EXCLUSIVE: Refreshed 2011 Hyundai Genesis Undisguised

UPDATE: The Hyundai Genesis is scheduled for a major facelift for the 2012 model year, not the 2011 model year. -Ed.

Today we are the first to bring you exclusive images of the eagerly anticipated facelifted 2011 Hyundai Genesis, courtesy of Kevin who snapped these pictures in South Korea. It is remarkable to note that the Genesis has been on sale for merely 2 calendar years(summer 2008 release as MY2009), and from these images alone it is evident that Hyundai has several changes in store for the 2011 model year.

First and foremost, the exterior of the refreshed Genesis has received subtle modifications. Hyundai has added a new front bumper (with new lower air intakes), new LED headlamps, sportier front/side/rear skirts, rear chrome trim, and a refreshed rear fascia with integrated dual exhausts that resemble those of the Lexus LS.

Inside the new Genesis, no major changes are visible save for a new BMW-esque shift knob that likely operates the new 8-speed automatic transmission that has been announced to debut in the facelifted Genesis.

Also for the 2011 model year, there are reports of Hyundai fitting the new Genesis with its new 5.0L V8 that is touted to produce 429 horsepower. The new powertrain is also scheduled to debut under the hood of the upcoming Hyundai Equus. It is also likely that Hyundai will add new GDI (gasoline direct injection) engines to the line-up.

Continue reading to view more spy shots!

NOTE: Please link back to this article if you wish to post this on another website. Thanks. -Ed

Read More

Hyundai Sonata Earns Top Marks from Consumer Reports

The redesigned Hyundai Sonata has earned an “excellent” score in testing by Consumer Reports, making it one of the top-rated family sedans and scoring just under the four-cylinder Nissan Altima.

The magazine said that the Sonata has “agile handling, a steady ride, good accommodations, easy-to-use controls, and impressive performance and fuel economy for the class.”

Two freshened versions of the Nissan Altima posted “excellent” overall scores, topping tests of four family sedans for the August 2010 issue. Also in the test group were the Suzuki Kizashi, which earned an “excellent” score overall, and the Chevrolet Impala, which earned “good.”

While both versions of the Altima are “recommended,” the Kizashi and Sonata were not recommended because they are too new for Consumer Reports to have reliability data, and the Impala scored too low in testing. Recommended vehicles must perform well in tests, have at least average predicted reliability based on the magazine’s annual auto survey, and perform at least adequately if crash-tested or included in a government rollover test.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Read More

Rhys Millen Places Third in Pikes Peak Rally, 'Monster' Tajima Retains Record

With plenty of lead up to its introduction at the 88th annual Pikes Peak Hillclimb, the Rhys Millen Racing Hyundai Genesis PM580 didn’t deliver on any of its promises and instead was overshadowed by the Suzuki of Nobuhiro ‘Monster’ Tajima. Rhys Millen had set out to break the 10 minute barrier on the treacherous mountain and reclaim the record for his family. (Rhys’ father Rod set a record of 10:04.06 in 1994, which Tajima topped in 2007 with a 10:01.41).

Tajima once again came out on top on the weekend’s race, claiming his 5th consecutive overall win at America’s second oldest race with a 10:11.490. In second was three-time hillclimb champion Paul Dallenbach with a 10:39.534 run. As for Millen, he placed a distance third with an 11:06.208 run after his purpose built 650-hp Hyundai race car suffered mechanical problems. “Everything that could have gone wrong went wrong today,” said Millen.

The Pikes Peak Hill Climb, which takes place annually on Pikes Peak in Colorado Springs, Colorado, starts at an elevation of 9,300 feet and finishes at an elevation of 14,110 feet – where the air is so think drivers’ reaction times begin to slow and their race car engines lose 30 percent of their power. Drivers drift around 146 corners in 12.42 miles of track made up of dirt and asphalt, nearly missing guard rails and trees, while avoiding cliffs with 2,000-foot drop-offs.

[Source: The Associated Press]

Read More

All-New Hyundai Avante (Elantra) Pre-Orders Surpass 5000 in S. Korea

Hyundai Motor Company has announced that it has received over 5000 pre-orders for the all-new, redesigned Avante (Elantra) mid-size sedan in its domestic market of South Korea today. The automaker began taking orders on the 21st of June and has since amassed tremendous popularity for the newest addition to its line-up. The new Avante made its public debut at the Busan International Motor Show last April.

For the South Korean market, the Avante is available with a single powertrain: a 1.6L GDI (gasoline direct-injection) Gamma 4-cylinder engine that produces 140 horsepower and 129 lb. ft of torque. It is mated to either a standard 6-speed manual transmission or an available 6-speed automatic. The new Avante is packed with a myriad of standard features such as six airbags and rear parking assist, as well as optional items including HID headlamps, segment-first rear heated seats, and a 10-way power adjustable driver seat.

Expect to see the redesigned Avante cross the Pacific to make its North American debut early next year.

[Source: Hyundai]

Read More

Kia Donates Borrego SUVs for Firefighter Training

In the last decade, wildfires have wrought considerable havoc in Southern California, often testing the limits of firefighting crews as well as requiring assistance from out of the state. In cases where the fires spread to urban environments, causing people to become trapped in buildings and cars, saving lives becomes crucial. That’s where facilities like the Rio Hondo Regional Truck Academy in Santa Fe Springs come in. Rio Hondo offers courses designed for professional firefighters to train and also educate emergency medical responders about saving lives in emergency situations, including vehicle accidents where time and techniques in rescuing occupants from stranded vehicles are critical .

Kia Motors recently aided Rio Hondo’s programs by donating 26 Borrego SUVs to the academy for instructional training. These vehicles will be used in a variety of scenarios that simulate real fire and emergency situations, plus as late-model vehicles they allow both students and instructors to learn about the latest in modern technology features such as airbags, while utilizing the right tools to remove the occupants quickly and safely. The donation also comes at a time when many states, particularly California are struggling with budget issues, including funding for emergency services.

“We know many government agencies are in need of support during these difficult times and providing Rio Hondo with these vehicles is an ideal fit,” stated VP Marketing, Kia Motors of America.

David Kang, Truck Academy instructor for Rio Hondo, added, “without this donation from Kia Motors, we would not be able to do this training. The use of these Kia SUVs will allow firefighters from all over Southern California to learn the latest in vehicle technologies and save lives.”

[Source: OC Metro]

Read More

Rhys Millen's RMR Hyundai Genesis PM580 Unveiled Before Pikes Peak Run

Rhys Millen Racing announced that it plans to break the Pikes Peak Hill Climb record this year with help from the 2010 RMR Hyundai PM580 Genesis single-seater race car. The company has released several presentation videos of the 2010 RMR Hyundai PM580 that show the mad racer during private testing in preparation for the record run.

Here are the few facts about the 2010 RMR Hyundai PM580 released by the team up until this point. The car develops 775 hp and 750 lb-ft of torque. The weight of the car is 1900 lbs or 861 kg. This means the 2010 RMR Hyundai PM580 has a power-to-weight ratio of 900 hp per ton. To get an idea of just how mad this car is, the Veyron's power-to-weight ratio is 446.3 bhp per ton.

The current Pikes Peak time record is 10 minutes and 1.408 seconds set by Suzuki driver Nobuhiro "Monster" Tajima. Millen hopes to break the 10-minute mark for the first time and set a new world record for this highly challenging run.

[Source: Rhys Millen Racing]

Continue reading for more images.

Read More

Hyundai Equus, Genesis To Get 429-HP 5.0L Tau V8

Hyundai has just announced that after the market launch of its new flagship Equus luxury sedan, it will offer an engine option above the planned 4.6L Tau V8. The optional engine will be a new 5.0L Tau V8, making 429-hp. That same engine will then also find its way into the Genesis luxury sedan.

With a power increase of around 45-hp with the larger engine, torque will also jump from 333 ft-lbs to 376. And aiding in both power deliver and fuel consumption is a new 8-speed automatic – although it’s not yet clear if the Genesis will also get the 8-speed box.

The move is designed to keep Hyundai’s flagship competitive with the new twin-turbo motors from BMW and Mercedes, but as most buyers won’t see the Equus as a rival to the established marques, we have to think this is more of a shot across the bow of Lexus, with the larger Genesis motor offering far more power than what Lexus equips its LS models with.

[Source: TheCarConnection]

Read More

Hyundai Veloster to Hit 40 MPG, Topping Honda CR-Z Figures Without Hybrid Set-up

Hyundai is aiming to achieve an EPA rating of more than 40-mpg with its new Veloster model. The stubby hatchback has already been likened to the Honda CRX of old by Hyundai Motor America president John Krafcik, and now it seems Hyundai is planning to really steal Honda’s thunder, by besting the Japanese automaker’s reborn CRX, the CR-Z. That model, despite using a hybrid drivetrain, gets 36/39-mpg city/highway with a CVT, or a slightly lower 31/37-mpg with a 6-speed manual.

Better yet, Hyundai’s non-hybrid system, (believed to be a 140-hp, direct-injection 1.6-liter 4-cylinder), will keep both weight and cost to a minimum by keeping a heavy and expensive hybrid system out of the picture.

Krafcik has also let slip more details about the Veloster, including the fact that all models will come with a large in-dash screen – likely to show trip info and to manage things like iPods, etc.

[Source: AutoGuide.com]

Read More

Hyundai Sells 5 Million Sonatas Worldwide

“The five million mark is a testament to Hyundai’s continuous quality improvement, technological advancement and differentiated design,” said Steve S. Yang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor. “It’s Korea’s No. 1 sedan and now aims to be a game changer for the segment worldwide.”

Of the total, 2.7 million units were sold in Korea while 2.3 million were sold in overseas markets. The U.S. was the biggest market for Sonata outside Korea with 1.3 million cumulative sales. Sales of Sonata from overseas markets accounted for two-thirds of total sales this year, demonstrating the growing popularity of the latest version abroad.

When the cars are lined up bumper to bumper (overall length 4,820 mm), the length is equivalent to one round trip between Seoul and New York (one-way distance 11,000 km). When the cars are piled up (overall height 1,470 mm), the 5 million units are about 800 times the height of the Mount Everest (8,848m).

Sonata is now entering its sixth generation since its launch in 1985, gaining steady popularity worldwide as Hyundai’s leading sedan and competing head to head against Toyota’s Camry and Honda’s Accord.

[Source: Hyundai]

Read More

Hyundai Accent Tops Class in J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study

PRESS RELEASE: HYUNDAI ACCENT TOPS CLASS IN J.D. POWER AND ASSOCIATES INITIAL QUALITY STUDY

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 06/17/2010 - J.D. Power and Associates announced today that the Hyundai Accent topped the sub-compact segment in its 2010 Initial Quality Study (IQS). Owners of the economical and fun-to-drive 2010 Accent reported the fewest problems per 100 vehicles in its segment. Elantra also finished in the top three in the compact car segment.

Overall, Hyundai finished third among non-premium brands in the 2010 Initial Quality Study, holding a top-three position for the second consecutive year, well below the industry average for reported problems per 100 vehicles.

“Pursuit of industry-leading quality is Hyundai’s number one global priority,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “It’s fitting that our most economical model, the Accent, leads its class in initial quality. It demonstrates that quality and value can go hand-in-hand.”

The J.D. Power and Associates IQS measures 228 attributes, including the overall driving experience, engine and transmission, and a broad range of defect and design problems reported by vehicle owners. The 2010 study tallied over 82,000 responses from owners of new, 2010 model-year vehicles.

[Source: Hyundai]

Read More

Hyundai Genesis and Sonata Named to Edmunds.com’s Top Best Dark-Horse Cars List

Edmunds.com named both the 2010 Hyundai Genesis and 2011 Hyundai Sonata to its Top 10 Best Dark-Horse Cars of 2010 list.

"The Top 10 Best Dark-Horse Cars of 2010 represent the true dark horses in the market – the cars that somehow fly just below the radar when it comes to consumer awareness, but nevertheless have a lot to offer shoppers on the hunt for quality and value," Hyundai reported.

“The all-new Sonata is a smart buy with modern style, top-tier quality and outstanding residual value. Couple that with a four-cylinder engine producing class-leading fuel economy and the power of a larger V6, and the Sonata should definitely be on consumer shopping lists in the mid-size sedan segment,” said Scott Margason, director of product planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Additionally, the North American Car of the Year-winning Genesis continues to be an extremely disruptive force in the large sedan and near-luxury segments.”

“Although they may not have the same level of recognition as say the Ford Explorer, Honda Civic or Toyota Camry, these cars offer great value and quality, and definitely should be on more consumers’ shopping lists,” said Karl Brauer, Senior Analyst and Editor at Large for Edmunds.com.

[Source: Edmunds]

Read More

Hyundai Canada sets all time sales record in May

Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. today announced it recorded its second consecutive month of record-breaking sales and its 16th straight month of best-ever sales increases. With 12,620 units sold in May 2010, the company surpassed its previous company record set in April 2010 by 125 units.

The May 2010 performance represents an increase of 12.6 percent over the same month in 2009. Hyundai has sold 50,713 units year-to-date, representing an increase of 19.7 percent over the first five months of 2009.

"Hyundai products are clearly resonating with Canadian customers," said Steve Kelleher, president and CEO, Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. "With the high-profile launch of the all-new the Tucson and Sonata garnering attention for the whole Hyundai brand, customers are discovering our strong line-up of products deliver unmatched quality, value and style. We've also brought to market the Hyundai Smart Advantage. By offering customers lower prices combined with 0% financing, we're able to take the tremendous value equation of our vehicles and make them more affordable."

The Elantra Touring, Sonata and Tucson vehicles in the Hyundai line-up showed strong sales in the market, recording increases of 42.2, 61.5 and 74.6 percent, respectively.

[Source: Hyundai Canada]

Read More