Hyundai Wants You To Snap Out Of It With Its Super Bowl Commercials [w/VIDEO]

In what Hyundai likes to call “a group therapy session,” the automaker’s Super Bowl Ads to air for the first time during the Big Game on February 6 will comprise three TV spots aimed at brainwashing consumers into turning their attention towards the company’s 2011 Elantra and Sonata Hybrid models.

Specifically, Hyundai will begin promoting the new Elantra with a spot called "Hypnotized", followed by a healing session with an ad called "Deprogramming". These two will be followed by a third spot starring the 2011 Sonata Hybrid, titled “Anachronistic City”.

“Both offer the all-new 2011 Elantra as treatment for the malaise afflicting the long-suffering compact car shopper,” Hyundai says. “Hyundai marks its fourth consecutive year as a Super Bowl advertiser by deprogramming 100 million Americans tuned in to watch the game.”

The three spots are themed “Snap Out of It” and feature Hyundai's 2011 "New Thinking, New Possibilities" brand vision. Taken separately, Hypnotized will air in the game's first quarter, followed by Deprogramming in the third quarter, and ending with the Anachronistic City in the fourth.

"We love the Super Bowl's ability to transform over 100 million Americans into advertising aficionados, so we went with a playful theme that ties a marketing-driven conspiracy theory to our fresh take on the compact car segment, the 40-mpg Elantra," said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. "Building from the first two Elantra ads in the AFC Championship Game, and 10 viral spots online right now, the Super Bowl shifts the campaign into top gear with what may be the biggest group therapy hypnosis session ever attempted."

[Source: Hyundai]

"Hypnotize"



"Deprogramming"



"Anachronistic City"

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Kia Dealer in Canada Announces Possible Picanto Sales in North America?

UPDATE: A Kia Canada representative kindly let us know today that the Picanto will NOT be available in the North American (and Australian) market. We repeat: the all-new 2012 Kia Picanto will NOT be coming over to the North American market. Sad truth indeed.

Unintended leak or just a product of your run-of-the-mill, uninformed car salesperson? It's probably the latter. But we're clinging to the post with the hopes that Kia bring the stylish Picanto minicar over to North American shores. According to a Canadian Kia dealer in Nanaimo, British Columbia, our wishes may come true? This is the bit that caught us off guard in their "press release":

"The all-new 2012 Kia Picanto will be available with four super-efficient 1.0L three-cylinder and 1.2L four-cylinder Kappa engines. It will soon be available at Nanaimo Kia dealer, Harris Kia."

"The 2012 Kia Picanto will soon be available at Harris Kia, the top Kia dealer in Nanaimo BC."

Are we coming off as too desperate to you guys? We think it's the perfect time period to bring the Picanto over. How about you? Leave us a comment after the jump.

[Source: Read the press release here]

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Hyundai Sonata Named 2011 International Car of the Year

Hyundai continues to break down barriers illustrating its consumer lifestyle compatibility with the 2011 International Car of the Year (ICOTY) win for the all-new Sonata. The award was presented at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The ICOTY Awards honor vehicles based on lifestyle compatibility and the emotional connection between car and consumer.


“With a completely new look for 2011, the Sonata really took us by surprise,” said Courtney Caldwell, ICOTY Executive Producer. “Hyundai laces the new Sonata with serious hardware including sporty suspension tuning and a strong powertrain that achieves best-in-class fuel economy scores. Combine that with a stunning shape and design, it truly is a complete package that will satisfy the emotional connection consumers seek when shopping for a mid-size sedan.”

“We’re delighted the ICOTY committee validated the choice of over 200,000 new Sonata owners in North America in 2010,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “The 2011 Sonata shows the power of Hyundai’s product recipe – industry-leading fuel economy, engaging design, and great quality – which we’ll continue to enhance with new models like the 2011 Elantra and the 2012 Veloster.”

[Source: Hyundai]

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Report: Hyundai Mulling Plug-In Sonata Hybrid

A report from PlugInCars.com suggests that Hyundai‘s endless march towards global domination isn’t letting up, and the next phase of their product strategy involves both a Prius competitor and a plug-in variant of the Sonata Hybrid.

According to Mike O’Brien, Hyundai’s head of product planning, the Sonata plug-in Hybrid would require little in the way of engineering to make it ready. “Other manufacturers’ hybrid systems were developed in such a way to not allow them to easily develop plug-in hybrids,” he said. “For the Sonata Hybrid to become a plug-in hybrid, really all we need are bigger batteries—the basic technology platform is already designed to support a plug-in variation.”

According to O’Brien, we’ll see something within the next 12 months at one of the major auto shows. Let the speculation games begin!

[Source: Plug-in Cars]

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Kia Unveils 2.0-liter Turbo Sportage SX in Montreal

Following the footsteps of Hyundai's surprise debut of the all-new Accent sedan and hatchback, Kia made an unexpected unveiling of the 2011 Sportage SX at the Montreal International Auto Show today, debuting a 2.0-litre turbo gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine that produces 256 horsepower (according to Motor Trend) and is projected to achieve four-cylinder like fuel economy. The new Sportage SX will start at $36,995 (Canadian dollar) and include Kia’s new UVO infotainment technology and additional standard equipment.


Kia has not released the full specs of the Sportage SX, but we do know that it will be mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. It includes a new feature designed to improve fuel economy (Kia's take on start/stop technology) called Neutral Control that effectively shifts the car into neutral when stuck in traffic. The system is triggered when the transmission is in Drive and the brakes have been applied for more than two seconds. An integrated hill assist control prevents any vehicle rollback.

Standard features on the SX include push-button start, panoramic sunroof, unique 18-inch alloy wheels, ventilated driver’s seat, UVO infotainment system, seven-speaker premium sound system, rear spoiler, leather seating and auto-dimming mirror with Homelink.

The 2011 Sportage will be available in LX, EX and SX trim levels, with the LX and EX powered by a 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine.

[Source: CanadianDriver]

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2012 Hyundai Accent Gets Surprise Unveil at Montreal Auto Show

Hot on the heels of the debut of the Veloster at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Hyundai has unwrapped the all-new 2012 Accent at the Montreal Auto Show. This comes as a surprise as Hyundai Motor America had said the car wouldn’t break cover until the New York Auto Show in April.

More official images as well as official press release after the jump.

A vehicle that made its name in the industry as being a low cost option for those on a budget, Hyundai aims to keep that price structure while out-doing the competition in every other aspect.

Keeping the same styling seen on the Sonata and the new Elantra, the 2012 Accent is powered by a direct-injection 138-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder that makes 123 ft-lbs of torque and according to the Canadian press release gets 4.7 L/100 km highway and 6.4 L/100 km regardless of whether you choose the 6-speed automatic or manual. That works out to an incredible 50-mpg highway and 37-mpg city ratings in America.

EDIT: Thanks conwelpic for the heads-up about our mistake in the fuel economy conversion! Believe it or not, the Accent will achieve an est. 50 MPG on the highway according to US ratings!

Having grown in size, the new Accent is now 70mm (2.7-inches) longer between the wheels and 5mm wider. This not only makes for added interior space, but the Accent also delivers a sizable amount of cargo volume with 14 cu-ft of trunk space with the sedan and 17.2 cu-ft with the hatch. Despite all this, weight was kept to a minimum, with the new Accent sedan weighing just 2,392 lbs, while the hatchback model is slightly heavier at 2,429 lbs.

Official Canadian market details can be found after the jump and details could change for U.S. market cars

[Source: Hyundai]



PRESS RELEASE:

HYUNDAI ACCENT: UNEXPECTED SAFETY, DESIGN, AND TECHNOLOGY

MONTREAL, Quebec (January 13, 2011) – Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. introduced the all-new 2012 Accent today at the Montreal International Auto Show. Available in four-door and five-door formats, Accent redefines expectations in the subcompact category by offering the company’s attractive “Fluidic Sculpture” design, best-in-class fuel economy, and a full complement of standard safety features. Despite surprising technology and a significant increase in safety features, Hyundai will hold the line on pricing from the prior generation to continue delivering unmistakable value to customers.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2012 ACCENT

§ All-new fourth generation of the Accent subcompact

§ First vehicle to receive all-new 1.6-litre GDI “Gamma” engine, paired with 6-speed automatic or manual transmissions

­ Estimated 4.7 L/100 km highway fuel consumption

­ Engine delivers power and fuel economy superior to competitors

§ A long list of standard safety features

­ VSM, ESC, TCS, ABS with Brake Assist and EBD

­ Four-wheel disc brakes

­ Six standard airbags

§ Class-above total interior volume

­ A subcompact car with the roominess of a compact

§ Hyundai’s signature “Fluidic Sculpture” design

§ Strong value – more content and best-in-class fuel economy without an increase in price

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY FOR SUPERIOR FUEL ECONOMY

The 2012 Accent’s all-aluminum 1.6-litre Gamma 4-cylinder engine utilizes the latest engine technology to deliver a class-leading 138 horsepower and 123 lb-ft of torque and an estimated best-in-class 4.7 L/100 km highway fuel economy rating.

The engine’s most notable feature is its use of Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI), a first for the subcompact category. By precisely controlling the injection of fuel, GDI allows for better fuel economy, increased power, and reduced emissions. The application of Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT) on both intake and exhaust camshafts allows for further improvements in efficiency, fuel economy, and emissions. To optimize breathing at all engine speeds, a Variable Induction System (VIS) is employed. Other elements resulting in reduced fuel consumption include an Alternator Management System, an offset crankshaft design, and electronic throttle control. To reduce lifetime operation costs and increase reliability, the Gamma features a maintenance-free silent timing chain.

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Several other systems have been improved over the outgoing model, each contributing to increased fuel efficiency. All models feature 6-speed automatic or manual transmissions with well-spaced ratios for smooth and efficient power delivery. Low-rolling resistance silica tires and a slippery shape (0.30 cd) reduce friction with the road and the air. Finally, the ActiveECO function modifies engine and transmission control to smooth out throttle response. By turning on the ActiveECO function, drivers can realize up to a seven percent increase in real-world fuel economy. The real-world result of these efficiencies is an estimated highway driving range of 915 km.

Despite the additional content, safety features, and technology packed into the all-new Accent, Hyundai has avoided the typically associated penalty of increased weight. A lower curb weight corresponds to an improvement not only in fuel economy, but all other dynamic areas. In fact, Accent offers the best power-to-weight ratio in its class by far, providing drivers with both low fuel consumption and responsive performance.

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SAFETY AS STANDARD – BECAUSE IT JUST MAKES SENSE

Hyundai doesn’t believe that consumers should have to pay a premium for safety, so a long list of safety features are included as standard equipment on all 2012 Accent models. A total of six airbags protect occupants in the event of a collision, including two front impact airbags, two front seat-mounted side impact airbags, and curtain side-impact airbags for front and rear passengers. Active front head restraints and seatbelt pretensioners work in conjunction with the airbag system to aid in preventing injury.

The Accent’s underlying structure is engineered to protect occupants using a Collision Load Dispersion mechanism. The vehicle’s structure distributes the force of an impact in three ways to minimize floor deformation and maintain the integrity of the cabin.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and Traction Control work together to help deliver confident handling in all conditions. Vehicle Stability Management (VSM) integrates control of the ESC and motor-driven power steering (MDPS) to provide handling assistance in slippery conditions or in sudden cornering scenarios. The system can deliver up to 8 Newton-meters of counter-steering effort when required to assist the driver in maintaining control of the vehicle.

A key safety element for any vehicle is its braking system. Accent is the only car in the subcompact segment to offer four wheel disc brakes as standard. An Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) featuring Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA) is also included. EBD examines the effect of vehicle load on weight distribution and apportions the braking force between front and rear axles so as to maximize stopping ability. In the event of a panic stop, BA ensures that maximum braking force is applied.

SMALL OUTSIDE, BIG INSIDE

Accent rides on a 2,570 mm wheelbase and is 1,700 mm in width, representing an increase of 70 mm and 5 mm respectively over the outgoing model. As a result, Accent enjoys superior interior volume and passenger space. Total length of the new model is 4,370 mm for 4-door versions and 4,115 mm for the 5-door. While the car’s exterior dimensions are consistent with those of traditional subcompacts, Accent is classified by Transport Canada as a compact sedan thanks to its interior volume. To provide perspective, Accent 4-door features more total interior volume than the Honda Civic.

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Convenient storage spaces are included throughout the cabin, including bottle holders in each door and a storage tray at the base of the centre console. A deluxe centre console is available, a feature not seen on Fit, Aveo, Fiesta, or Mazda2. Split and fold 60/40 rear seats are available for increased cargo flexibility when transporting longer items.

FEATURES AND AMENITIES WORTHY OF MORE EXPENSIVE VEHICLES

Choosing a subcompact sedan no longer means foregoing comfort and convenience features. A standard 6-way adjustable driver’s seat and standard tilt steering wheel work in conjunction to provide a comfortable driving position. Power door locks, standard on all Accent models, can be paired with the convenience of available power windows, remote keyless entry, and power heated mirrors. A 4-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with iPod / USB / AUX ports is standard equipment. Those seeking added listening enjoyment can opt for a 6-speaker, 172 watt AM/FM/XM/CD audio system featuring Bluetooth® hands-free phone connectivity and steering wheel audio controls. Cruise control, air conditioning, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated front seats, and a power sunroof are all available.

CONFIDENT HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS

The first step toward confident handling dynamics is a rigid structure. To this end, the 2012 Accent employs high-tensile strength steel for a structure which is 22 percent stiffer than the previous generation and 38 percent stiffer than the Toyota Yaris. Increasing the stiffness of the structure allowed Hyundai engineers more flexibility in terms of suspension tuning. The end result is a better balance between handling precision and ride comfort. Accent employs a MacPherson strut front suspension with coil springs, twin-tube gas shock absorbers, and a 21 mm stabilizer bar. The rear suspension is a torsion axle setup with coil springs and monotube shock absorbers.

ATTRACTIVE DESIGN

The 2012 Accent joins the Hyundai line-up sporting the company’s increasingly popular Fluidic Sculpture design. The vehicle’s exterior lines are intended to be futuristic, dynamic, and sleek. In a segment typically associated with staid designs, Accent stands out from the crowd. While the styling provides an attractive form, it’s also functional, featuring a slippery 0.30 coefficient of drag. Five-door models include a sporty trunk lid-mounted spoiler. For an assertive stance, 16” alloy wheels are available.

HYUNDAI AUTO CANADA CORP.

Hyundai Auto Canada, established in 1983 and headquartered in Markham, Ontario, is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Company of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout Canada by Hyundai Auto Canada and are sold and serviced through more than 195 dealerships nationwide.

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Hyundai Unveils New Grandeur in Korea [w/VIDEO]

NOTE: More images will be added soon.

Hyundai has been advertising the all-new generation of its Grandeur for quite some time now, but today, the automaker officially launched the large sedan in its home market. The new Grandeur, which will be badged as the 2012 Azera in the States, arrives in the Korean market six years after its predecessor’s launch in May 2005.

Codenamed HG, the 2012 Grandeur is result of three-and-a-half years and 450 billion won (about US$415 million) of research, development and testing. Positioned between the Sonata and the Genesis sedan, the new Grandeur measures 4,910mm (193.3") long, 1,860mm (73.2") wide and 1,470mm (57.9") tall. It rides on a 2,845mm-long (112") wheelbase, which is 65mm (2.6") longer than the outgoing model.


The South Korean market model is offered with a choice of two gasoline engines, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder Theta II GDI with 201-horsepower and a new 3.0-liter V6 Lambda II GDI producing 270-horsepower. Both engines are linked to a standard six-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels.

The new Grandeur comes with a host of safety systems including VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control), VSM (Vehicle Stability Management), TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) and ESS (Emergency Stop Signal), plus a standard nine-airbag system that includes a driver’s knee airbag.

Other notable features include Hyundai's Advanced Smart Cruise Control, which automatically keeps a safe distance from a car ahead and provides automatic stop and restart functions in response to traffic flow, and a Smart Parking Assist System that utilizes a sensor to measure parallel parking spaces, controlling the steering wheel to semi-automatically park the car.

Hyundai said it aims to sell 100,000 units of the Grandeur this year (80,000 in the domestic market and 20,000 outside of Korea) and 120,000 units in 2012 when the car arrives in more markets.

The South Korean automaker has not yet provided details on the North American market Azera.

Along with some new photos, Hyundai also released a video showing the evolution of the Grandeur / Azera from the presentation of the first generation in 1986 to the current fifth gen model.

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