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First Look 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T

Very elegant style this is First Look 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T, The 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T is something of a pioneer in the midsize sedan segment, and you can bet other automakers will be closely watching its market performance. On paper, the Sonata turbo has the best fuel economy, more horsepower, and more torque when compared to the V-6-powered offerings of its formidable competition. Whether Hyundai has delivered this powertrain in a package that people will pick over a traditional powerplant like a V-6 is another question.

The Sonata 2.0T, which is debuting at the 2010 New York auto show, is powered by Hyundai's Theta II, 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder producing 274 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque, mated to Hyundai's all-new six speed automatic transmission. Those figures are thanks in large part to direct-injection and a twin-scroll turbocharger that Hyundai promises will give the sedan "instantaneous power delivery."

Surely the Sonata 2.0T's predicted 22/34 mpg city/highway fuel economy will help to further ease the transition for folks still pining for a V-6. That's just one highway mpg down from the 198-horsepower regular-strength Sonata four-cylinder. Even better, the turbo runs on regular gas.

No, Hyundai is not the first midsize sedan player to offer a turbo four-cylinder engine. Volkswagen has offered its Passat with a turbo four-cylinder for years. That engine, though, makes less power and helps the Passat accelerate from 0-60 mph in 7.4 seconds, according to Volkswagen. We don't yet have similar times for the Sonata 2.0T, but expect it to be at the top of the class. Consider that, in our recent test of seven four-cylinder midsize sedans, the non-turbo 2011 Sonata was the fastest to 60 mph, with a time of just 8.1 seconds.

Spy shot 2012 Toyota Prius MPV

Spy shot 2012 Toyota Prius MPV

This is Spy shot 2012 Toyota Prius MPV

From the looks of things, the Prius MPV/crossover/mini-minivan thing will look exactly like, well, a Prius with a flatter, higher roof and an upright rear window. It appears to be sized somewhere between a Toyota Matrix and a Mazda 5, and to feature forward-hinged rear doors.

Through the camouflage, it’s easy to see Prius-esque graphics on the front end and in the taillamps, as well as the Prius’s characteristic triangular D-pillar. The wheels are remarkably large for a Prius (the base sedan rides on puny 15-inchers); the rollers here are either 18s or really big–looking 17s. Inside, the MPV features center-mounted gauges like those in the regular Prius. Maximum seating capacity is unknown as of now, but squeezing in a third row, as Kia did on its diminutive Rondo, is a possibility.

Beneath the skin, expect to see the next generation of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, although not necessarily one using pricey lithium-ion battery technology; the company has pledged to stick with nickel-metal hydride batteries for a long time to come. (As demand for plug-in hybrids increases, however, we expect Toyota could release a Prius MPV variant with the lithium-ion-powered setup from the plug-in Prius, which is due for the 2012 model year.) The MPV may, however, get a larger four-cylinder engine displacing 2.5 liters or so. Just how high Toyota can stretch this vehicle’s fuel economy remains to be seen, but hitting the sedan’s vaunted 50-mpg EPA combined mileage mark will be tough,