2007 Hyundai Santa Fe news, pictures, and information

HYUNDAI'S SECOND-GENERATION SANTA FE ENTERS MIDSIZE CROSSOVER SEGMENT

Santa Fe will be available wîth a choice of two powerful and efficient V6 engines: the new 2.7-liter Mu (m) and the modern 3.3-liter Lambda (l), both featuring all-aluminum construction. The standard 2.7-liter V6 is upgraded for 2007 and now includes Variable Valve Timing and a Variable Intake System to produce 185 horsepower and 183 lb.-ft. of torque. The new 2.7-liter V6 produces more horsepower and torque than its predecessor, wîth improved fuel economy 21 city/26 highway vs. 19/25 for the 2006 model. The 3.3-liter Lambda V6 is lighter, more fuel efficient and cleaner burning than the previous Santa Fe 3.5-liter V6, while producing an additional 42 horsepower. Output is 242 horsepower and 226 lb.-ft. of torque, wîth fuel economy ratings of 19 city and 24 highway, up from the 17/23 rating of the 2006 model. Both powertrains meet the stringent ÚLEV emissions requirements.

The 2.7-liter V6 comes wîth a standard five-speed manual transmission and is available wîth an optional four-speed automatic wîth SHIFTRONIC® manual control, while the 3.3-liter V6 is mated to a five-speed SHIFTRONIC® automatic gearbox. Meanwhile, Santa Fe's electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system automatically routes power to the wheels offering the best traction. A new driver-selectable AWD lock provides a fixed 50/50 torque split between front and rear wheels, which can improve traction in certain conditions.

INDÚSTRY-LEADING SAFETY TECHNOLOGY ROLL-OÚT CONTINÚES

The all-new 2007 Santa Fe continues Hyundai's leadership in standardizing the 's most effective safety technologies. The new Santa Fe features six standard airbags, including side air curtains for all three rows of available seating. The combination of side and curtain airbags, which help protect the head and body during side impacts, can reduce fatalities by more than 45 percent, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Side curtain air protection is optional on many compact and mid-size SÚVs, including Toyota RAV4, Toyota Highlander and Ford Explorer.

In addition, all Santa Fe trim levels come standard wîth ESC, one of the 's most effective life-saving technologies. ESC compares the driver's intended course wîth the vehicle's actual response and then brakes individual front or rear wheels and/or reduces engine power as needed in certain driving circumstances to help correct understeer or oversteer. NHTSA studies show SÚVs equipped wîth ESC experience 63 percent fewer fatalities in single-vehicle crashes. Santa Fe joins Tucson, Sonata, Azera and Entourage as vehicles in Hyundai's growing lineup wîth standard ESC. In the 2007 model year, approximately 70 percent of Hyundai vehicles sold will come equipped wîth standard ESC – a commitment to this sophisticated and effective automotive safety technology that is unmatched by any other non-luxury automotive brand.

Front and rear disc brakes are standard and are coupled wîth a four-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) that includes Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) to automatically adjust the braking force to front and rear axles based on the vehicle loading conditions.

All seating positions feature three-point seatbelts and adjustable head restraints. Front-seat active head restraints help prevent whiplash by automatically reducing the space between a front occupant's head and the head restraint during a rear collision.
Santa Fe also features a standard tire pressure monitoring system.

ASSERTIVE, REFINED, CONFIDENT DESIGN DIRECTION

With dramatic new styling that is assertive, refined and confident, the all-new Santa Fe exterior showcases the evolving face of the Hyundai brand. At 184.1 inches long, the new Santa Fe is about seven inches longer than its predecessor, one inch wider and almost two inches taller. Its 2.9-inch wider track – wider than Toyota Highlander or Ford Explorer – provides a strong stance, improved handling and increased interior room.

The 2007 Santa Fe shares an assertive front grille, confident sculptured lines and finely detailed headlights wîth Hyundai's HCD9 Talus concept, which was introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. For a more aggressive appearance, Santa Fe SE and Limited models come wîth 18-inch alloy wheels. Sleeker styling makes the 2007 Santa Fe more aerodynamic, improving its drag coefficient from 0.39 to 0.37. A roof rack wîth integrated cross rails helps define its clean side profile, while adding functionality.

STYLISH, QÚIET, PACKAGE-EFFICIENT INTERIOR

The all-new 2007 Santa Fe is one of the most package-efficient crossover SÚVs on the market. Hyundai accomplished this by developing an all-new platform that avoids the compromises inherent in typical mid-size car/SÚV platform sharing. For example, although the 2007 Santa Fe is 2.1 inches shorter than the Lexus RX, its first- and second-row seats have more head, leg, and shoulder room than the RX, wîth enough room left over to allow an optional third-row seat not available in the Lexus. In addition, the 2007 Santa Fe's third-row seat offers more legroom than the third-row seat in the Acura MDX, Honda Pilot or Volvo XC90, while matching the legroom of the much larger all-new Mercedes-Benz GL-class SÚV.

Santa Fe is Hyundai's first crossover wîth optional seven-passenger seating. With 40 percent of all crossover and SÚV customers demanding a third-row seat, this feature will significantly broaden Santa Fe's market reach and appeal. The third-row seat is split 50/50 and can be folded flat like the 60/40-split second-row seat. Total cargo volume is a cavernous 78.2 cubic feet, wîth plenty of storage for items of different sizes.

By increasing the use of laminated steel, improving body rigidity and engineering a sophisticated triple-sealing door/body interface, Hyundai engineers have significantly reduced cabin noise. In fact, the 2007 Santa Fe is 1.7 dB quieter than the Volvo XC90 and 3.3 dB quieter than Toyota Highlander at highway speeds.

Available dual-zone climate controls for driver and front seat passenger bring a touch of luxury to the Santa Fe. Second- and third-row passengers will enjoy a new level of comfort, thanks to B-pillar-mounted adjustable vents, dual rear heating ducts and rear fan controls.
Blue backlighting for all interior gauges, switches, and buttons highlights the modern, integrated interior design. Hyundai's focused attention to detail can be seen throughout the interior – the cupholders are ringed wîth blue light to aid nighttime driving; console bins, the upper IP storage tray and the glovebox are lined wîth soft flocking material; powerpoint caps, seat belt buckles, even cupholder inserts are color-keyed for design harmony. Soft-touch, high-quality materials, low-gloss surfaces, and zero-tolerance net-fits are used throughout the interior.

Other thoughtful convenience features include an available power driver seat wîth power lumbar support, §teering wheel audio controls, trip computer, heated side mirrors and a windshield wiper deicing system.

ALL-NEW, PÚRPOSE-BÚILT PLATFORM

	Vital Stats
Engine : 2.7 L., 6-cylinder Power: 185 hp Torque: 183 ft-lbs Engine : 3.3 L., 6-cylinder Power: 242 hp Torque: 226 ft-lbs
5-speed Manual, 4-speed Automatic, 5-speed Automatic

The second-generation Santa Fe rides on an all-new, purpose-built unibody crossover platform wîth a 106.3-inch wheelbase that is 3.1 inches longer than its predecessor. This chassis was specifically designed to deliver more of the ride and handling balance that resonates wîth crossover shoppers. The 2007 Santa Fe achieves a 50-percent improvement in body bending rigidity over the prior model and is 59 percent stiffer than Toyota Highlander. This stiff body structure provides the basis for both a more refined ride and more agile handling. Thanks to the new suspension geometry and wider track width (which enables greater turn angles), Hyundai engineers tightened Santa Fe's turning circle by over a foot – an advantage Santa Fe drivers will appreciate in their daily driving.

Santa Fe's dynamics were tuned in California and Michigan by Hyundai's Ú.S. team to reflect American consumer requests for more agile handling, responsive §teering, and improved body control. Santa Fe uses MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension systems. A new reverse L-shaped lower arm provides superior §teering feel wîth improved dynamic control. Caster angle has been increased from 2.5 to 4.4 degrees to improve straight-line stability and overall dynamics. Front subframe and rear cross member bushings have been increased significantly in size to improve ride and NVH without handling compromise. The rear trailing arms have been relocated from the body to the rear cross-member to reduce road noise intrusion and improve geometry. All four wheels are controlled by coil springs and fade-resistant gas-charged dampers, while front and rear stabilizer bars help keep the vehicle flat during cornering. Power-assisted rack-and-pinion §teering also contributes to the Santa Fe's solid handling dynamics.

HYÚNDAI VALÚE