2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur: Official Powertrain Info Released

Hyundai has released the first official details on what will be under the hood of the all-new 2012 Azera/Grandeur, scheduled to go on sale in South Korea in January.

Korean and North American specs detailed after the jump.

The Korean-market Grandeur will be available in three powertrain configurations including an LPI (liquified petroleum injected) model. The 2.7L Mu V6 in the current Grandeur will be replaced by an all-new 3.0L GDI (gasoline direct injected) V6 engine with an output of 263 horsepower and 225 lb.ft of torque. In addition, the new Grandeur will also be available with a smaller four-cylinder 2.4L GDI engine that produces 200 horsepower and 184 lb. ft of torque. The LPI powertrain is upgraded to an all-new 3.0L unit that churns out 230 horsepower and 205 lb. ft of torque. All three engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

The North American Azera will be powered by a 3.3L V6 unit with an output of 286 horsepower and 255 lb. ft of torque. Mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission, this powerplant is not direct-injected which gives insight to the power potential of the 3.3L V6 engine with such technology.

Hyundai also stated in its release that the new Grandeur will be the first South Korean vehicle to be available with Advanced Smart Cruise Control (ASCC). This system not only adjusts vehicle speed to maintain consistent distance from a vehicle ahead, but also automatically engages the brakes to a full stop in response to a vehicle ahead abruptly stopping.

Hyundai will commence production of the all-new Azera/Grandeur on the 15th of December at the company's Asan plant in South Korea. Sales will begin on the 13th of January following a launch ceremony in Seoul.



[Source: Hyundai]

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Named Car and Driver "10Best"

The all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata has been named one of the “10Best Cars for 2011” by Car and Driver, marking the first time a Hyundai product has received the recognition by the editors of Car and Driver.


“We're delighted so many American consumers have put a 2011 Sonata in their driveway this year,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. “Achieving our first Car and Driver ‘10Best’ award is tasty icing on the cake, and a tribute to the team of global engineers, California designers, and Alabama plant associates that made this game-changing product a reality.”

According to Car and Driver, the “10Best” award celebrates the best cars on sale in America for less than $80,000. Testing takes place over a week on public roads in rural Michigan. The staff tested more than 60 new cars before selecting the “10Best.”

“In our testing, we are looking for those automobiles that deliver spectacular value, real driver engagement and the highest fulfillment of their intended missions,” said Eddie Alterman, Car and Driver editor-in-chief. “It’s a real workout and only the best cars on the market emerge victorious.”

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata was introduced earlier this year. Sonata brings to the market a number of breakthroughs previously unheard of in the mid-size family sedan segment including standout design, a standard gasoline direct injected engine that delivers 35 miles per gallon on the highway, an optional 274-horsepower 4-cylinder turbo and a soon-to-be-introduced hybrid model.

Sonata sales are up 64 percent over last year on the strength of the new model. Sonata has been the most “shopped” midsize car in the market for five of the past six months according to Compete, an automotive market analysis firm.

“All of our business metrics are pointed in the right direction,” said Krafcik. “Retail sales are up. Incentive spending is down. Our residuals are among the strongest in the industry. And cars like Sonata are driving more and more smart shoppers to Hyundai.”

The full list of 2011's 10 Best Cars comprised of the following models:

BMW 3-SERIES/M3
CADILLAC CTS-V
CHEVROLET VOLT
FORD MUSTANG GT
HONDA ACCORD
HONDA FIT
HYUNDAI SONATA
MAZDA MX-5 MIATA
PORSCHE BOXSTER/CAYMAN
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF/GTI

The complete story on the “10Best” is available in the January issue of Car and Driver and at CarandDriver.com.

[Source: Car and Driver]

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2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur: First Official Images

Hyundai recently released a set of renderings that offered us a preview of the company’s future Azera/ Grandeur model, increasing the public’s interest for the saloon. Today, the company has released the first proper images of the vehicle, offering us another example of what the “Fluidic Sculpture” design language means out here in the real world.

The vehicle, which will be slotted between the Sonata and the Genesis sedans, comes with an interesting look. Ok, the vehicle doesn’t take things too far in any design direction, but we can say that it offers a visually balanced package.

The company is using a step by step approach, revealing new details about the vehicle at a rather slow pace. How does this translates for the current situation? The answer to this question is simple - the South Korean automotive producer still hasn’t offered us any details about the vehicles. Yes, no specs, no list of goodies.

We’ll remind you that the head of the company’s North American division, John Krafcik, recently offered an interview to Autonews, talking about the new Azera.

"The Azera is a front wheel drive car whereas the Genesis is rear-wheel-drive and performance-focused, so (the Azera) will have greater appeal in northern, snow-states where front wheel drive is important, but there will be a very, very strong level of differentiation between the two cars," Krafcik said.

The vehicle is expected to only come with a V6 powerplant, in order to offer a totally different package than the Sonata, which is exclusively available with four-cylinder units.




[Source: Hyundai]

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Hyundai-Kia Overtakes Toyota in Europe

According to reports, the Hyundai Motor Group overtook Toyota in October to become the best selling Asian carmaker in Europe this year, provisionally speaking. Data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, or ACEA, had Hyundai and Kia’s European sales up by 4% in the first 10 months of 2010, to 521,369 vehicles, while Toyota’s sales, including that of Lexus, fell 16.5% percent to 511,754.


Hyundai’s achievement is significant, given that new car registrations in Europe decreased by 5% for the first ten months of the year, with 11.6 million new vehicles registered, compared to the 12.24 million for the same time period in 2009.

The Korean carmaker’s US sales has also gone up, by 21%, its market share increasing as Toyota’s fell, not surprising given the negative impact brought about by the latter’s seemingly endless stream of recalls. Sales of the Sonata were up by 64% – comparatively, Camry sales dropped by 6.3%.

Back in Europe, Nissan should also have a lot to smile about – among the major players, it has posted the most significant gains in 2010 sales, up 13.1% from last year.

[Source: Bloomberg]

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2011 Kia Optima Hybrid Unveiled: LA 2010

Kia has unveiled the 2011 Optima Hybrid at the Los Angeles Auto Show recently.

Created specifically for the U.S. market, the car features a full parallel hybrid system which consists of a 168 PS (124 kW / 166 hp) 2.4-liter petrol engine and a 30 kW (41 PS / 40 hp) electric motor. All told, the two can work together to produce a combined 209 PS (154 kW / 206 hp) and 265 Nm (194 lb-ft) of torque.

This enables the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 9.2 seconds and hit a top speed of 121 mph (195 km/h). More importantly, fuel consumption is expected to be 36 mpg city / 40 mpg highway (US).

To get these impressive features, Kia engineers optimized the petrol engine and installed a 34 kW lithium-ion battery which enables the hybrid to operate in EV mode at speeds up to 100 km/h (62 mph).

On the styling front, the Hybrid is distinguished by a reduced ride height (lowered 5mm), a revised grille, and unique 16-inch alloy wheels with low-rolling resistance tires.

No word on pricing, but look for the Optima Hybrid to start arriving at U.S. dealerships early next year.

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2012 Hyundai Grandeur (HG): First Official Images

Hyundai commenced a marketing blitz of the new, redesigned Grandeur for the Korean market today, ahead of its scheduled sales launch in Korea in January 2011. And as a treat, the company revealed the first official images of the car.

Hot or not? Looking too much like a Sonata? Tell us your opinion of the new Grandeur in the comments section after the jump. Continue reading to view more images (renderings).




[Source: Hyundai]

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2011 Hyundai Elantra (USDM): Officially Revealed

Nothing new to see here today. The embargo on the all-new 2011 Hyundai Elantra for the North American market has been lifted today, ahead of the car's scheduled unveiling later this week at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. But does that really matter when it has been on sale in its home market (as the Avante) for numerous months now? Nonetheless, we tip our hats to Hyundai for keeping the new Elantra relatively unchanged from its Korean counterpart.


The biggest news of the all-new Elantra, other than its widely-adulated design, is what's under the hood. Powered by Hyundai's brand-"Nu" 1.8-liter 4-cylinder, the new Elantra makes 148-hp at 6500 rpm and 131 ft-lbs of torque at 4700 rpm. Perhaps more impressive is the fact that with that power output, coupled with a standard 6-speed transmission (manual or automatic) the car will achieve 29-mpg city and 40-mpg highway. And even more impressive is the fact that the figures apply to all trim levels of the Elantra, negating the need for a special high-mileage trim like the Chevrolet Cruze Eco.

Just two Elantra trim levels will be offered: GLS and Limited, with all models getting features like power windows with driver’s auto-down, remote keyless entry, six airbags and disc brakes at all corners. Limited models add items like fog lights, heated mirrors, a sunroof, 17-inch aluminum wheels (15-inch steel wheels are standard), leatherette door inserts, a leather-wrapped telescopic steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, heated leather front seats and even heated leather rear seats.

Thankfully Hyundai also offers a packages for the base GLS model including a Popular Equipment Package that adds cruise control, A/C, a telescopic steering wheel and 16-inch steel wheels. A Preferred Equipment Package adds on 16-inch alloy wheels, steering wheel audio controls, a Bluetooth hands-free phone system with voice recognition, a sliding center armrest and some upgraded interior trim. A Navigation package can also be had with a 7-inch monitor, while the Limited Premium Package includes items like a 360-watt audio system, as well as a “proximity key” and push-button ignition.

Stay tuned for news on pricing with the official reveal this Thursday at the LA Auto Show.

[Source: Hyundai]

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Hyundai Confirms Veloster for Detroit, Accent for New York

During a media briefing this week, Hyundai officials confirmed that the upcoming 2012 Veloster will make its world debut at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The company also announced that the North American version of the redesigned Accent will make its debut at the Big Apple next April.

While Hyundai has yet to make it official, it is almost certain that the Veloster (name subject to change, though rumors suggest it is here to stay) will be powered by a direct-injected version of the company's new 1.6-liter Gamma four-cylinder engine. Output is estimated at 138 horsepower and 123 lb.ft of torque. The big news is the new six-speed dual-clutch transmission that will be mated to the powertrain. The Veloster is expected to return at least 40 mpg on the highway.

Stay tuned for more information on the Veloster in the coming days.

[Source: Autoblog]

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2011 Hyundai Elantra Makes Early Debut at Cars and Coffee

Let's face it: that whole photo-op set up by the folks at Hyundai with one of their reps looking mock-shocked that the 2011 Hyundai Elantra had been "discovered" was quite silly really.

Perhaps to save themselves from further embarassment, Hyundai decided to prematurely take the wraps off the all-new US-spec Elantra, scheduled for debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show next week, by bringing one example for the public eye at a recent Cars and Coffee meet in California. And who else would have been behind the wheel of the car other than the CEO of Hyundai Motor America himself John Krafcik.

Thanks to esteemed automotive journalist Frank Filipponio, we have our very first candid look at the US-spec 2011 Hyundai Elantra. Head over to his website, Frank4cars, to see the high resolution photos in full glory.

[Source: Frank4Cars]

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Hyundai Elantra Teased Ahead of Los Angeles Auto Show Debut

Hyundai has just released a lighthearted "spy photo" of the next-generation Elantra on their Twitter page in advance of the compact sedan's debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show next week.

Hyundai showed the above photo of the next-generation U.S.-spec Elantra (and a staged, startled PR rep) with only a bit of sheetmetal exposed on Twitter today.

The Elantra will be built at Hyundai's Montgomery, Alabama, production facility alongside the Sonata, starting later this fall, and will reach dealerships in early 2011.

Keep your eyes here for all your updates on the Hyundai Elantra and all the other debuting vehicles headed to the Los Angeles Auto Show.

[Source: Hyundai's Twitter Page]

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Kia Unveils Forte Koup Type R: SEMA 2010

Following a fairly successful inaugural season competing in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge series, Kia unveiled the Forte Koup Type R Concept at the 2010 SEMA show in Las Vegas on Tuesday. Kinetic Motorsports, which built and campaigned two Forte Koup race cars in the Continental Tire series, also developed the Type R Concept.

Visually, the car receives wider front fenders and rear quarter panels, front lip, side sills with rear arch flares and is painted in a flat dark shadow gray metallic color. The car rolls on 18-inch forged BBS wheels wrapped with Continental Conti Sport DWS tires. Additional handling improvements come from Kinetic performance springs, Kinetic custom limited-slip differential and strut tower brace.

Minor drivetrain modifications include an upgraded clutch, lightweight flywheel and underdrive engine pulley system. A custom Kinetic exhaust and K&N air filter is also installed. To up stopping power, Alcon four-piston brake calipers are fitted at all four corners.

The custom interior has green contrast stitching in a diamond pattern, short throw shifter with Kinetic shift knob and a 1,200-watt Infinity sound system.

According to a Kinetic spokesman, a line of performance parts has been developed and is ready to be produced for the Forte Koup as soon as Kia gives the the green light for production.

Kia also used SEMA to officially announce that it will also return to the track in 2011 for a sophomore campaign in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge series with the Forte Koup.

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