Comparison: Popular Mechanics chooses Genesis Coupe over Infiniti G37 Coupe

The folks at Popular Mechanics, who recently pitted the Kia Soul against the Nissan Cube and Scion xB, have published a long-awaited duel between the Hyundai Genesis Coupe and Infiniti G37 Coupe. Both cars have gone through strenuous testing in the some of the most challenging roads in Southern California and the editors have come to a grand verdict: the Genesis Coupe outshines the G37.

The tested model of the Genesis Coupe, a 3.8L Track model priced at $31,750, is powered by a 3.8L 306 hp V6 with 266 lb-ft of torque and came fully optioned with features such as a 6-speed automatic transmission, power sunroof, heated leather power seats and iPod hookup. The Track package added 19-inch gunmetal alloy wheels with summer tires, Brembo brakes, sport-tuned suspension, aluminum pedals, limited-slip differential, and rear spoiler.

The most obvious difference between the Genesis Coupe and the G37 was the price, as the as-tested cost of the Infiniti was $45,045. Granted, the G37S Coupe was decked out with grandiose features the Hyundai didn't pack including a $2200 navigation system (w/ Infiniti Studio on Wheels) and power tilt-and-telescope steering wheel. Also, it was inevitable that the Infiniti utilized higher quality materials throughout the vehicle, as noted by the editors. The G37 was also optioned with a $1850 Sport package that added 19-inch alloy wheels, limited-slip differential, larger brake rotors, and sport-tuned suspension. The G37 is powered by a 3.7L 330 hp V6 with 270 lb-ft of torque, mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission.

Even factoring out the navigation system, the Genesis Coupe is still priced over $10,000 less than the Infiniti. The real question was, did it feel less expensive much behind the wheel? Head over to Popular Mechanics to see what the editors recounted and how they gave the edge to the Hyundai.

[Source: Popular Mechanics]

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IIHS awards Hyundai Genesis as Top Safety Pick

The 2009 Hyundai Genesis, recently crowned the 2009 North American Car of the Year, has also been designated a Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Hyundai's current flagship sedan has earned a "Good" overall evaluation in frontal offset, side impact, and rear crash tests. A Top Safety Pick is awarded to cars that earn "Good" ratings in all three tests.

The designation applies to Genesis models produced after November 2008, when Hyundai made a few safety tweaks to bump the Genesis from an "Acceptable" frontal offset test rating to a "Good". Since the changes made are hardware-related, pre-December Genesis models cannot be issued a service bulletin for them to be reformed.

All Genesis models are equipped with an immense list of standard safety equipment including Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Traction Control System (TCS), eight airbags and electronic active head restraints.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

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UK: Kia to send 400 Souls to Hertz

Kia Motors is planning to send 400 units of the Soul to the daily rental firm Hertz across the United Kingdom from March onwards. Kia, which projects 3000-3500 Souls to be sold per year, sees the deal as opportunity to get as get as many potential drivers into them as possible.

“Kia has a strong partnership with Hertz across Europe,” said Kia’s UK head of Fleet and Remarketing, Andrew Sellars. He added that sending the cars out to a daily rental firm would not detract the car's future values.

“It’s not going to damage residual values as all of the cars are coming back to Kia afterwards, we’re not just outing all 400 back to market,” he said. Sellars also confirmed that Kia will be responsible for the specification and engine options of the cars it is sending out to the rental firm, not vice versa.

[Source: BusinessCar]

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Comparison: Popular Mechanics chooses Kia Soul over xB and Cube

Popular Mechanics has published the first long-awaited comparison of the three value-oriented box cars in the market: Kia Soul, Nissan Cube, and the veteran Scion xB. After a 300-plus mile journey throughout Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, California, the editors have chosen the winner of the B-car trio: the Kia Soul.

Editors praised the Soul's personality and commented on the effectiveness of the sport-tuned suspension and the 142 hp 2.0L engine. They also complimented the large 18-inch tires and its responsive steering feedback. The muscular design also met well with the jury and the interior was quoted as "the most innovative of any Kia thus far." With the large wheels, however, the ride was noted to be on the firm side. The small hatch opening was also criticized.

The three cars in the comparison all were priced below $18K, with the Nissan Cube S w/ CVT stickering the lowest at $15,585. The Soul Sport was the middle of the pack with an as-tested price of $17,645. The Scion xB topped the numbers at $17,789. The Soul Sport is powered by a 142 hp 2.0L 4-cylinder engine, which is also the median of the three. The Cube was the weakest with its 122 hp 1.8L engine, while the xB topped the list again with its 158 hp 2.4L 4-cylinder engine derived from the Toyota Camry. Out of the bunch, however, the Soul achieved the best average fuel economy of 31.2 MPG. To read the full story, head to Popular Mechanics, syndicated for you below.

[Source: Popular Mechanics]

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Preview: Kia releases two renderings of Sorento (XM)

Kia Motors has released two official renderings of the forthcoming redesigned Sorento, code-named 'XM', which is scheduled to debut at the upcoming Seoul Motor Show in April. Designed by Peter Schreyer, the new Sorento draws its cues from his latest works such as the KND-4 Concept in the front fascia and the Borrego/Mohave in the rear.

The 2010 Sorento will deviate greatly from the current Sorento which rides on a body-on-frame platform. Instead, the new model will ride on a monocoque, also called unibody, platform. In the Korean market, the CUV will be powered by a 2.4L Theta II petrol, a 2.7L LPI, or a new 2.2L turbodiesel R-engine. The 200 PS 2.2L R-engine achieves an impressive fuel economy of 14.1 km/L (direct conversion: 33 MPG), which places the Sorento as the most fuel-efficient SUV in the Korean market.

The USDM Sorento will be available in either the 2.4L 4-cylinder engine or a 3.8L Lambda V6 (est. 270 hp). The Sorento will be manufactured in Kia's new, state-of-the-art West Point, Georgia factory. The Korean-market Sorento is slated to go on sale in April.

[Source: Hankyung.com]

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Hyundai Genesis Coupe to be sold in Europe

According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, Hyundai Motor will be bringing the Genesis Coupe to the European market. The release date has not been disclosed, but only 1000 units are planned to be allocated for the market. Also, the European Genesis Coupe will only be available with the 210 hp 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo.

“Likely we wont make any profits with the Genesis Coupe, but the vehicle will do wonders to our corporate image” said Rafael Agullo, general manager of product planning at Hyundai Motor Europe.

Pricing has not been announced, but reports hint a starting price of €25,000 (Euros). In comparison, a Nissan 350Z retails for €38,000.

[Source: AutoTelegraaf.nl]

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Geneva Preview: Kia No 3 Concept

Kia Motors has released the first full images of its new concept car, dubbed No 3, bound for a debut at next month's Geneva Motor Show. Based on the cee'd, the No 3 is a five-door MPV that is set to compete with the Opel Meriva and Ford C-MAX when it enters production in the second half of 2009.

The No 3 Concept is the latest creation of design guru Peter Schreyer, and features a unique extended windscreen and panorama glass roof with a diagonal supporting bar, an automatic sun visor and the trademark tiger-toothed Kia grille. It is finished in Matte Titanium Grey with contrasting gloss-white accents.

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading for more images and the official press release.



PRESS RELEASE: All-new MPV Concept heads Kia line-up at Geneva

Kia will be displaying an all-new MPV concept, a range of Idle Stop & Go cars and an
innovative Hybrid at the 79th Salon International de l'Auto which opens in Geneva on 3 March. There will be a total of 18 vehicles on the Kia stand [Stand 5231, Hall 5] including three models making their first appearance in Switzerland – the Kia Soul, upgraded 2009 Kia Sportage compact SUV and upgraded, new-look 2009 Kia Magentis sedan.

Kia No 3 Concept Car
All-new, the Kia No 3 Concept Car redefines the small MPV genre by creating a beautiful car that is also fun-to-drive. The concept features a unique extended windscreen and panorama glass roof with a diagonal supporting bar, an automatic sun visor and the new 'face of Kia' displays the front grille, head lamps and brand logo in a new constellation. The 4045 mm long concept is finished in matt Titanium Grey with contrasting gloss-white accents.

Kia cee'd ISG
The new Kia cee'd ISG (Idle Stop & Go) models, which offer up to 15% fuel savings in city driving, are now on sale in many countries across Europe. Kia's innovative ISG
system automatically switches the engine off when the car is stopped in traffic and restarts the engine instantly when the driver wishes to move off. Kia cee'd ISG cars are available with a choice of 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre gasoline engines and each of the three cee'd family bodystyles – five-door hatchback, five-door sporty wagon and three-door pro_cee'd. The 1.4-litre ISG models at Geneva have a 137 g/km CO2 rating.

Kia cee'd Hybrid
Kia Motors has produced a fleet of prototype Kia cee'd Hybrid cars especially for testing and evaluation in Europe. The cee'd Hybrid uses an upgraded powertrain with Kia's Gamma 1.6-litre gasoline engine, mated to a 15kW, 105 Nm AC synchronised
electric motor, a CVT transmission and the new ISG (Idle Stop & Go) system. Kia
calculates that the cee'd Hybrid accelerates to 100 kph in 11.8 seconds and can reach a top speed of 185 kph. The prototype achieves fuel consumption of 4.81 litres per 100 km and a CO2 figure of 109 g/km – down 25% compared to the standard 1.6-litre gasoline cee'd.

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Pink Genesis Coupe: What's your say?

We just stumbled upon three images of a pink Hyundai Genesis Coupe with a plethora of customizations. In our opinion, it is the tacky utopia and affirms that pink rarely proves to look good on a car. What's your say on this? Surprisingly suitable or have an urge to bring the trash can over?

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Video: Hyundai's Genesis Coupe ad aired during Oscars, ft. Yo-Yo Ma

Title: Epic Lap featuring Rhys Millien (performance driver) and Yo-Yo Ma (Bach's "Cello Suite #3 in C, Gigue")
Car: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

[Source: WorldCarFans.com]

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Hyundai building bulletproof Equus for Korean President

According to the Korea Economic Daily, Hyundai is building the country's first domestic bulletproof car based on the upcoming Equus (pictured above). Hyundai embarked on the project for protocol purposes for key government figures including South Korean President Lee Myung-bak. The project reportedly started after an informal request from the government.

"Most of the heads of other car-manufacturing states use bulletproof cars made in their own countries. It doesn’t make sense that the world’s fifth largest auto-manufacturing country is still using foreign-made bulletproof cars, and that is why Hyundai is working on the project," stated an industry source. However, Hyundai declined to confirm this was the case, the newspaper said.

As of now, only a few automakers from around the world, such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Cadillac, are capable of building bulletproof cars. Currently, the South Korean President utilizes a Mercedes-Benz S600 (W221) Pullman Guard and BMW Security 760Li, having 5-10 units of each in the fleet.

[Source: Digital Chosun Ilbo]

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Hyundai ix-onic Concept revealed live ahead of Geneva debut

Here are the very first live images of the Hyundai HED-6 ix-onic Concept, revealed at an invitee-only presentation to a select group of journalists. Previewing the next-generation Tucson crossover (LM), the HED-6 Concept is scheduled to debut to the masses next month at the Geneva Motor Show. Hyundai also announced that the European-market Tucson will be manufactured in Kia's Zilina plant in Slovakia, with a production kick-off date of February 2010.

The HED-6 Concept was styled at Hyundai's European Design headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany, with input from many major cities across the continent. The HED-6 Concept is powered by a 1.6L GDi turbocharged engine that produces a hearty 175 horsepower. In the production model, a 2.0L variant of the R-Engine turbodiesel family will debut, which will produce 184 PS.

The redesigned Tucson will make its formal debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September, where it will bow as the 'ix35'. In Europe, the ix35 will compete with the Ford Kuga.

[Source: AutoTelegraaf.nl]

Continue reading to view more live images.

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Video: Pre-launch Commercial of Hyundai Equus

[Source: YouTube]

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Hyundai to air ads during the Oscars

Hyundai Motor America has announced its plans to air eight commercials during the upcoming Academy Awards this Sunday. Hyundai will showcase everything from its North American Car of the Year win to details on its new Assurance Plus program. The main star for Hyundai during the Oscars, however, will be the 2010 Genesis Coupe.

Hyundai states that it will air seven 30-second ads and one 60-second ad. The 60-second ad will showcase the performance driving of Rhys Millen behind the wheel of the Genesis Coupe at Road Atlanta.

[Source: Inside Line:Edmunds]

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Geneva Preview: Hyundai i20 3-door

Hyundai Motor has released two official images of the three-door i20 along with a detailed press release with information. The i20 3-door is scheduled to officially debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show on March 3rd.

The i20 3-door is nearly identical to its 5-door counterpart, with the front and rear end, and the wheelbase being unchanged. The three-door is also loaded with a plethora of safety features alike that of its five-door sibling including six airbags and active head restraints. It is powered by either a 1.4L diesel or a 1.2L Kappa petrol engine that produces 78 PS. Hyundai states that the latter is the engine that the majority of its buyers will opt for due to its impressive fuel economy and CO2 outputs.

The base 1.2L Classic 3-door is priced at £8,195, £450 lower than its five-door variant. The i20 3-door is available for order now with the first examples to arrive in the U.K. by April.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading to view one more image and the official press release.



PRESS RELEASE: HYUNDAI REVEALS THREE-DOOR i20

* New body style to be revealed at Geneva show
* Aimed at younger buyers
* Priced £450 lower than five-door, starting at £8,195

Hyundai has revealed the first picture of the new i20 three-door, ahead of its official unveiling at the Geneva motor show on March 3rd.

Building on the success of the recently launched Hyundai i20 five-door, the new body style will broaden the i20's appeal to the fastest-growing sector of the car market in Europe.

In addition to a stylish new look, the three-door model offers a lower price entry point for the i20 line-up with prices starting at just £8,195 for the 1.2 Classic model – that's £450 less than the five-door.

Positioned between the successful i10 and i30 models, the i20 three-door shares many of its styling features with the five-door. In fact the front and rear remains unchanged, but the distinctive crease lines that run along each side are enhanced by the longer front doors and the sporty, upswept shape of the rear-side window.

Built on the same 2.525mm wheelbase and weighing 10-kilograms less than the i20 five-door, the new model offers an equally well proportioned exterior and spacious interior that will comfortably accommodate adult passengers in the front and rear seats.

The larger front doors create a wide entry aperture, and Hyundai's quick-release memory seats with walk-in functionality provide easy access to and from the rear. The system enables the front-seat backrests to be tipped and the whole seat to slide forwards. This simple-to-use system returns the front seat to the originally selected position without the need for readjustment.

Safety is always at the forefront for Hyundai and the i20 has an extensive list of active and passive equipment. This includes six airbags on all models – front, side and curtain – as standard, plus active head-restraints.

Hyundai expects i20 buyers will make the 1.2-litre petrol engine – dubbed 'Kappa' – the best-selling power plant in the range. The new, all-alloy unit combines miserly fuel consumption with low CO2 emissions to produce a compelling package with exceptionally low running costs.

Kappa is the latest example of the company's expertise in developing lightweight, low-NVH, super-efficient engines. With a displacement of just 1,248cc, Kappa unit develops an impressive 78PS and a class-leading torque figure of 119Nm endowing the i20 with responsive acceleration and excellent driveability.

The three-door i20 is available to order now, with the first examples arriving in UK showrooms in April.

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Geneva Preview: Hyundai HED-6 ix-onic Concept

Hyundai Motor has finally revealed the HED-6 Concept in its real form with two official images released yesterday. Dubbed the HED-6 ix-onic, this latest creation by Hyundai previews the upcoming Tucson crossover, code-named 'LM'. The HED-6 ix-onic Concept is scheduled for a Geneva premiere next month.

The HED-6 Concept was styled at Hyundai's European Design headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany, with input from many major cities across the continent. The HED-6's design is highlighted by its hexagonal grille, swept back front headlights, and 21-inch alloy wheels. The three-dimensional sculpted rear quarter window is achieved by using high-quality Lexan plastics instead of conventional glass.
The HED-6 Concept is powered by a 1.6L GDi turbocharged engine that produces a hearty 175 horsepower. In the production model, a 2.0L variant of the R-Engine turbodiesel family will debut, which will produce 184 PS.

The redesigned Tucson will make its formal debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this September, where it will bow as the 'ix35' in the European market.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading to view the official press release.

PRESS RELEASE: Hyundai reveals SUV concept car ahead of Geneva Motor Show première

• Computer rendering reveals dynamic styling for compact SUV

• Three-door i20 to debut at Geneva Show

• First application of stop-start technology to be shown on i30 blue

Offenbach, February 09th 2009 - Hyundai Motor Company will unveil an all-new concept car at this year's Salon International de L'Automobile in Geneva on March 3rd, and the first image of the vehicle has just been released. This innovative concept portrays a dramatic new look for compact SUVs and was styled at the company's European Design headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany.

The world première of this new concept – codenamed HED-6 – will take centre stage on the Hyundai stand, with two other vehicles completing a hat-trick of debuts for the company. The three-door version of new B-segment challenger the i20 will be shown for the first time on stage, further enhancing the Hyundai small-car offering, while the i30 blue will showcase the first application of stop-start technology on a Hyundai production car, contributing to a significant cut in both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

HED-6 concept car

Hyundai's European design team has hailed HED-6 as an ‘urban nomad, a car of contrast for a world of contrast', citing cultural influences from major cities like Berlin, Paris and London as key to its creation.

HED-6 combines muscular design and everyday utility to fit comfortably in an urban or out-of-town environment. The dramatic exterior design is enhanced by the hexagonal grille, angular style lines and piercing back-swept front headlamps, with the bold look completed by 21-inch, mirror-polished alloy wheels. The three-dimensional, sculpted shape of the rear window is achieved using "Lexan" high-performance plastics instead of regular glass. To emphasize the dynamic flowing lines, the designers have developed a special ‘Ice Blue' exterior paint, with an advanced pigment effect for a brilliant shine.

Equipped with LED daytime running lights and powered by a 175 HP, 1.6-litre GDi turbocharged engine, HED-6 gives an indication of the next generation of Hyundai SUVs.

Allan Rushforth, Vice President at Hyundai Motor Europe said, "The HED-6 brings an entirely new look to Hyundai's SUV line-up. It fuses a robust exterior with a fresh and elegant interior, making for an eye-catching package, while its latest-generation power train highlights Hyundai's clean-technology expertise."

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Spied: Hyundai Equus caught on the streets

With the masquerade of official shots pouring in of the Hyundai Equus, it is inevitable that candid shots of Hyundai's new RWD flagship sedan are bound to start seeping into the web. Here are the very first spy shots of an undisguised Equus snapped in Korea. We're liking the LED taillights and the gorgeous white paint.

Stay tuned for more information on the Equus. Receive news updates on the go or at the convenience of your desktop by following our Twitter feed.

Continue reading to view one more image.

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Exclusive: More official images of Hyundai Equus

Continuing our stream of news updates on the Hyundai's new flagship sedan, Equus, we have a set of new official photos. This time, we also have images of the interior. With this latest set, we can finally confirm the existence of two front grilles for the Equus: a horizontal-slat version for the V6 models and a more luxurious vertical-slat design for the V8 models.

Follow the jump to view these photos, and always check by TheCarBlogger for the latest news and updates on the Hyundai Equus.

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NEW: Follow us on Twitter

That's right. Twitter has proven to be an excellent application for receiving news updates on the go or at your desktop. So, TheCarBlogger is following suit with our own Twitter feed:

http://twitter.com/TheCarBlogger

Please comment after the jump for any questions or suggestions.

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Preview: 2010 Kia Sorento (XM) teaser revealed

Kia Motors has revealed the first official image of the redesigned 2010 Kia Sorento, code-named 'XM'. Set to formally debut at the Seoul Motor Show in April, the new Sorento will bring a host of new fuel-conserving technologies including the all-aluminium turbodiesel R-Engine developed in-house with Hyundai.

The 2010 Sorento will deviate greatly from the current Sorento which rides on a body-on-frame platform. Instead, the new model will ride on a monocoque, also called unibody, platform. The redesigned model is also substantially bolder in style compared to the current model, as it is one of Peter Schreyer's first fully-individual works.

The truly breakthrough element of the 2010 Sorento is the array of powertrains it will be available in. In the Korean market, the CUV will be powered by a 2.4L Theta II petrol, a 2.7L LPI, or a new 2.2L turbodiesel R-engine. Making its debut in the new Sorento, the R-engine turbodiesel yields the ultimate efficiency and is Euro-5 compliant thanks to a close-coupled diesel particulate filter. Producing 200 PS and 321 lb.ft of torque (436 Nm), the R-engine also achieves optimal fuel economy numbers with 14.1 km/L (direct conversion: 33 MPG). This places the 2.2L turbodiesel-equipped Sorento as the most fuel-efficient SUV in Korea, even ahead of its smaller sibling, Sportage. These numbers are also reachable due to the standard 6-speed automatic transmission it is mated to and an ECO-Driving system that assists the driver in extracting the best fuel consumption numbers.

The USDM Sorento will be available in either the 2.4L 4-cylinder engine or a 3.8L Lambda V6 (est. 270 hp). The Sorento will be manufactured in Kia's new, state-of-the-art West Point, Georgia factory. The Korean-market Sorento is slated to go on sale in April.

[Source: Kia]

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Leaked: Official Images of Hyundai Equus

Need we say more? Stay tuned for more information on the Equus. Continue reading for an image of the rear view. Both images are high-resolution.

NOTE: Contrary to what some articles from other websites are stating, the Equus will not debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Totally unrelated to this, Hyundai has pushed the debut date of the Equus from March 3rd to March 11th, 2009.

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Preview: 2010 Hyundai Equus

Hyundai Motor hosted a media-only test drive event of its upcoming flagship Equus today at the automaker's R&D center in Namyang, Korea. The invited attendees were able to test the Equus against the car's primary benchmarks, Lexus LS460 and Mercedes-Benz S550. The Equus is slated to be officially unveiled to the public on March 3rd.

The Equus heralds a plethora of technological items that are firsts for domestic Korean cars in the country. These include Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), Parking Guidance System (PGS), Pre-Safe Seatbelts (PSB), Advanced Front Lighting System (AFLS), and TFT-LCD dashboard cluster with visual warning system.

The Equus is powered by either a 290 hp 3.8L Lambda V6 or a 366 hp 4.6L Tau V8 with 324 lb.ft of torque. Both engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The latter achieved a 0-60 time of 6.4 seconds and an average fuel consumption of 8.8 km/L (21 MPG). Hyundai will add a more powerful 5.0L V8, with a projected horsepower rating of 420, in a couple of months.

Check by TheCarBlogger often as we expect information (and images) of the Equus to pour in the next couple of days.

[Source: Auto Times]

UPDATE: Hyundai has delayed the debut date of the Equus from March 3rd to March 11th.

Continue reading to view more images

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Spied: 2010 Hyundai Equus snapped during test event

Right about now, Hyundai is hosting a media-only test drive event of its upcoming flagship Equus sedan, ahead of its formal unveiling date of March 3rd. Images will not be released by the media, but who says there won't be candid ones? Here is the first spy shot of the Equus caught during today's test event. Stay tuned for the next post which will detail the specifications of the Equus that Hyundai has released today.

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Hyundai i30 Blue marked for Geneva debut

Hyundai Motor will debut the eco-friendly i30 Blue at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show (Salon International de l'Auto) next month. The model wears the Blue moniker, which is Hyundai's new sub-brand of low-emission, fuel-sipping cars in Europe. Hyundai has showcased its Blue models in the past with concepts such as the i10 Blue and i20 Blue. The i30 Blue, however, is the first headed for production.

The i30 Blue will feature emission-reducing upgrades that later models wearing the Blue badge will benefit from as well. These include aerodynamic improvements, the ISG (Idle Stop&Go) system, and low rolling-resistance tires. The ISG system, manufactured by Bosch, uses an advanced starter motor connected to the ECU, which monitors the car's status at all times and automatically switches the engine off (when stationary) and on. Consequently, the fuel consumption is reduced up to 15 percent in city driving and 7 percent in mixed driving cycle. CO2 emissions are also lowered to 142 g/km, which contrast the conventional i30 1.6 petrol's emissions of 152 g/km.

The i30 Blue will reach European showrooms by this summer. It will be available in either the hatchback or Cross Wagon, and either a 1.4L or a 1.6L gasoline engine. Hyundai aims to release more Blue variants of its current line-up in the future.

[Source: Hyundai]

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NOTICE: TheCarBlogger has a new website address!

We have finally done it. In short words, TheCarBlogger's new URL or web address is:

http://thecarblogger.net

As if TheCarBlogger isn't already a long name, we have made it easier for readers and new visitors in accessing the website by removing the "blogspot.com" and simply changing it to ".net". We would have opted for the ".com" domain if it was available, but it has been registered before we could snatch it. We hope that this new change will ameliorate your experience here at TheCarBlogger, the only Korean car news website in English (meaning not a brand-dedicated website).

For those who have bookmarked the website, do not worry if it contains the old URL (http://thecarblogger.blogspot.com). In about three to four days, Blogger will complete the transition of our website from the old domain to the new domain. After that, you can still visit TheCarBlogger by entering the old URL as you will be redirected automatically.

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Ad Blitz: Love is complicated (Hyundai Genesis)

Editor's Note: Ad Blitz is a new weekly feature at TheCarBlogger where we will post advertisements produced by Hyundai or Kia that we nominate are worth feasting your eyes on. The advertisements may be a video or an image. We will also rate it with either a Thumbs Up indicating our approval or a Thumbs Down to indicate our disdain. Explanation for our choices? Unless we go against the currents of the norm and praise the really awkward Hubby Meets Cowboy commercial, our opinions will most likely mirror that of your logical ones as well.

Caption: Love is complicated
Car: 2009 Hyundai Genesis (USA)
First Impression: Simply outstanding. Reminds me of my Maisto Mustang that I "dissected" like the Genesis above. Perhaps a message that the $40K Hyundai will turn out like the above with a small mishap?

Thumbs up or thumbs down? We say...

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