Unfortunate Typo: Hyundai's Mid-Size Hybrid Already?

Stop the presses! Courtesy of the New York Daily News, it looks like we have our first look at Hyundai's anticipated hybrid-electric mid-size sedan. But wait, the car looks strikingly familiar. Is Hyundai reverting to its derivative designs of the past? The Altima name would definitely get the folks at Nissan feisty...

The Hyundai Altima Hybrid gig certainly gave us a chuckle this morning. We checked it out again later in the evening, and it seems that the established publication has still not caught the scent of its unfortunate, but understandable error. Let's see how long this lapse will last.

[Source: New York Daily News]

Read More

Kia Releases Official "VG" Renderings

Kia Motors has released the first official renderings of its upcoming premium sedan, code-named "VG", today. The automaker already gave the public a glimpse of the VG's design with the KND-5 Concept at the Seoul Motor Show last April. The production model will incur minimal stylistic changes from its concept precursor, and this is much evident in the new renderings.

The automaker has been pretty tight-lipped about the VG. In the press release, the company did mention available 18-inch alloy wheels for the front-wheel drive car, but we wouldn't boast about that this day in age. The VG, which will share the same underpinnings as the Hyundai Grandeur/Azera, will have a vast selection of engine options, including a 2.4L Theta II 4-cylinder for the Korean market and a 3.5L Lambda II V6.

The production VG will make its inaugural debut in late November in Korea with domestic sales following soon after launch. The premium car will also reach North American showrooms early next year. As the aging Amanti has (finally) been euthanized for 2010, the VG will presumably take its place in Kia's North American line-up.

[Source: Kia]

Read more for more images.

Read More

Hyundai India to Shift i20 Export Production to Europe

Hyundai Motor India will shift the production of its i20 model for exports from India to Europe some time next year, a top official said Saturday. The company has been rolling out this model, for both domestic and overseas markets, from its Irungattukottai plant near here.

Hyundai has operations in the Czech Republic, Turkey and Slovakia, and the car could be manufactured in plants in any of these countries, company managing director H.S. Lheem told reporters at the plant. The shift will not have any impact on the Indian operations as the domestic demand for the model has far exceeded the companys original expectations of 400 units per month, he added. Citing the absence of free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union (EU), Lheem said exports to that region were being affected due to the 6.5 percent import duty levied by the EU.

He wanted the Indian government to subsidise the cost or take action to sign an FTA. Referring to the workers’ strike at the factory, he said the situation would normalise by Monday. Over 1,000 employees at two of the Hyundai plants in Irungattukottai have been on strike since Thursday against a wage agreement signed between the management and the Workers’ Committee. The striking workers say the committee, set up by the management itself, does not represent the employees.

Read More

Korea: Kia releases Pride/Rio Facelift

The Kia Rio/Pride gets a facelift for the 2010 year model. These stylish updates enhance the interior and bring a new front facade design. We finally get to see the first batch of 2010 Kia Rio images, after a long wait. The current Kia Rio has been on the market since 2005 and is known in South Korea as the Kia Pride. Almost four years after being introduced, the B-segment Rio needed and gets a facelift.

For the Kia Rio 2010, many upgrades and changes are made on both the inside and outside of the car. Sheet metal updates gives us a new front fascia with a different signature grille and bumper. The redesigned bumper that improves air-intake, combined with newer fog-lights, and the H-shaped Kia signature grille gives the 2010 model more character, as well as a more distinctive look on the interior. The exterior setup is similar to the latest Kia offerings and is more attractive.

The Kia Rio is similar to the 2010 Kia cee’d, which will also receive a stylish change for the following model year. The interior, the Kia Rio received a revised center stack, which included new controls and upgraded audio with a Bluetooth connection. It also boasts new gauges on the instrument panel, as well as a new design for the steering wheel.

[Source: Kia]

Read More

Frankfurt Preview: 2010 Kia cee'd (Facelift)

Kia Motors has released the first pictures of new cee'd, revealing an updated look incorporating the new 'family face' of the brand. This mid-life revision unusually includes sheet metal changes to the bonnet plus alterations to the bumper, grille and light clusters. There have been some enhancements to the interior too in terms of specification and design. These include a more intuitive centre console and upgraded audio system including Bluetooth connectivity.

Paul Philpott, Managing Director Kia Motors (UK) Limited commented; "Since its launch just over a year and a half ago, cee'd has been instrumental in placing Kia firmly as one of the top five global automakers.

"(The) cee'd has been one of the first Kia models customers have bought for emotional rather than practical reasons. Now we have other aspirational cars in the range, such as the new Soul, we are establishing a clear image as a design led brand. With more new introductions due early next year, Kia offers one of the youngest product ranges available," he stated.

The revised cee'd will be unveiled at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show alongside two all-new Kia models.

[Source: Kia]

Read More

Kia Sets To Launch Forte Koup in Late Summer

Kia Motors America has announced that it will launch the all-new 2010 Forte Koup later in summer 2009. According to the company, the 2010 Forte Koup will be available in two trim levels, EX and SX.

The 2010 Forte Koup is powered by a two-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 156hp of power and 144lb-ft of torque, featuring continuously variable valve timing (CVVT) and multi-port electronic fuel injection. The SX variant features an upgraded 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, also with CVVT, which delivers 173hp of power and 168lb-ft of torque.

The 2010 Forte Koup is available with four transmission options: a standard five-speed manual transmission or an optional electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive for EX models, while the SX model features a standard six-speed manual transmission and an optional five-speed automatic transmission with overdrive and Sportmatic.

[Source: Trading Markets]

Read More

Hyundai Green Lights Veloster Production For 2011

In an exclusive interview with Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik, Inside Line (Edmunds) has garnered a cornucopia of information on Hyundai's upcoming front-wheel-drive Tiburon replacement. According to Krafcik, the compact sport coupe will look 70-80 percent like the Veloster Concept that made an appearance at the 2007 Los Angeles International Auto Show. The CEO also hinted that the new coupe will have a revolutionary bodystyle.

"It might be doors or a unique roof or something with the hatch. But it won't be like anything out there before in the small car segment," stated Krafcik.

The upcoming sports coupe is also said to be smaller than the Kia Forte Koup. Comparing its size to the Accent, Krafcik stated, "Think of it like a four-passenger Honda CRX. It'll be a little car you can take out and wring its neck and still get good mileage. Fun and economical, with a great power-to-weight ratio." He also revealed that the coupe will be powered by a 1.6L four-cylinder with direct injection producing 140 horsepower. In addition, Krafcik touted fuel economy figures of "over 40 MPG." The coupe will also feature a standard in-dash screen.

The forthcoming compact sport coupe is currently without a name at the moment. Krafcik stated that candidates in the running include "Veloster" and "Tiburon". He also announced that it will arrive in Hyundai dealers by the end of 2011.

[Source: Inside Line:Edmunds]

Read More

Hyundai Begins Accepting Cash for Clunkers Trade-ins

After months of debate and rounds of legislation, the wait has ended. Consumers can finally take advantage of the government's "Car Allowance Rebate System" (CARS), and Hyundai is leading the way. Katherine Michon of Arlington, Virginia was the first to trade-in an eligible clunker for a new Hyundai, replacing her 15 mile-per-gallon 1995 Ford Explorer with a 26 mile-per-gallon Hyundai Elantra Touring, at Alexandria Hyundai in Alexandria, Virginia.

Hyundai buyers will receive the full rebate allocated under the CARS program (also known as "cash for clunkers") when an eligible trade-in is exchanged for a qualifying Hyundai model. Hyundai is the first automaker to extend the government incentive to consumers, accelerating its implementation by several weeks by backing dealerships with short-term cash advances as the government organizes the rollout of the program industry-wide.

[Source: Hyundai]

Read more for the full article.

In May, Hyundai research showed that 11 percent of car buyers delayed their purchases until the CARS legislation was resolved. "We appreciate what Washington has done getting the program completed, but it's clear that the wait has left many potential car-buyers on the sidelines," said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. "We thought it was imperative to get funding to our dealers so that they could implement the program right away and satisfy the demand they've been hearing from consumers."

Under the CARS program, consumers qualify for a $4,500 rebate on the purchase or lease of new vehicles that achieve 10 miles per gallon more than a trade-in car or five miles per gallon or more than a trade-in light truck. New vehicles that achieve between 4 to 9 mpg more than a trade-in car, or 2 to 4 mpg more than a trade-in light truck qualify for a $3,500 incentive.

Read More