When the Hyundai Santa Fe crossover is redesigned in 2010, it will be offered with a four-cylinder engine for the first time, the automaker announced on Monday. The decision was made on account of high gas prices and will give buyers a more fuel-efficient option when considering the Santa Fe for purchase. All Santa Fes will also get a six-speed automatic transmission as an option to help raise mpg numbers, replacing the current 5-speed auto.
The Sante Fe is currently only available with either a 2.7- or 3.3-liter V6, but the new crossover will add Hyundai ’s 2.4-liter inline four to the options list, according to Automotive News reports. Rated at 175 horsepower, the second-generation Theta engine was introduced in the 2009 Sonata sedan.
At the same time, John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America’s vice president of product planning, said the next-generation Tucson SUV will drop its 2.7-liter V6 option when it bows in 2010 or 2011. The Automotive News report suggest a turbocharged version of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder could take its place, and we’re betting it’d be a version of the same engine slated for the Genesis coupe.
Hyundai is otherwise focusing on increasing fuel economy of its line-up. The Accent subcompact, for example, receives a tuned version of its 1.6-liter engine to deliver a 2mpg increase in fuel economy.
“We are focusing on fuel-efficient cars,” Krafcik said. “We have a much greater capacity now for 1.6- to 2.0-liter engines.”
All of Hyundai’s four-cylinder engine are imported from Korea until a new plant in Alabama comes online later this month, which will produce the 2.4-liter Theta engine.
