Spied: GM Daewoo Veritas (L4X) spotted in person

Here are the first images of the GM Daewoo Veritas, originally named L4X, spotted outside auto show venues for the first time. A rebadge of the Holden WM Caprice, the Veritas replaces the GM Daewoo Statesman that was on sale since 2005. The Statesman was also a rebadge of the previous generation Holden Statesman from Australia. The Veritas sports a unique vertical-slat grille and badging. The Statesman rides on Holden's RWD Zeta platform.

GM Daewoo pits the Veritas against the Hyundai Genesis 3.3L, Ssangyong Chairman W V6, and BMW 528i. Alike all three of these cars, the Veritas is rear-wheel driven. Its dimensions are (mm) 5195 x 1895 x 1480. The Veritas is powered by a 3.6L Alloytec V6 that produces 258 horsepower. It is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. The Veritas features a myriad of premium amenities such as bi-xenon headlamps, navigation system with DMB TV, tri-zone automatic climate control, power rear seats with massaging, power rear window curtains, and a rearview camera.

Reports say the Veritas is scheduled to go on sale by the end of 2008.

Continue reading to view more images.

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Video: Kia releases Soul teaser

After the Raphael Nadal video that sparked some controversy in the media, the "weird" theme continues with Kia's latest video of the Soul. With this one, however, it is eccentric in a cute way. Random wheels are bouncing around when the wheel of a Kia Soul Burner Concept comes into the scene. One more thing. At the end, the supposed slogan of the Soul appears and it's confusing to say the least. Soul has no color? Oxymoron anyone?

The Soul is slated to make its official debut at the Paris Motor Show this October.

[Source: CARSCOOP]

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Moscow: Hyundai unveils ix55 for Europe

Hyundai has debuted the ix55 crossover, the European version of the Veracruz, at the Moscow International Autoshow. Along the lines of Hyundai's new "i" nomenclature scheme (i10, i20, i30, i40), the ix55 will be available in European and Russian markets.

Apart from a horizontal-slat front grille and reworked alloy wheels, the ix55 differs little from the North American version cosmetically. The ix55 also features a re-engineered suspension system and packs a 3.0L VGT diesel engine that produces a potent 240 horsepower. The ix55 will go on sale by the end of the year.

[Source: Auto Motor Und Sport]

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Kia Motors Europe boss returns to Volkswagen

Paul Willis, who served as the chief operating officer of Kia Motors Europe, will step down from his position and move to Volkswagen Group Ireland as its new managing director.

Taking effect on October 1, 2008, Willis will replace Bob O'Callaghan, who is retiring after 43 years in Volkswagen. Willis has worked previously in Volkswagen from 2000 to January 2008. He will be responsible for the import business of VW, Audi, Skoda, and VW Commercial vehicles from O'Flaherty Holdings to Volkswagen.

Before joining Volkswagen in 2000, he has worked in Ford, Toyota, Mazda UK, and BMW GB. Details on who will take Willis' former position in Kia have not been released.

[Source: Motor Trader]

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USA: Hyundai Recalls 65,000 Elantras

Hyundai Motor America has issued a recall affecting 65,000 units of the Elantra for a fuel pump defect. It affects MY2008 models produced between November 5, 2007 and June 28, 2008.

The defective fuel pump may lose pressure and hinder the engine's performance. All affected models are equipped with the 2.0L Beta 4-cylinder engine that produces 138 horsepower. Injuries have not been reported due to this defect.

Produced in Hyundai's Ulsan plant in South Korea, the Elantra is the second best-selling Hyundai in the United States - behind the Sonata.

[Source: Reuters]

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Hyundai Genesis Aces NHTSA Tests, Five-Star Ratings All-Round

Score one for Hyundai. The 2009 Hyundai Genesis has been awarded five-star crash test ratings by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for both frontal and side impact tests.

"Genesis was engineered with a lightweight but strong body shell, featuring ultra-high tensile steel, laser welding, and advanced adhesive bonding," said John Krafcik, vice president of Strategic Planning and Product Development, Hyundai Motor America. "Add eight airbags and electronic active head restraints and you can see the focus we placed on designing Genesis for occupant safety. These five-star results are just one indication of the dedication Hyundai engineers place on safety."

The Genesis is standard with a plethora of safety features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), eight airbags, and electronic active front head restraints. Couple that with the starting price of $32,250 for the base V6 and the deal doesn't get any better. Kudos to Hyundai for another sign of progress.

[Source: MarketWatch]

Continue reading to view the official press release.

PRESS RELEASE: 2009 Hyundai Genesis Delivers NHTSA Five-Star Safety Ratings

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Aug 27, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awarded five-star crash test ratings, the highest government rankings under the agency's New Car Assessment Program, to the all-new 2009 Hyundai Genesis for both frontal and side-impact crash tests.
"Genesis was engineered with a lightweight but strong body shell, featuring ultra-high tensile steel, laser welding, and advanced adhesive bonding," said John Krafcik, vice president of Strategic Planning and Product Development, Hyundai Motor America. "Add eight airbags and electronic active head restraints and you can see the focus we placed on designing Genesis for occupant safety. These five-star results are just one indication of the dedication Hyundai engineers place on safety."

Maintaining Hyundai's emphasis on delivering leading safety technology, Genesis boasts world-class active and passive safety features that both prevent accidents and maximize the well-being of its occupants in the event of a collision. The Genesis continues the Hyundai tradition of standardizing key life-saving safety technology, with features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), eight airbags and electronic active head restraints.

ESC compares the driver's intended course with the vehicle's actual response. It then brakes individual front or rear wheels and/or reduces engine power as needed in certain driving circumstances to help correct understeer or oversteer.
Genesis' eight airbags include advanced dual front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and roof-mounted side curtain airbags for both front and rear outboard seat occupants.

Hyundai is the first popular brand to offer electronic active front head restraints, a standard feature on the 2009 Genesis, which are an improvement over mechanically-based active head restraint systems. Until now, electronic active head restraints could only be found on select Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Lexus models. Active front head restraints have been proven by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to help prevent whiplash.

Genesis is brought to a halt by large four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). The V6 models feature 12.6-inch front rotors with single-piston floating calipers, while the V8 models feature 13-inch front rotors with four-piston calipers. All models are equipped with 12.4-inch rear rotors.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA

Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through 800 dealerships nationwide.

NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

NHTSA is dedicated to achieving the highest standards of excellence in motor vehicle and highway safety. The agency strives to exceed the expectations of its customers through its core values of Integrity, Service and Leadership. NHTSA provides leadership to the motor vehicle and highway safety community through the development of innovative approaches to reducing motor vehicle crashes and injuries.

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Spied: 2010 Kia 'VG'

Here are the latest spyshots of Kia's upcoming premium front-wheel drive sedan, code named 'VG'. Due to make its debut in August 2009, the VG is Kia's answer to the Buick Lucerne and Toyota Avalon.

The VG is underpinned by Hyundai/Kia's new 'NF' chassis and it will be more of a performance-oriented car than a luxury one. Measurement wise, the VG will be wider and longer than the Amanti; though it will not replace the Amanti as a successor to that, code named 'CH', will debut in September 2010. The VG will be powered by a 3.8L Lambda V6 producing north of 280 horsepower. It will be coupled to a 6-speed automatic transmission.

It is definite that the VG will be available in North America. Pricing remains speculative, but we expect it to range from the high $20s to low $30s. More information will be available soon. Head over to Leftlane to view more images.

[Source: Leftlane]

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