Next Hyundai Santa Fe to get 4-cylinder option

In the face of escalating fuel prices and demand for fuel-efficient cars, Hyundai plans to add a 4-cylinder engine to the Santa Fe crossover when it is redesigned in 2010. The second-generation 2.4L Theta engine that is expected to be in the Santa Fe debuted in the 2009 Hyundai Sonata. The current Santa Fe is available in either a 2.7L V6 or 3.3L V6 guise.

"The redesigned Santa Fe also will get a six-speed automatic transmission," said John Krafcik, vice president of product planning for Hyundai Motor America. Krafcik also stated that when the Tucson is redesigned in 2010, the V6 will be dropped in favor of a possible turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.

"We are focusing on fuel-efficient cars," Krafcik said. "We have a much greater capacity now for 1.6- to 2.0-liter engines." For 2009, Hyundai has tweaked the 1.6L engine in the Accent, which results in a 2MPG improvement in mileage. Hyundai will also commence production of the Theta II 4-cylinder engine in its Montgomery, Alabama. As of now, Hyundai produces all its 4-cylinder engines in Ulsan, South Korea.

[Source: Autoweek]

Read More

USA: Hyundai raises prices of Accent and Elantra due to expensive steel

Hyundai has raised the MSRP prices of the Accent and Elantra sedans in the U.S. as the cost of steel and other raw materials escalated recently. Effective from July 1st, the Accent's price increased by $200 and $300 for the Elantra. The new MSRP prices of the Accent and Elantra are $10,775 and $13,625 respectively.

The rise of steel and other raw materials prompted the minor boost in prices for the cars. Posco, South Korea's biggest steelmaker, has increased the price of sheet steel by 63% this year. The price of hot-roll coils used to make car parts and bodies increased three times to 850,000 Won ($796) per metric ton.

Last month, Hyundai reported a 70% increase in Accent sales and a 51% boost in Elantra sales.

[Source: Bloomberg]

Read More

TheCarBlogger Exclusive: Kia Forte Interior Snapped

Awaiting its official release on August 21st, the Kia Forte has already been leaked into the press many times. After the automaker decided to pull off the camo on the Forte prototypes, we've posted a substantial amount of spyshots taken by car enthusiasts in public. The latest shots we post might surprise many of you readers as these are the very first ones of the interior - exclusively brought to you by TheCarBlogger.

If you thought the Forte's exterior remained the same as its precursor, KOUP Concept, the production interior of the compact car will be no news. While it looks years ahead of the Forte's predecessor, Spectra, the interior can be readily described as an orgy of buttons. It does not look awkward, but if the criticism of the current Honda Accord's and Acura MDX's interior is valid, this one is no different from them.

The Forte will make its official world debut on August 21st. U.S. sales are expected to commence in mid-2009.

Continue reading to view the full images.

Read More

Spied: Kia Soul snapped uncloaked inside factory

Here we have an amateur shot of the Kia Soul caught undisguised inside a factory. This is the first good look at the full front 3/4 view of the car sans disguise. This particular model wears 18-inch alloys, indicating that it is the range-topping trim level of the car. Something worth noting is the absence of Kia's new corporate grille that is found in the Forte and Lotze Innovation.

While the Soul is recommended to stick to asphalt, Kia has tried to evoke a rugged look onto the car's exterior and it does not look that bad. The Soul is primarily targeted towards the same Gen-Y crowd that Scion has long dominated. Thus, it is not mind-boggling that Kia will market the car towards those who would otherwise opt for the box-on-wheels Scion xB.

The Soul will make its world premiere at the Paris International Motor Show this coming October. Sales will soon follow in South Korea, and is slated to disperse to European and North American markets after. Kia has confirmed that the Soul will roll into American showrooms in spring of 2009. More details will be released soon.

UPDATE: New image, snapped in the same factory, of a base-model Soul in white added after the jump.

Continue reading to view the full image.

Read More

Spied: Kia Forte hits the streets

We were informed by a Kia official yesterday that the camouflauge will be coming off for the Forte prototypes sometime this week. It looks like they have begun because amateur shots of the Forte undisguised are hitting the web already. The Forte is slated to roll into Korean showrooms on August 21st, with a North American launch sometime in 2009.

We will post all the latest amateur shots of the Forte snapped on the streets here. You can bookmark this post for convenience. Exclusive images of the interior will be posted separately soon.

UPDATE: New images added daily.

Read More

UK: Kia reduces CO2 output on some models

Kia has reduced the CO2 emission levels on some of its cars to lower the annual "road tax" applied to all cars registered in Britain. The automaker now sells Picanto, Rio, Cee'd and pro_cee'd models that fall under the sub-120g band, reducing the amount required to pay by GBP85 annually.

All Picanto models are now four-seat versions, reducing the overall weight of the car and in turn , reducing CO2 emissions to as low as 117g/km. The Rio has had emissions of its 1.5-litre CRDi diesel engine cut to 119g/km. The lower output 1.6 diesel engine in the Cee'd and pro_cee'd now emits 119g/km, dropping it into the GBP35 a year B band.

[Source: Just-auto]

Read More

Hyundai recalls 88,943 units of 2007-08 Santa Fe's for incorrect warning label

Commencing this August, Hyundai will recall 88,943 units of the Santa Fe SUV to fix an incorrect warning label. The label lists the wrong gross axle weight ratings on vehicles equipped with 18-inch wheels and tires.

"Overloading your vehicle may adversely affect handling and braking and may cause tire damage, resulting in tire failure and a crash without warning," says NHTSA in its recall summary of the problem. Hyundai stated that it has reduced the front and rear gross axle weight ratings by 66 pounds each for the Santa Fe models equipped with 18-inch tires.

Hyundai will mail the corrected warning labels to the affected owners with instructions. Owners will also have the option of having the label installed for free at dealerships. Hyundai has announced that there have been no accidents relevant to this issue.

[Source: Inside Line: Edmunds]

Read More