2011 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2011 Kia Sorento Recalled for Defective Brakes

The Hyundai Group has issued a separate recall for each of the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2011 Kia Sorento over the same issue concerning the rear brake calipers that may not have been properly machined.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the defective calipers could lead to brake fluid leak, followed by illumination of the malfunction indicator light indicating the brake fluid level is low and should be checked, then a soft or spongy brake pedal feel. If the problem is not taken care of, it will lead to reduced braking power.

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Report: Hyundai May Build New Elantra in U.S., Move Santa Fe Production to Kia Plant

A Korean newspaper has reported that Hyundai plans to build the North American market version of its new Elantra saloon (otherwise known as the Avante) at its Alabama plant starting from April 2011 in order to reduce costs.

The report from The Chosun Ilbo, which cites a Korean Hyundai spokesman as its source, goes on to say that the Elantra will replace the current Santa Fe SUV at the Alabama factory adding that the Santa Fe's replacement, which is due in mid-2011, will be moved to sister company Kia's plant in Georgia.

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Detroit Show: Refreshed 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe gets New 2.4-liter Four-Cylinder and 3.5-liter V6 Engines

Oddly enough, even though the refreshed N.A.-spec 2010 Santa Fe is already available at Hyundai dealers, the Korean automaker waited for the Detroit auto show to release official information on its mid-size crossover. The big news for the 2010MY Santa Fe are the new four-cylinder and V6 engines that are paired to six-speed transmissions improving both fuel economy and vehicle performance.

Replacing the outgoing 2.7-liter V6 with 185HP and 183 lb-ft of torque is Hyundai's second generation 2.4-liter DOHC Theta II inline four-cylinder engine that makes 175 horsepower and 169 lb.-ft. of torque.

Despite the fact that it's less powerful, Hyundai says that the four-cylinder engine delivers quicker zero-to-60 miles-per-hour acceleration (no numbers were released) and better fuel economy than its predecessor.

The Korean maker announces a 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway fuel economy rating with front wheel drive and the new six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC ('09 2.7 V6 FWD five-speed manual: 17mpg / 24mpg)

The 2009 Santa Fe's Lambda 3.3-liter V6 engine has also been replaced by a new Lambda II 3.5-liter V6 engine that churns out 34 more horsepower and 22 more pound-feet of torque for an overall output of 276HP and 248 lb.-ft.

The mileage figures for the 3.5 V6-powered Santa Fe are 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (FWD/AT).

Along with the new powertrains, the 2010 Santa Fe also received a mild exterior makeover with new bumper fascias, foglights, bodyside moldings, wheels and grille.

Also new for 2010 is the fuel economy indicator on automatic transmission models, rollover sensors for the side curtain airbags and a new touch screen navigation system.

Facelifted Hyundai Santa Fe Priced Lower than Outgoing Model in the UK

Hyundai has released pricing for its revised 2010 Santa Fe that goes on sale in the UK on the 4th of January 2010. Despite the various upgrades that include minor exterior and interior styling tweaks but most importantly, a new 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine that makes 197-horsepower and is the only powerplant offered in Britain, the new Santa Fe is priced lower than the outgoing '09 model with prices now ranging from £21,495 to £25,495 (at new 17.5% VAT rate).

For the 2010 model year, Hyundai has simplified the Santa Fe's range with a two-model line-up now comprising of the entry-level Style and the higher spec Premium.

The Style's standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, reversing sensors, carbon black interior trim (replaces the previous model's wood trim), a new CD/RDS radio with an AUX/USB connection and full iPod control, ESP and air conditioning.

Move up to the Premium model and you get 18-inch wheels, dual climate control, heated leather seats with electric adjustment for the driver and automated lights and wipers.

Hyundai’s 38mpg Santa Fe blue Hybrid Revealed

Maintaining the Santa Fe’s overall design and dynamics, Hyundai has developed a hybrid study of its mid-size SUV model that will make its world premiere at the Paris motorshow. The Korean automaker’s engineers have equipped the Santa Fe with a proprietary parallel hybrid drive system that mates the 2.4-litre Theta engine to a 41PS electric motor coupled directly to the six-speed automatic transmission. Electrical power is stored in a 270V Lithium Polymer rechargeable battery. -Continued

To further reduce fuel consumption, Hyundai’s engineers also optimized the 2.4-litre petrol engine’s ECU module and revised major driveline and cooling system components. Other improvements over the standard Santa Fe include the low resistance tires and the extended top three gear ratios. Together these changes allow the Santa Fe to deliver a fuel consumption figure in the EU combined cycle of 6.2 lt/100km or 38 mpg US with CO2 emissions of 148 g/km. According to Hyundai, the Santa Fe blue Hybrid can achieve a top speed of 170 km/h or 105 mph.