Hyundai's 40mpg 2012 Sonata Hybrid Priced at $26,610

Hyundai has released pricing information for its 2012 model year Sonata Hybrid sedan, which starts at $25,850, or $26,610 if you include a $760 delivery fee*. That's a $55 increase over the 2011 model.

While there are no cosmetic or mechanical changes for the 2012MY, Hyundai has added its Blue Link telematics system the car's standard equipment.

In addition, there's a new optional Leather Package that offers leather seating surfaces, steering wheel and shift knob, plus heated front and rear seats, and auto-dimming rear-view mirror with HomeLink and compass. Hyundai says that these features were previously available only on the higher trim level of the Sonata Hybrid.

For the 2012MY, the most fuel efficient model of the Sonata series continues with a hybrid powertrain that combines a 169HP 2.4-liter Atkinson-cycle engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission, a 30kW electric motor and a lithium polymer battery.

The Sonata Hybrid delivers an EPA estimated 40mpg [5.9lt/100km] on the highway, 35mpg [6.7lt/100km] in the city and 37mpg [6.4lt/100km] combined.

Sonata Hybrid

· 2.4L Atkinson Cycle 4-cylinder hybrid engine

· Hybrid starter-generator (HSG)

· Permanent magnet high-power density motor

· 270V lithium polymer battery

· 6-speed automatic transmission w/ SHIFTRONIC

· Electronic stability control with traction control system

· ABS with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist

· Front active head restraints

· Front and front seat side and curtain airbags

· 16-inch Eco-spoke alloy wheels

· Headlight LED accents

· LED taillights

· Front fog lights

· Side mirror-mounted turn signal indicators

· Unique, tinted chrome front grille

· Bodyside molding tinted chrome inserts

· Chrome exterior door handles

· Proximity entry with push-button start

· Remote keyless entry, alarm and immobilizer

· Electroluminescent instrument cluster (Supervision)

· 4.2-inch TFT multi-function trip computer with hybrid technology display

· Steering Wheel Mounted Cruise, Audio & Phone Controls

· Dual automatic temperature control

· Floor console mounted rear vents

· Power driver seat with lumbar support

· Chrome interior door handles

· Leatherette interior door panel inserts

· Tilt & telescopic steering wheel with cruise and audio controls

· Metalgrain interior accents

· AM/FM/SiriusXM/CD/MP3 with iPod/USB & Aux input jacks

· Power windows, locks, heated mirrors

· Integrated Bluetooth® with phonebook transfer

· Hyundai Blue Link Telematics system

· Automatic light control

· Virtual Engine Sound System (VESS)

· Solar control glass

Leather Package ($1,500 MSRP):

· Leather seating surfaces

· Heated front seats and rear seat bottom cushions

· Leather-wrapped steering wheel & shift knob

· Auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink® and compass

Ultimate Package ($5,500 MSRP) - Includes Leather package contents plus the following:

· Panoramic sunroof with tilt & slide

· 17-inch Eco-spoke alloy wheels with unique finish

· Navigation system with high-resolution touch-screen display

· Rear backup camera

· Infinity premium speakers, subwoofer and external amplifier (400-watt)

· HD Radio Technology with multicasting

· SiriusXM, NavTraffic, NavWeather and Sports & Stocks w/ 90-Day Trial

· HVAC multi-mode button

· Premium door sill plates

· Glossy black door surround and outside mirror housing

 

 

PHOTO GALLERY

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2011 Kia Optima Hybrid priced from $26,500*

We’re capturing our first driving impressions of the 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid this week, but we’ve already learned that the midsize fuel-sipper will be priced at $26,500 when it goes on sale in the coming months, excluding $750 for destination and handling.

Curiously, the $26,500 price tag represents an increase of $705 versus the Optima’s platform mate, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Kia tells us that the price increase is because the Optima comes with more standard equipment than the Sonata, including things like a rear backup camera, rear spoiler, auto-down front windows for the driver and passenger, a cooling glovebox, compass, and Uvo, Kia’s brand new infotainment system.

Like its Sonata kin, the Optima Hybrid uses the automaker’s 2.4-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine, mated to an electric motor and paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. This combination expected to return fuel economy ratings of 35/40 miles per gallon city/highway, same as the Sonata Hybrid.

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Hyundai drops new i40 sedan in Barcelona

Despite some automakers continue to integrate their product strategies around the globe, Hyundai is sticking to a somewhat more localized lineup. While the Accent, for example is the smallest Hyundai in North America, overseas, it’s the slightly smaller i20 (previously known as the Getz). Towards the upper end of the company’s mainstream spectrum (before you get into Genesis and Equus territory) we get the Sonata, which is sold in Australia as the i45. And just below that sits the new i40.

Hyundai unveiled the i40 wagon in Geneva a couple of months ago, and as promised, it’s just now pulled the wraps off the i40 sedan ahead of its global debut at the Barcelona Motor Show. Like its extended-roof counterpart, the D-segment sedan was designed and developed specifically for the European market at Hyundai’s R&D facility in Rüsselsheim, Germany, but there’s an awful lot of Sonata at work both with and under the sheetmetal.

Four engines are on offer, each with four cylinders. There are a pair of 1.7-liter diesels with 113 horsepower and 134 hp, respectively. If petrol is more your thing, there are a duo of direct-injection gasoline engines at 1.6 liters with 133 hp and 2.0 liters with 175 horses. All come mated to a six-speed manual, with a six-speed automatic available only with the more powerful of the diesels. The 2.0 is the only one that drops its 0-62 time down below the 10-second mark. Scope out all the details in the press release after the jump and the trio of initial images in the high-res gallery.

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Feds pondering banning EV alert noise shutoff

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid was supposed to begin reaching customers late in 2010, but a last-minute change prevented that from happening. The battery-packing Sonata was originally fitted with an on/off switch to disable the synthetic engine audio that would come on whenever the vehicle was being driven under electric power, but a forthcoming regulation changed that.

Hyundai ordered a last-minute change deleting the switchgear because of a bill passed by Congress (and later signed by President Obama) that made non-defeatable noise-making devices mandatory for hybrids and EVs. Automotive News reports that the ball is in the court of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the agency plans to set a proper timetable in the next three years.

While the law banning the EV alert noise on/off switch will likely stop automakers from adding the switch in the future, we’re thinking NHTSA should still act fast in coming up with a date. The move would help automakers to know what they can and can’t do, preventing more product delays in the future.

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