2012 Hyundai i45 Updated For Korea, No Australian Update Planned

Update: 22 July - Hyundai Australia comment added, see bottom of article.

Hyundai has announced a number of updates to the Korean-market i45 sedan (Sonata in Korea), bringing minor cosmetic tweaks and a revised powertrain line-up. 

On the styling front, the story remains largely unchanged. There's a subtly revised grille design, along with redesigned side mirrors and new optional 18-inch wheels.

At the rear, there are new Sonata Hybrid-inspired LED tail-lights, and the cabin gets higher-quality materials, updated trim options and a chilled glove compartment.

For 2012, Hyundai has done away with the i45's 2.4 litre petrol engine for the Korean market, replacing it with the company's more powerful 202kW turbocharged 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine. 

At the entry-level end of the range, Hyundai's 121kW 2.0 litre MPI four-cylinder engine (recently introduced to the Australian line-up) is featured.

Australia

A 2012 update to the Australian i45 line-up has yet to be confirmed, and with the 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine only recently introduced, it could be some time before these updates make it to Australia. 

Hyundai's Australian arm has long remained tight-lipped on the prospect of the turbo four making it to Australian models. It's currently available with left-hand-drive models only.

It remains unclear if we will see this more powerful engine in local showrooms. TMR has contacted Hyundai for more information - watch this space.

Update: 22 July 2011 - Speaking with TMR today, Hyundai Australia's Stephen Howard confirmed that there is no i45 update on the horizon.

"The changes shown here are for the domestic Korean market only. There are local no changes to i45 in the foreseeable future," Mr Howard said.