Hyundai Posts Record-Selling Start to Year
Hyundai Motor America posted its best July ever and the best opening seven-month period in its 28-year history. July sales of 67,011 were up 1.5% versus the same period a year ago.
The Sonata had another strong month with sales of 22,577, up 19%, while the Santa Fe recorded sales of 8,655, up 26%.
The 2015 Genesis and Equus, Hyundai’s premium models, both saw sales gains for the month, up 5% and 76%, respectively.
High-Strength Steel Platform
The 2015 Sonata uses advanced high-strength steel for more than 50% of total platform composition, which results in 41% stiffer torsional rigidity and 35% greater bending strength. Advanced high-strength steel is twice as rigid as traditional steel while weighing 10% less.
A revised multilink rear suspension design enhances responsiveness, handling and stability while reducing impact harshness. Dual lower suspension arms replace the old single-arm design and distribute lateral forces more effectively to improve ride quality without sacrificing handling. The new rear suspension geometry helps keep Sonata more stable under hard braking and helps provide shorter stopping distances.
Top Safety Pick
The 2015 Sonata, Hyundai’s seventh-generation of the popular midsize sedan, was just rated as one of the safest cars on the road today. The 2015 Sonata was named a 2014 Top Safety Pick+, when equipped with optional forward collision warning, by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS). Available with a host of active safety features such as forward collision warning, blind spot detection, rear cross traffic alert, a lane departure warning system and rear parking sensors, the 2015 Sonata brings a new level of safety and refinement to the midsize sedan category.
Powertrain
Hyundai continues its all four-cylinder engine lineup for the 2015 Sonata. A revised 2.4-L Theta II GDI four-cylinder engine powers the SE, Limited and Sport models. The 2.4-L four-cylinder produces 185 hp and 178 lb.-ft. of torque. Hyundai’s powertrain engineers slightly reduced peak power for the 2015 Sonata to shift the powerband downward for better responsiveness in lower-RPM situations where customers spend the majority of their time. The new Electronic Intake Continuously Variable Valve Timing (E-CVVT) improves performance in low temperatures and reduces emissions.
