Hyundai officially launched its remodeled 2015 Sonata sedan in Korea Monday, after making headlines for overstated mileage last week.
The 2015 Hyundai Sonata sedan made its first world premiere at an event in southern Seoul, South Korea. The launch follows a blunder by the automaker last week, which resulted in massive media attention for overstating the mileage of its latest flagship. Hyundai, the world's fifth-largest car maker, found the error and apologized after stating the actual mileage was 12.1 kilometers per liter or 28.4 miles per gallon. Hyundai's Chief Executive Kim Choong-ho made a point to apologize for the earlier blunder at the start of the news conference, Monday.
"Once again we apologize for causing confusion over the new car's fuel efficiency," Choon-ho said, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Looking at the car's specs, Hyundai has done a commendable job with the all-new Sonata. The company's seventh-generation LF Sonata is 35 mm longer and 30 mm wider than its predecessor. The new Sonata is built with 51 percent high-tensile steel, compared to 21 percent in the older model and 41 percent greater torsion strength and 35 percent greater bending strength than the previous sedan.
"The Sonata has played an important role in leading Hyundai's growth overseas as well as developing the domestic automotive industry," The Korea Times quoted Choon-ho as saying during the launch event at COEX. "The new Sonata will change the landscape of the family sedan segment both domestically and globally."
The all-new 2015 Sonata sedan features a premium look with matching interiors. The new car comes with rear parking sensors, heated leather seats, LED lighting, advanced media systems and next-gen infotainment equipment. Safety package includes rear-side curtain airbags, blind spot detection, lane departure warning system and advanced smart cruise control. Check out photos of the new Sonata sedan here.
Under the hood, the Sonata keeps an impressive portfolio. The new model comes in three variants, a 2.0-liter continuously variable valve lift engine, a 2.4-liter gasoline direct injection or a 2.0-liter liquid propane injection. The 2.0-liter gasoline version can generate 168 hp with 20.5 kilogram-meters maximum torque. The 2.4 liter engine is good for 193 hp with a maximum torque of 25.2 kilogram meters, while the 2.0 LPi engine can generate 151 hp with 19.8 kilogram meters torque. Customers can either choose from a 6-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual transmission.
Hyundai is aiming to sell 228,000 units of the new Sonata sedan globally this year and 338,000 units next year. The confidence comes from impressive demand for the car prior to its release. According to the company's executives, 15,000 preorders have been made without any cancellations to date. The all-new Sonata sedan will debut in New York at the NY International Auto Show next month. The base-model is set to go on sale for 22.5 million won (around $21,000) in Korea and will hit the international markets in the second half of 2014.