Auto companies are under the impression that naming cars with letters and numbers are how the public sees a quality car. Blame the Germans, they started it. They are the reason you no longer by a Cadillac DeVille but a DTS, or you no longer buy an Acura Legend but a RL. It seems Hyundai is beginning to jump on this bandwagon. Hyundai has already named its small cars the i10, i20 and i30, but now this new naming trend may spill over into its bread-and-butter cars. AutoCar announced today that Hyundai is working on a new model to replace the Sonata, and it will be called the i40. The car should make a worldwide debut by 2010 and be offered in both mid-sized sedan and wagon versions.

The design will be inspired by the Hyundai Genus concept from the 2006 Geneva show. Engine choices are likely to include the 184bhp 2.0-liter common-rail diesel engine, but that may not come to the States. Hyundai will also offer other gas and diesel options for the international crowd.

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