Currently reading: More Hyundai Sonata pictures

More pictures leak onto the internet

More pictures of the forthcoming Hyundai Sonata have leaked out, this time showing the interior and exterior of the car in the Korean factory where it is being built.

The pictures, which leaked onto Korean car forums, are believed to show the Asian and American version of the car - although the Europe-bound version is not expected to look dramatically different.

New Hyundai Sonata picture gallery

The new Sonata, which may be called the i40 in Europe, will go on sale in the UK in late 2010.

Company insiders have told Autocar that it will have sufficient 'wow factor' to sell on its looks as well as dynamic merits.

"We expect the car to be close to or class-leading in every department such as emissions, handling, ride and so on, but what really marks it out is that it will sell on its looks as well as all its other attributes," said a Hyundai insider.

"The design of this car is every bit as big a leap forward for the sector as the Accent to the i30 was for its sector."

European sales are expected to begin with an estate version, with saloon and hatch models following later in 2011.

The engine range is described by an insider as "exceptional" and will include the 'R' diesels recently announced for the ix35 and Santa Fe, plus a series of small petrol and diesel engines.

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