现代正在开发一款全新八座SUV，竞争车型包括雪佛兰Suburban和福特探险者，当然这是一款全尺寸车型。最近谍照记者拍到了这辆正在进行冬季测试的原型车，它的前脸与新一代胜达非常接近。虽然车身伪装遮盖了细节，但胜达细窄的前大灯，硕大的行驶灯和现代标志性格栅还是能看出来的。除了宽阔的后背外，该车的车身侧面轮廓与五座版胜达非常相似。靠近看，会发现这两款车的引擎盖，前轮拱和A柱都采用了不同的车身面板。毫无疑问，这辆车明显更粗壮。可以确认的是，这辆八座SUV内部采用了新的平台，虽然该车仍采用前轮驱动并可选装全轮驱动。至于动力系统，有传言称，现代将为该车提供一台3.3升V6引擎，功率290马力，远低于竞争车型福特探险者和雪佛兰Suburban。未来推出的混动版本功率有望达到400马力。现在，五座车型到处都是，七座车型越来越多，而更大的八座车型还不普遍，因此现代将利用这款全尺寸车型占领这部分市场。目前原型车仍处于测试阶段，因此预计该车将在明年发布。
New Hyundai Eight-Passenger SUV Spied In The Wild
We know that Hyundai is creating a bit more separation with its recently unveiled five-passenger Santa Fe, and a longer wheelbase seven-passenger version that will come later called the Santa Fe XL. This, however, is neither of those. Rather, it’s the all-new eight-passenger SUV that Hyundai will pair against the Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Expedition. As such, this is decidedly a full-size machine.
A couple of our spy photo sources caught up to prototypes engaged in winter testing, and the first thing we notice is a very clear resemblance to the new Santa Fe up front. Yes, the camo coverings hide details but the Santa Fe’s thin headlights, large square-ish driving lamps, and Hyundai’s signature grille are very easy to spot. For that fact, the profile of these prototype looks quite similar to the new five-passenger Santa Fe, save for its expansive backside. Look very close, however, and you’ll see different panel gaps for the hood, front fender, and A-pillar. Make no mistake, this prototype has considerably more bulk.
It also confirms that the eight-passenger SUV will have a new platform underneath, though despite its size it should still be front-wheel drive with optional all-wheel drive.Current rumors say Hyundai could fit this new model with a 3.3-liter V6 making 290 horsepower – considerably less than the Expedition and Suburban. A possible future hybrid model with a combined 400 horsepower could fill that gap, however.
Five-passenger SUVs are everywhere, and seven-passenger models are expanding as well. Large eight-passenger models, however, aren’t quite as common so Hyundai could well capture a piece of this lucrative market in the U.S. with this new full-sizer. Prototypes are still deep in the test phase, so we don’t expect to officially see this big boy until 2019.