In the face of escalating fuel prices and demand for fuel-efficient cars, Hyundai plans to add a 4-cylinder engine to the Santa Fe crossover when it is redesigned in 2010. The second-generation 2.4L Theta engine that is expected to be in the Santa Fe debuted in the 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The current Santa Fe is available in either a 2.7L V6 or 3.3L V6 guise."The redesigned Santa Fe also will get a six-speed automatic transmission," said John Krafcik, vice president of product planning for Hyundai Motor America. Krafcik also stated that when the Tucson is redesigned in 2010, the V6 will be dropped in favor of a possible turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.
"We are focusing on fuel-efficient cars," Krafcik said. "We have a much greater capacity now for 1.6- to 2.0-liter engines." For 2009, Hyundai has tweaked the 1.6L engine in the Accent, which results in a 2MPG improvement in mileage. Hyundai will also commence production of the Theta II 4-cylinder engine in its Montgomery, Alabama. As of now, Hyundai produces all its 4-cylinder engines in Ulsan, South Korea.
[Source: Autoweek]
