- Debuts the new Sensuous Sportiness design language
- The 2020 Sonata adopts a four-door-coupe silhouette as seen on the new-gen Passat.
- Also debuts Hidden Lighting Lamps, that turn chromic when off and lit when on.
Far away from the hustle and bustle of the Geneva Motor Show, Hyundai has officially dropped the images of the new-gen Sonata sedan in Seoul. The eighth-generation Hyundai Sonata debuts the new Sensuous Sportiness design language and adopts a sporty four-door-coupe silhouette.
The new Sonata takes its inspiration from the Le Fil Rouge concept which was showcased at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. The Sensuous Sportiness design philosophy is defined by the harmony between four fundamental elements in vehicle design: proportion, architecture, styling and technology, says the Korean carmaker. It also introduces many Hyundai-first features with its aggressive styling.
The ‘digital pulse’ cascading is present but is surrounded by what Hyundai calls Hidden Lighting Lamps. This all-new feature appears to be of a chromic material when switched off and is vividly illuminated when turned on. The headlamp design is new and there are a lot of creases on the sheet metal which add to the muscular stance of the new Sonata. At the rear, the wide LED tail lamp strip running around the tailgate looks like it has taken its cues from the Honda Civic. The four-door-coupe silhouette furthermore adds to the Civic inspiration at the rear. The sedan sits 30 mm lower than the older car and its width is extended by 25 mm. The wheelbase has grown by 35 mm, and the overall length is up by 45 mm.
The cabin is inspired by a Stealth aircraft, claims the carmaker. The typically Hyundai cabin has a driver-focused cockpit with expensive material finish such as leather, satin and brushed aluminium. The overall layout is very modern and upmarket. What’s more, this being a flagship sedan, it comes with all the appropriate bells and whistles and much more.
The new-gen Hyundai Sonata will make its public debut at next month’s New York Auto Show. After the discontinuation of the last gen Sonata in India back in 2015, we don’t think the carmaker will bring the D-segment sedan back to our shores anytime soon.
