The new Sonata is one of the most talked about new cars in Korea, and its design is a major part of it. The new design pays homage to the original Sonata design, but also features unique details and dynamic design flourishes. There is a lot to unpack on the Sonata, visually and conceptually.
What decisions and behind-the-scenes discussions led to the final design?To find the answers, we met the designer behind the new Sonata and listened to what efforts were put in and challenges overcome. The first designer we met was Lee Ji-heon, lead researcher on the Hyundai Exterior Design Team 1.
Lead Researcher Lee was a key voice in the new design
Q. You obviously put everything on the line for this design, and there was a lot at stake, especially for you to succeed. What were you going through at that time?
Obviously, there was pressure, but it was what we needed to perform optimally. Looking back, I think our team pulled through very well and that's how we were able to complete the design.
YF Sonata had caused a similar ripple when it came out, and I think that was the place we went to in our minds, to stay motivated and focused. It helped us reach deep to find that driving force, to be able to define our design identity, and bring forward this beauty unique to the Sonata. At the time VP Luc Donkerwolke who just joined us as global head of design, and Director Lee Sang-yup who just came in to develop overall design strategy and direction. I remember working day and night to establish a design vernacular for Sonata.
Automobile designs are intangible in many regards. Expressing it in an objective manner with a unified voice and establishing an identity recognized across the industry is a difficult task. But great challenges can reward you with a tremendous sense of accomplishment. We went through countless iterations of design elements before reaching the current one that was released.
The 8th Generation Sonata embodies Hyundai's Sensuous Sportiness design language and is the first model to embody it
Q. What seeded the design concept for the 8th Generation Sonata?
I can answer that in two parts: Put the Sonata back on the map as Hyundai's quintessential model, and to do it by completely going beyond former iterations. Hyundai Motor's previous design identity was Fluidic Sculpture, and when we tried to progressively evolve from that concept, we were able to reach and establish the new design identity of Sensuous Sportiness.
While Fluidic Sculpture was inspired by nature's vitality, vibrancy, and dynamic properties, Sensuous Sportiness is about proportion, architecture, styling, and technology. Like the name states, it is about sportiness with emotive appeal. With that new identity, we wanted to bring change on the road and reveal the aesthetics inherent to automobiles.
Q. As you mentioned, the Sonata is iconic to Hyundai Motor. When there is an established identity, you have to find balance between paying close homage and bringing something new to the table. How did you approach that for the 8th Generation Sonata?
We drew some aspects from 6th Generation YF. We derived some sportiness from it, and that was all. We wanted to shed that quintessential family sedan perception. The aim was to create something sporty and sexy, desirable to all. I think we succeeded. One might say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but the new Sonata's body silhouette and voluptious contouring really is as close to objective beauty as one can get.
Alongside the 8th Generation Sonata release was the Le Fil Rouge concept car, designed concurrently. Look closely and you'll spot some Sonata traits in the concept car
Q. So the Le Fil Rouge concept car design happened alongside the 8th Generation Sonata. How did the concept car affect the new Sonata?
The Sonata design came first. When we moved on from the second design model to the approved design model, that was when the Le Fil Rouge concept design began. That overlap in design process meant that design language was shared, and this resulted in the new Sonata having some aspects of forward-looking design. The 8th Generation Sonata and the Le Fil Rouge concept car synergistically helped establish Hyundai Motor's new design identity.
8th Generation Sonata features a coupe-like design sensibility
Q. The 8th Generation Sonata leaves behind the obvious 4-door sedan design and opts for a thrilling coupe-like style. What sparked this change?
The 8th Generation Sonata is built on the new 3rd Generation Platform, which opened up more options in terms of overal form and proportions. The 6th and 7th Generation Sonata were built on the 2nd Generation Platform with a cab forward design (the wind shield aligns close to the center of the front wheel). The 8th Generation Sonata shifted its center of gravity to the rear, resulting in a more coupe-like style 4-door design.
The 3rd Generation Platform was the biggest factor that allowed 8th Generation Sonata to have this new dynamic proportion
Q. So the new platform was the leading factor in the new Sonata's stylish design.
Exactly right. From the very beginning, the new Sonata's design team collaborated closely with the platform development team and the package team. It was through collaboration that bodywork proportions were set and design specifications were finalized. As a designer, the opportunity to work on a new design on a new platform was truly a great pleasure.
The hidden lighting DRL that connects with the headlamp is another great detail on the 8th Generation Sonata
Q. A major design accent on the Sonata is the hidden lighting under the chrome garnish that turns into a DRL when the ignition turns. How was that developed?
The initial design of the DRL did not take into account for the chrome garnish. But the R&D Center came up with the half mirror (partially opaque and reflective mirror) technology, and there was a suggestion that it would make for a signature look. The concept had great appeal, but the development and implementation was quite a challenge.
The main issue was getting the LED illumination to blend in with the chrome garnish. Without a good taper of the illumination, the overall design would look forced and unnatural. We were in some long talks with the lamp design supervisor, concerning whether a standard or translucent chrome, how the gradation could be achieved from a technical stand point.We went through thousands of samples from the lamp vendor before arriving where we are at now.
The rear view of the new Sonata was inspired by a large rear spoiler
Q. The 8th Generation Sonata adopted the horizontally connected bar-shape design for the rear lamps. Is this an emerging trend? It is being adopted around the world.
That's a good question, and it is true that more automakers are using that design, but I wouldn't say that is a design trend. I would say it is a of a particular design intention for particular types of cars being reflected in the design.
I think the 8th Generation Sonata's rear lamp design is on the same trajectory. The raised tip of the trunk lid also serves as the rear spoiler. It not only works great as a design, but also enhances aerodynamic performance. It is a summary embodiment of Hyundai's Sensuous Sportiness deisgn language.The horizontal bar design of the tail lamp further concretized the rear-spoiler design.
Q. The automarket is shifting its focus away from sedans and towards SUVs or crossover types. How does this shifting balance affect your decision to design a sedan?
When quality of life improves, work-life balance and leisure becomes a point of interest. That change is reflected in the automarket as growing interst in SUVs and crossover-type vehicles. Nonetheless, the sedan segment is still very much there. We wanted the 8th iteration Sonata to break out of the sedan mold, to find its own identity as the quintessential Hyundai model, or the Key Car loved by the consumers.
The aesthetic design of the 8th Generation Sonata also serves the sporty driving performance
Q. The 8th Generation Sonata's sportiness is more than just the style, but also in the driving sensibility. Where does performance and design meet in the the new Sonata?
The Sonata shed away its former modest, but unexciting look for a more visually appealing sporty design. We didn't stop at just appearance; it actually functionally impacts the driving performance of the new Sonata.
As mentioned earlier, a spoiler is on the rear trunk lid, air curtains on the front bumper, and aero fins atop the taillights. The angle of departure of the rear bumper increased for aerodynamic performance. These small but effective elements combine to generate a significant aerodynamic advantage, and improve driving stability.
The body contour was made in collaboration with the aerodynamics team, so it would improve aerodynamic performance. Although not immediately apprent as the surface is intricatley finished, the Sonata's overall silhouette is sleek and streamlined. If you get to drive the new Sonata, that correlation between aerodynamic design and driving stability becomes immediately noticable.
Lead Researcher Lee Ji-heon hopes that the 8th Generation Sonata leaves a long-lasting impression of beauty
Q. Sonata is not only a design familiar in Korea, but has been the face of Hyundai and Korea around the world. What is the design impression you wish to leave?
Obviously, I hope people remember it as an aesthetic car. I hope that the design introduces a type of beauty into the otherwise stark urbanscape. Hopefullly it'll come to be seen as something of desirable ownership.
The beauty of the new Sonata is immediately and intuitively apparent
Lead Researcher Lee Ji-heon who oversaw the exterior design emphasized the aesthetically pleasing design multiple times throughout the interview. It was clear that he sought to convey the aesthetic values to shine through, even without the complicated explanations concerning design or philosophy.
It was also clear that the beauty of the new Sonata's design needed no further explanation. To behold it is to immediatey recognize its beauty and marvel at it. Excellent design gives inspiration and even enjoyment without saying much, if at all. In that sense, not much more needs to be said about the 8th Generation Sonata. All that is left is for more people to experience the inspiration and enjoyment it brings.
