Spy Shots: �06 Hyundai Santa Fe
Losing the quirks�and growing, too.



By the end of 2005 Hyundai will release the newSanta Fe model. It will replace the current Santa Fe which has been on the market since 2001. Prototypes of the new car are being tested these days on the German autobahn as well as on snow and frozen lakes in Northern Scandinavia

With the new Hyundai Tucson filling the role of compact SUV in the model lineup, Hyundai is now free to grow the Santa Fe in size and move it up to compete with larger SUVs like the Nissan Murano and Toyota Highlander. The increased size will allow the Santa Fe to have a third row of seats for the first time. The new Santa Fe will be built on a platform that is shared with the new Hyundai Sonata sedan.

Styling is all new and ditches the quirky looks of the current Santa Fe in favor of a modern, bold look with a very large, forward-sloping grille. Fenders sweep back towards the front wheels, making the front end more rounded and adding emphasis to the grille.

The photos are showing disguised prototypes that were photographed in Germany , as well as a computer image of how the car is expected to look like upon its release.

Full size images here: http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=7857' target='_blank'>http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=7857