* All-new R 2.2 Diesel, advanced 6-speed auto

* Updated petrol engines

* Lower CO₂ emissions

* Improved rollover protection

The ever-popular Santa Fe gets a new lease of life thanks to new powertrains and a freshening of the interior and exterior. With an all-new diesel and updated petrol engines, the SUV emits significantly lower levels of CO₂ to improve its eco-credentials. 

Equipped with the new R 2.2 diesel, Santa Fe emits just 176g/km when configured with 4WD and the new six-speed manual gearbox, a marked improvement from the 191g of a comparably-equipped, earlier-edition Santa Fe. 

Fuel Economy Innovations

For optimal fuel economy, the new Santa Fe is fitted with a new alternator management system whose clutch can disengage the alternator allowing it to spin freely, eliminating drag on the engine. The "ECO" coach is a new feature designed to promote fuel-saving driving habits with the six-speed automatic gearbox. The "ECO" icon is a series of backlit LED’s which light up in either red, white or green in accordance with driving behaviour. In the manual transmission version, an icon on the LCD tripmeter screen begins to flash when the optimum gear shift point is reached. Other fuel-saving innovations include the fitment of a rear spoiler for improved aerodynamics and silica compound tires which offer lower rolling resistance.

Safety Enhancements

To reduce the risk of accidents while moving in reverse gear, a rear-view camera is built into the spoiler and is an optional feature. The image from the camera is displayed on an LCD colour display integrated into the rear-view mirror. 

In addition, a new rollover sensor triggers the side airbags and seatbelt pretensioners in the event the vehicle is overturned. Active headrests are now standard on both trim levels and in most markets so is the Electronic Stability Program. 

Powertrains

In the European market, the Santa Fe will come equipped with Hyundai's all-new R turbocharged intercooled diesel which features third-generation common rail with piezo-electric injection: The 2.2L will have a maximum output of 197ps and peak torque of 43kg.m between 1800 and 2500 rpm. For customers preferring petrol power, a four-cylinder engine will be offered with 174ps Theta-II 2.4. All engines will be Euro-V compliant with the R diesel featuring a particulate filter in selected markets. The engines will be coupled to the latest six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

THETA-II 2.4

Hyundai engineers have take “World Engine”, the largest gasoline engine program in the world, and created the lighter, more fuel efficient and cleaner-running Theta-II.

The 2.0-liter Theta-II has shed over 10kg from its previous iteration. For better fuel efficiency and reduced NOx emissions, Theta-II gets Dual CVVT (intake and exhaust camshaft phaser) while Theta-I is equipped with only intake CVVT. Major improvements begin with the application of a two-stage VIS which enables switching between long and short intake manifold resulting in an across-the-board performance increase. To reduced internal friction, engineers have applied a DLC coating to the top surface of the valve tappets resulting in improved fuel efficiency. Engineers also expended considerable time and effort optimizing the oil pump pressure to achieve an ideal balance between durability and fuel economy. 

Equipped with Theta-II 2.4 with 4WD and the new six-speed automatic, the Santa Fe produces just 210g/km of CO₂, significantly better than the 252g emitted by the previous generation V6 2.7, which equates to a 17% reduction.

R DIESEL 2.2

The R is the newest member of Hyundai's passenger diesel family joining the U (1.1, 1.4 and 1.6-liter), the A (2.5-liter) and S (3.0-liter V6).  

The R-Engine benefits from the third-generation common rail system developed by Bosch whose piezo-electric injectors deliver fuel at 1800-bar providing an unprecedented degree of accuracy and control. It also features an electronically-controlled variable geometry turbocharger and an advanced engine control unit.

The R-Engine is fitted with a 16-valve dual overhead camshaft which is driven by an internal steel silent timing chain. For reduced vibration and lower booming noise, the R gets a lower balance shaft which has been encased in a stiffened crankcase housing for increased rigidity. Weight-saving features include serpentine belt with isolation pulley, a plastic head cover, plastic intake manifold and plastic oil filter housing.

Developed by a 150-man team at an investment cost of 140 Million €, the R-Engine harnesses Hyundai´s newest and most advanced development tools. Computational flow dynamics, structural and thermal analysis were used to optimize its design while computerized simulation of the die casting process was employed to achieve the optimal balance of strength and low weight.

Over 500 prototype engines were built during the 42 month-long development period which encompassed a wide variety of performance and emissions tests, endurance assessment, as well as NVH, cooling and lubrication studies. Finally, the engine was installed in vehicles and subjected to exhaustive testing under all imaginable environmental conditions.

To achieve Euro-5 compliance, the R is fitted with a close-coupled diesel particulate filter plus highly efficient exhaust gas recirculation with by-pass valve.

SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC

Hyundai's all-new 6-speed automatic transaxle helps the company meet its goals of improving fuel efficiency and reducing CO₂ emissions. Shifts are silk-smooth with an option of sporty-type, manual shifting through the Shiftronic which is also new to the ix35.

Designed for transverse engine applications in passenger cars and SUVs, the new compact transaxle puts Hyundai into an elite class of auto manufacturers who have designed their own proprietary 6-speed automatic (after Toyota and a GM/Ford joint venture) demonstrating Hyundai’s advanced powertrain engineering capabilities.

The strength of the design is its totally unique layout which makes it smaller, more compact and lighter than any other 6-speed on the market today.

For the customer, the new six-speed promises a performance edge, delivering fuel economy gains while improving acceleration performance – seemingly contradictory goals.

The unit also is maintenance-free: the gearbox is not equipped with a dipstick as it is filled with an automatic transmission fluid that is good for the life of the vehicle thereby reducing maintenance costs.

Developed over a four-year period, this new 6-speed automatic is 12kg lighter than the 5-speed it replaces. It also is 41mm shorter and considerably simpler having 62 fewer parts, which is a key to increased durability and lower cost. 

When it comes to gearsets, more is definitely better. The addition of a sixth gear enables closer spacing between gear ratios providing a better balance of performance and fuel economy while the wide overall gear ratio helps deliver strong acceleration.

The gearbox has three planetary gearsets whose hallmark is simplicity of design and a unique flat torque converter which shortens the unit's overall length by 12mm.  Four pinion differentials improve durability and further minimize size.

Another example of engineering ingenuity is to be found in the design of the hydraulic pressure control unit. Because there are always slight manufacturing deviations from one solenoid valve to the next which cause fluctuation in the hydraulic pressure and affect shift precision and quality, the transaxle features cleverly integrated adjustment screws in the valves which enable each of the eight valves to be calibrated at the factory.  

This novel feature ensures stable hydraulic pressure at any shift point which facilitates a high degree of precision and control needed to deliver ultra-fast, smooth and precise shifts throughout the rpm range.

Exterior

Revisions to the exterior have been limited. A three-slatted body-coloured radiator grille replaces the two-slat matte black grille of the predecessor. Front and rear bumpers, headlamps, fog lamps and rear combinations lamps have also been refreshed. New wheel designs, side garnish, sportier exhaust tips and streamlined roof racks provide crowning touches.

Interior

The most apparent change to the interior is the new Supervision instrument gauge cluster and the integration of a built-in navigation system into the head unit.  

A rear view camera can be ordered as an option in combination with the navigation system or electrochromic mirror.

Base trim GL seats are upholstered in a new woven cloth while GLS features a mesh raschel with a wonderful upscale texture. GL features fashionable zebra wood as a door trim and crashpad accent. GLS buyers who desire more of a modern tech-look will have the option of a carbon black accent.

A new ionizer eliminates bad odours in the cabin which are caused by the build-up of fungus in the climate control system.

Trim Levels and Options

Santa Fe will be offered in two trim levels: GL and GLS. Options exclusive to the GLS will include a tire pressure monitoring system (18-inch wheel option only), auto-levelling Xenon headlamps with washer, and proximity key with push-button start.