Geneva: Hyundai releases sketch of HED-6 Concept, previews next Tucson (LM)

Hyundai has released the first official image, a sketch, of the HED-6 Concept ahead of its scheduled debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. A collaboration of design from Hyundai's European facilities in major cities such as Berlin, London, and Paris, the HED-6 Concept previews the next-generation Tucson crossover, code-named LM.

The exterior will feature a hexagonal grille, angular style lines, and a pair of sweeping back front headlights. The concept will ride on 21-inch wheels, which will never reach the production model, and incorporate dual exhaust tips. The three-dimensional sculpted shape of the rear window is achieved by not using regular glass, but Lexan plastics. Under the hood is Hyundai's new 175 horsepower 1.6L GDi turbodiesel engine, and is coupled to the automaker's new in-house developed 6-speed automatic transmission.

[Source: Hyundai]

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Teaser: Kia KED-6 Concept to bow in Geneva, previews Cee'd Plus (YN)

Kia Motors has released the first image of its forthcoming, KED-6 concept car ahead of its scheduled formal debut at the Geneva Motor Show on March 3rd. The concept is a near-production design of the Cee'd-based 5-seat MPV that websites have been referring to as the Cee'd Plus (code-named 'YN').

Designed by Peter Schreyer, the KED-6 Concept will feature a unique glass-roof treatment. The production model will probably not retain this feature, but is expected to stay faithful in design to its preview concept car. The YN will compete with rivalling 5-seat compact MPV's in Europe, such as the Ford C-MAX and Opel Meriva. Kia will hold the press conference for the launch of the 'YN' concept at 12:45 PM Swiss local time.

[Source: Kia]

EDIT: Kia has stated that the new concept car will be named 'KED-6'.

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From the Spies: 2010 Kia Forte Coupe + Rendering

Here are the first spy shots of Kia's upcoming 2-door variant of the Forte, code-named XK. In addition to the spy shots, we bring you a photoshopped rendering. The Forte Coupe has already been unveiled in concept guise as the KOUP Concept at last year's New York International Auto Show.

Penned by Peter Schreyer, the Forte Coupe will not differ from the KOUP Concept much, other than the expected production tweaks. The engine offerings will be the same as the Forte/Spectra Sedan. One striking design element we notice is the pillar-less door frames. The launch date has not been disclosed yet, but reports point to a reveal near the end of the year.

NOTE: The above image is a doctored version of two original fragment shots posted after the jump.

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Hyundai releases Equus (VI) interior rendering

Hyundai Motor Corp. has released an interior rendering of the upcoming Equus (VI) flagship sedan today. No surprises here though. The recent spy shot we posted looks no different from the digitally pampered one revealed today. Set to be sold exclusively in the automaker's domestic market, South Korea, the new Equus will replace the current decade-old model that has become a trademark of luxury in the country.

Hyundai will officially reveal the Equus this March in South Korea. The Equus will be available in two wheelbase configurations - regular and Limousine - and three powertrain options - 290 hp 3.8L V6, 375 hp 4.6L V8, and a 420+ hp 5.0L V8 which will make its debut in the Equus. While the official word is that Hyundai will market this only in South Korea, talks have recently arisen regarding the possibility of the Equus' entry into the United States. If it is green-lit, Hyundai might have to change its nomenclature. Daniel Radcliffe without his wizardry capes is giving us the shivers.

[Source: Hyundai]

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From the Spies: Hyundai Equus (VI) Interior Snapped

Model: 2010 Hyundai Equus (VI)
Speculated engines: 3.8L Lambda V6 (290 hp) & 4.6L Tau V8 (375 hp) & 5.0L Tau V8 (420+ hp)
Release date: March 2009
Predecessor: Hyundai Equus/Centennial (based on Mitsubishi Proudia)
Additional Info: RWD; Will not be sold in the U.S.; Lane Departure Warning System; Pre-Safe seatbelts; Regular wheelbase and Limousine; 5.0L Limousine model to exceed 130 million Won in Korea

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Replay: Hyundai Genesis vows to win Canadian Car of the Year

The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) has announced that the 2009 Canadian Car of the Year will be either the Hyundai Genesis, Mazda6 or Toyota Corolla. The Hyundai Genesis already won "Best New Luxury Car Under $50K" in Canada, and recently took home the continent's most prestigious honors of "North American Car of the Year" at the Detroit Auto Show.

The results were released by international accounting firm KPMG, which secretly tabulates the results of journalists’ votes from the annual three-day test event held at Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, in late October.

Also announced, the winner of the 2009 Canadian Utility Vehicle of the Year will come from the Ford Flex, Mercedes-Benz M-Class and Subaru Forester; the Best New Design will be either the Honda Fit, Jaguar XF Supercharged or Volkswagen Passat CC; and, the Best New Technology winner will be General Motors’ OnStar Stolen Vehicle Slowdown, Infiniti’s Around View Monitor or Mitsubishi’s Super-All-Wheel Control.

All winners will be declared February 11, 2009 during press preview day for the 2009 Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto.

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EXCLUSIVE: Hyundai Equus (VI) undisguised!

Here are the very first images of an undisguised prototype of Hyundai's upcoming flagship sedan, Equus, code-named "VI". The automaker's new RWD sedan is set to replace the aging Equus in the South Korean market, and is speculated to shatter the 100 million Won bar for the range-topping model.

According to a Hyundai executive, the Equus will be sold in four configurations. At launch this March, the V6 and V8 regular wheelbase models will go on sale. The former will be powered by a 290 hp 3.8L Lambda V6, while the latter will pack the coveted 375 hp 4.6L Tau V8.

Later in the year, Hyundai will introduce the limousine variants of the 3.8L V6 and a yet-to-be-released 5.0L V8. Sources estimate the latter's power output to exceed 400 horsepower. The 5.0L V8 limousine will be priced at 130 million Won (USD$94,710). Size wise, the Equus (regular wheelbase) will span 5160 mm in length, 1900 mm in width, and 1495 mm in height.

Hyundai has no plans to export the Equus to international markets, such as Europe and North America.

READ: We have extensively edited the image to remove major scuffs in the image, especially around the roofline and profile of the car, in order to give you a clearer representation of the design.

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