Hyundai has given several models its public debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, including the updated Santa Fe SUV.
The Santa Fe gets fresh changes to its exterior design, as well as more safety kit and engine updates which reduce running costs.
Design updates for the Santa Fe include new bumpers, a larger rooftop spoiler and LED daytime running lights framed with new silver trim. The Hyundai also gets a restyled hexagonal front grille and a new range of alloy wheels ranging between 17 and 19-inch in size.
The Santa Fe has a sharper profile than before and its overall look closer resembles the smaller and recently launched Hyundai Tucson SUV.
New safety kit for the Santa Fe includes the automatic emergency braking that relies on radar and sensors works in three stages. It will first warn the driver, before gradually increasing braking force and then finally apply full brakes automatically to avoid a collision.
Other safety tech for the updated Santa Fe range includes blind sport detection, active cruise control and Around View Monitor. The latter uses multiple integrated cameras to give the driver a 360-degree view of the car’s surroundings.
The Hyundai Santa Fe retains its 2.2-litre CRDi diesel engine, but the four-cylinder unit now produces more power and is more efficient than before. Linked to a six-speed manual gearbox and four-wheel drive as standard, the diesel now produces 197bhp, allowing for a 0-62mph sprint time of 10.8 seconds, depending on trim and tyre specifications. The official combined fuel economy is 46.3mpg.
An optional six-speed automatic gearbox is also available, which alters the 0-62mph time and combined fuel economy to 9.6 seconds and 42.2mpg respectively.
Hyundai i20 Active unveiled
Another new Hyundai to make its public debut at Frankfurt this week is the i20 Active, a more rugged, crossover-inspired version of the five-door supermini.
There’s little in the current British car market that could be compared to the i20 Active, other than the Dacia Sandero Stepway and the Fiat Panda Cross.
Design changes for the Active include new skid plates for extra protection at the front and rear, a rear spoiler, bigger side skirts and more robust wheel-arch mouldings. Round fog lamps are also integrated in the front and rear bumpers. The ride height is also raised by 20mm compared to the standard i20.
Reportedly, the new i20 Active will share much of the same trim levels and equipment as its standard supermini counterpart.
Engines for the i20 Active include an all-new 1.0-litre T-GDI turbo petrol engine offered in 99bhp or 118bhp forms. Other engines expected to be available for the i20 Active include a 99bhp 1.4-litre petrol and an 89bhp 1.4-litre diesel. The Hyundai i20 Active will go on sale in early 2016.
Hyundai N performance sub-brand makes public bow with radical concepts
This year’s Frankfurt Motor Show also marks the first public appearance of Hyundai’s all-new performance sub brand, simply called Hyundai N.
The first concepts from N include the spectacular 2025 Vision Gran Turismo concept. The powertrain of this concept, which resembles a futuristic Le Mans race car, is based on the world’s first mass-produced hydrogen fuel cell system. It will be available to drive exclusive in the PlayStation racing game Gran Turismo 6.
Also part of the Hyundai N display is the mid-engined RM15 (Racing Midship 2015) concept. This sporty and aggressively-styled two-door coupe is meant to hint at the future direction of Hyundai N’s technologies. It’s powered by a 296bhp 2.0-litre turbo petrol engine and features a large rear spoiler, giving it a touring car vibe.
Also joining the Hyundai N display in Frankfurt is a preview model of the new generation i20 WRC rally car. This is expected to make its competitive debut in the first round of the 2016 World Rally Championship in January.
