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2020 Hyundai Sonata to Ride on New Platform

2020 Hyundai Sonata
Photo: Hyundai
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Derek Boshouwers
The new architecture should bring improvements in three areas: safety, performance and fuel efficiency

After first releasing a few images of its next-generation 2020 Hyundai Sonata, the Korean automaker has shared some details about the upcoming model’s inner workings. Most notable is that the car will ride on a new third-generation platform conceived to improve the car’s performance in terms of safety, driving dynamics and fuel efficiency.

Safety
How does it do this? For one, the platform makes use of super-high tensile steel and hot-stamped parts to prevent the passenger space caving in when a collision occurs.

Two, the platform gets a multi-load path structure designed to improve the vehicle’s ability to absorb energy during a collision. In the case of a small overlap collision (in which the front corner of the vehicle is the point of impact), the tires will move outward to prevent spinning and secondary collisions.

Photo: Hyundai

Performance
The centre of gravity of the car is lower with the new platform, thanks to a displacement of heavy components like the drivetrain, and of the floor and the seats, all while lateral stiffness has been increased. All of this helps improve handling, says Hyundai. The company is also promising better sound insulation for the cabin and reduced vibration.

Efficiency
In this area, Hyundai has worked to improve the air flow to the engine bay and enabled better heat dissipation.

Hyundai specifies that the new platform will eventually migrate to other new products from the manufacturer.

One detail not divulged by the automaker was the makeup of the powertrain that will run the new platform. We’ll have to wait a little longer for that.

Photo: Hyundai

The 2020 Sonata will feature bigger dimensions, with overall length and width both increasing in relation to the outgoing model. From the photos we can also deduce that the next Sonata will be more upscale both inside and out than the last.

Article by Auto123.com

Photo: Hyundai
Derek Boshouwers
Derek Boshouwers
Automotive expert
  • Over 5 years' experience as an automotive journalist
  • More than 50 test drives in the past year
  • Participation in over 30 new vehicle launches in the presence of the brand's technical specialists