After the successful launch of its luxury Genesis brand, Hyundai is now turning its attention to revitalizing its bread and butter models. The impressively redesigned new Elantra GT has already been revealed at this year's Chicago Auto Show, and now it's time for the unveiling of the new 2018 Sonata.
This will take place at this year's New York International Auto Show on Wednesday, April 12 at 1:15 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time at the Jacob Javits Convention Center inside the Hyundai Booth, and the event will also be live-streamed so media, fans and enthusiasts who can't be at the show can still be part of the whole unveiling experience.
So far, we've only seen some teaser sketches and of course the obligatory spy shots of the new model undergoing testing, but everything points to a somewhat sportier new look for the 2018 Sonata along the lines of the recently refreshed Korean Sonata.
Unsurprisingly, the designers appear to be adopting the appealing look and stealing some signature design cues from the smaller Elantra and Accent models, such as a redesigned front grille, new LED running lights and redesigned tail lights. There will also be a new trunk badge that cleverly doubles-up as the opening handle.
Also expect some additional technology upgrades to what we currently see with the Sonata, which should include wireless phone charging, larger touchscreen infotainment displays, extra USB charging ports, and a new leather-wrapped steering wheel.
There's been no definite word about new powertrains for the 2018 Sonata, but it's already been revealed that Hyundai's N performance division has been developing a new turbocharged 2.0-litre inline-four, so the 2018 Sonata Turbo/Sonata Sport 2.0T could feature a version of that unit. And with the way many manufacturers are upgrading their automatic transmissions at the moment with more gears, it's likely the current Sonata's six-speed auto will be replaced by a new eight-speed unit for better performance and greater fuel-efficiency.
