New Turbocharged Hyundai Sonata 2.0T: Great Sedan with a Big Shot Of Red Bull - VIDEO ENHANCED

By Marty Bernstein
Senior Editor At Large

Hyundai just violated the old adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," but in a very good way! They've taken the Sonata, their stunning flagship sedan, one of the best selling midsize cars on the market today and given it a big boost with a new model with an innovative 4 cylinder turbo charged engine that sets a new benchmark for technology and great fuel economy.

If you've never experienced the absolute kick that comes pressing the gas pedal hard to the carpeted floor of any car, much less a family sedan and getting the immediate response as the car literally leaps forward, you’ve missed one of the great driving pleasures. The instant response of added speed can be fun but it's also a safety feature or precaution when merging on the freeway or passing on a two lane road.

Hyundai technical gurus and engineers explained how and why it works to autowriters recently, but I'll spare our readers the engineering-techno-gearhead-speak jargon and explain the modern engine in hopefully understandable lay terms.

Hyundai has built a better, more powerful, more efficient, more advanced 4 cylinder turbo charged engine using new technology, more effective and unique materials and specially designed components developed by the company. The effective twin turbo charger has been augmented and enhanced with a GDI (gasoline direct injection) system usually found in very expensive brands that results in instantaneous power delivery. Here’s what you’ll see under the hood with legends.

The result is an amazing 4-cylinder powerplant that produces 274 hp and 269 lb of torque at 1,750 rpm with regular fuel with 22 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. And that's more horsepower and better MPGs than 6-cylinder engines of its competitors. Hyundai calls this merger of power and fuel efficiency with reduced emissions their Blue Drive product strategy.

With this dynamic increase in turbo charged power Hyundai has matched a new six speed automatic transmission. During the test drives I enjoyed the responsive, smooth and quiet almost imperceptible shifts through the gears. For those who are partial to shifting gears, Hyundai has its Shiftronic manual control system and there are paddle shifters on the steering wheel with a LED readout of which gear is engaged. Nice touch.

Other than the special 2.0T badge this is the Hyundai Sonata that has become the premiere vehicle of the ambitious car company and has received countless accolades from fellow auto writers and consumers. No one will know your Sonata is turbo charged except for the badge and on the Limited model with 18-inch hyper silver alloy wheels, a dual exhaust system (nice note too) and the previously mentioned paddle shifters.

Click PLAY to watch the Sonata Turbo animation video

At Hyundai Dealers Now
Visit a Hyundai dealer soon to test drive the new Sonata 2.0T Turbo -- . It's an OMG, Red Bull experience you won't forget. Two models are available: the SE* model has an MSRP of $24,145 while the Sonata Limited 2.0T* is $27,045 plus the usual destination charge and governmental stuff. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program which now includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable bumper-to-bumper warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 5-year complimentary Roadside Assistance program.

Features of the Sonata 2.0T

Sonata SE 2.0T
• 2.0L Turbo GDI 4-cylinder engine
• 6-speed automatic with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters
• 18-inch Hyper Silver alloy wheels with performance tires
• Sport-tuned suspension and steering
• Dark chrome front grille
• Chrome exterior door handles
• Proximity entry with push button start
• SE leather bolster/cloth insert sport seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob
• Front fog lights / dual exhaust
• Dual automatic temperature control
• ESC/TCS/ABS/TPMS
• Front active head restraints
• Front, front seat side and curtain airbags
• Chrome window belt-line moldings
• Tilt and telescopic steering wheel with cruise, audio and phone controls
• Metalgrain interior accents
• AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 with iPod/USB and Aux input jacks
• Remote keyless entry and alarm
• Immobilizer
• Power windows, locks, heated mirrors
• Advanced trip computer with custom settings
• Active ECO System • Integrated Bluetooth with phonebook transfer
• Daytime Running Lights (DRL) • Solar control glass

Navigation and Sunroof Package
• Power tilt and slide sunroof
• Navigation system with high-resolution touch-screen display
• Dimension premium speakers, subwoofer/external amplifier

Sonata Limited 2.0T

Replaces/Adds/Deletes SE 2.0T equipment:
• Power tilt and slide sunroof
• Side mirror turn signal indicators
• Leather seating surfaces
• Heated front seats with heated rear seat bottom cushions
• Floor console mounted rear vents
• Premium door sill plates / “Limited” badge
• In-dash 6-disc CD-changer
• HD Radio technology with multicasting
• Dimension premium speakers, subwoofer/external amplifier
• Unique interior accents (Piano Black or Woodgrain)
• Auto-dimming mirror/HomeLink/compass
• Deletes sport-tuned suspension and steering

Navigation Package
• Navigation system with high-resolution touch-screen display
• Rear backup camera
• Infinity premium speakers, subwoofer/external amplifier
• Deletes 6-disc CD-changer and HD Radio Technology