SEMA 2010: Hyundai RIDES Magazine Sonata Turbo

Hyundai‘s RIDES Magazine Sonata Turbo is apparently inspired by the Mercedes-Benz CLS, but we almost think it looks better than the current generation car (CLS63 AMG notwithstanding).

Maybe it’s the fact that the matte white paintjob looks absolutely wild in person, or that we didn’t expect RIDES Magazine to come up with such a tasteful build for this car, but we’re sold.

Along with a custom bodykit comes 20″ Rennen Modular M9 wheels with a very low offset, Falken FK452 tires, a painted and debadged grille and smoked tail lights. Apparently, MB wasn’t the only German company that was used as inspiration, as RIDES managed to integrate Audi foglamps into the front bumper as well. Inside, the black leather (looking much better than the standard Sonata upholstery) is offset with red stitching and carbon fiber trim, while a pair of JBL subwoofers and amps help the tunes bump. Finally, a custom exhaust and a front mounted intercooler help keep up the “go” quotient.

Gallery: Hyundai RIDES Magazine Sonata Turbo

Hit the jump to see the official press release

[Source: Hyundai]

To build excitement around the recently launched 2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo, Hyundai Motor America teamed up with RIDES magazine to trick out one of the first turbos off the assembly line of its Alabama plant. Inspired by the Mercedes CLS, the modified Sonata 2.0T features an assortment of custom fabrication from RIDES’ team of expert builders.

The vehicles exterior modifications are clever and tasteful, starting with a one-off, fully custom RIDES-designed bodykit that’s comprised of new front and rear bumpers, side skirts, rear spoiler and roof spoiler, which all work together to accentuate the factory body lines of the Sonata. Other key exterior elements include a matte pearl paint job from BASF, 20-inch Rennen Modular M9 concave wheels powder coated matte black wrapped in Falken FK452 tires, smoked taillights and painted headlights, a matte black debadged front grille, Audi LED fog lights integrated into the new front bumper and 3M vinyl carbon wrap on the roof.

To complete the design, the RIDES team reupholstered the entire interior in a combination of black leather and suede with red stitching, along with integrating carbon fiber trim throughout. In the trunk there are two JBL 12-inch subwoofers paired with two JBL amplifiers. To finish things off, a custom quad tip exhaust was installed out back, while an S-Max front mount intercooler replaces the factory unit up front, ensuring that this build incorporates both go and show.