Hyundai
Hyundai i-flow concept: Another image and more details released
Hyundai has released another image of the i-flow concept that will debut at the Geneva Motor Show. This second image reveals the front section of the concept and just like its rear, it is also treated to various design lines which is part of the company’s “fluidic sculpture” design language.
The hybrid concept which previews a future D-segment vehicle is powered by a 1.7 liter turbocharged diesel engine paired with an electric motor and a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission. Hyundai also revealed that the i-flow is able to deliver 100 kilometers with just 3 liters of fuel while CO2 emissions output is figured at 85 grams per kilometer.
The company also announced that it will showcase the facelifted i30 at the motor event as well. There will also be a fuel cell variant of the ix35 or Tucson SUV as well as five Blue Drive variants of the 10, i20, i30, i30cw and the ix35/Tucson.
Hyundai teases the i-flow concept ahead of Geneva debut
Hyundai will be present at this year’s Geneva Motor Show with an all new concept that previews the company’s styling for a future D-segment vehicle. Is Hyundai talking about the next generation Sonata or an all new mid-sized sedan? Called the i-flow, it was designed at Hyundai’s European design headquarters in Russelsheim, Germany. The i-flow is treated to a ‘fluidic sculpture’ and has various features supplied by BASF including roof-mounted solar cells. More information about the i-flow concept will be released soon.
Hyundai and Kia achieves all-time high sales in 2009
As a whole, 2009 was bad year for the car industry, but brands that provide value for money thrived in a world economy still recovering from crisis, among them Hyundai and Kia.
Kia’s 2009 global sales tally reached an all-time high of 1,651,920 units, representing a year-on-year increase of 20.1%, cementing its position as one of the world’s fasting growing marques. The Korean brand posted year-on-year increases in China (256,732 units, up 69.9%), Korea (412,752 units, up 30.4%), North America (346,181 units, up 11.3%), Western Europe (242,288 units, up 7.7%) and general markets (304,522 units, up 16.2%). Kia’s best selling model in overseas markets was the C-segment Cerato Forte with 304,295 units sold.
Sister company Hyundai earlier released its 2009 figures, which breached the three million unit mark for the first time, selling 3,106,762 to better 2008’s sales of 2,783,052, an increase of 11.6%. Combined, Hyundai-Kia sold over 4.75 million units in 2009.
You might wonder where these boosted figures are coming from? Look up! Toyota has just released its 2009 results which saw a 13% drop to 7.81 million, while Detroit giants GM and Ford have been affected by poor domestic demand. The Koreans will be snapping at their heels in no time, as will Europe’s largest carmaker Volkswagen, which aims to unseat Toyota by 2018. As a group, VW chalked up 6.29 million sales in 2009, up 1.1%.
Ship carrying Hyundai and Kia cars hijacked by Somali pirates!
The Somali pirates that hover around the Gulf of Aden show no signs of stopping, and have launched a new wave of hijacks which includes Asian Glory, a vessel ferrying Hyundai and Kia cars from Korea to Saudi Arabia. The ship, operated by EUKOR Car Carriers Inc, was hijacked on New Year’s Day 1,000 kilometers off Somalia’s coast.
The ship was carrying 2,405 cars, including 2,388 units from Hyundai and Kia. The pirates also hold 25 crewmembers, including eight Bulgarians and five Indians, according to statement from South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs.
The hijacking was among the first successful attacks on merchant ships in the 500-mile security corridor since July. Some 20 warships from EU, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and other countries patrol the Gulf of Aden, a chokepoint leading to the Suez Canal that’s used by 30,000 ships a year carrying about 10% of world trade.
“As soon as the vessel embarks, all risks related to the vessel are the responsibility of the distributor. All payments for the cars have been made, while the cars are also insured,” Hyundai said in an e-mailed response to queries.
Besides being the official partner of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the Australian Open grand slam tennis event, Hyundai-Kia is also now the official transport provider for Somalia’s pirates!
New Hyundai Tucson launched in Singapore
The phasing out of Hyundai’s worthy but dowdy vehicles continues with the new Hyundai Tucson, which arrival was recently announced by the brand’s Singapore distributor Komoco Motors. Order books are open as of now and early birds should get their new SUV before year’s end.
Called the ix35 in other markets, the Tucson is the production version of the Hyundai ix-onic Concept shown at the this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show. From the looks of it, much of the concept car’s Russelsheim, Germany penned lines survived the transition from showcar to production, and Hyundai is following the trend to say its SUV has ‘coupe’ style. The new Tucson is longer by 85mm but the 2,640mm wheelbase has gained just 10mm over the old car, meaning the overhangs now take up a larger percentage of the overall length.
The mid-size SUV is powered by Hyundai-Kia’s ‘Theta-II’ 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, and power flows through an all-new six-speed automatic transmission. The twin-cam motor with continuously variable valve timing for its intake and exhaust phases gets a 26bhp hike to make 166bhp and has a peak torque figure of 197Nm (13Nm better). The in-house designed gearbox meanwhile is lighter and quicker than the old model’s ‘box, more fuel efficient and comes with transmission fluid that doesn’t require changing.
Priced at S$79,999 with COE, the new Tucson comes well equipped – standing out from the kit list is a reverse camera integrated with the rear-view mirror.
Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec to make debut at SEMA
Hyundai will be present at the SEMA auto event with the Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec that is very tuner-friendly. What we mean by tuner-friendly is the fact that this variant will come without non-essential equipment and features performance upgrades. The R-Spec will lose Bluetooth, automatic headlights, cruise control, trip computer, chrome interior accents and steering wheel audio controls to help reduce weight.
Instead it will come with a Track model performance package that includes a track-tuned suspension, 19-inch gunmetal-finish alloy wheels with performance Summer tires, Brembo braking system, Torsen limited-slip differential and R-Spec badging. Buyers can also optionally add a set of front strut camber adjustment bolts to help improve handling.
This $23,750 version is priced $3,000 less than the 2.0T Track model. Three colours will be available including Karussell White, Bathurst Black and Tsukuba Red. Power comes from a 2.0 liter turbocharged 4-cylinder with dual continuously variable valve timing. Output is rated at 210hp. The engine is paired with a 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission.
Hyundai not heading to the Tokyo Motor Show, Lotus and Alpina the only foreign brands to be present
It was revealed that Korean auto maker will not attend this year’s Tokyo Motor Show in Japan, that is happening between October 24th and November 4th. The auto maker, which has just revealed the long wheelbase version of the Equus luxury sedan in Korea, gave the news to the organizer of the motor show via telephone. In fact, Hyundai paid US$122,000, in nonrefundable fees for a 4,300-square-foot exhibition area at the show. From the foreign front, only Lotus and Alpina are expected to be seen.
The event, which is the 41st, has even been shortened to 13 days, from 17 days. Domestic brands like Subaru, Toyota, Honda, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Daihatsu, Nissan and Suzuki will showcase their cars, and the Lexus LF-A V10 supercar should steal the limelight. Subaru is also expected to reveal the new Justy.
Hyundai launched the Equus limousine in Korea
Korean auto maker Hyundai, has officially revealed the long wheelbase version of the Equus luxury sedan in Korea. The Equus limousine, which is 30 centimeters longer the standard sedan (5,460 mm in total, compared to 5,610 mm), is motivated by a Lambda 3.8 liter 6-cylinder which outputs 290PS at 6,200 revs. Buyers can also opt for the range topping Tau 5.0 liter V8 which can produce 400PS at 6,400 revs.
With the former, fuel consumption is rated at 9 kilometers per liter, while with the latter, a liter of fuel can deliver 8 kilometers. The stretched version also features a new grille, that incorporates a special emblem. For the sake of comparing, the Mercedes S500L (which is 5,210 mm long) outputs 388PS while the BMW 750Li (which is 5,212 mm long) outputs 407PS.
The Lexus LS460L is the shortest of all, with a length that is rated at 5,150 mm. It outputs 380PS. The Equus limousine also has the longest wheelbase, figured at 3,345 mm compared to 3,210 mm with the BMW. Pricing for the long wheelbase Equus starts from 135 million Korean won. Read the rest of this entry.
