If Hyundai eventually fails in the U.S. market, it won't be for any lack of trying. The company that brought you the 100,000-mile warranty and job-loss protection is now taking the incentives game one step further with guaranteed gas.
Buy any new Hyundai (Genesis models excluded) and the company will lock in your gas at $1.49 for the first year of ownership. Owners will get a gas card that only charges them the set rate and Hyundai will pay the rest. We're guessing it'll go over a little better than Hummer's attempt last year.
The turbocharged Hyundai Genesis Coupe may be the base model in the lineup, but from day one it's been the model tuners have been dying to get their hands on. MODE racing is one of those tuners and its been building a time attack Genesis coupe for a couple months now. So far, most of the modifications are relatively mild (reprogrammed ECU, exhaust, intake), but on its latest dyno run their coupe managed to crank out 250-horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Not bad for a base coupe.
The Insurance Institure for Highway Safety (IIHS) has just released bumper tests on 7 "minicars" as it likes to call them and the results weren't pretty.
Smart Fortwo -- Acceptable Chevrolet Aveo -- Marginal Mini Cooper -- Poor Toyota Yaris -- Poor Honda Fit -- Poor Hyundai Accent -- Poor Kia Rio -- Poor
In the case of the Kia Rio, IIHS noted that repair costs from a 6mph frontal impact would result in $3,701 in damage, which equates to rougthly 30% of the car's original cost. The solid rating for the Smart car was largely a consequence of its easily replaceable pre-painted body panels.
Compared to last year, May's sales numbers were miserable. Let's face it, when a 19% drop somehow looks good, there's still a problem.
We've come to expect such misery these days, but as AutoObserver points out, there are a few glimmers of hope in May's sales numbers.
- The Seasonally Adjusted Annual Rate (SAAR) is at its highest point of the year at 9.9 million.
- Most sales numbers beat analyst's expectations.
- The stock market is up and car sales typically rise with the markets. Consumer confidence is also up.
Hard to tell if this trend will continue at this point. It could be a result of bargain hunting or a little pent up demand. Either way, it's the kind of news we need at this point given how deep taxpayers are now entrenched in the business.
Early 2009 Hyundai Genesis sedans earned just an Acceptable rating from the IIHS for frontal-impact safety -- after the crash dummy's head hit the steering wheel through the airbag and then rebounded into the B-pillar. There was also a significant risk of lower leg injury. Genesis sedans built after November 2008 received modifications to correct for these deficiencies.
You'll find the 2009 Genesis sedan's IIHS side-impact crash test video after the jump.
From the "wait...who?" files comes this curious tale.
This morning, Autoblog, a blog apparently about auto, posted an item entitled "Reader Spy: Hyundai Equus Takes to U.S. Streets." Okay, no biggie. Not sure why anyone would get too excited about a really big Hyundai luxury sedan not yet sold in the U.S., but okay.
The first line of the story read: "This is the new Hyundai Equus in the steel and on U.S. roads, courtesy of Autoblog reader Alex Krafcik." Oh, okay...no, wait, Krafcik? Isnt' t that the name of the CEO of the U.S. arm of Hyundai? Yes, it is. John Krafcik. So, "Spy" might be slightly overstating the case, no?
So they're not really spy photos, but the fact that Krafcik is running around Southern California in one of Hyundai's home market flagships is still noteworthy. The car was displayed at the New York Auto Show last month "to get public reaction", so it's pretty clear that Hyundai is still considering the idea of a luxury brand. Even if that doesn't happen, a Hyundai-badged model above the current Genesis is certainly a possibility.
Yeah, well it's all kosher now as Millen and Co. have managed to squeeze a proper Hyundai V6 under the hood. It makes 480-horsepower and 570 pound-feet at the wheels according to Millen which should be more than enough power to get those rear wheels spinning at Road Atlanta for the second round of the Formula Drift series.
It obviously looks kind of like the Mazda 3, or at least the old Mazda 3, but does it drive like a Mazda 3? Chief Road Test Editor Chris Walton thinks it's pretty close. Find out why in our latest full test of the 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring.
Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every vehicle gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we're running a feature on Straightline called "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
Hyundai says it wasn't out to build a better Mustang when it was designing the 2010 Genesis Coupe. Maybe so, but it's hard to ignore the similarities between the new Korean coupe and the latest Ford Mustang GT.
They have just over 300 horsepower, rear-wheel drive and similar price tags. They also have surprisingly comfortable interiors with four seats and all the latest technology.
Of course, these cars are designed for performance above all else and they both deliver, although in slightly different ways. See how the numbers stack up and what our test driver thought as he put them through their paces in our latest track test shoot-out.
Since everybody has been calling the Hyundai Genesis Coupe the "Korean Mustang" since it was introduced, the folks at Hyundai figured it was only fitting that they acknowledged the Mustang's 45th birthday.
On Wednesday IL incorrectly reported that Rhys Millen's Red Bull sponsored Hyundai Genesis Coupe drift car is powered by a stroked 4.0-liter version of Hyundai's 3.8-liter Lambda V6. A Nissan VQ-based 4.0-liter V6 actually powers the car.
Millen told Inside Line last week that a "4.0-liter V6" powers the car and he was being truthful. However, subsequent discussions centering around specific choices to use the Hyundai V6 rather the the Hyundai 2.0-liter turbo engine were curiously misleading and led to the error. We regret the mistake.
Millen points out that he was under contract to complete the car by the first Formula D event (April 11) and using the Hyundai engine with so little development time was not an option. The program was only approved in mid January and the car was built entirely in nine weeks.
"The Hyundai engine should be ready by the second or third event of the season," Millen says.
Drifting is a unique sport which allows competition cars to use virtually any powertrain so the car was not in violation of the Formula D rules at last weekend's opening event on the streets of Long Beach, California.
The 2009 Formula Drift season opened in Long Beach over the weekend. Ryan Tuerck, 23, took first place in his Gardella Racing Solstice coupe. He was joined on the podium by second-place finisher Samuel Hubinette (Dodge Viper) and third-place Tanner Foust (Scion tC).
#NYIAS It has gullwing doors and "floating" seats inside, yet the Hyundai Nuvis has more production implications than you might think. As Hyundai continues to move upmarket with cars like its new Genesis sedan, the Nuvis could very well signal its intention to hit the sweet spot of the luxury crossover market currently dominated by the Lexus RX 350.
In the near term, it's the drivetrain of the Nuvis that shows some promise. It combines Hyundai's latest "Theta" four-cylinder gas engine with a 30kW electric motor to create what Hyundai calls Blue Drive.
It's a parallel hybrid system similar to that used in the Toyota Prius, so it can run on pure electric power or both gas and electric power together. For electric power, it uses a 270V lithium-polymer battery that Hyundai claims is superior to both nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion batteries because lithium polymer batteries are more durable and space-efficient.
We'll see if those claims hold up soon enough as Hyundai has announced that it will offer the Blue Drive system in the next-generation Sonata in the United States. No timetable was given, but expect to see more news on this front as early as next year. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line
#NYIAS Forget what you've heard. The Hyundai Equus is coming to the U.S., and when it does it'll be powered by a 5.0-liter V8 backed by an eight-speed automatic transmission.
"You didn't hear it from me," a source close to the project told Inside Line today during the New York auto show. "But you wouldn't be far off if you said the car was coming to the United States. Our chairman wants it."
The full-size sedan, which packs the size and luxury to top the Hyundai lineup, should hit the states in "two or three years" according to our source, but the problem right now is price. In Korea the car starts at the equivalent of $96,000, and taking on the Benz S-Class in America is not what Hyundai has in mind. At least not yet.
Hyundai hopes to get the price down to near $50,000 in the States, where it would give Genesis sedan owners a car to move up into. In the meantime, Hyundai will be gauging the public's reaction to the car all week at the New York show.
We expect more than one show-goer to be asked, "What would you pay for this car?" by Hyundai officials as the company creates the business plan for its new Lexus fighter. -- Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
You would think that a movie centered around street racing and modified cars might want to include the latest new models. For the most part Fast & Furious does just that, expect for one notable exception.
Turns out the new Hyundai Genesis Coupe was supposed to get a starring role, but was left out at the last minute. It came about after another manufacturer started squawking about screen time for its own vehicles. Thankfully there are more than enough interesting vehicles to make the Hyundai's absence largely unnoticeable, but be sure to look for it in Faster & Furious next year.
Hyundai plans to sell a plug-in hybrid version of the Blue Will concept sedan shown this week at the Seoul auto show. Yang Woong-chul, president of Hyundai-Kia Motors' research and development division told Automotive News that the company is targeting the Chevrolet Volt and Toyota Prius plug-in that are expected in roughly the same time frame.
It was only yesterday that Autoblog published spy photos of the Hyundai Nuvis concept. Now, in an apparent attempt to shape the story a little, Hyundai has released this teaser image of the crossover concept. Hyundai doesn't mention the gullwing doors, or anything else for that matter, so we'll have to wait until next week to get the full scoop.
The two-door vehicle looks a bit like the old Izusu Vehicross, although there are also some similarities to the HED-6 (above) shown at the Geneva Auto Show. The gullwing doors are clearly for show, but we hear Hyundai does plan to produce a production version of the New York concept vehicle sometime next year.
In a move to reassure potential car buyers (and also to copy a successful program from Hyundai), Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation both announced today buyer protection plans. Let's have a look at how the three programs compare after the jump.
During Hyundai's webcasted press conference for the Genesis Coupe, product chief John Krafcik was asked whether or not there was still a replacement for the Tiburon in the works. In response, he basically reiterated a statement he's made in the past.
There is still another coupe to come from Hyundai and it will be a smaller, front-wheel drive model based on the Elantra platform. The Veloster concept was a clue to the styling direction, but Hyundai is still up in the air whether or not it will be called Tiburon. In fact, Krafcik openly asked for input on the name, so if you like Tiburon let Hyundai know.
Curious what it's like to go to a manufacturer press conference? Well, here's your chance.
Hyundai will broadcast its Genesis Coupe presentation live on its website starting at 8:00. Just go to www.genesispresspass.com and register. We can't promise you it will be exciting, but that's why they call it a press conference.
Update: Among the numerous questions discussed at the press conference was the topic of benchmark vehicles used during development of the Genesis Coupe.
Product chief John Krafcik said the Infiniti G37S Coupe was the main target along with the BMW 335 Coupe to some degree.
He also made a point of mentioning that the Ford Mustang was never a target.
It's no letdown either, at least according to Executive Editor Michael Jordan. With less weight to throw around and plenty of stick from a well-tuned suspension and meaty tires, the turbocharged Genesis is a nimble, easy to toss around coupe that will make you reassess your perception of Hyundai.
Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every one gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we're introducing a new feature on Straightline called "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
Everyone has had their eyes on the 2010 Chevy Camaro SS, including us. It is, after all, the Camaro with a V8. This makes the SS the Camaro for enthusiast. And with a 6-speed manual, the SS will stomp through the quarter-mile in a stunning 13 seconds flat at 110.9 mph.
Also new for 2010, is the Camaro V6, known as the LS, 1LT or 2LT, depending on how much equipment you want on your coupe. All versions use the direct-injection V6 3.6-liter V6 that powers upmarket Cadillac CTSs. And if you order the manual, you get a the same Aisin-built 6-speed gearbox as the Caddy too. That's a good starting point for a car that is supposed to sway those that aren't already initiated into the Camaro faithful.
This car stomps the V6 American pony-car competition. What? You think a 210-hp 4.0liter V6 Mustang will have an answer for the Camaro V6? You think the Dodge Challenger SE with its 250-hp V6 bolted to a 4-speed automatic is going to do anything but embarrass itself? Stop being ridiculous.
No, to get a car that gives the V6 Camaro a run for its (relatively little) money you have to go to Korea, of course. Here we speak of the 2010 Hyundai Coupe 3.8 Track. We've track tested both and we think you'll find the numbers and specifications after the jump quite surprising.
Although the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is offered with an optional V6, it's likely that the turbocharged 2.0T version is destined to be the more popular choice. It's less expensive and lighter, plus it's got a happy spinny thing under the hood known as a turbo. And when it comes to tuning potential, a turbo is hard to beat.
We tested a bone stock Genesis Coupe 2.0T on MD Automotive's Dynojet chassis dyno located in Westminster, CA. Hyundai says its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder generates 210 hp and 223 lb-ft of torque at the flywheel, and like most factory ratings for turbo cars, those numbers are a bit on the conservative side.
Hit the jump to see the dyno chart and other discoveries.
Hyundai was disappointed too. So they went through the car following our track session looking for answers. What Hyundai's engineers found was a rear wheel alignment that was off spec and worn front tires paired with new rears.
Another problem was the car's ECU. It was programmed for damage control, not 0-to-60mph runs, so it was cutting power when it was needed most. We complained about this system in the test article and were sure the car would accelerate quicker if the damage control system was backed off a bit.
Hyundai agreed and made a running change to the ECU that keeps it from cutting in during fast shifts. Hyundai is fast at work reflashing all the cars now at dealers and at the port (If you're one of the few that has already bought a Genesis Coupe, call your dealer and they'll reflash your car for free). They also offered to mount some new tires and made sure they were pointed straight too.
Then they asked if we wouldn't mind running the car again. We said yes. Did it help? See for yourself after the jump.
As Josh noted in his story, the Genesis more than holds its own against the higher-rated Infiniti. It's not until after 6,000rpm where the Infiniti starts to show any considerable advantage. And if you're keeping score, this G37 performed better than the last one we tested, so don't think for a second that the Hyundai was up against a weaker-than-normal Infiniti.
We've already tested the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, but enthusiasts keen on exploring every facet of its performance credentials now have another data point to consider--our chassis dyno result.
Hyundai pegs its brand-spankin' new Genesis Coupe's 3.8-liter V6 at 306-hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. To detemine just how truthful they've been in this rating, we strapped a Genesis to the Dynojet rollers at MD Automotive's facility in Westminster, CA, and let 'er rip.
Maybe you saw the Hyundai Genesis Coupe commercial that ran during the Super Bowl? That would be the one with the yellow coupe drifting all over Road Atlanta? Hyundai used a cut edited by Billy Corrigan, but it also offered viewers the chance to make their own version by going to its website.
Our in-house photography ace Scott Jacobs recently took a stab at a remake. What do think?
#CAS09 Judging by the number of people from competing car companies who showed up at today's press conference, the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe R-Spec has its competitors worried. Or at least very curious.
And they should be. This is the kind of affordable coupe import enthusiasts have been begging Honda, Nissan and Toyota to build for years. Who would have thought Hyundai would be the company to finally pull it off.
Jon Krafcik, Hyundai's current CEO, recited the usual lines about having true enthusiasts at the company making the decisions, but we have to give him some credit. This time he had the car to back it up. -- Ed Hellwig, Lead Senior Editor, Inside Line
Hot on the heels of Hyundai's Super Bowl drift commercial comes the official Rhys Millen drift racecar based on the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe. Millen will campaign the specially prepared, 550-hp Genesis coupe in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, Formula Drift Professional Drifting Championship and select Redline Time Attack series events.
According to a report in Automotive News, Hyundai will introduce a performance version of the Genesis coupe called Spec R at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show. The rear-wheel-drive coupe will be powered by a 212-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, the report says.
Hyundai eliminated some standard equipment to reduce the car's weight and price to make it more appealing to enthusiasts, according to Automotive News. Look for complete coverage of the 2009 Chicago Auto Show starting Wednesday.
Five Hyundai Super Bowl XLIII ads found their way to YouTube today, and by far the highlight is the one featuring Rhys Millen drifting a 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe. We've posted all five of Hyundai's 2009 Super Bowl commercials here. View them all by following the jump.
Rivaling the Lexus LS in terms of in-car hardware and sound quality is not easy but Hyundai has done it with the Genesis thanks to a new Lexicon audio system.
...the Hyundai Genesis. #DAS09 Yeah, we were surprised, too. Although this NACOTY juror thinks the Genesis is well deserving of the honor, the consensus has been that the Ford Flex would pull it out thanks to the number of Detroit-based journalists on the voting jury. Maybe the auto press isn't as predictable as the world thinks we are.
Still, it was close. The Genesis won with 189 points, only nine more than the Ford. The Jetta TDI was a distant 3rd place with just 131 points.
Congratulations, Hyundai.--Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor in Chief
Seems like the Hyundai Genesis coupe has been kicking around for awhile, but we've only now filed our first driving impression from Korea. All indications point to a very well balanced car that's both powerful and refined. The only question now is how Hyundai will try to push it in the States. A Mustang fighter? Poor man's G37? Both?
Joel Piaskowski, Hyundai Motor America's chief designer since 2003, is taking a hike, effective as of the new year. No word as to why he's leaving or where he'll end up.
Piaskowski, was responsible for the upcoming Genesis Coupe as well as the HCD concepts. He has also been credited in developing a consistent design language for the automaker.
You might think 6-speed automatic transmissions are a dime-a-dozen these days. And, well, you would be right. But that doesn't mean Hyundai's new 6-speed tranny is any less important, at least as far as Hyundai is concerned.
The Korean automaker correctly points out that only Toyota and a joint venture between Ford and GM have produced proprietary 6-speed transmissions, while the rest of the world bought theirs off of perfectly good suppliers. The existence of 7- and 8-speed automatics was not addressed.
Buried within the long-winded release are a few interesting tid bits of info however. For instance, there is no dipstick. The transmission is filled with fluid that's designed to last the life of the car. The head of the Skinny Funnel Manufacturers Association had no comment on the development.
Also worthy of note: the applications of the new transmission. The first will be the Azera with the 3.3-liter V6 in early 2009. Hyundai says to expect a 12% improvement in mileage and two-tenths off the 0-to-60mph time. Later on in the 2009, the new transmission will find its way into a fully redesigned Santa Fe. A total of sixteen different models will eventually use the transmission.
Los Angeles was the North American debut of the Hyundai HED-5 i-Mode, the weirdly named concept powered by Hyundai's new 2.0-liter Theta GDI turbocharged four-cylinder. The HED-5 is a three-row, six-passenger crossover concept that foreshadows a near-future production version. I saw what looked to be some of the production test mules under camouflage at Hyundai-Kia's Namyang proving grounds on my Kia Soul journey to South Korea. If that was indeed the production version, they looked a lot larger than this concept version, which seems to be smaller than a Dodge Journey. -- James Riswick, Automotive Editor
There hasn't been a lot of wow news or wow production numbers at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, but a little bit of both were on display at the Hyundai show stand. Amid a flutter of dancers flouncing about with white sheets, Hyundai Blue Drive was unveiled, the company's new short- and long-term strategy for environmentally friendly and fuel-saving technologies.
No sooner had news that GM and Chrysler had suspended merger talks, that a new story popped up over at Reuters suggesting that Hyundai and Chrysler might now be in discussions. If true, this once again raises the speculation that Chrysler divisions may be sold off separately. It's known that Hyundai is interested in the Jeep division; and possibly some, but maybe not all, other Chrysler divisions.
Were it not for its blazing South Park-reminiscent red "eyes," I might never have spotted this camouflaged Hyundai Genesis Coupe by Street Concepts. It looked pretty mean in its matte-finish vinyl wrap until I reached the rear and saw the awkward-looking generic wing. Aw.
Street Concepts gussied up the interior and added a bunch of bolt-ons to the V6. However, we figure the turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder Genesis Coupe will be the one to have. It will be less expensive, lighter and have better weight balance. But most of all, the tuning potential of turbo fours can't be touched.
Regardless, the rear-drive, Torsen-differential-havin' Genesis Coupe promises to be the next Nissan 240SX/Silvia in terms of aftermarket support. Hang on, because this is just the beginning.
Hyundai is calling the RKSport-massaged 2009 Hyundai Genesis a concept, but you can expect to see its 460-hp supercharged V8 in a production car in the near future.
The company's press conference bristled with engineers, including head of powertrain John Juriga. He spoke to us about what went into the concept. "This is not just a supercharger bolted to the existing engine," he said.
Indeed, this represents a comprehensive rework of Hyundai's 4.6-liter "Tau" V8. It includes new head and intake manifold castings integrating an IHI twin-screw supercharger, and a cylinder deactivation system. This system, like other such systems in production, allows the V8 to operate in V4 mode to save fuel. John continued, "We saw an 8 percent improvement in fuel economy while simulating the FTP cycle," which is used by the EPA to determine the fuel economy numbers on a window sticker.
Hyundai reckons this Genesis reaches 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and runs the quarter-mile in 13.6 seconds at 108 mph, while returning 18/27 city/hwy mpg.
They also hint that it's "suitable for sports cars," too. Bring it on.
Okay, that's all we know, and it's noted in the last paragraph of this article.
More important, this is an interesting commentary on the "State of Subaru;" where it's been, and why it's been so difficult for the Subaru brand to break out, and really establish itself as an automotive powerhouse--despite having all the engineering and unique brand DNA ingredients necessary to do so. Being a long-time Subaru fan, I found this to be a very interesting read, and I agree with the writer for the most part.
__________
So why can't Subaru implement strategies to make it what it could be -- a more profitable small-scale car company.
In a word, it's the weight of Subaru's rigid corporate culture. As with many Japanese companies, Subaru has not made the moves needed to shift from the usual obsession with market share to creating value in products that increase profit margins.
__________
Unlike many, I strongly supported the now-abandoned, and admittedly controversial, design language championed by former Subaru design head, Andreas Zapatinas. What they've now done--as the article correctly states--is gone "back to its flavor-of-the-month styling." It's safe. It doesn't offend anybody. It's also boring and is no way going to make Subaru stand out from the crowd. You can swap the logo on the grille of any current Subaru for that of a Kia, Hyundai, or any other nondescript vehicle brand, and few would know the difference. You can't say that about any of the Euro-brands that many of us so covet.
So let's see, once again, if Subaru can come up with a distinctive look that they can call their own--and this time successfully sell it to the masses.
Got 18 minutes or so to spend listening to Charlie Rose as he interviews some key design leaders in the auto industry? It's worth if you do. Check it out over at Winding Roadhere.
The Asian "Davids" of the auto industry are showing their stuff as the "Goliaths" stumble in this new automotive world.
Hyundai, Kia, Subaru and Suzuki are all showing gains in sales (and market share) in these tough times. A lot of it is luck (as in timing), but also in having the right products at the right time--and they are are not saddled with a large percentage of huge profit-sucking vehicles in their product portfolio.
Yeah, Subaru has the Tribeca, which is still hurting them despite the refresh from a year ago. Even so, their market share is up from about 1 percent or so to about 1.52 percent. Still not huge by any means, but it is certainly heading in the right direction. Their all-new Impreza and Forester models are selling at a record rate. Hyundai's market share is now up to 4.22 percent, Kia is at 2.39 percent, and Suzuki is at 0.83 percent; all records for each of these brands.
More good news is expected for Subaru in future months as the much-needed refresh of the '09 WRX is getting good initial reviews on the Subaru fan sites (unlike last year when the car debuted). Better news still is the '09 WRX price will begin close to that of the '08 model.
More evidence of the world-wide popularity of the Korean auto giant Hyundai-Kia, as they passed Honda in global sales in 2007. Hyundai-Kia is now ranked fifth in terms, which is previously the rank Honda held.
The Korean automaker was ranked 11th place in 1999, but moved up to 5th place in 2007 by out-selling rivals such as Honda, Nissan, PSA / Peugeot, Chrysler and Fiat.
Now Hyundai-Kia's global sales for 2007 were 3,961,629, whereas Honda sold 3,831,000 vehicles. Hyundai-Kia has shot up six places in just eight years, according to Automotive News' 2008 Global Data Book.
XM's NavTraffic feature is gaining popularity by leaps abounds. For 2009 it will be offered on more than 40 vehicles. Those automakers include GM, Honda/Acura, Nissan/Infiniti, and Toyota. The upcoming Hyundai Genesis will offer it, and GM is including the feature in 22 new vehicles this year...
The Microsoft Sync wireless communication system has been a huge hit for Ford. This is especially true on the Focus model line, as sales of Sync-equipped models have jumped off the charts. As a result expect to see more vehicle brands to offer similar units, and the first being Hyundai.
Hyundai has just struck up a deal with Microsoft, to offer a infotainment system much like what Ford is offering...
By now you know that today's the day Hyundai introduced the much-anticipated Genesis coupe at the 2008 New York Auto Show. The official announcement is that the rear-wheel-drive 2+2 will be available in three flavors: Base, SE with a turbo four-cylinder and SE with V6 power.
But we've also learned that Hyundai is thinking about a fourth model called the Spec R. (Maybe it's still working on the name.) It'll be a tuner special with the SE's four-cylinder turbo power, six-speed manual transmission and Brembo brakes, but little else...
Although its official unveil is scheduled for the 2008 New York Auto Show later this week, photos of the 2009 Hyundai Genesis Coupe have already leaked out. No big surprises here as it looks much like the Genesis coupe concept shown at the Los Angeles auto show late last year. Look for full details in our show coverage from New York starting Wednesday.
The always the much anticipated Consumer Reports 2008 Annual Auto Issue is about to hit the news stands, and this year there are some surprises.
Hyundai has two top picks: The Elantra SE ousted last year's winner, the Honda Civic, as the best small sedan. Their Santa Fe also took top honors in the mid-size SUV category. Last year the Toyota Highlander hybrid won this class...
The new must-haves are tech features like navigation, premium audio, satellite radio and live traffic -- many of which the otherwise adequate Hyundai Sonata lacks. Not for long. For 2009 the Sonata gets a nav system, a USB port so you can play music through an iPod or memory stick plus a revised and more interesting XM radio interface including a voice command. Tech geeks will know that both the Accord and Altima have similar options but the voice control for XM is an interesting addition -- that Microsoft Sync system's got 'em all thinkin...
Hyundai's been selling a wagon in Europe, but this is the first time the Korean company will offer a wagon based on the current-generation Elantra in the U.S.
Under the hood is a 141-horsepower DOHC 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic gearbox.
For fun, Hyundai also showed a customized version of the new Elantra wagon done-up by K-Daddyz Kustomz in Bakersfield, California. -- Kelly Toepke, News Editor
Having made its world debut at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show last September, Hyundai's i-Blue fuel-cell concept isn't exactly breaking news at the Chicago auto show.
Nevertheless, the Hyundai concept's aerodynamic form still looks cool enough to post a couple of new photos from the show floor. -- Kelly Toepke, News Editor
Hyundai used the Chicago auto show to unveil its updated 2009 Sonata, touting the fact that the midsize sedan is gaining popularity in a highly competitive segment.
Offered with a 175-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or 249-hp 3.3-liter V6, the Sonata is a nice alternative to your friends' Toyota Camry or Honda Accord.
A starting price of $18,795 makes the 2009 Sonata even more attractive. -- Kelly Toepke, News Editor
You may have noticed the new TV spots for the Hyundai Genesis, comparing it to a BMW 7-series, but priced like a 3-Series. I believe their is also one comparing it to an S-Class Mercedes-Benz, but being priced like a C-Class. This all raises the question: Is the car market ready for a premium Korean auto brand?
The best part about the Big Game when your team is not involved (um, go Eagles?) are the commercials.
Those 30-second spots that are usually your chance to run to the bathroom or throw some nachos into the microwave, morph into multi-million dollar mini movies. And the car companies compete every year in hopes that theirs will be the one that everyone is talking about the next day.
This year expect masterpieces from Audi, Cadillac, Ford, GMC, Hyundai and Toyota...
We've added a Hyundai Veracruz to our long-term test fleet.
The Veracruz is available in several trim levels and they all have the same 3.8-liter V6 capable of 260 horsepower. We opted for the SE version with all-wheel drive.
Standard equipment in the SE includes rear-seat climate controls, a tilt-telescoping steering wheel, 18-inch wheels, a roof rack, rear spoiler and more...
Hyundai has some decisions to make. It seems the company's decision makers can't decide which grille design they're going to go with on its new luxury sedan, the 2009 Hyundai Genesis. Right now they have two to choose from, and they're both being displayed on the Detroit auto show floor. Wheels, too...
Dust off your old hair-metal cassette tapes. Hyundai has jumped in the way-back machine and all of a sudden it's 1989 again.
You see, with the introduction of its Genesis rear-drive sedan, the Korean company that could is casting itself as the 21st Century Lexus. Lexus was a "disruptive force" back then...
Now that our Long Term Hyundai Azera is gone, I have no way to listen to my awesome cassette tapes in the car. Ion has the solution. This tape deck has a USB out so you can convert your totally excellent Personics tapes into digital files. There's also a turntable and VHS player that do the same thing...
If this new Hyundai Genesis performs even half as good as it looks, the major car makers from Asia, Europe and North America will have their work cut out for them.
In the U.S. expect three DOHC engines: a 3.3-liter V6 rated at 268 horsepower and 233 pound-feet of torque; a 3.8-liter V6 rated at 290 hp and 264 lb-ft and an all-new 4.6-liter V8 rated at 368 hp and 324 lb-ft. The V8 will be mated to a ZF six-speed automatic gearbox, while the V6 engines will use an Aisin six-speed automatic...
Looks like Hyundai and Kia are jumping on the AWD bandwagon. Word is that both companies are working with the Haldex people, out of Sweden. Interesting that the Haldex system is proving so popular with so many different automakers.
Actually, this really no surprise, as it seems everyone is going that route; maybe not with all models, but at least offering AWD to those who want it...
At the beginning of yesterday's unveil of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe Concept, John Krafcik, Hyundai's product chief, discussed the company's succession plans for the current Tiburon coupe. He said Hyundai was well aware of the Tiburon's fan base and it wasn't about to force them into the bigger and more expensive Genesis coupe. According to Krafcik there's another coupe in the works. It will slot below the Genesis coupe and use a smaller, front-wheel-drive platform...
“When it hits the market in early 2009, we aim to deliver a driving experience that challenges cars like Infiniti G37, at prices more like Mitsubishi Eclipse.” A bold claim from a company that seems hell bent on bringing a new crossover vehicle to market every couple of months.
Although the car shown today at the 2007 LA Auto show was nothing more than a shell, Hyundai product chief John Krafcik made some big promises to back up Hyundai’s claim. He glossed right over the turbocharged four-cylinder engine that’s expected to power base models and went right to the top-of-the-line 3.8-liter V6. “We plan to offer the most affordable 300-hp coupe on the market,” Krafcik boasted.
The all-aluminum engine will also have more than 250 pound-feet of torque and continuously variable valve timing. Hyundai also said that the new rear-wheel-drive coupe will go from zero to 60 in less than 6 seconds. Other notable performance parts include a six-speed manual transmission, Brembo brakes and a limited-slip differential.
This coupe is often described as Hyundai’s Mustang, and its dimensions are pretty close to Ford’s pony car. Both cars are the same height, but the Hyundai is nearly an inch wider and 4 inches shorter in overall length. The wheels on the Hyundai must be pushed to the corners, however, as it rides on a wheelbase that's 4 inches longer than the Mustang.
If a big rear-wheel-drive coupe with 300 hp doesn’t interest you for some reason, Krafcik told the audience that Hyundai is also working on a smaller, front-wheel-drive replacement for the current Tiburon. He said to look to the Veloster concept for an idea of what the company has in mind. – Ed Hellwig, Senior Editor, Inside Line
Looks like the Hyundai enthusiasts over at www.newtiburon.com have acquired some photos of what looks like the production version of the Hyundai Genesis coupe. The concept version will be shown next week at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show, but who cares about the concept when you can see the real thing?
According to the post, the information and photos were gleaned from a marketing presentation several months ago which seems plausible given the Mustang coupe on hand for comparison. They were told there would be two engines: a 2.0-liter 215hp turbo four-cylinder and a 300hp 3.8-liter V6...
Hyundai took the wraps off of a customized version of the Hyundai Elantra Touring this morning. Insiders suggest that if we ignore the fancy paint and slammed suspension, we're pretty much looking at the production sheet metal.
While it's several months out, and we still have Tokyo, SEMA and the LA shows to do, the folks running the Detroit show have let loose with some teaser info regarding this January event.
From the NAIAS October newsletter:
Ford will unveil a new small concept vehicle for the U.S. market that will share the underbody with a concept that Ford unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The Ford Verve (rendering pictured above), revealed in Frankfurt, is a crossover vehicle carried on a small B-segment platform...
Hyundai will debut their latest hydrogen-powered concept, the i-Blue, at the Frankfurt auto show.
At the moment not much is known in terms of specifics. However, the smartly styled CUV (with lousy rear three-quarter visibility) is sure to cause much discussion within automotive circles worldwide.
Pickup.com is reporting that the previously rumored Hyundai and Kia pickups are either on hold or have been canceled.
On the other hand the Mahindra pickup from India has been green-lighted. Mahindra & Mahindra plans to start importing them by early 2009, and it will be priced below any pickup in the market, and that includes the 25% tarrif for imported trucks.
Looks like Hyundai's upcoming replacement for the Tiburon has finally made it to the California desert for hot weather testing. The first spy photos of this new Hyundai coupe showed up months ago, but since then we haven't seen much on this sharp looking two-door. We do know that it will use the BH platform that underpins the Genesis luxury sedan, so the switch to rear wheel drive is certain. Although the Genesis sedan will have an optional V8, we've been told that the top engine on the coupe will be the sedan's base 3.8-liter V6...
We've seen interior spy shots of the 2009 Hyundai Genesis sedan before, but our latest pic shows the first evidence of an iDrive-like device for Hyundai's luxury sedan. From what we can tell, the system is actually closer to Audi's MMI system with hard buttons surrounding the main control knob. This is good news as Audi's system has proven far easier to use than BMW's clumsy setup. The rest of the interior appears to have a few minor changes, but overall it's a nicely laid out cabin that looks sufficiently upscale to warrant a premium price...
We've seen this prototype before. It's the 2009 Hyundai Genesis, or whatever they decide to call it when it goes on sale in the fall of 2008. With rear wheel drive and an optional V8, it will take the Azera's place at the top of Hyundai's lineup. Previous prototypes had a very Korean looking front end with a massive grille highlighted by vertical chrome bars...
This is very good news for those considering a used car; or perhaps better stated, a mainstream used car that mere mortals can afford. It affects Hyundais going back five model years and with less than 60,000 miles.
These are the first spy photos of what looks like the 2010 Hyundai Tiburon. Expected to use Hyundai's new rear wheel drive platform, this redesigned coupe will take many of its styling cues from the HCD8 concept shown several years ago.
Here are the latest spy photos of the 2009 Hyundai Genesis. After the unveiling of the concept at the 2007 New York Auto Show, work on the production cars is in full swing. We showed you spy video of similar prototypes weeks ago and these new shots don't appear to reveal anything new. Expect to see the final version of this rear wheel drive luxury sedan early next year with sales beginning in the fall of 2008...
Last week Inside Line and Straightline did stories on the rumored upcoming Hyundai pickup (Hyundai is considering a pickup for the American market). Now I've found another story on this truck over at PickupTruck.com. In addition, there's now news that Kia too, may also be planning a pickup.
Undeniably, the Hyundai Concept Genesis looked good in the early photos. The specs looked good, too -- a 4.6-liter V8 with over 300 hp, rear-wheel drive and a fully independent five-link suspension. This just isn't the usual Hyundai hardware.
After seeing the actual car at the Javits Center, in all its full-size dimensions, we're still impressed. Concept Genesis is definitely a conservative take on a luxury sedan, but it's a luxury sedan nonetheless. The production version goes on sale in the second quarter of 2008.
Exterior styling is a compromise of current trends in the luxury-sedan market. From the front, we see Lexus LS shapes.
Last September I posted that Hyundai may be considering a pickup for the US market (Is Hyundai working on a pickup?). Well it's been about seven months, and now there is more news suggesting that there may indeed be a pickup coming from Hyundai.
The auto-sleuths over at Winding Road have uncovered the fact that Hyundai may be considering creating a premium auto brand. When I first saw and read about their new Genesis luxury sedan concept I was wondering about that. If this were to really compete with Lexus, etc., wouldn't a premium nameplate be required? Well, maybe not quite yet as John Krafcik, VP of product planning for Hyundai states...
Mentioning "Hyundai" and "luxury" in the same sentence may seem like a stretch for many, but their new Genesis concept just may make that thought a bit easier to digest.
Just as Lexus did a decade back, Hyundai will be offering a content-loaded V8-powered RWD luxury sedan at a bargain-basement price. Expect little to change on the production version from the above pictured concept which will debut at the New York Auto Show. Toyota proved this formula works, so there's no reason to believe it won't also work for Hyundai...
Hyundai has just released official sketches of its Concept Genesis, a new concept car scheduled to be introduced at the New York auto show on April 5, shortly before public days at the show, April 6-15. This full-size rear-wheel-drive sedan has the look of a high-performance sedan and it anticipates the Korean company's attempt to move itself up-market.
The concept sketches reveal a four-door sedan with a dramatic look that resembles the genre of high-performance cars from Germany. The extruded character lines in profile recall the character of BMW sedans, while the tightly drawn roofline with minimal glass area has the appearance of something from Mercedes-Benz.
Although the official sketches from Hyundai are hazy, we have an extensive selection of photography taken of the car during hot-weather testing. It reveals a car very much in the BMW idiom, and we can speculate about a few mechanical details.
This is a new rear-wheel drive platform for Hyundai, the expensive centerpiece of a bold initiative to move into the segment of high-performance sedans, where rear-wheel drive is the signature of luxury and prestige as well as performance...
With the news that the Chrysler Group could be up for sale, there are bound to be a bunch of rumors flying around of possible suitors.
The latest is a story coming out of the UK is that Hyundai may be interested in buying Chrysler. The TimesOnline is reporting that Hyundai is very interested in having access to Chrysler's dealer network. The report goes on to say that besides Hyundai there were several other potential buyers, including Chinese groups and private-equity firms...
Hyundai turned its press conference into a press concert with a little help from two of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's finest guitarists. Yeah, Detroit has a symphony orchestra, we couldn't believe it either.
You've all seen the headlines by now. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety recently released the results of crash-testing seven small cars; the Nissan Versa, Toyota Yaris (2 models), Honda Fit, Chevy Aveo, Scion xB, and the Hyundai Accent. Of those seven, five got at least one "poor" rating. Only the Nissan Versa got all "good" ratings...
The best designs deliver an emotional connection, according to Joel Piaskowski, Hyundai North America's Chief Designer. They're also polarizing, recognizable and are eventually imitated.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) 2007 Top Safety Picks have been announced. Thirteen cars and trucks from foreign brands won "Top Safety Pick" honors for 2007 models from the IIHS, including seven varieties of SUVs. More info can be found here.
Hyundai hopes to have a Formula One team ready for the 2010 racing season. According to the Sunday edition of Germany's Automobilwoche: "Talks with Formula One chief Bernie Ecclestone are in progress," quoted a Hyundai manager familiar with the situation.
More spy images of the new upcoming Hyundai Veracruz are showing up on the Net. I think Hyundai may have another winner here. The vehicle is quite handsome, and will be powered by a 3.8L V6, hooked up to a 6-speed automatic. AWD is naturally also part of the picture...
In Paris today, the bandages came off Hyundai's Tiburon - referred to simply as the Hyundai Coupe here in Europe - revealing the results of its second face-lift. The first occurred 3 years ago, and was meant to clean up a few sagging lines in the initial design and to present a more chiseled, aggressive face. And it worked too, as the first Tiburon face-lift resulted in the best one yet. So what happened here?
As expected, this week's issue of Automotive News features a considerable amount of info on Ford's future product plans, but since most of that info was covered late last week we'll focus elsewhere for now. Probably the most interesting piece of information came from Scion.
Hyundai will debut the Arnez C-segment concept at the upcoming Paris show. Like a number of recent Hyundai vehicles this one too is extremely easy on the eyes.
Snippet: Designed at Hyundai’s European Research and Design centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the Arnejs builds on design elements first seen in the Genus concept at Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. And it marks a further significant milestone in Hyundai’s development of a stronger brand identity
Kia is already expected to bring a small minivan to the U.S. market early next year called the Rondo, and now it looks as though its corporate sibling Hyundai might getting a version as well. Caught yesterday testing in Death Valley, these prototypes are roughly the same size as the Rondo but they have different grilles, wheels and side window designs. The Rondo will be offered with either a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a 2.7-liter V6 and there's no reason to think these Hyundai versions will be any different. The only real question is whether these pint size minivans will ever catch on with U.S. buyers. As alternatives to the Odysseys and Grand Caravans of the world it's doubtful, but as niche players these vans could give Kia and Hyundai a small boost in overall sales.
No doubt this image of the new Hyundai Veracruz is not from official sources. You can thank some lucky photographer as to being in the right spot and at the right time.
In any event, it's a handsome bugger, at least from what is shown here. If the rumors about size hold up, expect this to be a hot new addition to the midsize SUV market (well, at least hot in a now lukewarm segment)...
There has been some speculation that Hyundai may come to Ford's aid and take over Jaguar. That's not going to be the case according to most recent reports.
Snippet: Hyundai was viewed as a possible buyer because it has expressed interest in selling luxury cars.
"At one point we did conduct an internal review to acquire a luxury nameplate like Jaguar but that option was dropped," Hyundai said...
Judging by what Hyundai has come up with lately, this new Veracruz should be a vehicle to watch. The spec sheet has all the right items: larger than the Pilot, 3.8L V6, 6-speed automatic, fold-into-the-floor third-row seating, AWD. What's not to like?
From the sound of it the Pilot, Murano, Tribeca and Highlander may have their work cut out for them, as I'm sure it will be priced right.
Snippet: The ninth vehicle to join Hyundai's 2007 model year lineup, the midsize Veracruz will be larger than Honda Pilot, have more cargo volume than the full-size Mercedes-Benz GL and offer sleek styling, a car-like ride and premium features...
It has been said before that Toyota's biggest worry is not overtaking GM in sales, but rather Hyundai overtaking Toyota in sales. With that in mind, Toyota has told suppliers not to sell parts to Hyundai. If the suppliers resist, Toyota may increase their stockholding in these companies, and thereby force them to do so.
Snippet: It could be said that major car parts are developed jointly by carmakers and their affiliates...
Boy, has Hyundai ever improved! This company is producing cars that are light-years better than they were just a few short years ago.
Now before you all go and get all giddy over this, keep in mind that his J.D. Power award is for "initial quality," not "long-term quality." So while the honeymoon has been great, let's see if the 7-year itch creeps in...
The legal problems of Hyundai Motor chairman Chung Mong-koo is causing problems for the company, due to his absence.
Snippet: Representatives from the nation's two major auto parts associations said their 1,400 member companies are suffering because of Hyundai's troubled business.
"The concerns, such as tarnished brand image, sluggish exports and delays in overseas plans, are becoming a reality," they said in a statement.
Hyundai and its affiliate, Kia Motors, purchase about 75 percent of the total auto parts manufactured by the suppliers...
If you're waiting for Hyundai to mess up or make a mistake you'll be sorely disappointed. And to prove the point of their success, they crowded the stage with real Hyundai owners who then pulled the cover off the new Elantra. I'm just cynical enough to think they were actors, but after a few min it seemed obvious that these were real people.
This new car is so packed full of features and style it reminds me of what the Jetta used to be...
Hyundai Motor Chairman Chung Mong-koo is dedicated to quality. As a result, Hyundais keep getting better, and it's paying off with top honors from JD Powers.
Snippet: Thanks to automaker's assiduous efforts, Hyundai's flagship Sonata sedan and Tucson sport-utility vehicle have set records in the initial quality study of U.S. marketing information provider J.D...
Good news for SUV customers: The 2006 models of the Ford Explorer, Honda Pilot, Hyundai Tucson, Mercedes Benz ML-class, Nissan Murano and Subaru B9 Tribeca received five stars in frontal- and side-impact crash tests for both the driver's and passenger's sides.
Toyota Motor Corp, one of the world's most successful automakers, claims to be afraid of a lot of things: complacency, competition, and success itself.
But in the United States, rival Hyundai Motor Co. may well be at the top of Toyota's list.
"We're worried about them," Yukitoshi Funo, chairman of Toyota Motor Sales USA, told reporters in Detroit this week...
The 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe shows that Hyundai is serious about showing an upscale vehicle that the people can afford. features such as stability control, full side curtain airbags and heated mirrors are all standard (even on the base model), and interior room is greater than that of the Lexus RX.
Whether you pick the GLS model or the sportier SE version, a V6 is your friend! Want leather? Heated front seats? Dual-zone climate control? More? The Hyundai Santa Fe has the creature comforts. While pricing hasn't been set yet for its spring arrival, expect it to be less than the Toyota Highlander.
Hyundai's FX45 - er, Talus looks great, but not very original. The rear
doors are reverse opening, and it's supposed to represent the future of sports
cars. Hey Hyundai, the future is now. Actually it was three years ago, when
the FX came to market...
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