EXCLUSIVE! Hyundai Genesis Coupe Facelift Spied for the First Time!

It seems like only yesterday when Hyundai unveiled the Genesis Coupe at the 2008 New York International Auto Show. Since then, the rear-wheel drive sports coupe has amassed great popularity amongst the enthusiasts crowd and has been an important helping hand to the transformation of Hyundai.

Full article and one more image after the jump.

If anything though, Hyundai's new corporate slogan - "New thinking, new possibilities" - is a testament to the company's emphasis on keeping its product line-up fresh and updated, and the Genesis Coupe is up next to receive a timely refresh to remain competitive in its segment.

For the 2012 or 2013 model year (we're thinking the latter), Hyundai will roll out the refreshed Genesis Coupe, receiving both design and powertrain upgrades. As indicated by our spy shots, the new Genesis Coupe will feature a new front fascia that we suspect will resemble the Veloster's. Nonetheless, it's too early to guess beyond that, and we're certain we'll be seeing more spy shots of the facelifted Genesis Coupe in the months to come.

The big news for the refreshed Genesis Coupe, however, will be under the hood. With Hyundai's implementation of GDI (gasoline direct injection) technology across most of its line-up, it's almost certain that the new Genesis Coupe will also carry direct injection. As of now, even ballpark figures for specs are not procurable. Rest assured though, Hyundai will likely not disappoint.

For now, enjoy the first ever spy shots of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe facelift, brought to you exclusively by TheCarBlogger.

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Named A Top Family Car by KBB.com

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 02/28/2011 - Kelley Blue Book’s www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new- and used-vehicle information, named the 2011 Hyundai Sonata to its annual list of Top 10 Family Cars. Sonata joins a list of family-friendly vehicles, including the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse, 2011 Ford Explorer, 2011 Honda Odyssey, and the 2011 Volkswagen Golf.

Full press release after the jump.

According to kbb.com experts the Sonata is “taking the mid-size sedan market by storm with a compelling mix of design, quality and value. The Sonata also is chock-full of safety features, comes with one of the best warranties on the market, and even offers a fuel-sipping hybrid model. With enough style and versatility to transform effortlessly from child-hauler to client shuttle on a daily basis, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata is an easy choice for someone who needs to impress while still being practical.

“We are proud to receive this recognition from kbb.com,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of product and corporate planning, Hyundai Motor America. “With advanced standard safety features, three versatile powertrain choices including our class-leading 40 mpg highway BlueDrive Hybrid, unrivaled interior convenience technologies and enough space to comfortably fit the entire family, the Sonata is the perfect option for families looking for quality and value without sacrificing on performance and design.”

Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com editors assessed the winning models based on safety, comfort, economy of operation, child-friendliness, a reasonable purchase price and good resale value.

“This year was especially difficult for the kbb.com editors to narrow down the Top 10 Family Cars of 2011 choices, as there is such a variety of new cars on the market today that have appealing features for the American family; capable versatility, value, safety and economical factors, to name a few,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com.

The 2011 Hyundai Sonata features some of the most advanced technological options, such as a navigation system with voice activation and interactive touch screen through XM NavTraffic® and XM Data Services, integrated Bluetooth, satellite radio, and a Homelink transceiver. It has many safety features, including Electronic Stability Control, Traction Control, and Anti-Lock breaking systems. Sonata was also the first midsize car to receive a five-star crash test rating under National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s new, more stringent 2011 system and an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick honor, placing it in a safety position unsurpassed in the industry.

KELLEY BLUE BOOK

Founded in 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, is the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both consumers and the industry. Each week the company provides the most market-reflective values in the industry on its top-rated website www.kbb.com, including its famous Blue Book® Trade-In and Retail Values and Fair Purchase Price, which reports what others are paying for new cars this week. The company also provides vehicle pricing and values through various products and services available to car dealers, auto manufacturers, finance and insurance companies as well as governmental agencies. Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, used car values, car reviews, new cars for sale, used cars for sale, and car dealer locations. Kelley Blue Book Co. Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AutoTrader.com.

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 about 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance.

[Source: Hyundai Motor America]

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Geneva 2011: 2012 Kia Rio EcoDynamics will be UK's Lowest Emission Car

It's a grim day for all hybrid-electric cars out there as Kia has proven with the all-new 2012 Kia Rio that sipping fuel no longer requires swallowing a hefty "hybrid" premium price tag beforehand.

Full article and more images after the jump!

That is the case for the Rio "EcoDynamics" ,powered by an all-new 1.1-liter three-cylinder CRDi diesel engine that, according to Kia, will make it the greenest car on the road and will achieve an impressive 88 miles per gallon (73 U.S. MPG). The tiny engine produces 69 bhp, but who cares about horsepower here? The magic number, as inscribed on the showcar in the pictures, is 85. Precisely, 85g/km of CO2 emission output, thereby "out-cleaning" the Smart fortwo (86g/km of CO2), the current title-holder of the cleanest car in the U.K., and certainly all hybrid vehicles like the Toyota Prius (89g/km of CO2).

The 3-cylinder diesel Rio EcoDynamics achieves its amazing emissions figures with the help of Kia’s ISG stop start system. The car will also be available with 1.4- and 2-litre petrol engines as well as a 1.4-litre diesel.

We'll have more information on the 2012 Kia Rio later in the day. We just thought you might be as impressed as we were with the Rio EcoDynamics when we read the specs of this beauty.




[Source: Kia]

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Even More Spy Shots of the 2013 Kia K9!

There's not much to see in these latest spy shots of the upcoming Kia "K9" full-size sedan, but we do get our first good look at the C-pillar design of the car.

Click here for our original post on the Kia K9.

More images after the jump!

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Fresh Official Images of the Hyundai i40 Estate

It's difficult not to become personally attached to this stunning wagon, especially in this menacing white paint. Reinforces our longing for the i40 estate to be available outside of Europe. The wagon is far from dead, from the looks of this.



[Source: Hyundai]

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Geneva 2011: Hyundai i40 Unveiled, No Plans for U.S. Release

Hyundai officially pulled the wraps off the all-new i40 at the Geneva Motor Show today. The i40 is the company’s first D-segment vehicle to be developed specifically for the European market. At the Swiss venue Hyundai brought the estate variant, with a saloon to follow later this year.

Full article and more images after the jump!

Taking styling cues from Hyundai’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language, it maintains signature features such as the hexagonal grille. Interior highlights include heated and reclining front and rear seats, a heated steering wheel, and an active de-mist system that automatically detects and clears mist on the windscreen.

Designed and engineered at Hyundai’s R&D headquarters in Russelsheim, Germany, in terms of performance the i40 comes fitted with a 1.7-liter diesel engine, codenamed ‘UII’, which will emit from just 113 g/km of CO2. The i40 will also be available with a 2.0-liter "Nu" 4-cylinder petrol engine.

Now, here's the bad news folks. According to a Hyundai exec who spoke with Inside Line at the show, there are "no plans for a Sonata wagon in the U.S." We're no less pleased with this report as we think the i40 is arguably one of the best interpretations of the station wagon we've seen in a while. Meanwhile, our European friends will get their first crack at the Hyundai i40 estate during the second-half of this year.



[Image Source: CarAdvice.com.au]

While we didn't have the privileges to be in Geneva for the i40 unveiling, many other websites certainly did and have generously taken many high-res images of the car for your enjoyment. Check them out in the links below!

Hyundai i40 rolls into Geneva: WorldCarFans

Hyundai i40 Live Photos: autoevolution

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More Images of the 2012 Kia Rio Surface, First Interior Shot! [UPDATED]

UPDATE: New images added after the jump.

We're mere hours away from the opening of the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, and the anticipation for some of the scheduled debuts there is growing by the minute. Kia hopes to make a big splash at the annual show with the world debut of the all-new 2012 Kia Rio hatchback, as well as the European premiere of the new Kia Picanto.

Check out Kia's countdown page with live video streaming of the company's scheduled press conference at Geneva later today HERE.

Until then, enjoy the latest images of the new Rio, straight from the folks at Kia, after the jump! Have a say about the first interior shots at the comments section!

Click here for our original post on the 2012 Kia Rio

More images after the jump!

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