Hyundai Motor on Tuesday allowed a sneak peak into one of the carmaker’s most crucial new models this year ― the all-new Sonata sedan.

The event came ahead of the official launch planned on March 24, with the carmaker unveiling the preproduction model of the revamped flagship family sedan Sonata at its Namyang R&D Center in Gyeonggi Province.

“A Korean car should be loved first by Korean customers. We returned to the very basics,” said executive vice president Hwang Jeong-ryeol, who led the Sonata project.

“As a result, the new Sonata is the culmination of Hyundai’s advanced technologies.”

The crucial new launch comes as the nation’s largest carmaker ― the fifth globally together with its affiliate Kia Motors ― has struggled with stagnant car sales in recent years largely due to its outdated models.

Along with the new Genesis launched in November, Hyundai is aiming high with the seventh-generation Sonata in elevating its global car sales and brand loyalty.

Following the new Genesis, the refashioned Sonata will be the second Hyundai model to feature the Fluidic Sculpture 2.0, an upgrade of the carmaker’s original design philosophy.

The new car has embraced a bold but refined styling that is best represented by the hexagonal grille that consists of broad horizontal lines in a gaping mouth.

The carmaker touted that the new Sonata is safer than its key rivals such as the Toyota Camry, Volkswagen Passat and Honda Accord as it uses high-strength steel for 51 percent of the framework.

Unlike other global carmakers that are pouring resources into downsizing and adopting lightweight materials like aluminum, Hyundai has teamed up with its steelmaking affiliate Hyundai Steel to develop automotive strengthened steel.

“An increase in the weight was unavoidable partly due to steel use. But we also added new equipment for better fuel economy. I believe the fuel ratings will be better than those of competitors’ models,” Hwang said, declining to offer specific figures.

According to the carmaker, the new car can come equipped with either a 2.0- or 2.4-liter engine, but other specifications including pricing will be revealed at its official launch later this month.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)