SEMA 2010 Preview: Hyundai Equus Gets the Rhys Millen Racing Treatment

Hyundai's partnership with racer and tuner Rhys Millen has fared well for the automaker, and the upcoming SEMA Show will bear testimony to more evidence regarding that statement.

The 2010 SEMA Show will be host to the 2011 Hyundai Equus bearing the RMR signature, which is short for Rhys Millen Racing. This special edition launch will be the third consecutive year when Hyundai flaunts off the RMR insignia in Las Vegas.

And here goes what you have been waiting for- the new edition delivers 415 horsepower, a 30 horsepower addition to the stock figure using Hyundai’s 4.6-liter Tau V8. This is accomplished with an RMR bolt-on cold air intake and stainless steel exhausts, with a 14-inch brake kit thrown in to make the sedan screech to halt faster.

The exterior looks bold with two-tone carbon fiber and Red Bull Racing blue satin paint scheme, while the set of HRE 21-inch P40 wheels take care of the rest. The passengers will be lavished upon with an elaborate swathing of ostrich leather and suede.

[Source: Hyundai]

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Hyundai Delays Unveiling of Veloster to Early 2011

Fresh from the South Korean presses, we bring you the unfortunate news that the upcoming production version of the Hyundai Veloster 2-door compact hatchback will be delayed in unveiling to early 2011.

The Veloster, code-named "FS", was scheduled to be launched in its home market in November. However, with the coinciding launches of the all-new Accent and Azera/Grandeur planned for November and December respectively, Hyundai did not wish for the Veloster to steal the spotlight alone. Hyundai intended to produce 2000 units of the Veloster before the year's end.

According to the news source, Hyundai is also considering keeping the Veloster moniker for the front-wheel drive sport hatchback, as the automaker has not been able to coin a suitable name for it yet.

The production "FS" measures 4285mm in length and 1790mm in width, which is nearly the same as the dimensions of one of its rivals, the Volkswagen Scirocco. It will be powered by a turbocharged version of a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with GDI (direct injection). Output is estimated at around 140 horsepower and it will be mated to a standard dual-clutch gearbox.

Hyundai will commence production of the Veloster in December and start sales in the South Korean market in January of next year. The automaker will subsequently launch the Veloster in North American and European markets by the first half of 2011.

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2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur (HG): Best Rendering Yet

Remember that spy shot of the first undisguised 2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur prototype we posted recently? The image generated great interest probably because it gave us our first good glimpse at the final design of the upcoming redesign.

Well thanks to a renowned amateur CGI artist from Korea, who goes by a Korean nickname of "우얄라고", we now have the closest thing to an official rendering from the folks at Hyundai themselves with this stellar rendering of the 2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur (HG). This clean rendering is based on the spy shot we referred to above, but we would have taken it as an official one had we not known about the original image.

We would love to hear from you about your thoughts on this rendering. Does it change your impression of the all-new Azera? Perhaps it makes the new Azera look even more similar to the Sonata. Leave us your two cents in the comments below!

[Rendered by: 우얄라고]

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Hyundai Australia Updates Entire 2011 Line-Up with Customer-Driven Upgrades

In response to consumer and media feedback, Hyundai Australia announced today a tidal wave of changes for some of its core products, namely the 2011 Hyundai i45 (Sonata in other markets). Follow the jump to see what Hyundai has in store for its Australian line-up for the 2011 model year.

[Source: The Motor Report]


2011 Hyundai i20

The 2011 Hyundai i20 now gets Bluetooth hands-free connectivity standard across the range. Dashboard illumination is changed from orange to the familiar blue already offered in nearly all Hyundai vehicles today. Side and curtain airbags are now standard across the range for the 2011 model year. Stability control, traction control and ABS have been available on all i20 models since launch.

The new standard equipment adds $500 to the sticker price of the entry level i20 Active, but the Elite and Premium prices stay the same. The range now stretches from $15,490 to $23,490.

2011 Hyundai i30

The popular Hyundai i30 gets some minor cosmetic updates in the form of black headlamp bezels, plus a dark silver finish for the mid-spec SLX's 16-inch rims. Wagon variants get silver roof rails. Inside, Bluetooth connectivity is standard on all models and a one-touch triple turn signal is fitted to the i30 SLX and i30 SR. A follow-home headlight function has also been added to all models.

All variants bar the i30 SR and i30cw Sportswagon undergo a $200 price rise, however dealership drive-away pricing of $19,990 has been retained for the entry-level i30 SX.

2011 Hyundai i45

The 2011 i45 has undergone the most radical changes, with criticism of the car's handling at launch prompting the company to develop a new suspension package for the mid-size sedan. Amplitude Selective Dampers (ASD), previously only available on the i45 Premium, are now fitted to the entire range. The damper tune has also been revised to give less damping force at low speeds and a firmer ride at high speed, eliminating the 'looseness' reported by various media publications at the model's launch earlier this year. Front spring rates are also 15 percent firmer, while the rear spring rates rise 6 percent. The front swaybar is now 1mm thicker, with the rear swaybar growing 3mm.

Extra sound deadening has been added to the rear wheelarches, improving noise suppression.

i45 Premium models now enjoy front seat heaters and sat-nav with integrated Bluetooth as standard. The sat-nav unit is unique to Australian i45s, and is sourced from Continental. Although only the Premium gets it as standard, it's available as a $1000 option on the i45 Active and Elite.

Prices rise $100 for the i45 Active and i45 Elite (thanks to the adoption of ASD suspension), while the Premium goes up $1000 due to the addition of satellite navigation. The base i45 Active manual now costs $29,590, while the i45 Premium now retails at $38,990.

2011 Hyundai ix35

The ix35 range is joined by a new model for 2011. Due to high customer demand, the Highlander variant – previously only available with a 2.0 litre turbodiesel – can now be had with a 2.4 litre petrol engine.

Available only with a six-speed automatic transmission, the ix35 Highlander 2.4 petrol joins the range from November 2010 and will retail from $35,490 - $3000 cheaper than the existing Highlander diesel.

Rear parking assist is now standard across the ix35 range, as is Bluetooth phone and audio integration.

The electronic power steering has come in for some minor changes to improve steering feel, and in response to criticism of harsh ride quality all AWD variants now get ASD suspension as standard.

More sound insulation also improves the cabin ambience, however the electrically-adjusted driver's seat on the Active has been deleted. Highlander variants now get rear privacy glass as standard.

Retail pricing remains static for the base ix35 Active, while the Elite variants and Highlander diesel rise by $500. Price of entry is still $26,990 for the ix35 Active manual, while the range-topping ix35 Highlander diesel is now $38,490.

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Hyundai Sonata Turbo to be Spruced Up For SEMA 2010 [Motor Trend]

Nate Martinez [Motor Trend] - Joining Hyundai's ARK Performance Genesis Coupe time attack car at this year's SEMA Show will be a pearl white 2011 Sonata Turbo built with luxury and style in mind. Unfortunately, this is the only teaser image we received from Hyundai.

Fabricators say that Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, and Porsche sports cars inspired their design direction. Its aggressive exterior lines, for example, take much from the Brabus CLS Rocket. The car rides on 20-inch one-piece wheels as well, much like the Rocket.READ MORE at the link below!

[Source: Motor Trend]

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2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T Turbo Starting At $24,145*

Hyundai Motor America has announced pricing for its all-new Sonata 2.0T Turbo, starting at $24,145 MSRP for the Sonata SE 2.0T and $27,045 for the Sonata Limited 2.0T. *The MSRP excludes a $720 destination charge.

The 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine produces 274 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 269 lb-ft of torque from 1750-4500 rpm with regular fuel, while delivering 22 mpg city and 33 mpg highway. Hyundai's 2.0T engine features a twin-scroll turbocharger that, when combined with the GDI system, minimizes turbocharger lag and results in crisp, responsive power delivery.

The Sonata SE 2.0T adds an upgraded fully automatic temperature control system, in addition to packing an impressive list of standard equipment from the non-turbo SE trim. Some of these features include a 6-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters, 18-inch hyper-silver alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension, proximity entry with keyless start, and SE leather bolster/cloth insert sport seats.

The Sonata Limited 2.0T adds to the generous equipment list of the non-turbo Limited with the SE's 18-inch alloys, dual exhausts, and steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. The Limited already comes with amenities such as power tilt/slide sunroof, side mirror turn signal indicators, leather trimmed interior, heated front and rear seats, Dimension premium speakers with subwoofer/external amplifier, HD Radio, and an in-dash 6-disc CD changer.

[Source: Hyundai]

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2012 Hyundai Azera/HG: First Look at Interior!

Leave us your thoughts and opinions in the comments below! This picture is definitely a moot point of discussion. Stay tuned for more shots and information on the 2012 Hyundai Azera/Grandeur (HG) in the coming days.

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