Hyundai Powers Up to Save Fuel

SYDNEY – October 20, 2009: Hyundai Team R is entering the Global Green Challenge 2009 event with two new 2010 Santa Fe 7 seat SUVs.

The cars will feature Hyundai’s new R series turbo Diesel engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission, offering drivers 32% more power alongside fuel consumption and emissions that have been reduced by 10%.

Set to go on sale later this year, the new Santa Fe R-series will have its first Australian outing in the Global Green Challenge, which runs from Darwin to Adelaide this month. Under the direction of motoring expert John Cadogan, both vehicles will cover the 3,027 km journey in six days, setting off on Friday 24th October.

Like the award-winning i30, i30cw and iLoad van range, the new Santa Fe will feature revised suspension which has been optimised for Australia’s demanding road conditions, as well as the option of a new six-speed automatic transmission.

“Hyundai will demonstrate how significant fuel economy savings can be made by driving a latest generation AWD seven-seat SUV,” said Kevin McCann, Sales and Marketing Director of Hyundai Motor Company Australia. “It will be a real world test – no wing mirrors folded flat or anything like that – and will show owners how much they can save in terms of both fuel costs and reduced emissions by driving the latest generation Santa Fe.”

Hyundai is no stranger to proving its fuel efficiency and eco-friendliness. In 2007, Cadogan drove an i30 CRDi in the Panasonic World Solar Challenge (again, from Darwin to Adelaide), achieving averaged fuel figures of just 3.2L/100km.