Hyundai Motor on Wednesday unveiled for the first time ever its latest Sonata Turbo at the 2014 New York International Auto Show, held at Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York.

It also marked the first time Hyundai has introduced its All-New Sonata lineup to the North American market, said the carmaker.

The company hopes the all-new Sonata and the all-new Genesis will together fuel its overseas sales and help lead the North American market in premium, mid-size sedans.

“The All-New Sonata has inherited the same kind of progressive design, advanced technology and solid performance that can be found in the Genesis,” said Hyundai Motor America CEO Dave Zuchowski during his opening remarks. “It works to prioritize the driver in all aspects.”

Like the Genesis, the all-new Sonata was manufactured under the Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 initiative, Hyundai’s most advanced design philosophy, which strengthens basic performance and safety while using state-of-the-art technologies that are uncommon for cars in its segment, according to the carmaker. 

“We crafted the shape of the 2015 Sonata in the same way an award-winning chef refines his recipe over the years,” said Chris Chapman, a chief designer at Hyundai Design North America.

“With the 2011 Sonata, Hyundai took the mid-size sedan from a meal to a gourmet dinner. The evolution to Fluidic Sculpture 2.0’s more taut, modern lines reflect the improvements in refinement and driving dynamics for 2015,” he added.

For roughly 30 years since the first-generation Sonata was launched in 1985, the car has experienced numerous innovations before becoming what is now the company’s undisputed trademark sedan.

The Sonata, which made its U.S. debut in 1989, recorded accumulated sales of 20 million units in the United States by June 2013, making it one of Hyundai’s best-selling models in the region.

The all-new Sonata sold 20,000 units in the Korean market just one month after its release in March 2013 and is therefore expected to do well in the United States, according to the company.

Hyundai’s localization strategy is what is allowing the company to grow on the global level.

Four models of the all-new Sonata ― the 2.4 SE, 2.4 Sport, 2.4 Limited and 2.0 Turbo ― will be available in the North American market to meet the various needs and preferences of local consumers.

LED Daytime Running Lights, Advanced Smart Cruise Control and rear spoilers are some of the features on all of the models, whereas a mash-type intake grill, twin-tip dual muffler and rear diffuser are some key features on board the Sonata Turbo.

The 2.0 T-GDi, or Turbo-Gasoline Direct injection, uses a Theta II engine and offers a maximum of 245 horsepower and 36.03 kilogram-meters of torque.

The 2.4 lineup will begin production at the company’s Alabama car plant in May and go on sale in the first half of this year, while the 2.0 Turbo will be introduced during the latter half, the carmaker said.

Meanwhile, Hyundai affiliate Kia Motors also showed up at the auto show and unveiled to the world its follow-up model of the Carnival minivan ― dubbed the Kia Sedona in the United States.

By Kim Joo-hyun (jhk@heraldcorp.com)