Fans of automobiles are already well aware of the New Sonata's major shift in design philosophy under the banner of Sensuous Sportiness. The drawing board certainly had major bold outlines redrawn, but the less-obvious details have also received a great deal of attention.
Obsession with every aspect, even the most trivial details, is a hallmark of any luxury brand. The meticulous detail and attention comes from an unyielding will to see the New Sonata placed on the global stage as a trend-setting medium-size sedan. Read on for more about the details that give new emotion to the New Sonata. They are easy to miss, sometimes small and delicate, sometimes just hidden.
Brilliantly hidden charm
The new Sonata's LED daytime running lights (DRLs) have a gradient effect achieved by varying laser densities in production
The brilliant shining jewel-like headlamps are highlights of the Sonata design. The headlamp surface texture is consistent to the body of the Sonata, and inside the headlamp are beautiful details like delicately cut crystal. When the headlamps are turned on, the white LED light reflects off the angled facets in a show of brilliantly vivid symphony of light.
A closer look at the Sonata's headlamps reveals exquisite craftmanship blending skill and emotion. The designers call it gradation-hidden lighting technology. When the lights are off, it looks like an ordinary chrome garnish wrapped around the headlamp. When the lights come on, the chrome garnish gives off subtle rays of LED lighting. The secret to the effect is a highly elaborate laser-etching process. The gradation is achieved by etching the chrome over the LED at different intensity and intervals.
Rear combination lamp controls airflow
The LEDs wrapped around the Sonata's trunk lid glows gently like a mood lamp
The trunk lid is like a coupe's rear spoiler, and works well with the ramped-up LED tail lamp. The tail lamp is composed of 5 pieces: top and bottom of the trunk, and the signal lamps on either side. When the taillamps are turned on, the five lamps appear integrated as a single connected lamp, accentuating the Sonata's low and stable stance.
Aeropins are strategically positioned to minimize aerodynamic resistance
See those small protruding fins just above the tail lamp? They are aeropins for better aerodynamic performance. There are 6 on each side, for a total 12 aeropins. They reduce the air foil generated by the air flowing over the roof and the rear trunk, removing unwanted vortices. Interesting to note, the aeropins on the left and right tail lamps are positioned at slightly different angles for optimal airflow. It is just one less obvious, yet unique and functional design on the New Sonata.
Luxurious materials and elegant design sensibilities
The leather is perforated in a pattern to improve ventilation
Changes in the New Sonata are also clearly visible in the interior. The napa leather seat trim in the Sonata Inspiration with the stitch patterns and the perforations give seats room to breathe. The perforations in the seats allow more air to circulate and has a cooling effect, something that would prove useful in the hot temperatures we are experiencing lately. The perforations make the seats more resistant to wrinkling, as well as enhancing the overall design. Extra care and attention was put into perforations where our body has more contact.
The leatherette on the crash pad, the aluminum trim, ambient lighting all blend together exquisitely
The Sonata's dashboard stands out with its sensuous melding of design and technology. The leatherette-covered crash pad has added stitching to give it more character. The chrome line ambient lighting combination is also stunning. The subtle LED lighting technology adds a touch of emotion to the ambient light, with a total 64 colors and 10 expert-recommended colors.
Diamond details in the interior
Detailed diamond patterns on the turn-signal indicator lever and the wiper lever
Detailed finishing touches often speak for the quality any product. The New Sonata features many design touches that are not immediately obvious. Diamond patterns are one such design. The Sonata's turn-signal indicator lever and the window wiper lever have a detailed finish of diamond patterns on the handle. The pattern not only feels great to the touch, but also pleasing just to behold. The HVAC control dial also features the same details. It is the outcome of outstanding design that achieves both form and function.
A closer look at the hub of the alloy rims shows a diamond-inspired take on the center lock
The many crossing spokes in the Sonata's alloy wheels give it a sense of balance. Big enough to fill the wheel arches, the two-tone black-and-silver keeps the design interesting. The most eye-catching part of the wheel is at its center. Like center locks commonly used in race cars, the diamond-patterned trim crowns the Hyundai emblem.
The beauty of shift-by-wire
Electronic gear-shifter buttons feature a smooth texture with the cold metallic material and the black high-gloss finish
The transmission system evolved rapidly from manual systems to automatic systems, but the gear-lever itself maintained its overall shape, as if by tradition. The New Sonata made a bold choice to use electronic shift buttons, using shift-by-wire technology.
Electronic signals replace the shifting movement of the gear-lever, needing only a set of neatly set buttons. A small storage space has now replaced the gear-lever housing. Other design elements were also added to match the smart mobility device concept. The high-gloss material and ergonomic palm rest shape is a pleasure for the eyes as much as it is for the hands.
LCD cluster opens new possibilities
The 12.3-inch full-LCD cluster provides crisp, easy-to-identify driving information
Advancements in digital technologies have also found their way onto the New Sonata's dashboard. The New Sonata offers a futuristic cockpit with its 12.3-inch full LCD cluster. The LCD cluster is a hyper-useful testimony to the smart advancements that the Sonata has been undergoing, from the familiar analog-layout of the cluster, crisp image quality that makes driving information highly readable, and graphics that change with the integrated driving mode.
The New Sonata is packed with beautiful, sophisticated details that may not be the first thing you notice about the sporty design. Up close and personal, you begin to notice and appreciate bits and pieces of thoughtful details and tasteful execution put into some of the least expected aspects of the car. It also speaks worlds about the degree of care and meticulous attention Hyundai Motor put into creating the New Sonata.
The planning behind the New Sonata was to create something much more than a well-received medium sedan. It is a message that speaks of where the future of mobility will take us. We encourage you to take a closer look at the New Sonata, to appreciate the smaller, hidden things, first hand. There is much to love about the New Sonata, with its charming mix of style and function.
