Nov 19, 2012 12:58 PM EST
2013 Hyundai 3.0 GDI Santa Fe Crossover To Be Released By January, Will Include A Lighter Body, Fresh Interior (PHOTOS/ VIDEO)

The brand new Hyundai Santa Fe 3.0 GDI will be released by dealerships in China by this coming January according to China Daily.

The third-generation crossover model was first displayed at the New York International Auto Show this past April and will be released thanks to the popularity of the original Santa Fe model.

The company has sold 2.6 million vehicles world-wide since first being introduced in 2010 according to Hyundai.

Two models will be released under two separate names: The Santa Fe Sport which is a five-seat utility vehicle and the Santa Fe 3.0GDI which includes seven seats.

The Sport model will come equipped with a direct-injected 2.4L four-cylinder engine that can generate 190 horsepower according to China Daily.

Click here to see the two cars in a product feature shot for the New York Auto Show.

The five-seat vehicle will also use just 7.1 liter of fuel per 100 km while still being able to reach 0 to 100 in only 11 seconds. The vehicle comes with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive as well. Some imported 2.4L models are already available in China according to the report.

"The new Santa Fe Sport 2.0T is the first Hyundai crossover to have both GDI technology and a turbocharger," said Hyundai in a press release about the vehicles. "This option provides more horsepower than many of the V6 competitors, yet delivers gas mileage similar to competitive four-cylinder models."

While the five-seat option is intriguing, the seven seat vehicle provides a lot more storage space and legroom by over 4.8 cm for passengers.

The Santa Fe 3.0 also has a more powerful engine coming with a direct-injection, 3.3L V6 engine that can achieve 290 horsepower. The 3.0 model will also feature improved blind spot detection technology.

Both options come with a very light body, as the 2.4L is 120 kilograms lighter compared to the 2012 model. Hyundai has stated this is the "largest weight reduction between two generations of the same model" in the entire history of the company.

They have made each car lighter in hopes to improve the vehicle's fuel efficiency rating.  

Both vehicles come with improved door handles, body colors, mirrors, front and rear bumpers, chrome grilles, and exhaust outlets according to Hyundai.

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