2011 Hyundai Sonata Packing Power, Mileage

The four-cylinder engine powering Hyundai’s upcoming 2011 Sonata sedan will get an expected 35 mpg highway, the automaker announced. This bests any other midsize sedan on sale today; its closest competitor is the Ford Fusion, which in its S trim level can get 34 mpg highway with an automatic transmission. However, the Sonata will also pack 200 horsepower and 186 pounds-feet of torque, which will make it the most powerful four-cylinder in the class, as well.

The engine is the company’s first use of direct injection. The transmission that will gain the top mileage hasn't been announced yet. The engine was designed in Michigan and will be built in Alabama. The 2011 Sonata goes on sale in the first half of 2010.

2011 Hyundai Sonata: First Look

Hyundai unveiled the completely redesigned Sonata midsize sedan in Korea earlier this week. It’s a very different look than the current car. We’ve noticed a recent trend in car design that favors oversized grilles with multiple slats on them.

The car won’t go on sale in the U.S. until next year as a 2011 model. It will be built in Alabama, and the U.S. version will come standard with a direct-injected, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. A likely V-6-equipped top trim level hasn’t been announced.

Hyundai didn’t reveal specs for the 2.4-liter, but the company says it will come with standard stability control and an electronic parking brake.

A few more images are below.

2011 Hyundai Sonata's Radical New Look

Today, Hyundai released two sketches of the next-generation Sonata midsize sedan. Orders are already being taken in Korea ahead of its official launch there on Sept. 10; the Sonata won’t hit the U.S. until 2010 as a 2011 model.

We expect to learn and see a lot more of the Sonata next week, but we do know that the Korean version will have a six-speed automatic transmission and 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. The current Sonata has a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with a five-speed automatic transmission returning 22/32 mpg city/highway. This new engine looks to be more efficient. Electronic stability control will be standard across the line.

Other features and options include a panoramic sunroof, steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles and a push-button ignition.

The fastback look in these images seems a wild departure for the typically sedate Hyundai. One more image is below.

Hyundai Advances Dealers Cash for Clunkers Funds

The government hasn’t finished registering dealers for its Cash for Clunkers program yet, and rules for how funds will be distributed haven’t been released to the public or dealers. Hyundai isn’t waiting, however. The company is supplying cash funds to dealers now in advance of CARS going into effect. In fact, it already paid one car shopper last week for turning in a 1995 Ford Explorer while purchasing a new Hyundai Elantra Touring.

Hyundai is being aggressive with its latest incentives, as the company is one of the few to see sales success since the economic downturn. It’s still offering its Assurance plan, and this month it launched a gas incentive good for $1.49-a-gallon gas for a year.

You can check out our up-to-date guide to Cash for Clunkers here, as well as a full list of eligible vehicles (by mpg) here.

Hyundai Expedites Benefits of Cash for Clunkers (AutoRemarketing.com)

Details Emerge on Hyundai Cash Back, $1.49 Gas

Yesterday, Hyundai announced its new $1.49 gallon of gas incentive. Buyers of new Hyundais would get a guaranteed price of $1.49 per gallon of gas for a year rather than traditional cash-back incentives. Today, Hyundai has released which models not only get the gas offer, but also include additional cash back.

The full list is below.

Recall Alert: 2002-03 Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai has issued a recall for 91,202 Sonata vehicles from the 2002-03 model years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The recall is due to a thin chrome plate on the interior door handle.

After enough wear, the chrome plating on the upper edge of the handle may crack or separate, leaving a sharp edge protruding from the door handle. This could cause a scrape or laceration.

Dealers will repair the chrome-plated interior door handle for free. Owners may contact the Hyundai customer assistance center at 800-633-5151 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 888-327-4236.