2006 Studie Sonata - Hyundai's Hot New Sedan gets Even Hotter

[gmsickofan]

Studie Sonata
Hyundai's hot new sedan gets even hotter.
cars.ign.com
by Justin Kaehler: http://cars.ign.com/email.html



August 17, 2005 -

Once in a great while, we'll get a great letter very much like the following piece written by a man that only goes by the name "G.C.". G.C. writes:

"In your article over Hyundai's new Sonata, you state that you believe if done right, it can be sick. Heres a Sonata that I believe is sick, done by Studie."

This letter is great for three reasons. One: G.C. admitted to reading something we wrote. That makes us feel good. Two: G.C. is actually agreeing with what we wrote. Nothing makes us feel better than when someone says we're right -- because we are never wrong. And Three: G.C. actually sent us some links of tricked-out Sonatas to show us just how right we are. We like this, as G.C. basically went and did some work for us.

When we did our "First Drive" of the all new Sonata, we liked the car and thought it had some potential. When we heard that the Sonata would most likely make an appearance at SEMA, we were hoping to see a Korean interpretation of a VIP-style sedan, which we believed, would look sick.

G.C. read the piece, agreed with us about the Sonata's styling, and then sent us links to Korean-tuned VIP-style Sonatas. As if we have to say it, these Sonatas look really freakin' sick. We can't read Korean, so most of the stuff you're about to read is pure speculation on our part. But we feel it's an educated guess, so we're gonna write it anyway.

Studie seems to be a Korean car shop that specializes in high-end cars, much like CEC here in Los Angeles. In Korea, one can stop by Studie and pick up the latest Braubus, TechArt or HAMANN parts for their rides. But the majority of cars in Korea are, not surprisingly, Korean, so Studie is capitalizing on its domestic market by offering parts for the latest Sonata.

The aero kit for this Sonata is just about perfect in our eyes. It makes the Sonata look less like a "bread-and-butter" sedan and more like an aggressive high-end machine. Luckily, the kit is tasteful and doesn't make the Sonata look like a cheap HIN reject. From what we can see, the kit consists of a front lip, new grille, side skirts, rear valance and a flush rear wing. While we don't know about all the non-body kit accessories for the Sonata, we can tell that Studie also offers an exhaust kit, HID light kit, shift knob and light-up kick panel for the car.

As you can tell by some of the pictures in the gallery, Studie has this Sonata share equal space with Benzes, BMWs and other "proper" luxury cars. If you ask us, the Studie Sonata looks right at home with those premium brands right at its side. Most Americans wouldn't have thought this to be possible. We know we would have a hard time believing it if we didn't see it...

Right now, Studie products are only available in Korea, so expect getting these parts to be a pain in the ass. We're hoping that Hyundai has Studie at the top of its sponsor list for this year's SEMA, as a Studie Sonata would work wonders for the company's PR. Hell, we'll be so bold as to suggest that Hyundai USA partner with Studie and start offering the parts through its dealerships. Volvo does so with EVOLV, and Ford does a similar thing with Roush and Saleen, so why not Hyundai? If Hyundai can get a Sonata that looks like this for under $30K (which we think is possible), there may be a hot new car on the show circuit in 2006.

http://cars.ign.com/articles/642/642443p1.html

[wpbharry]

Heaven help us if Hyundai plops the Azera's 3800V-6 in the Sonata. Automobile mag reports that it's gonna be 265hp/257 lb. ft.

[camaro chris]

that first pic looks just like a saab 9-3

[oudidntkn0w]

holy holden clone!!

[diablo4]

Originally Posted by camaro chris

that first pic looks just like a saab 9-3

Thats what I thought.Nice car though.

[tgagneguam]

Originally Posted by wpbharry

Heaven help us if Hyundai plops the Azera's 3800V-6 in the Sonata. Automobile mag reports that it's gonna be 265hp/257 lb. ft.

Maybe that's with the old system of measuring power... now it's probably closer to 230 bhp and 210 lb.-ft. of torque!

Teasing, of course.

This isn't a bad looking car at all. Problem is, there are lots of decent looking cars in that price range.

[GM_Fanatic]

Ya I was going to say the same thing,the first one looks very saabish. Even that second pic sort of resembles the 9-5 in the headlights, but maybe thats just because I am looking for it now.

[asim]

Originally Posted by camaro chris

that first pic looks just like a saab 9-3

Yes, it is very deceiving.

[FoMoCo Fan]

Studie?

[Road Kill]

It's sure got the ToyHonda crowd scared, they can't say enough bad things about it!

[plane]

Originally Posted by FoMoCo Fan

Studie?

Nice. Very nice.
Looks like '50 Studebaker.

[driverblogger]

Originally Posted by Road Kill

It's sure got the ToyHonda crowd scared, they can't say enough bad things about it!

That's true. I am starting to see more of these Sonata's than last gens. I sure hope Toyota brings that new Camry in a hurry.

[griswold44]

Originally Posted by driverblogger

That's true. I am starting to see more of these Sonata's than last gens. I sure hope Toyota brings that new Camry in a hurry.

The Camry is fine for now, as there is no chance that the Sonata will outsell it this year. Any hopes for next year will probably not happen, because the Camry has a short 06 run before 07's come out, and even on this site the comments were pretty good.

[SSrevolution]

Wow for a Hyundai that is pretty good looking.

[camaro_freak]

not bad for a litle car with a big warranty

looks like a cross between a Saab, Honda, and an Acura.... I actually like it