2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Facelift Revealed In Korea, New R Diesel Engines

THE 2009 HYUNDAI SANTA FE CRDi Elite won its share of friends at the TMR office for its pleasant interior, driving comfort, versatility and value-for-money pricing. Now, images and details of the 2010 facelift have been revealed in Korea, Hyundai's home ground.

Only the one image has been revealed thus far, but it's clear at least that the main focus of the facelift has been to the fascia, with a sportier grille and more aggressive fog-light housings surrounding the bottom centre air intake, while the headlights appear unchanged.

It remains to be seen if any changes have been made to the interior or rear end, but all will likely be revealed soon.

As expected, the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe benefits from the addition of Hyundai's new 'R' range of diesel engines, consisting of two four-cylinder engines weighing in at 2.0 and 2.2 litres, the first developing 137kW and 392Nm of torque, while the second produces 149kW and 436Nm of torque.

Both engines are paired with a new six-speed automatic transmission that Hyundai claims will improve fuel economy by more than 12 percent. Hyundai is only the third manufacturer in the world to develop its own six-speed automatic transaxle, with Toyota and a GM/Ford joint venture rounding out the trio.

The new transmission, which weighs in at 12kg lighter and with 62 fewer parts than the company's current five-speed automatic, has been developed for transverse engine application in passenger vehicles.

The European market version will likely debut at Frankfurt before going on sale in the last quarter of this year, with other markets, including Australia, to follow.

[via TheCarBlogger]