The Award Winning 2008 Santa Fe Gets New Standard Features For Its Limited Model

The Award Winning 2008 Santa Fe Gets New Standard Features For Its Limited Model

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., It's no surprise that the Santa Fe crossover has attracted a strong following, given its fuel-efficient V6 powertrains, advanced standard safety technologies and sleek styling. For 2008, the Santa Fe Limited gets even better, adding a 605-watt Infinity® Logic 7® audio system and power sunroof to the long list of standard equipment and an all-new navigation system to the list of optional equipment. Combine this with a roomy, well-crafted interior, optional third-row seat and clearly the 2008 Santa Fe continues to raise the bar in the crossover segment.

New Equipment Highlights FOR 2008
- 605-watt Infinity Logic 7 CD changer audio system with 10 speakers standard on Limited trim level
- Power tilt-and-slide sunroof standard on Limited trim level
- LG navigation system available on Limited trim level (available first quarter of 2008)
- Premium seat cloth standard on SE trim level

The Santa Fe also delivers on the safety front, earning the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) top five-star crash test rating for front and side impacts and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) highest honor - Top Safety Pick, an award only given to 21 new vehicles.

CHOICE OF TWO CLEAN, POWERFUL, FUEL-EFFICIENT V6 ENGINES

Santa Fe is available with a choice of two powerful and efficient V6 engines, the economical 2.7-liter or the modern 3.3-liter, both which feature all-aluminum construction. The standard 2.7-liter V6 includes Continuously Variable Valve Timing and a Variable Intake System that produces 185 horsepower and 183 lb.-ft. of torque, while delivering 2008 EPA fuel economy ratings of 18 city/24 highway in front wheel drive automatic models. The 3.3-liter V6's output is 242 horsepower and 226 lb.-ft. of torque, providing improved acceleration and passing power, along with 2008 EPA fuel economy ratings of 17 city and 24 highway. Both powertrains meet stringent ULEV emissions requirements.

The 2.7-liter V6 comes with a standard five-speed manual transmission and is available with an optional four-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC® manual control, while the 3.3-liter V6 is mated to a five-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic gearbox as standard equipment. Meanwhile, Santa Fe's available electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system automatically routes power to the wheels with the best traction. A driver-selectable AWD lock provides a fixed 50/50 torque split between front and rear wheels, which can improve performance in slippery or offroad conditions.

INDUSTRY-LEADING SAFETY TECHNOLOGY ROLL-OUT CONTINUES

The 2008 Santa Fe underscores Hyundai's leadership in standardizing the industry's most effective safety technologies. All Santa Fe trim levels come standard with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), one of the industry's most effective life-saving technologies. ESC compares the driver's intended course with the vehicle's actual response. It then brakes individual front or rear wheels and/or reduces engine power as needed in certain driving circumstances to help correct understeer or oversteer. NHTSA studies show SUVs equipped with ESC experience 63 percent fewer fatalities in single-vehicle crashes. Santa Fe, Veracruz, Tucson, Sonata, Azera and Entourage are all equipped with standard ESC. Approximately 73 percent of Hyundai vehicles offered in 2007 came equipped with standard ESC - a commitment to this sophisticated and effective automotive safety technology that is unmatched by any other non-luxury automotive brand.

Front and rear disc brakes are standard and are coupled with a four-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) that includes Brake Assist, a technology providing maximum braking force when a panic stop is detected. The system also uses Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), which automatically equalizes the braking force to the front and rear axles, based on the vehicle loading conditions.

The Santa Fe also features six standard airbags, including side air curtains for all three rows of available seating. The combination of side and curtain airbags, which help protect the head and body during side impacts, can reduce fatalities by more than 52 percent, according to the IIHS. Side curtain air protection is optional on some compact and mid-size SUVs.

All seating positions feature three-point seatbelts and adjustable head restraints. Front-seat active head restraints help prevent whiplash by automatically reducing the space between a front occupant's head and the head restraint during a rear collision. The shingle-style rear seat head restraints also improve overall visibility, while providing easier rear seat fold-down capabilities.

Santa Fe also features a standard Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which alerts drivers if one or more tires are under inflated. An illuminated readout on the dash lets drivers know the specific tire needing inflation so corrective action can be taken.

MODERN, AERODYNAMIC DESIGN THAT'S DISTINCTIVELY HYUNDAI

With dramatic styling that is assertive, yet graceful, the Santa Fe exterior showcases the evolving face of the Hyundai brand. Its wide track provides a strong stance, improved handling and increased interior room.



The Santa Fe shares an assertive front grille, rugged bumper design, confident sculptured lines and finely detailed headlights with Hyundai's HCD9 Talus concept, which was introduced at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. For a more aggressive appearance, Santa Fe SE and Limited models come with 18-inch alloy wheels. Sleek styling makes the Santa Fe aerodynamic, providing a drag coefficient of 0.37. Standard roof rack side rails help define its clean side profile, while adding SUV functionality

STYLISH, QUIET AND EFFICIENT INTERIOR PACKAGE

The 2008 Santa Fe is one of the most package-efficient crossovers on the market. Hyundai accomplished this through a platform that avoids the compromises inherent in typical mid-size car platform sharing. For example, although the 2008 Santa Fe is 2.1 inches shorter than the Lexus RX350, its first and second-row seats have more head, leg, and shoulder room than the RX, with enough room left over to allow an optional third-row seat not even available in the Lexus. In addition, the 2008 Santa Fe's third-row seat offers more legroom than the third-row seat in the Acura MDX, Honda Pilot or Volvo XC90, while matching the legroom of the much larger Mercedes-Benz GL-class.

With its optional third row seat, the Santa Fe offers seven-passenger seating. With 40 percent of all crossover and SUV customers demanding a third-row seat, this feature significantly broadens Santa Fe's appeal. The third row seat is split 50/50 and can be folded flat like the 60/40-split second-row seat. Total cargo volume is a generous 78.2 cubic feet, with plenty of storage for items of different sizes.



By incorporating a stiff unibody architecture and a well-engineered triple-sealed door/body interface, Hyundai engineers have significantly reduced cabin noise. In fact, the 2008 Santa Fe is 1.7 dB quieter than the Volvo XC90 luxury crossover at highway speeds.

Air conditioning is standard, while available dual-zone climate controls for the driver and front seat passenger bring a touch of luxury to the Santa Fe. Second and third row passengers will enjoy a new level of comfort, thanks to B-pillar-mounted adjustable vents, dual rear heating ducts and rear fan controls.

Demonstrating Hyundai's attention to detail, blue backlighting for interior gauges, switches and buttons highlights the vehicle's modern, integrated interior design. Front cupholders are also ringed with blue light for night time drives. Soft-touch, high-quality materials, low-gloss surfaces and zero-tolerance fits are used throughout the interior, as are color-keyed seat belt buckles and cupholder inserts to add more design harmony to the inside cabin.

Other thoughtful convenience features include an available power driver seat with power lumbar support, steering wheel audio controls, trip computer, heated side mirrors and a windshield wiper deicing system.

PURPOSE-BUILT PLATFORM

The Santa Fe rides on a purpose-built unibody crossover platform with a 106.3-inch wheelbase. This chassis delivers a wonderful ride, handling and balance that discerning crossover buyers are looking for, along with interior amentities just right for most families. This stiff body structure provides the basis for both a more refined ride and more agile handling. Thanks to the suspension geometry and wider track width that enables greater turn angles, Santa Fe's turning circle is 35.8 - an advantage Santa Fe drivers will appreciate in their daily driving and parking.

Santa Fe's ride and handling were tuned in California and Michigan by Hyundai's U.S. team with the American consumer in mind. Santa Fe uses MacPherson strut front and multi-link rear suspension systems. A reverse L-shaped lower arm provides superior steering feel with improved dynamic control. The caster angles are set to improve straight-line stability and overall dynamics. Large front subframe and rear cross member bushings improve ride and NVH without handling compromise. The rear trailing arms are located on the rear cross-member helps to reduce road noise. All four wheels are controlled by coil springs and fade-resistant gas-charged dampers, while front and rear stabilizer bars help keep the vehicle flat during cornering. Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering also contributes to the Santa Fe's nimble and refined handling dynamics.

HYUNDAI'S COMMITMENT TO LOCAL PRODUCTION

The 2008 Santa Fe is assembled at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) in Montgomery, Ala. HMMA also produces the 2008 Hyundai Sonata (both vehicles share the same assembly line.) This plant has also achieved Certification to the International Automotive Task Force's (IATF) most rigid quality management standard, ISO/TS 16949, a set of Quality Management System requirements specific to the automotive industry and the highest automotive operating standard in the world. Currently, Hyundai manufactures more than half of its total U.S. sales volume in the U.S.

MODEL LINEUP

The Hyundai Santa Fe comes in three distinct trim levels: The well-equipped GLS, sporty SE and luxurious Limited.

SANTA FE GLS - THE MID-SIZE CROSSOVER VALUE LEADER

The Santa Fe GLS comes well-equipped with a 185-horsepower, 2.7-liter V6 engine, five-speed manual transmission, ESC, ABS, 16-inch alloy wheels, 112-watt AM/FM/XM Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers, rocker panel moldings, power side mirrors, power windows, power door locks and remote keyless entry. Inside are active front head restraints, dual front airbags, front seat side-impact airbags plus side curtain airbags. Other useful features include a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, air conditioning and a tilt and telescoping steering wheel. A four-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission and Popular Equipment Package, which includes premium cloth seats, steering wheel audio controls, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, driver seat lumbar support and trip computer are optional.

The Santa Fe GLS with Premium Equipment Package adds a power tilt-and-slide sunroof, heated front seats, as well as a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob to the Popular Equipment Package features.

SANTA FE SE - A SPORTIER SANTA FE WITH AVAILABLE TOWING

The SE features a 242-horsepower, 3.3-liter V6, five-speed SHIFTRONIC automatic transmission and 18-inch alloy wheels. The vehicle also includes electrochromic auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass, front fog lights, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, chrome grille surround, windshield wiper deicer, premium seat cloth, steering wheel audio controls, automatic headlights, heated mirrors, driver seat lumbar support and a trip computer.

An optional Premium Package adds a power driver seat with power lumbar support, a power tilt-and-slide glass sunroof, heated front seats and HomeLink®. The Touring Package includes seven-passenger seating with the fold-flat third-row seat and third-row auxiliary climate control. The Trailer Prep Package, which includes a transmission cooler, upgraded radiator, upgraded fans and trailer pre-wiring, enables the SE model to tow up to 3,500 pounds is included with the Touring Package. The SE is also available with the Touring and Premium Packages combined.

SANTA FE LIMITED - LUXURIOUS FEATURES, OUTSTANDING VALUE

Santa Fe Limited comes standard with all of the equipment found on the SE, and adds leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, power driver seat with power lumbar support, dual zone automatic temperature control with outside temperature display, metal scuff plates and HomeLink. A chrome accent grille and exterior door handles, as well as a bodycolor hatch spoiler, further distinguish the Limited. A power tilt-and-slide glass sunroof is now standard, as well as the 605-watt Infinity Logic 7 CD changer audio system with 10 speakers. For even greater luxury, the available Limited Touring Package with Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) adds seven-passenger seating and third-row auxiliary climate control, rear seat entertainment system with an eight inch LCD monitor and a 115 volt power outlet, as well as the Trailer Prep Package that includes a transmission cooler, upgraded radiator, upgraded fans and trailer pre-wiring, allowing the vehicle to tow up to 3,500 pounds. Available later this year is the Touring Package with Navigation, which includes seven-passenger seating, a third-row auxiliary climate control, the Trailer Prep Package, 115-volt power outlet as well as a LG navigation system. This navigation system was developed exclusively for Hyundai by LG, a leading worldwide electronics manufacturer. The LG navigation system provides coverage for the continental United States and includes touch screen functionality, point-of-interest features for all entertainment needs and audio, visual prompts. The navigation system also will be offered as a stand alone option later this year.

WARRANTY

The Hyundai Santa Fe lineup is protected by the Hyundai Advantage, America's Best Warranty™. Coverage includes five-year/60,000-mile bumper-to-bumper protection, 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, and seven-year/unlimited mileage anti-perforation coverage. In addition, Santa Fe buyers receive 24-hour roadside assistance coverage at no extra charge for five years (no mileage limit), which includes emergency towing, lockout service and limited coverage for trip-interruption expenses. There is no deductible on any of this coverage.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 750 dealerships nationwide.