Hyundai Unveils 5-Door Verna in China

Hyundai has revealed the 5-door hatchback variant of the Verna (Accent) at the Ghangzhou Motor Show in China.

According to Hyundai, the 5-door Verna was developed exclusively for the Chinese market and will go on sale there early in January. The 4-door variant was introduced last August.

The Chinese market Verna will be built locally at a plant in Beijing. It will come with two petrol engines - a 1.4 liter and 1.6 liter. The entry-level 1.4 Gamma engine develops a total of 108 PS (79 kW) and 135 Nm of torque. The 1.6 liter Gamma comes with an output of 124 PS (90 kW) and 155 Nm of torque.

Hyundai sales are growing quickly in China. The Korean brand expects Chinese market sales of around 700,000 units for 2010. By 2012, when a third Chinese plant starts production, Hyundai will have a capacity to build 1 million vehicles a year for the local market.



[Source: Hyundai]

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Hyundai Launches Official Veloster Countdown Page [w/Video]

Hyundai has launched the official countdown page for the upcoming Veloster today. The countdown will continue running until the car's official debut at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on the 11th of next January. As of now, you can only sign up for future updates on the webpage (since when has an automaker sent out updates that blogs haven't revealed days before?). But the site does confirm the Veloster nameplate for Hyundai's highly anticipated car.


The automaker also posted a short teaser of the Veloster on its YouTube channel today. Features like direct-injection, dual-clutched transmission are mentioned, as well as a claim of an estimated 40 MPG rating and Blue-Link connectivity. The teaser ends off with a frontal silhouette of the vehicle which previews an aggressive LED design for its headlights.



[Source: Hyundai USA]

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Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Priced from $26,545, Goes on Sale Next Month

The Sonata is likely Hyundai's best success story this year, and the awaited hybrid version is heading to dealers next month with a list price of $26,545, which includes the $750 destination fee.

Your $26,545 bank withdrawal nets a Sonata equipped with Hyundai's Direct Hybrid Blue Drive system. A 2.4-liter inline-four finds itself matched with an electric traction motor and power is sent through a six-speed automatic transmission. Combined output is 206 horsepower and 193 pound-feet of torque, and an all-electric drive speed of up to 62 mph is claimed, though the gas-fed engine may need to pulse on and off to help the electric motor. Outside, the front end was re-sculpted in the name of efficiency, leaving the hybrid sedan with fuel economy figures of 36 city/40 highway mpg.

For an extra $5000, the Sonata Hybrid's Premium Package adds a whole host of niceties, including a panoramic sunroof, navigation, an Infinity sound system, rearview camera, glossy black door surround, 17-inch alloy wheels, and leather seats and trim.

The Sonata Hybrid's current competition includes the Ford Fusion Hybrid ($28,990), Nissan Altima Hybrid ($27,530), Toyota Camry Hybrid ($27,335), and, soon, the Kia Optima Hybrid (price not announced).

[Source: Hyundai]

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Hyundai and Kia Recall 2011 Santa Fe and 2011 Sorento for Defective Brakes

Hyundai and Kia have issued separate recalls for the 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe and 2011 Kia Sorento respectively over the same issue concerning the rear brake calipers that may not have been properly machined.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the defective calipers could lead to brake fluid leak, followed by illumination of the malfunction indicator light indicating the brake fluid level is low and should be checked, then a soft or spongy brake pedal feel. If the problem is not taken care of, it will lead to reduced braking power.

The recall affects some 7,697 Kia Sorentos manufactured from September 14, 2010, through October 4, 2010, and 1,783 Hyundai Santa crossovers Fe built from September 28, 2010, through November 25, 2010.

Naturally, dealers from both automakers inspect the rear calipers and replace it if necessary free of charge. The two companies have not yet provided an owner notification schedule.

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2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur: Interior Officially Revealed!

In light of the car's nearing launch in its home market, Hyundai has released the first official interior shot of the all-new 2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur. And in our opinion, the all-star Korean company has hit another home run out of the ballpark. Leave us your thoughts about the interior in the comments after the jump!

[Source: Hyundai]

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Kia Reveals First Rendering of 2012 Picanto on Facebook

Kia Motors has revealed the first official rendering of the all-new, redesigned 2012 Kia Picanto, due for unveiling next March at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.

Styled by Kia's European design team based in Frankfurt, under the direction of Peter Schreyer, the all-new Picanto will sport a more aggressive and appealing design compared to its predecessor. The front fascia evokes a striking resemblance to that of the larger Venga compact MPV, while the rear fascia is highlighted by an eye catching set of Euro-styled taillights that recall the now-defunct Rondo/Carens MPV.

The Picanto will likely come powered by the same Euro-5 compliant 1.2 liter Kappa petrol/gasoline engine as the Hyundai i10, with which it shares a platform. It will come in both 3-door and 5-door hatch configurations.

[Source: Kia Motors via Facebook]

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2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe to Get More Power

Hyundai shocked the world when it first announced it would build the rear-drive 300-hp Genesis Coupe, and now it appears the automaker is looking to add more oomph to its sports coupe lineup.

Since the Genesis Coupe debuted back in 2008, the horsepower wars have raged on with cars like the Ford Mustang going from 210-hp to 305-hp. Once seen as a bargain, the Genesis Coupe is a slightly less enticing package than it once was. To combat this, Hyundai will look to add more power to the Genesis two-door in 2012, along with a slight facelift.

Both the 4-cylinder and V6 engines are slated to get upgrades, although exactly how extensive they will be is not yet clear. It’s not hard to speculate that the 2.0T model could gain the Sonata Turbo’s new engine, prompting a significant increase in power from 210-hp to 274-hp. That would come very close to the 3.8-liter V6′s 306-hp number, suggesting it would also have to receive a major update, be it through naturally aspirated means, forced induction, or a switch to a V8. Past reports have already indicated the company’s new 5.0-liter V8 will replace the current 3.8L V6, producing a rather significant 429-hp.

[Source: AutoGuide.com]

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