Detroit Motor Show - Hyundai

What's the big news on the Hyundai stand?
Big 4x4s are getting a bad press at the moment in the US, but this all-new Sante Fe is a baby by American standards.

That's despite the fact that it's bigger than the model it will replace in the UK this spring, and is now nearly as large as a BMW X5.

The growth spurt means the Sante Fe can cater for up to seven passengers over three rows for the first time. You couldn't really expect adults to use the rear seats for long journeys – they're better suited to children.

Power output has grown, too. The 2.7-litre V6 petrol produces 16bhp more at 186bhp, while a new 2.2-litre diesel provides 151bhp instead of the current 111bhp – a great step up.

Equipment levels are likely to remain generous. We'd be surprised if all cars didn't come with climate control, alloy wheels, CD player and side and curtain airbags as standard.

An increase in size and power means the new Sante Fe will inevitably be more expensive, with prices starting at around £20-21,000.


Does the big new 4x4 leave room for anything else on the stand?
Hyundai has also found space for this niftily-named Talus HCD9 coupe concept. The company says it's 'a vision of the future of sports vehicles', such as the new Coupe due in the next couple of years. It's also quite tall, so it may provide some clues to the looks of sportier-looking off-roaders, too.

HCD refers to Hyundai's California design centre, while the nine indicates, not unexpectedly, that it's the ninth design they've done (look back through our show reports down the years to see others).

Talus, according to online dictionaries, is either a bone in your ankle or a sloping mass of loose rocks at the foot of a cliff. We're not sure what that says about the coupe.