Hyundai will add 4-cylinder engine to Satna Fe and Tucson

Currently the Hyundai Santa Fe is only available with a 2.7 liter and a 3.3 liter V6. However, as fuel-prices are showing no sign of coming down, Hyundai is planning to add a 4-cylinder engine to the Santa Fe when it is redesigned in 2010. According to John Krafcik, vice president of product planning for Hyundai Motor America, the redesigned Santa Fe will also get 6-speed automatic transmission.

The 4-cylinder engine choice will be the 2.4 liter second-generation Theta engine that recently debuted on the 2009 Sonata. For the Sonata, the engine allows the sedan to return a fuel economy of 22/32mpg (city/highway). Krafcik did not say what Hyundai estimates the engine to deliver for the Santa Fe.

The 2.7 V6 currently gives the Santa Fe 18/24mpg while the 3.3 liter V6 returns 17/24.

Krafcik said Hyundai will also introduces the 4-cylinder engine in the Tucson crossover when it is redesigned in late 2010. The 2.7 liter V6 will be dropped and replaced with a turbocharged 4-cylinder.

Hyundai has also improved the 1.6 liter 4-cylinder that powers the Accent for an extra 2mpg. The accent currently returns a fuel-economy of 24/33mpg.

 

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)