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Hyundai has introduced a new sub-compact family sedan concept RB at the 2010 Moscow International Motor Show. Production version of this concept car, which is basically a repackaged Verna / Accent, is scheduled to begin at Hyundai’s first full-cycle plant in Saint Petersburg, in January 2011. It will join the Hyundai lineup in the spring of 2011.
The Hyundai Genesis Coupe will come in the form of the R-Spec avatar for 2011. The model that would sport a DOHC 3.8-liter V6 engine is expected to race to 149 mph powered by the 306-horsepower (228-kW) engine and its close ratio six-speed manual transmission.
Expected to come with a price tag of around $26,750, the Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec would sport 13.4-inch front, 13.0-inch rear ventilated discs, with four-piston red brake calipers from Brembo. The 19 inch alloy wheel around them would don gun metal paint and the tires are to be built by Bridgestone Potenza.
Notable features would include track-tuned suspension that has been spruced up with performance shocks and springs, front and rear stabilizer bars, and a front strut brace. Further, the car would offer anti-lock brakes, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution, electronic stability, traction control and as many as six airbags ensuring maximum safety.
Hyundai is also believed to have gone an extra mile to bring in reduction in weight. Automatic transmission has also been done away with.
Images of the Hyundai hatchback being readied for a 2012 debut have been found in the open. Obviously clicked on the sly, the pictures reveal the car to be much smaller than the Accent. We get to know that the Korean car maker is making the new hatchback primarily for the South African market and will be rolled out of its assembly line at Piracicaba in Brazil.
The HB could come in two variants – one a sedan and the other a compact SUV. Expected to be pitted against Volkswagen Gol and the Honda Fit, Hyundai might look at producing around 100,000 units a year. To arrive sporting two flex-fuel variants – 1.0 liter and a 1.6 liter engine – the hatchback would have design lines similar to the ix-Metro concept. If you would remember, Hyundai had showcased the ix-Metro concept at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
Meanwhile, sources tell us that the 1.0 liter version will come with unpainted door handles and mirrors.
The 2012 Hyundai Veloster Concept has evolved thoroughly since the first time it was showcased three years ago at the 2007 Seoul Motor Show. The hatchback variant that is headed to the production floor and will start selling next year, was spied (again) testing and the cameras managed to get a shot of the interior along with the heavily clad exterior that hardly revealed anything.
Despite the heavy camouflage, the lighting units the center-mounted exhaust and the sloping roofline were all evident. On the inside the spy images reveal a symmetrical dash with a prominent center stack. The 2012 Veloster features a Dimension audio system, heated seats, a push-button ignition, chrome door handles, a large LCD display and a smallish steering wheel.
Engine speculations for the Veloster include a naturally-aspirated 1.6L four-banger capable of churning 121hp and 155Nm of torque. A turbocharged variant will also be offered and that will render 175 horses. [via WCF]
Hyundai is keen to extend its green bandwagon and it will be at the New York Auto Show revealing its 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. A teaser image of the Hybrid automobile has been revealed by Hyundai and it gives us a glimpse of the distinctive looking front fascia.
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid will be a far cry from its non-hybrid version in terms of design. The front will feature a new-large mouthed grille, new headlamps and a sporty looking bumper with bigger air-intakes.
The Sonata Hybrid is supposed to feature the Blue Drive hybrid system and in its case, the combination will involve a 2.4 liter, 4-cylinder petrol engine, and a 30 kW electric motor with 205 Nm (151 lb-ft) of torque. The combo will be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission while the motor alone will be powered by lithium-polymer batteries.
Look for the 2011 Sonata Hybrid unveiling at New York on March 31.
Hyundai first revealed the HED-5 I-Mode Crossover back in 2008 at the Geneva Motor Show and now a prototype of the Crossover vehicle was spotted by the spy photographers who managed to get a shot of the inside and the heavily camouflage rear.
The spy flicks reveal that the van comes with contrasting leather tones as the driver seat is red while the passenger seat is gray. The contrasting trim usage is consistent through out the car while the light grey trim can also be spotted on the dashboard elements while and a tinge of white graces the multi-function steering wheel. On the outside the commuter is severely guised barring the rear taillights which look like LEDs.
The new Hyundai HED-5 I-Mode Crossover might be the big surprise from Hyundai at the Geneva motor show next month. [via WCF]
The production ready Hyundai Veloster was expected to retain 70% of the styling traits from the Concept that first debuted at the 2007 Seoul Auto Show. The first spy shots of the Coupe during its cold weather testing reveal that Hyundai is well and truly close to the concept with its final design. The images reveal an exaggerated wheel arch with a steep windshield design joining the intersection with the roof.
A far cry from the concept design is the way the car tapers off into the sidesill. The rear is more heavily camouflaged but one can still mark the similarities between the taillight placement of the concept and the factory ready model. As far as the headlights are concerned, the triangular shaped design has been again picked from the concept. Another design trait picked from the concept but modified slightly are the centrally placed dual-exhaust pipes. Under the hood, the 2012 model which will be available later this year or in early 2011 will come with a 140 hp engine that will render 40mpg as per the speculations.
The finalists for the 2010 South African Snoozefest Car of the year have been announced. The finalists in no particular order of monotony are:
From here on the finalists go on a couple of tests which include high speed dynamic assessment, parking ability, handling and other tests all while monitoring the fuel consumption.
I suppose they will have a proper car to tow some of these babies around to get them to high speed because on their own steam they won’t get there.
Anyway, which one do you think will win and why – leave a comment.
The Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T R-Spec is the latest version of the Genesis Coupe 2.0T Track that shuns non essential equipment like the Bluetooth, trip computer, chrome accents, cruise control, and the multifunction steering wheel — hence reducing the weight and the cost, making for a tuner-ready vehicle that allows owners to choose their own aftermarket additions.
Meant for a SEMA debut next week in Las Vegas, the Coupe 2.0T R-Spec gets a track-tuned suspension, Brembo brakes, a Torsen limited-slip differential and Summer performance tires on 19-inch alloys (gunmetal-finished). Under the hood is an intercooled 2.0L turbocharged four-banger capable of rendering 210hp and a top speed of 137mph. All these start at $23,750. [via Jalopnik]
Hyundai is helping our world to stay a little greener, with their zero emission vehicle that is set for a 2010 trial release in Korea. This concept vehicle is the Hyundai i10 electric. Recently, unveiled in Frankfurt, the car offers a lot of promises. It’s powered with a 16kWh Lithium-Ion Polymer battery, and a 49 Kw electric motor and commuters can expect to travel 160 Km on a single charge. The Hyundai i10 electric provides comfortable seating for four with safety and weighs in at a low 1000 Kg. Part of the low weight is due to vacuum pump brakes eliminating excess weight associated with hydraulics, and the advanced batteries. Quite a ride, eh?
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