Hyundai previews 2016 Santa-Fe facelift
The who’s who of automobile manufacturers are expected to be present at the 66th edition of the prestigious Frankfurt Motor Show (International Motor Show/IAA Cars, if you would prefer). With the doors set to open in less than a fortnight, it is going to be interesting to track the new car launches that might be of relevance to buyers on our shores.
Hyundai, the Indian number two, has sent out feelers that they’ll be unveiling their 2016 Santa Fe SUV here. There’s a host of feature additions expected, along with a minor facelift. These however would only be for the five-seat variant, is what we’ve heard so far. The seven-seat variant sold her in India too should see the changes being incorporated by the time the car reaches our shores.
The key updates in the 2016 Santa Fe face-lift include a redesigned bumper up front, together with a fresh take on the fog lamps. The headlamps are new, as are the LED DRL’s (Daylight Running Lamps). Wrapping things up at the front is a new chrome grille which is now bigger than before, even as it maintains the family look.
The side profile remains the same, although Hyundai is offering a new design on the alloy wheels for the 2016 model year. At the rear, the bumper has been redesigned and the exhaust tips are now rectangular.
Hyundai seem to have lavished particular care on the inside, with the in-car infotainment system sporting a larger size and and featuring added controls to make things easier. The interior trim has been spruced up, with better plastics and other material finishes being used. Their commitment to passenger safety and convenience is renewed with the 2016 Santa Fe getting emergency braking functions, cross-traffic alert system at the rear and a smart cruise-control feature. Additionally, the Santa Fe also gets a new system that should help the driver in detecting potential blind spots. The car also gets lane change and high-beam assist for model year 2016.
Mechanically things remain unchanged, with the quad-cylinder, turbo-charged common-rail diesel motor continuing to doing duty in 2.2 Litre guise. The powerplant tops out at 194 bhp with torque figures varying between 421 to 436Nm depending on whether you choose the row-box or the automatic version. Both ‘boxes are a six-speed affair, though the 2016 Santa-Fe facelift is expected to arrive on our shores sporting the auto-box option.
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