipment upgrade. The model line-up remains the same, as do two petrol engine choices — a two-litre four-cylinder (104kW/184Nm) for the two-wheel-drive City versions and the ageing 2.7-litre, V6 (129kW/241Nm) for the AWD jigger.Stability control (incorporating traction control) is standard across the range, and a Bluetooth audio system is found in all Tucson variants. It allows wireless streaming of music from a Bluetooth compatible mobile phone or music player. The audio system has USB and auxiliary sockets for iPod, MP3 and USB inputs.Tucson City SX is $25,490 for five-speed manual and $26,990 for four-speed automatic, and has new-design alloy wheels, dual front airbags, four speakers, front fog lamps and automatic headlights. City Elite is automatic-only at $29,990 but has full leather trim, front and rear passenger side curtain airbags, front side airbags, six speakers and power glass sunroof.The auto only AWD SX is $31,490, but a full airbag pack is extra. 

Hyundai has launched diesel versions of its Sonata, while its cute i30 diesel, which was named carsguide Car of the Year last year, now comes with a four-speed automatic transmission which will further widen its appeal.Hyundai says the diesel Sonata, which goes on sale later this year, can return 6l/100km for the manual and 7l/100km for the automatic. The diesel produces 110kW and 305Nm of torque, which is close to the petrol engine's output of 127kW and 227Nm.Toyota has taken a different approach to reducing fuel bills by re-engineering the ever-popular Corolla so it can now run on LPG.Gas costs about half the price of petrol, but the downside is that an LPG engine is not as efficient, produces less power than petrol and robs the car of valuable luggage space. That said, it is still worth considering.Sprintgas Australia, which provides the LPG kit, says the LPG Corolla, with auto transmission, returns 10.9l/100km.Toyota's own fuel consumption figure for a petrol-powered Corolla is 7.4l/100km, but Sprintgas found the car consistently ran at a higher 10l of petrol per 100km.So is it worth converting a small car to gas? LPG Australia spokesman Phil Westlake says yes.“There's a misconception that only larger cars are worthwhile converting to Autogas,” he said.“More important than a car's engine size is how often it requires refuelling.“At 70 cents per litre for LPG, the Corolla costs around $7.63 per 100km to fuel. By comparison, at $1.30 per litre, the Corolla would cost around $13 per 100km to run on unleaded petrol.“The real-world example shows an LPG-powered Corolla still saves around $5.37 for every 100km travelled compared to its petrol-powered equivalent.”“Even considering recently higher Autogas prices, LPG remains priced around 50 per cent less than unleaded petrol so there are substantial savings to be had by converting a vehicle — especially one travelling average to high annual kilometres.” 

A hectic 2007 proved to be lucrative for the car industry with a plethora of new cars launched and more than a million sales throughout the year. And there's no indication that it will be slowing down in 2008.AUDI The new A4, to rival the 3 Series and C-Class is expected here about April, while July will see the hot sports wagon, the RS6 Avant and the A3 Cabrio. Extra A5 variants will follow. BMWBMW has a busy year ahead, starting with the 320d and 335i touring this month. The 1 Series Coupe will go on sale around April, followed by the convertible in May-June. But its big one for the year will be the new X6 Sports Activity Coupe, arriving between July and September. It comes with three engine variants, all twin-turbo, an in-line six, a 3.0-litre diesel and a 300kW 4.4-litre V8. Pricing is expected to start at just under $100,000. And the X5 scores a new engine in February, with the first variable twin turbo diesel offered in the range. CHRYSLER/JEEPJanuary will be a busy month for Chrysler, with the Sebring Cabrio and Grand Voyager people mover both arriving in Australia. The Jeep Cherokee will also get a total makeover. CITROENBased on the C4 Picasso, but bigger and better equipped, Citroen will introduce the Berlingo van between July and September, with a mainly diesel range. This will make room in the line-up for the new Nemo small van mid-year. The C5 will also get a new V6 diesel engine.FERRARIDeliveries of the exquisite F430 Scuderia, priced at about $550,000, will start mid year. Only about 40 will come to Australia and New Zealand. FIAT The reincarnation of the 1960s Bambino will arrive in March, but Fiat has already sold the first four months' supply. The new Fiat 500 will have three engine choices, a 1.2-litre petrol, a 75kW 1.4-litre petrol engine or a 56kW 1.3-litre turbo diesel. Pricing is expected to start from $22,000. The new Ritmo will join the Fiat 500 in March with pricing from $30,000. FORD One of the biggest launches for the year will be the new Falcon. Ford will release details of the new model in February and it's expected to be followed by an unveiling at the Melbourne motor show in the same month, with the official launch around May.FPV FPV will start the year with a new model, the hot turbo Territory, known as the F6 X model. It's the first non-Falcon model from FPV, with 270kW and 550Nm. The FPV Falcon range will also arrive this year. HOLDEN/CADILLACWith Ford's big year planned, you can't expect Holden to keep quiet. But so far, Holden has only announced it is expecting the VE Sportwagon, due in the first half of the year. GM-Holden is also introducing Cadillac with the first model due late in 2008. HONDA Honda will start the year with the new Accord model, due to be launched in February. The small Jazz is also getting an update after the middle of the year. Details on the new generation will be released closer to the launch. The Accord Euro is also expected to arrive later this year. HYUNDAI No big launches just yet, although an upgraded Sonata is expected mid year. JAGUARJaguar's major release for the year will be the new XF in June, with pricing expected to start from $105,000. It will be available in a V6 diesel, as well as a V6 and V8 petrol. KIAPreviewed at the Sydney motor show last year, Kia will launch its new seven-seater Rondo crossover in February. It is expected to start from as low as the mid-$20,000 mark. LEXUSNew for Lexus will be the LX570 around April or May, followed by the IS-F towards the end of the year. Details still to come. MAZDAThe second-generation Mazda6 will go on sale at the end of February with pricing from less than $30,000. It will be powered by a 2.5-litre, four cylinder engine, with 125kW and 226Nm.MERCEDES-BENZThe first arrival for Mercedes-Benz is expected to be the C 63 AMG in mid March. It will be followed by the S 320CDI, priced at $189,874 and the C-Class wagon, which will carry a $3000 premium over the sedan, coming in just under $60,000. MINIAnother new version of a 1960s cult car is also headed our way, with the Mini Clubman launched in February. The modern successor of the Morris Mini Traveller, the Austin Mini Countryman and the Mini Clubman Estate won't get into showrooms until March or April. Pricing will start in the mid-$30,000 area. MITSUBISHIMitsubishi will release two turbocharged Lancers this year. The top-level Lancer Evo X GSR will be here in April and sell for about $58,000. The 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo engine pumps out 200kW and 422Nm. Joining it will be the detuned version in the Ralliart all-wheel drive, at about $40,000. NISSANNissan's first addition for the year will be the all-wheel-drive wagon, the Dualis. Starting at $28,990 and stretching to $35,990, it's powered by a 102kW, 2.0-litre engine. PEUGEOTThe big launch for Peugeot will be the 308 replacing the 307 range, which will start with the 308 hatch in February in both petrol and diesel guises. The touring will follow in June or July, with the 308cc model a prospect for late 2008 or early 2009. PROTONProton has announced the Persona, based on the Gen2 hatch platform, will make its debut at the Melbourne motor show in late February, going on sale in March. It will be priced around the mid-teens. The Gen2 will also get engine updates and minor styling changes. RENAULTThe all-new Laguna will go on sale mid-year with a 2.0-litre diesel engine. SAABJune sees the arrival of the Turbo X AWD. SSANGYONGThe South Korean company will go completely diesel in 2008, with no more petrol engines on offer in Australia. SMARTThe new Fortwo arrives in Australia in February. The one-model brand will get both the 52kW and 62kW models, in hatch and cabrio, being bigger than the current models. SUBARUThe star WRX STi comes in February with a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, although pricing is still to come. The third generation Forester arrives in March. SUZUKIFebruary's proving to be a busy month, with Suzuki also launching its Grand Vitara diesel. TOYOTAAfter a big year in 2007, Toyota is expecting a quiet year, with only the TRD Hilux due to be launched in April-June. VOLKSWAGENVolkswagen will kick off the year with the SUV, the Touareg R50, to be released in April. It's powered by a 258kW V10 TDI engine. The Tiguan also arrives about October.  VOLVOThe recently launched XC70 arrives in showrooms this month, joined by the C30 diesel also in January. It's priced at $43,950. A base model C30 will also enter the line-up, at $34,450. A 3.0-litre six-cylinder engined V70 will arrive in March.