Fresh spy shots of the 2020 Hyundai Sonata have
surfaced online, courtesy Naver Cafe hyundaipalisade. Like the previous spy
shots, images show the vehicle equipped with a solar panel roof. Back in 2009, Toyota amazed the
world with the mass-market (automobile industry) application of solar panels in
the third generation Prius. The Kyocera-sourced panels installed on the car’s
moon roof generated power for the ventilation system.
Now, Hyundai is keen on using the natural source of
energy on its cars. The next-gen Sonata’s hybrid and plug-in hybrid variant
could feature a solar panel roof. The aero-focused wheel design of the test
mule suggests that it’s possibly an electrified variant. Solar power could help
the plug-in hybrid variant to finally reach the 50-km pure electric
range mark, and maybe surpass it.
The new Hyundai Sonata will incorporate the Sensuous
Sportiness design language that was previewed by the Hyundai Le Fil Rouge
(HDC-1) concept this year, looking sleeker than its predecessor. A major
overhaul is expected on the inside with new comfort creatures and a higher
level of digitalisation, including the shift from a conventional to a virtual
instrument cluster.
Currently, there’s a wide range of petrol engine
options in displacements ranging from 1.6-litre to 2.4-litre, and a 1.7-litre
diesel engine option also exists. With the full model change, at least the
2.0-litre turbocharged unit should continue. The new 1.6-litre U3 CRDi diesel
engine shared by the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Optima and Kia Ceed could replace the
1.7-litre U2 CRDi diesel engine, and that's assuming there's a plan to continue
the diesel Sonata. There’s no word on the HEV and PHEV’s progress.
The 2020 Hyundai Sonata will likely reach showrooms
internationally in the second half of 2019.
