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This is probably Hyundai's most important car in recent times. The all-new Sonata has the task to take on bigwigs like the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Škoda Superb: a task the older Sonata did not fully succeed in accomplishing. However, the 2012 version of the Korean premium car looks promising.Also known as the i40, the saloon has been designed in Hyundai's studio in Germany and it does manage to make heads turn. Apart from giving their cars a family design, the 'Fluidic Sculpture' embraced by Hyundai gives their cars a bold character. According to the designers, the lines on the car have been inspired by nature and the beauty of an orchid flower. For instance, the chrome front grille has ripples that borrow design cues from flowing water. However, this chrome bling might come across like an overkill. While the wide grille with the swept-back, cat's-eye-like HID headlights gives the car a wide and impressive front, large 17-inch wheels with the rising shoulder-line give it a dynamic stance.

The new Sonata's rear is equally appealing with a wrap-around LED-type tail-light, chrome inserts, dual exhausts and a spoiler lip on the edge of the boot lid. Its strong yet fluidic character lines shape the exterior and it manages to stand out in a crowd.

There are four elegant colours to chose from: Coral White, Sleek Sliver, Mushroom and Black Diamond. The i40 possesses just the right amount of charisma that the outgoing Sonata lacked.