2011 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2011 Kia Sorento Recalled for Defective Brakes

The Hyundai Group has issued a separate recall for each of the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2011 Kia Sorento over the same issue concerning the rear brake calipers that may not have been properly machined.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the defective calipers could lead to brake fluid leak, followed by illumination of the malfunction indicator light indicating the brake fluid level is low and should be checked, then a soft or spongy brake pedal feel. If the problem is not taken care of, it will lead to reduced braking power.

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Facelifted Hyundai Santa Fe Priced Lower than Outgoing Model in the UK

Hyundai has released pricing for its revised 2010 Santa Fe that goes on sale in the UK on the 4th of January 2010. Despite the various upgrades that include minor exterior and interior styling tweaks but most importantly, a new 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine that makes 197-horsepower and is the only powerplant offered in Britain, the new Santa Fe is priced lower than the outgoing '09 model with prices now ranging from £21,495 to £25,495 (at new 17.5% VAT rate).

For the 2010 model year, Hyundai has simplified the Santa Fe's range with a two-model line-up now comprising of the entry-level Style and the higher spec Premium.

The Style's standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, reversing sensors, carbon black interior trim (replaces the previous model's wood trim), a new CD/RDS radio with an AUX/USB connection and full iPod control, ESP and air conditioning.

Move up to the Premium model and you get 18-inch wheels, dual climate control, heated leather seats with electric adjustment for the driver and automated lights and wipers.

European 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Facelift gets New 197HP Diesel and 6-Speed Transmissions

Hyundai is giving its Santa Fe a new lease of life in Europe thanks to new powertrains and a lightly refreshed interior and exterior. As with the Korean market model, the European Santa Fe gets a new three-slatted body-colored grille, restyled bumper, tweaked headlamps and fog lights up front, while new tail lamp crystals, a revised bumper and twin exhausts sum up the changes at the rear. The 2010 model also features new alloy wheel designs, and redesigned side sills and roof rails.

Revisions to the interior are even more subtle and are limited to what Hyundai describes as "a new Supervision instrument gauge cluster", a built-in navigation system, an optional rear view camera and refreshed trim.

The most important upgrades are hidden under the bonnet as the 2010 model year benefits from the introduction of a new 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine, which produces an output of 197 horsepower and peak torque of 422Nm (311 lb-ft) between 1,800 and 2,500 rpm.

Matted to a six-speed manual transmission, the new 2.2 CRDi engine launches the Santa Fe from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in 9.5 seconds, an improvement of 1.8 sec over the outgoing 155HP diesel model, and on to a top speed of 190 km/h (118mph) while returning 6.6 lt /100km (35.6 mpg US) in the combined cycle with CO2 emissions of 174g/km.

The new entry-level petrol engine is Hyundai's 2.4-liter four-cylinder Theta-II unit that makes 174 horsepower. Acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h comes in 10.7 seconds while the Santa Fe 2.4 achieves a top speed of 190 km/h (118mph) with an average fuel consumption of 8.5 lt /100km (27.7 mpg US) and CO2 emissions of 203g/km.

Both engines are offered with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard and optionally, with Hyundai's new six-speed automatic transmission.

Already introduced in South Korea, the refreshed 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe will make its European debut at next week's Frankfurt motorshow and go on sale in most markets towards the end of the year.

Hyundai ix35: First Official Teaser Shots of Tucson's Replacement

The above photo along with three more shots that were published on the automaker's Korean website are Hyundai's teasers for the Tucson replacement that will be officially unveiled at the September 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. As speculated, the Tucson's successor will be called ix35 in Europe while the Korean-market model will bear the 'Tucson ix' moniker. No word yet on Hyundai's naming plans for the North American model.

While the cryptic teasers don't reveal anything about the new compact SUV's design, a set of spy photos depicting the ix35 totally undisguised (click here) confirm the company's claims that the production model carries over much of the sweeping styling of the 2009 Geneva Salon ix-onic concept study.

The Korean automaker said that the ix35, which will rival the Toyota RAV-4 and VW Tiguan, represents a major step forward for Hyundai in Europe as it is the firm's first SUV to be conceived and engineered in Europe at the company's Frankfurt-based design and technical centres.

The ix35 will be joined in Frankfurt by the facelifted Santa-Fe that benefits from a series of engineering and cosmetic enhancements. Detailed information on both models are to be announced by Hyundai closer to the Frankfurt Show opening.

Via: Hyundai , KDM Shots: Hyundai-blog

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Facelift: European Version Scooped in Germany

Our man with the long lens has caught the European version of the subtly-facelifted 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe. The freshened model, which has already been unveiled in South Korea, will make its European debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and is expected to reach showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2009. The only visible cosmetic differences between the KDM and EDM Santa Fe concern the specific grille treatment with the chrome trim surround and the clear-colored lower section of the headlamps.

Other than that, the European variant features the same exterior upgrades as the Korean model which consist of redesigned bumpers and new tail lamp covers plus revised exterior mirrors that house turning signals and the new exhaust tips.

We suspect that the European Santa Fe will also receive similar updates to the interior including higher grade materials along with a redesigned center and new equipment features.

In South Korea, the redesigned Santa Fe gained a new pair of turbo diesel engines, a 2.0-liter unit with 184 horsepower and a 2.2-liter with 200 horsepower, both of which are linked to a 6-speed automatic transmission. While these fuel-efficient powertrains won't be offered in North America, our sources state that they will be available in Europe.

New Photos of 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Facelift

We've yet to see an official announcement on the European or American market versions of the 2010 Santa Fe facelift, but Hyundai has released a digital pamphlet for the domestic market model that provides us with new photos of the SUV. The brochure reveals that aside from the subtle cosmetic changes up front that include a redesigned bumper and grille, the 2010MY Santa Fe also features a new treatment for the tail lights and the rear bumper. And yes, we sincerely doubt that anyone will notice the changes.

The Korean automaker says that the Santa Fe's refreshed interior benefits from higher grade materials along with a redesigned center console, new upholstery for the seats, updated trim and new equipment features.

As we said in our previous post, the most noteworthy update for the 2010MY Santa Fe concerns the presentation of a new pair of diesel powertrains, a 2.0-liter and 2.2-liter four-pots with outputs of 184HP and 200HP respectively, that are hooked to a new 6-speed automatic transmission.

Via: Es.Autoblog.com

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Facelift with New Turbo Diesel Engines Debuts in Korea

Today, Hyundai swiped the wraps off its mildly facelifted 2010 Santa Fe in South Korea ahead of the compact SUV's domestic market launch in July. The reworked 2010 model features some modest cosmetic changes along with the introduction of a new pair of turbo diesel engines. On the outside, changes seem to be reduced to a lightly altered front end with a redesigned bumper and grille, reshaped exterior mirrors with turning signals and new alloy wheel designs.

There's also talk about a newly designed rear bumper and tail lights along with an updated interior but we've yet to see the full image gallery or an official press release for that matter.

The South Korean news agencies also reported that the 2010 Santa Fe benefits from the introduction of the Hyundai - Kia group's newly developed 'R' diesel engine lineup that consists of two 4-cylinder units with a displacement of 2.0-liters and 2.2-liters and outputs of 184HP / 392Nm and 200HP /436Nm respectively. Both engines are linked to a new 6-speed automatic transmission.

The European version of the facelifted Santa Fe will most likely make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September with the North American variant following shortly after.

Source: Autojoin , Via: Thecarblogger

Rated R: Lamborghini Murcielago Porks Hyundai Santa Fe

It can happen to the best of us - you know, you're going faster than the vehicle in front of you and all of a sudden he/she slows down or slams the brakes and well, say goodbye to you low insurance rates. In this case, the car behind the Hyundai Santa Fe happened to be a 'wedge-faced' Lamborghini Murcielago and the resulting accident leaves an open window for many erotic-style jokes. According to reports, luckily, no one other than the Lamborghini owner's bank account was hurt in the accident.

Via: Jalopnik, Cardomain, 6Speed, and NBC-2

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe SUV Facelift Scooped, gets new Diesel and Gasoline Engines

It's facelift time for Hyundai's mid-size SUV or if you prefer, crossover - who can tell the difference any more... In view of the fact that the latest generation Santa Fe has only been around for three years, don't expect to see any major cosmetic changes, just minor tweaks here and there that will include reshaped headlights and tail lamps along with restyled bumpers, new mirrors that incorporate turning signals and different alloy wheel designs.

Our spy photographers didn't manage to scoop the prototype's interior but our sources state that Hyundai will update the cabin with new trim options and add a few toys to the vehicle's equipment list.

Hyundai has paid more attention under the skin as the refreshed Santa Fe will benefit from the presentation of at least two new powertrain options including the 2.4-liter 4-cylinder Theta II gasoline engine that produces 175HP at 6,000 rpm and 168 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm. The second-generation Theta engine that can be mated to a five-speed manual or automatic transmission has already been confirmed for the U.S. market. Up until now, the Santa Fe was offered in the States only with a 2.7-liter V6 and 3.3-liter V6.

In Europe, Korea and other international markets, the 2010 Santa Fe facelift will also be available with Hyundai's newly developed 2.2-liter 4-cylinder 'R' diesel engine that cranks out 197HP and 435Nm or 320.1 lbs/ft of torque.

Though not officially confirmed, Carscoop's sources state that in the USA, Hyundai will replace the current 242HP 3.3-liter V6 with the Korean firm's new 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 277HP and 335 Nm or 247 lbs/ft of torque.

Expect to see the 2010 Santa Fe making its debut at the forthcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September with the first cars arriving in Hyundai's dealerships on both sides of the Atlantic shortly after.