Leaked | 2011 Hyundai Sonata

Codenamed “YF,” this Sonata was penned at Hyundai’s design studio in Irvine, California. We were told there was heated debate in the boardroom over the styling direction of the new Sonata. Good reason is said to have won that debate, with the Sonata’s styling taking a more conservative look — save for the sloping rear roofline.

However, from the look of the leaked images — which surfaced on Hyundai-blog.com — conservative doesn’t necessarily mean bland. Although some comparisons could be made to Subaru’s new Legacy sedan, the sedan in question looks thoroughly fresh and highly stylized for the mid-size sedan market.

Details on this vehicle are in short supply at the moment, but Hyundai may be planning a hybrid version of the Sonata. We may see a concept car for the new Sonata during the upcoming auto show season, with the new Sonata likely hitting the market about mid-2010.

Powertrains will be modified across the board with a direct-injection 2.4-liter four-cylinder anchoring the low-end of the spectrum, while a 3.5-liter V6 will target upper-level competitors. Expect a little less than 200 horsepower from the four-cylinder and around 250 horsepower from the V6.

Hyundai is also planning a hybrid model of the Sonata that will use lithium polymer batteries instead of the often discussed lithium-ion. The polymer batteries are said to be more durable and cheaper to make.

While the regular Sonata should start production for the U.S, in the summer of 2010, the hybrid model should follow sometime in 2011.

Source : Leftlanenews