Locally owned and independent
November 30, 2023
The Northern Rivers Times
MOTORING NEWS 39
Hyundai’s High-Performance Sonata N Line: Maxed Out but Not Track-Ready for Speed Junkies Hyundai’s Sonata N Line is the pinnacle for those seeking a spicier ride within the Sonata lineup. However, if you were hoping for a full-fat N version of the Hyundai Sonata, it seems the company has closed the door on that possibility. The prospects of a high-performance Sonata N have been quashed by Albert Biermann, the company’s executive technical advisor, who poured cold water on the idea during discussions with Australian media at the launch event of the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N. Biermann made it clear that the Sonata N Line, despite its prowess, doesn’t align with the track-centric philosophy of Hyundai’s N division. “Sonata N Line is no race track [car],” he emphasized, indicating that the existing platform, which also underpins models like the Tucson and Santa Fe, won’t accommodate a Sonata N in its current form. The limitations lie in the architecture of the current Sonata, hailed as the third-generation platform by Hyundai. While the N Line version boasts a robust turbocharged 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, it falls short of the criteria to be classified as a full-fledged N car. Hyundai stipulates that all N-branded vehicles must embody a blend of everyday sportiness and track capabilities – what they affectionately term ‘corner rascals.’ Despite sharing an engine with the i30 Sedan N, the Sonata N Line evidently doesn’t meet these stringent criteria. Hyundai utilizes the N Line nameplate for models like the Sonata N Line that offer augmented power, firmer suspension tunes, and cosmetic enhancements but are not designed for track performance. In the Australian market, the Sonata N Line stands as the sole variant available, despite other powertrain options like the naturally aspirated 2.5-litre, hybrid 2.0-litre, and turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder being offered overseas. The strategy here is simple:
Hyundai Australia offers the Sonata with the highest specifications and the most potent engine, leaving no other choices beyond selecting the preferred colour. Moving into the 2024 model year, the facelifted eighth-generation Hyundai Sonata N Line remains the solitary choice for Australian buyers, coming fully loaded at a starting price of $55,500 before on-road costs. This updated version commands a premium of $3435 compared to its pre-update iteration. Visually, the refreshed Sonata N Line flaunts revamped 19-inch alloy wheels, redesigned front and rear bumpers, a distinct ‘H’ rear lighting signature, and a hands-free power boot lid. Additionally, a matte exterior paint option has been introduced for the first time, offering a new aesthetic dimension to the vehicle. Step inside the 2024 Sonata N Line, and you’ll find a new curved display housing a 12.3inch digital instrument cluster alongside a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Further interior updates encompass a steering column-mounted shift-by-wire gear selector, a redesigned steering wheel, touchtype dual-zone climate
controls, 64-color LED ambient interior lighting, acoustic laminated front glass, and front and rear USB-C ports. Safety features are bolstered in the updated model, now including Intelligent Speed Limit Assist as standard and a tyre pressure monitoring system. Under the hood, the 2024 Hyundai Sonata N Line retains its powerful 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, generating 213kW of power and 422Nm of torque. This powerplant remains paired exclusively with an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission, driving the front wheels. The dimensions of the 2024 Sonata N Line measure 4910mm in length, 1860mm in width, and 1445mm in height, with a 2840mm wheelbase. In terms of efficiency, it claims a combined fuel economy of 8.1 litres per 100km, equipped with a 60-litre fuel tank and requiring a minimum of 91 RON regular unleaded petrol. Regarding safety, while the eighth-generation Sonata is yet to undergo testing by ANCAP or Euro NCAP, the 2024 Sonata N Line is equipped with an array of standard safety equipment. This includes Autonomous Emergency
The 2024 Hyundai Sonata N Line continues to be powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine producing 213kW of power and 422Nm of torque. This is mated exclusively to an eight-speed wet dual-clutch automatic transmission with drive sent to the front wheels. Dimensions The 2024 Hyundai Sonata N Line measures 4910mm long, 1860mm wide, and 1445mm tall, with a 2840mm wheelbase. Efficiency The 2024 Hyundai Sonata N Line has a claimed combined fuel economy of 8.1 litres per 100km. It has a 60-litre fuel tank and requires a minimum of 91 RON regular unleaded petrol. Safety The eighth-generation Hyundai Sonata has yet to be test by ANCAP or Euro NCAP. Price $ 55,500 plus on-road costs
Braking (AEB) with dedicated track-oriented various detection N version for this capabilities, blind-spot iteration. assistance, rear crosstraffic assist, lane-keep and lane-following assist, Powertrain adaptive cruise control, rear occupant alert, and !""#$%&&'()*+,#-*./#0.12)' a surround-view camera BROWN!"#$%&$''(&$%((( & HURLEY KYOGLE BROWN & HURLEY KYOGLE 266 Summerland Way, Kyogle system, among others. 266!"#$%&'()*+,-./#0,(,)12/%&"'3#*'(2 Summerland Kyogle BROWN BROWN BROWN & BROWN HURLEY BROWN &kyogle.admin@brownandhurley.com.au HURLEY & HURLEY & Way, & HURLEY KYOGLE HURLEY KYOGLE KYOGLE KYOGLE KYOGLE Ph: Ph: 0202 6632 0333 kyogle.admin@brownandhurley.com.au 6632 0333 4#,56/+78(*59:*7;7<(=78(*5>>?@A(* Standard equipment 266266 Summerland 266 Summerland 266 Summerland 266 Way, Way, Kyogle Way, Kyogle Way, Kyogle Mon --Fri 8am -Summerland 5pm / Sat 8am -Kyogle 11:30am Mon Fri 8am -Summerland 5pm /Way, Sat 8am - Kyogle 11:30am )*+,-.$/0121&$$$)*+,-.$/34)(2 Lic.No MD1912 Lic.No MVRL39 for the Sonata N Line Ph: 02 Ph:6632 02 Ph:6632 0333 02 Ph: 6632 0333 Ph: 02 kyogle.admin@brownandhurley.com.au 6632 02 0333 kyogle.admin@brownandhurley.com.au 6632 0333 kyogle.admin@brownandhurley.com.au 0333 kyogle.admin@brownandhurley.com.au kyogle.admin@brownandhurley.com.au Lic.No MD1912 Lic.No MVRL39 Mon Mon - Fri -Mon 8am Fri 8am -Mon Fri 5pm Mon 8am - 5pm Fri / Sat - 8am -Fri 5pm /8am Sat 8am - 5pm /8am -Sat -11:30am 5pm /8am - Sat 11:30am / Sat 8am - 11:30am 8am - 11:30am - 11:30am comprises 19-inch Lic.No MD1912 Lic.No MD1912 Lic.No Lic.No MD1912 Lic.No MVRL39 Lic.No MD1912 Lic.No MVRL39 MD1912 Lic.No MVRL39 Lic.No MVRL39 NEW & USEDLic.No TRUCK SALES / MVRL39 alloy wheels, automatic NEW &/ USED SALES / PARTS SERVICETRUCK / SMASH REPAIRS projector LED NEW NEW NEW & NEW & NEW USED & USED & USED &USED TRUCK USED TRUCK TRUCK TRUCK TRUCK SALES SALES SALES SALES SALES / / / / / PARTS / SERVICE / SMASH REPAIRS headlights, panoramic PARTS PARTS PARTS PARTS PARTS / SERVICE / SERVICE / SERVICE / SERVICE / SERVICE / SMASH / SMASH / SMASH / SMASH / SMASH REPAIRS REPAIRS REPAIRS REPAIRS REPAIRS glass sunroof, N Line body kit, a Bose sound system, head-up display, wireless phone charger, heated and ventilated seats, and a suite of Bluelink connected services subscription for five years, offering KYOGLE KYOGLE | DARRA KYOGLE | DARRA | TOWNSVILLE KYOGLE | DARRA |KYOGLE TOWNSVILLE | DARRA | TOWNSVILLE | COFFS DARRA | TOWNSVILLE | COFFS HARBOUR | TOWNSVILLE | COFFS HARBOUR | COFFS ROCKHAMPTON HARBOUR | COFFS | ROCKHAMPTON HARBOUR |HARBOUR ROCKHAMPTON | YATALA | ROCKHAMPTON | YATALA ROCKHAMPTON | TOOWOOMBA | YATALA | TOOWOOMBA | YATALA | TOOWOOMBA | YATALA | CABOOLTURE | TOOWOOMBA | CABOOLTURE | TOOWOOMBA | CABOOLTURE | TAMWORTH | CABOOLTURE | TAMWORTH | CABOOLTURE | TAMWORTH | TAMWORTH | TAMWORTH various functionalities KYOGLE | DARRA | TOWNSVILLE | COFFS HARBOUR | ROCKHAMPTON | YATALA | TOOWOOMBA | CABOOLTURE | TAMWORTH !"#$%&'!'()**)'!'+#,-./0%%&'!'1#22.'3)*4#5*''!'")+)%)' and services. *#1!3)67+#-'!'+##,##64)'!'1)4##%+5*&''!'+)6,#*+3 The 2024 Sonata N Line presents a choice of exterior paint colours, including Serenity White, Biophilic Ink, Abyss Black, Nocturne Grey, Ultimate Red, and Aero Silver matte, each with varying additional costs. In essence, while the Sonata N Line continues to reign as !"#$%&&$'"(#$ the flagship offering )*++&$)%&+) within the Sonata range, enthusiasts hoping for a fully-fledged Sonata 3456378439:;6:<9:66=9:<>8;?>4@ N model might need to content themselves with the N Line’s enhanced A/2$BC=44D4$)E=66EF$G439:; performance and !!!"#$%&'()'*&'))+&'*"#(,"$features, as Hyundai has .$#)/((0"#(,1#$%&'()'*&'))+&'* opted not to pursue a KYOGLE | DARRA | TOWNSVILLE | COFFS HARBOUR | ROCKHAMPTON | YATALA | TOOWOOMBA | CABOOLTURE | TAMWORTH
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