Video: 2010 Kia Sorento

[Source: YouTube]

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Hyundai to roll out plug-in hybrid for 2012 in America

Hyundai will launch its first plug-in hybrid in the United States in late 2012. The vehicle will be based on the four-door Blue-Will sports car concept on display now at the Seoul auto show, according to Yang Woong-chul, president of Hyundai-Kia Motors’ R&D division. Yang said Hyundai’s plug-in will target the upcoming Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Prius plug-ins.

The Blue-Will sits on a 106-inch wheelbase. It is powered by a 1.6-liter gasoline direct-injection engine teamed with a 100-kilowatt electric motor. Hyundai has developed its own lithium-ion battery.

“Almost every part on this car has been developed in-house,” Yang said. “That will make it possible to make this vehicle affordable.”

Yang said the Blue-Will can travel about 38 miles on electricity only. Hyundai claims a fuel economy rating of 106 mpg in plug-in mode and up to 55 mpg in hybrid-electric mode. The concept car features a panoramic glass roof with solar cells for recharging. Yang would not estimate the price. He also said the technology is not expected to appear on a Kia vehicle.

[Source: Autoweek]

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Seoul: 2010 Kia Sorento

Kia took the wraps off its second generation Sorento today at the opening of the 2009 Seoul Motor Show in Korea (April 3 - 12). Partially inspired from the KND-4 concept, the new Sorento is bigger than the model it replaces with seating for up to seven occupants but also less capable off road as the Korean automaker ditched the body-on-frame structure and designed an all-new unitary (monocoque) bodyshell - hence the CUV (Crossover Utility Vehicle) moniker.

"The dynamic design of new Sorento adopts simple, linear lines to create a powerful, yet polished appearance. Sporty and striking, the new Sorento represents a new breed of vehicle," commented Kia's chief designer, Peter Schreyer.

Longer and lower, the new Sorento measures 4.7 meters or 185-in. in length and can accommodate seven passengers in three rows of seats. Kia claims that interior headroom is increased by 64 mm (to 906 mm) and legroom by 102 mm (to 795 mm) while luggage space has been increased by 15 percent (258lt behind the 3rd row and 1,047 behind the 2nd row), thanks to moving the tailgate back by almost 70 mm.

[Source: Kia]

NOTE: More images will be uploaded soon.



Depending on the model and the market, the new Sorento will be equipped with keyless entry, engine start button, reversing safety camera, built-in sat-nav and panoramic glass sunroof and a six, eight or 10-speaker audio system, with MP3 and iPod connectivity.

Kia's all-new Sorento will be offered with up to four different engines. In Korea, buyers will able to choose between three engines, including a 2.7-litre V6 unit running on LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) that delivers 165HP and 244 Nm of torque, a four-cylinder 2.4-litre Theta II petrol engine with 175HP and 225 Nm, as well as a new four-cylinder 2.2-liter diesel producing 197HP and 435 Nm.

Aside from the 2.4-liter petrol unit, in North America, the new Sorento will also be offered with a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 277HP and 335 Nm. Depending on the engine, the Sorento can be equipped with five-speed and six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

Sorento buyers will be able to select between two-wheel and four-wheel drive layouts. The 4WD versions can tow trailers weighing up to 2,500 kg or 5,511 lbs.

"With the new Sorento, we have created an all-new, seven-seater CUV that will soon be recognized as an 'exciting all-rounder' with a much broader customer appeal," commented Hyoung-Keun Lee, Senior Executive Vice President & COO of the International Business Division. "Despite the current economic uncertainties, we are confident that the new Sorento will significantly increase Kia's share of the CUV market, achieving annual global sales of 140,000 units from 2010," he added.

Worldwide sales of the new Sorento are expected to begin towards the end of the year.

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Seoul Preview: Hyundai Genesis PRADA

Hyundai Motor has released the first official images of the Genesis PRADA, a collaborative work between the Korean automaker and the European fashion marque, PRADA. Scheduled to debut at the upcoming Seoul Motor Show this week, the Genesis PRADA receives many luxurious and exquisite upgrades from the conventional Genesis. It is the result of over four months of development between Hyundai's R&D Center in Namyang, Korea and PRADA's Design Center in Milan, Italy.

The exterior of the Genesis PRADA receives exclusive items such as matte-finish "dark-blue" paint, front grille, badges, and door handles. The Genesis PRADA also wears exclusive 20-inch nine-spoke alloy wheels and is fitted with a shark-fin antenna. The interior of the Genesis PRADA is trimmed in white "Saffiano" leather and includes upgrades including illuminated flooring and door trims.

In addition to the show car, Hyundai will craft only two more examples of the limited-edition Genesis PRADA. All proceeds will go to charity.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading to view an interior image.

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Leaked: Kia "VG" Concept revealed before Seoul debut

Scheduled for an official unveiling at the upcoming Seoul International Motor Show, Kia's long-awaited "VG" (project name: KND-5) premium sedan will appear in concept guise when it makes its debut. The lone image leaked of the concept above is a very accurate scope into the design of the production model.

The production model will be available in a myriad of engine options including a 2.4L Theta 4-cylinder (for the Korean market) and a 3.5L Lambda V6. The front-wheel drive sedan, which will share its underpinnings with the Hyundai Azera, will go on sale later this year in September for the Korean market. The "VG" will also reach American shores next spring.

Stay tuned for more information as the Seoul Motor Show's opening date of April 2nd gets closer.

Continue reading to view the full image.

UPDATE: Many publications and websites have been posting that the "VG" will replace the current Amanti. This is NOT TRUE as the "VG" will not bear the Amanti nomenclature and the Amanti will be replaced by a more luxurious model, code-named "CH".

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Hyundai to offer factory performance upgrades for Genesis Coupe

Hyundai is developing a range of factory performance accessories for the Genesis Coupe in order to help the automaker to capture a share of the aftermarket division that it predicts will flock to the new coupe.

No details regarding specific performance parts were given, but it's safe to assume that most will be of the bolt-on variety offering modest performance gains, especially considering that any performance add-ons will have to comply with Hyundai's 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty.

Hyundai will release its Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec later this year, which focuses on value and performance. The R-Spec shares many of its performance-oriented components with the pricier Track model, while removing non-essential premium conveniences (Bluetooth, cruise control, sunroof, etc.) to lower its weight and price. When it hits showrooms this fall, the Hyundai Genesis R-Spec will cost $24,500 including destination charge. Sources at Hyundai also mentioned that an R-Spec version of the 3.8 V-6 powered car could come to market at a future time, based on demand for such a car.

[Source: Motor Trend]

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Seoul Preview: Hyundai BLUE-WILL Hybrid Concept

Hyundai has revealed the first pictures of the BLUE-WILL, a plug-in hybrid concept car the automaker will reveal at the Seoul Motor Show on April 2nd, 2009. The car's parallel hybrid system features a 1.6-liter direct injection gasoline motor, a 100 kilowatt electric motor, a continuously variable transmission, and a lithium ion polymer battery pack.

The lithium ion polymer pack is the first use of the technology in a production car, according to Hyundai, and is situated next to the fuel tank underneath the rear seats to maximize storage space in the trunk. The car also has a panoramic roof which integrates dye-sensitized solar cells in order to regenerate the batteries without blocking the view. Various parts of the car will be made from recycled materials, including bioplastics, plants, and soft drink bottles and will also be bio-degradable.

[Source: Hyundai]

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