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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Kia unveils Forte LPI Hybrid, first production car to use lithium-polymer battery

Ahead of it’s official unveiling at the Seoul Auto Show, Kia has dropped the curtain on its first ever hybrid, the Forte LPI hybrid. Based on the upcoming Forte compact sedan, the hybrid model makes use of a 1.6-liter engine that runs on liquid petroleum (more commonly known as propane). The Liquefied Petroleum Injected (LPI) engine makes 114hp with an electric motor that adds an additional 20hp for a total of 134hp.

The battery pack in the Forte LPI is a new state-of-the-art product that Kia has developed with parent company Hyundai and LG Chem. This lithium polymer battery (as opposed to the lithium-ion batteries used in most other hybrids) is lighter and smaller and has a higher output than a nickel-metal hydride unit. A new CVT transmission is also a part of the package.

Kia says the Forte LPI hybrid will achieve a combined fuel economy rating of 40.5 mpg - which is says is the equivalent to 50.6 with gasoline (presumably due to the lower cost of propane). Unfortunately LPI or propane isn’t readily available in most markets and so this vehicle isn’t likely to make it to most of the world. The vehicle will, however go on sale in South Korea in August.

While unveiling the car Kia did, however, state that it will bring another full hybrid car to production in 2010, with a hydrogen fuel cell car and plug-in hybrid in 2012. Parent company Hyundai is also planning a hybrid version of the Sonata for 2010.

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Hyundai Genesis Coupe outsells Sedan

Traditionally, coupe variants of mainstream sedans sell in much lower numbers than the four-doors on which are they based, but in the case of the new 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe the opposite is true. Sales of the Coupe have been extremely strong, even outpacing that of its sedan sibling despite Hyundai spending less money for advertising.

Currently, Hyundai dealers are only selling the larger 3.8L V6 model as the four-cylinder 2.0L turbo model is still making its way into showrooms. Despite this, Hyundai’s U.S. chief John Krafcik revealed during an interview with MotorTrend that sales have been “smoking” and with the second engine option coming soon we should expect to see more buyers.

The company is unsure, however, whether the more economical 2.0L turbo engine will prove to be more popular than the 3.8L V6, so far more than half of all Genesis Coupe buyers have opted for the 'Grand Touring' trim level - an option that runs from $2,500 to $4,000 extra depending on whether the automatic or manual transmission is chosen.

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Rendering: 2011 Hyundai YF Sonata

Thanks to a tip from Graham, we have one of the most accurate renderings of the next-generation Hyundai Sonata, code-named "YF". The upcoming Sonata, set for a release in 2010 as a MY2011, will transform greatly from the current model. It will feature a sleek 4-door coupe-esque style with bold design cues such as an immensely large front grille and a steeply raked front windshield. More details will be released soon.

Thanks for the tip again, Graham!

Editor's Note: To Graham - We'll bet you the front grille will be close in size to the sheer one of the rendering, if not dead on. Judging by the spyshots and the comparable grille found on the Tucson (LM) prototype, at least.

[Source: Graham Bottomley via YFLove.net]

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