A Hot Hyundai - No, really.

[Jesda]

Studie SonataHyundai's hot new sedan gets even hotter. cars.ign.comby Justin Kaehler: http://cars.ign.com/email.html



August 17, 2005 -

Once in a great while, we'll get a great letter very much like the following piece written by a man that only goes by the name "G.C.". G.C. writes:

"In your article over Hyundai's new Sonata, you state that you believe if done right, it can be sick. Heres a Sonata that I believe is sick, done by Studie."

This letter is great for three reasons. One: G.C. admitted to reading something we wrote. That makes us feel good. Two: G.C. is actually agreeing with what we wrote. Nothing makes us feel better than when someone says we're right -- because we are never wrong. And Three: G.C. actually sent us some links of tricked-out Sonatas to show us just how right we are. We like this, as G.C. basically went and did some work for us.

When we did our "First Drive" of the all new Sonata, we liked the car and thought it had some potential. When we heard that the Sonata would most likely make an appearance at SEMA, we were hoping to see a Korean interpretation of a VIP-style sedan, which we believed, would look sick.

G.C. read the piece, agreed with us about the Sonata's styling, and then sent us links to Korean-tuned VIP-style Sonatas. As if we have to say it, these Sonatas look really freakin' sick. We can't read Korean, so most of the stuff you're about to read is pure speculation on our part. But we feel it's an educated guess, so we're gonna write it anyway.

Studie seems to be a Korean car shop that specializes in high-end cars, much like CEC here in Los Angeles. In Korea, one can stop by Studie and pick up the latest Braubus, TechArt or HAMANN parts for their rides. But the majority of cars in Korea are, not surprisingly, Korean, so Studie is capitalizing on its domestic market by offering parts for the latest Sonata.

The aero kit for this Sonata is just about perfect in our eyes. It makes the Sonata look less like a "bread-and-butter" sedan and more like an aggressive high-end machine. Luckily, the kit is tasteful and doesn't make the Sonata look like a cheap HIN reject. From what we can see, the kit consists of a front lip, new grille, side skirts, rear valance and a flush rear wing. While we don't know about all the non-body kit accessories for the Sonata, we can tell that Studie also offers an exhaust kit, HID light kit, shift knob and light-up kick panel for the car.

As you can tell by some of the pictures in the gallery, Studie has this Sonata share equal space with Benzes, BMWs and other "proper" luxury cars. If you ask us, the Studie Sonata looks right at home with those premium brands right at its side. Most Americans wouldn't have thought this to be possible. We know we would have a hard time believing it if we didn't see it...

Right now, Studie products are only available in Korea, so expect getting these parts to be a pain in the a**. We're hoping that Hyundai has Studie at the top of its sponsor list for this year's SEMA, as a Studie Sonata would work wonders for the company's PR. Hell, we'll be so bold as to suggest that Hyundai USA partner with Studie and start offering the parts through its dealerships. Volvo does so with EVOLV, and Ford does a similar thing with Roush and Saleen, so why not Hyundai? If Hyundai can get a Sonata that looks like this for under $30K (which we think is possible), there may be a hot new car on the show circuit in 2006.

http://cars.ign.com/articles/642/642443p1.html

[nismofly]

looks like an acura tsx / new saab combo

[Mr1der]

only cheaper and bigger.

and not a damn Saab...

[sean8564]

Hyundai = Crap Stolen Japanese Technology

[1991S13]

I like it.

If I saw it on the street I definately wouldn't think it was a Hyundai. I think it looks more like a Saab, or Volvo.

[MinisterofDOOM]

I cretainly wouldn't mistake it for something else, and my first reaction would probably be "ugh, korean poo"

But then I'd find myself saying "dayum. That's hot."

[240DRFT]

i kinda like it but then i remember its a hyundai. the first pic looks like a passat

[drftsil8ty]

Hyundai = Crap Stolen Japanese Technology

lol....lol

[elwesso]

Damn those things are hot..... I dont care if its a hyundai or what, thats a very nice and unique looking sedan... It is a nice break, IMHO, from the BMW and MB world, and I truely think that if the performance were up to par, it could compete... Its like owning a german car, without it actually being german!

[M3Racer]

Personally I'd rock it. Hyundai's made a complete turn around and are growing in style and comfort. The prices are cheap and its hard to beat their warranty.

[driverdriver]

When I look at that pick, I see Honda Accord, Saab and Audi roof line(from the last gen A6).

Still prefer the Saab 9-5 with Aero package.

[skydragoness]

Now if Hyundai made their sedan to look like that to BEGIN with, then they'd have more buyers. I like it, it definitely has the VIP sedan look

[Mr1der]

agreed.

it looks to be a fairly simple conversion on the plus side though...

maybe with the next incarnation it'll be a rwd powerful V8...

that'd rock.

especially if it was still under 30k...

[sensibleS13driver]

looks like an acura tsx / new saab combo

thats exactly what i was thinking, looks pretty good IMO

[PantherRacer]

hyundai has to hook up with studie. That kit is HOT. And the tib is gonna be rwd! hyundai just might be getting things right

[gabossie]

Hyundai has definatly been moving in a more positive direction, and that thing is hot!

[Rex]

The nose on the first pic SCREAMS Saab, and I'd agree with the others on the rest of the roof/trunk lines.

Sorry, looks aren't as important if it's in the shop or broke in the driveway most of the time.

[Sil40_Mayhem]

On looks alone, I have to say I dig it. I still have trouble getting over the fact that it's a Hyundai, but progress is being made. Apparently, over the last decade or so, the "other 'H' brand" has been stepping their game up. Styling, offers and value (with fully loaded models selling less than stripped-out versions of competing vehicles), and, dare I say it?; quality. While I wouldn't say they've achieved the level of reliability made famous by Japanese brands, I will say they've come a long way and seem to be progressing still. Not to mention, if the warranty outlasts the finance period, who's complaining?

[Mr1der]

hyundai's really aren't that bad...

they need to get more involved in motorsports however.

The sick part of me dreams for a Hyundai F1 team...

[PantherRacer]

Hyundai F1 team...

sniff sniff....do I smell an oxymoron?

[Mr1der]

I do belive they've got a rally team now...it's possible

[BadMojo]

I do belive they've got a rally team now...it's possible

They've been in the WRC for a few years now, although they aren't competing this year. They kind of sucked in the WRC, but no worse than Mitsubishi is doing this year.

I like Hyundai and think they're fast approaching quality levels of Toyota or Honda. A few more years, and I bet reliability, build quality and resale value will be challenging that of the big Japanese manufacturers.

The Tiburon is reliable, the original styled by Giugiaro (commendable when most Toyota products look like they're styled by someone's grandfather) and of decent build quality (crappy paint but no worse than Subaru, IMO).

The new Sonata no longer looks like the poor man's Jaguar. Definitely think Hyundai is going in the right direction.