New Hyundai Santa Fe
Bigger, stronger... with a 3rd row option

APN,
12th January 2006.

Now with an optional third-row seat, more power and bigger dimensions, the all-new 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe makes its North American debut at the 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS, public days from 14th to 22nd of January), before its US production starts in Q2 to hit showrooms during summer 2006.

The 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe comes, like its first generation, with a unibody SUV platform (all-new) and a choice of V6 powertrains. While official prices will be announced nearer to launch date, the current 2006 Santa Fe prices start in the US from $21,695 for the front wheel drive version with the 2.7-litre V6 engine ($23,195 with the 4WD system), up to $25,895 for the 3.5-litre V6 Limited version with the 4WD system)

As the first production vehicle designed at Hyundai’s design center in Irvine, Calif., Hyundai engineers benchmarked the world’s leading unibody SUVs, including the Lexus RX, Acura MDX and Volvo XC90, getting the new Santa Fe a step higher than its predecessor, with the best possible combination of SUV attributes and mid-size sedan driving character.

Engines - Santa Fe will be available (US market, check specs in different markets) with a choice of two V6 engines: the new 2.7-liter Mu (m) and the 3.3-liter Lambda (l), both featuring all-aluminium construction.

The standard 2.7-liter V6 is upgraded for 2007 and now includes Variable Valve Timing and a Variable Intake System to produce more than 180 horsepower and 180 lb.-ft. (244 Newton-metre) of torque (preliminary estimates). This new 2.7-liter V6 produces more horsepower and torque than its predecessor, with improved fuel economy.

The 3.3-liter Lambda V6 is lighter, more fuel efficient and cleaner burning than the previous-generation Santa Fe 3.5-liter V6, while producing an additional 30 horsepower. Preliminary output estimates are more than 230 horsepower and 220 lb.-ft. (298 Newton-metre) of torque. Both powertrains are expected to meet ULEV emissions requirements.

Gearboxes - The 2.7-liter V6 comes with a standard five-speed manual transmission and is available with an optional four-speed automatic, while the 3.3-liter V6 is mated to a five-speed automatic gearbox.

Drive system - The Santa Fe has a basic front-wheel drive system, but it can be ordered with the electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system which automatically routes power to the wheels offering the best traction. A new driver-selectable AWD lock provides a fixed 50/50 torque split between front and rear wheels, which can improve traction in certain conditions.

Safety - On the active and passive safety front, Hyundai equips all Santa Fe trim levels with six standard airbags, including side air curtains for all three rows of seats. The combination of side and curtain airbags, which help protect the head and body during side impacts, can reduce fatalities by more than 45 percent, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Side curtain air protection is optional on many other compact and even mid-size SUVs.

In addition, all Santa Fe trim levels come standard with Electronic Stability Control (ESC). ESC (known with different names in other brands, including ESP for Electronic Stability Program) compares the driver’s intended course with the vehicle’s actual response. ESC then brakes individual front or rear wheels and/or reduces engine power as needed in certain driving circumstances to help correct understeer or oversteer.

NHTSA studies show SUVs equipped with ESC experience 63 percent fewer fatalities in single-vehicle crashes. Santa Fe joins Tucson, Sonata, Azera, and Entourage as vehicles in Hyundai’s growing lineup with standard Electronic Stability Control.

Front and rear disc brakes are standard and are coupled with a four-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) that includes Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) to optimize brake performance even with differing vehicle loading.

All seating positions feature three-point seatbelts and adjustable head restraints. Front seat active head restraints help prevent whiplash by automatically reducing the space between a front occupant’s head and the head restraint during a rear collision. Santa Fe also features a standard tire pressure monitoring system.

Based on its characteristics and equipment, Santa Fe is expected to earn the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) top five-star crash test rating for front and side impacts.

Exterior - With its assertive styling, the all-new Santa Fe exterior expresses the evolving face of the Hyundai brand. At 184.1 inches long, the new Santa Fe is about seven inches longer than its predecessor, one inch wider and almost two inches taller. Its 2.9-inch wider track – wider than Toyota Highlander or Ford Explorer – provides a strong stance, improved handling and increased interior room.

The 2007 Santa Fe shares an assertive front grille, sculptured lines and detailed headlights with Hyundai’s HCD9 Talus concept, which is also introduced at the 2006 NAIAS. For a more aggressive appearance, Santa Fe SE and Limited models come with 18-inch alloy wheels.

The 2007 Santa Fe is more aerodynamic than the previous generation model, improving its drag coefficient from 0.39 to 0.37.

Interior - To get the best package-efficiency within its dimensions, Hyundai developed the new generation of its crossover an all-new platform that avoids the compromises inherent in typical mid-size car/SUV platform sharing.

According to Hyundai, although the 2007 Santa Fe is 2.1 inches shorter than the Lexus RX330, its first- and second-row seats have more head, leg, and shoulder room than the RX, with enough room left over to allow an optional third-row seat not available in the Lexus. In addition, the 2007 Santa Fe’s third-row seat offers more legroom than the third-row seat in the Acura MDX, Honda Pilot or Volvo XC90, while matching the legroom of the much larger all-new Mercedes-Benz GL-class SUV.

Santa Fe is Hyundai’s first SUV with optional seven-passenger seating. According to Hyundai, forty percent of all SUV customers want a third-row seat, which should significantly broaden Santa Fe’s appeal.

The third-row seat is split 50/50 and can be folded flat like the 60/40-split second-row seat. Total cargo volume is a cavernous 79.4 cubic feet (2248 litres, or 2.248 cubic metre), with storage for items of different sizes.

Hyundai claims even that by increasing the use of laminated steel and improving body rigidity, Hyundai engineers reduced cabin noise to the point that the 2007 Santa Fe is quieter than the Volvo XC90 at 60 mph.

Optional dual-zone climate controls for driver and front seat passenger can add more tailored comfort, while the second- and third-row passengers get extra comfort thanks to a rear fan switch, B-pillar mounted adjustable vents and dual rear heating ducts.

Other convenience features include an optional power driver seat with power lumbar support, steering wheel audio controls, trip computer, heated side mirrors plus a windshield wiper de-icing system.

Platform - The second-generation Santa Fe rides on an all-new, purpose-built unibody SUV platform with a 106.3-inch wheelbase that is 3.2 inches longer than its predecessor. This chassis was specifically designed to deliver more of the ride and handling balance that resonates with crossover shoppers.

According to Hyundai figures, the 2007 Santa Fe achieves a 50-percent improvement in body bending rigidity over the prior model and is 59 percent stiffer than Toyota Highlander. This stiff body structure provides a more refined sedan-like ride.

Steering is by power-assisted rack-and-pinion system.

Suspension - Santa Fe has MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension systems, with the all-new front suspension using an increased caster angle to improve stability. All four wheels are controlled by coil springs and fade-resistant gas-charged dampers, while front and rear stabilizer bars help keep the vehicle flat during cornering.

Thanks to the new suspension geometry and wider track width (which enables greater turn angles), Hyundai engineers tightened Santa Fe’s turning circle by nearly two feet – a significant advantage in daily driving.

From 1st to 2nd gen. - Since the first-generation Santa Fe arrived to the US in 2000, more than 420,000 Santa Fe’s have been sold. Hyundai will price the 2007 Santa Fe, with standard Electronic Stability Control, six airbags, anti-whiplash active front head restraints, tire pressure monitoring system, air conditioning, power windows, power locks, heated power mirrors, cruise control, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, 16-inch aluminium wheels, dual exhausts and roof rack... thousands of dollars below a comparably-equipped Toyota Highlander.

US production - The 2007 Santa Fe will be built at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing America (HMMA) in Montgomery, Ala., with some early units also being produced at the company’s Ulsan, Korea plant. HMMA currently produces the 2006 Hyundai Sonata, and with the launch of the all-new Santa Fe, both vehicles will travel down the same assembly line. Production of the Santa Fe is scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2006, with vehicles arriving in dealerships during summer. By the end of 2006, Hyundai will manufacture more than half of its total U.S. sales volume in Alabama.

Lineup - The new Hyundai Santa Fe comes in three trim levels:  base GLS, sporty SE and premium Limited. The seven-passenger Touring Package is available on SE and Limited trim levels.

Base GLS - Santa Fe GLS comes equipped (standard, US) with a 2.7-liter V6 engine, five-speed manual transmission, ESC, ABS with traction control system, alloy wheels, rocker panel moldings, heated power side mirrors, power windows, power door locks, and remote keyless entry.

A roof rack with easy-to-operate sliding cross rails is also standard.

Inside are active front head restraints, dual front airbags, front seat side-impact airbags plus side curtain airbags.

Other standard features include a tire pressure monitoring system, cargo net, air conditioning and a tilt and telescoping steering wheel.

A four-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission and Premium Package, which includes a power tilt/slide glass sunroof and heated front seats, are optional.

SE - The SE standard equipment adds a 3.3-liter V6, five-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission, 18-inch alloy wheels, power driver seat with power lumbar support, electrochromic auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, front fog lights and steering wheel audio controls.

A Premium Package with a power tilt/slide glass sunroof and heated front seats is optional.

The optional Ultimate Package includes the Premium Package features, plus a rear seat entertainment system with an eight-inch LCD monitor, AM/FM/CD-changer/MP3 audio system with subwoofer and external amplifier, 115-volt power outlet and HomeLink®.

The SE Touring Package includes seven-passenger seating with the fold-flat third-row seat, conversation mirror and load-leveling rear suspension.

LIMITED - Santa Fe Limited comes standard with all of the standard equipment found on the SE, plus leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, dual zone automatic temperature control with outside temperature display, HomeLink®, and carpeted cargo area trim panels. A chrome grille and exterior door handles, as well as a bodycolor hatch spoiler, further distinguish the Limited.

A tilt/slide glass sunroof is offered as a stand-alone option.

The optional Ultimate Package includes a sunroof, rear seat entertainment system with an eight-inch LCD monitor, an Infinity AM/FM/CD-changer/MP3 audio system with subwoofer and external amplifier, 115-volt power outlet and power front passenger seat.

The Limited Touring Package adds seven-passenger seating, conversation mirror and load-leveling rear suspension.