Malignant Rumors: The Boys at Hyundai are Coming on Strong

In accordance with the most recent Initial Quality Study performed by J.D. Power and Associates, Hyundai's getting better and better (and that's no rumor). The numbers are in, and Hyundai came in 4th overall, falling behind Lexus, Porsche, and Cadillac, while beating Honda, Mercedes, and Toyota. Building on its drastically improved - and still-rapidly-improving image, it seems as if Hyundai is pumping more and more into its market offensive.

According to just about everyone, Hyundai is happy with it's up-sized vehicles (the Genesis sedan and Coupe) for the moment and feels the need to expand and improve its smaller ones. I agree; it's about time to replace and upgrade cars like the Sonata, Tiburon, and Tucson with cars befitting the new Hyundai.

Over the next few years Hyundai will supposedly be releasing a slew of small and mid-size products, like the Tiburon replacement, a new small CUV, the next Sonata , and a couple of MPVs based on the i20 (which the US market doesn't get) and i30 (the States' Elantra Touring).

The Tiburon replacement will supposedly take themes from the Veloster concept (we can hope), which is a huge improvement over any of the Tiburons to date. This is significant because it will give Hyundai a sporty, affordable, FWD car that will slot in below the RWD Genesis Coupe while taking on the Civic Si and any number of European hot hatches.

The new compact-sized CUV, rumored to be based on the 2009 Geneva Show ix-onic concept, is going to be Hyundai's second volley over the Germans' bow. The ix-onic would make one hell of a replacement for the Tucson (no one actually takes those things off-road anyway, so why not look good?).

Then there's the next-gen Sonata. Everyone seems to be thinking it's going to move up and tackle cars like the Passat and Camry, which would be interesting. If this is the case, we've got to ask ourselves what the point of the Azera is. Maybe it'll be phased out, now that the Genesis is the big-dog full-size Hyundai (and since the Azera is based on the Sonata's platform). If the spy shots are any hint, the 4-door coupe theme is being adopted, and the wagon could end up looking like the slick Genus concept.

What about those MPVs? Well, people are theorizing the States could be getting one. It'll probably be the smaller, i20-based model (if at all), so as not to get too close to the next Tucson. That, and the smaller MPV could be built alongside the Kia Soul, which utilizes the same platform.

As for the engines, the only real solid info is that Hyundai had a 1.6 liter GDi turbo four-cylinder with 175 hp in the ix-onic concept, and it was mated to a double-clutch 6-speed auto. This mill, in one form or another, will probably end up finding its way under the hood of the Tiburon/Veloster and ix-onic/Tucson, and maybe even the Sonata (if they keep those numbers, the Sonata's mid-range engine could be the Genesis Coupe's 2.0T). That means the Sonata's V6 would probably be bumped up to the Azera's Lambda 3.8 liter with 275-horses, putting it just under the Genesis and squarely against the aforementioned Passat and Camry.

At the end of the day this column is still called Malignant Rumors, meaning what's found within is speculation lathered with hopes and dreams. I just wonder if it's really possible for Hyundai's potential future lineup to elevate the brand's status even further (that is, from wannabe-contenders with a few lucky shots to big-time players)? I guess we're about to find out.

By Phil Alex

Phil Alex was born in Rhode Island in 1985, yet for reasons unbeknownst to him moved to South Carolina. He graduated with degrees in Finance and German from Wofford College in 2007 and has had a strange obsession with cars and travel. When not back in Sparkle City, he resides near Japan's international airport in Narita. He makes no apologies for his articles and welcomes all feedback, as long as it is adamantly worded. Oh, and if for any reason you are inclined to vent some more, check out more of his posts on the Examiner here.

New Photos of 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Facelift

We've yet to see an official announcement on the European or American market versions of the 2010 Santa Fe facelift, but Hyundai has released a digital pamphlet for the domestic market model that provides us with new photos of the SUV. The brochure reveals that aside from the subtle cosmetic changes up front that include a redesigned bumper and grille, the 2010MY Santa Fe also features a new treatment for the tail lights and the rear bumper. And yes, we sincerely doubt that anyone will notice the changes.

The Korean automaker says that the Santa Fe's refreshed interior benefits from higher grade materials along with a redesigned center console, new upholstery for the seats, updated trim and new equipment features.

As we said in our previous post, the most noteworthy update for the 2010MY Santa Fe concerns the presentation of a new pair of diesel powertrains, a 2.0-liter and 2.2-liter four-pots with outputs of 184HP and 200HP respectively, that are hooked to a new 6-speed automatic transmission.

Via: Es.Autoblog.com

Hyundai Begins Receiving Orders for its First-Ever Hybrid Model

Hyundai has officially started accepting orders in South Korea for its first-ever hybrid model, the Elantra LPI HEV, ahead of the car's market launch on July 8. Billed as the world's first hybrid electric vehicle to be powered by a Liquefied Petroleum Injected (LPI) engine, the Elantra LPI HEV made its premiere at the 2009 Seoul Motor Show in April. To be sold under the Avante badge in Korea, the Elantra LPI HEV drivetrain consists of a 1.6-liter LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) engine, a 15kW and 105Nm electric motor and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).

The Korean automaker claims that the Elantra LPI HEV emits just 99 g/km of CO2 and 90 percent fewer emissions than an equivalent standard gasoline-powered Elantra. The mild-hybrid car returns an average fuel consumption of 17.8km/l or according to Hyundai, the gasoline equivalent of 22.2km/l which translates to 52.2mpg US and 4.5lt/100km, representing a 47 percent improvement over a conventional 1.6L auto-equipped Elantra.

In Korea, savings for buyers are even greater as the average price of LPG in the country is 50% less than that of gasoline. The Elantra LPI HEV will be followed in August by Hyundai's sister company's, Kia Forte LPI HEV that is powered by the same drivetrain.

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe Facelift with New Turbo Diesel Engines Debuts in Korea

Today, Hyundai swiped the wraps off its mildly facelifted 2010 Santa Fe in South Korea ahead of the compact SUV's domestic market launch in July. The reworked 2010 model features some modest cosmetic changes along with the introduction of a new pair of turbo diesel engines. On the outside, changes seem to be reduced to a lightly altered front end with a redesigned bumper and grille, reshaped exterior mirrors with turning signals and new alloy wheel designs.

There's also talk about a newly designed rear bumper and tail lights along with an updated interior but we've yet to see the full image gallery or an official press release for that matter.

The South Korean news agencies also reported that the 2010 Santa Fe benefits from the introduction of the Hyundai - Kia group's newly developed 'R' diesel engine lineup that consists of two 4-cylinder units with a displacement of 2.0-liters and 2.2-liters and outputs of 184HP / 392Nm and 200HP /436Nm respectively. Both engines are linked to a new 6-speed automatic transmission.

The European version of the facelifted Santa Fe will most likely make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September with the North American variant following shortly after.

Source: Autojoin , Via: Thecarblogger

2011 Hyundai Sonata Spied by Reader in South Korea

A prototype model of Hyundai's forthcoming 2011 Sonata sedan in plastic wraps has been spied parked on the road somewhere in South Korea by a member of the 'Hyundai-Blog' site. The new mid-size sedan that will be called 'i40' in Europe and other international markets, could be revealed in production form as early as this November at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show and go on sale sometime during the first half of 2010.

While Hyundai's people have done a pretty good job with the camouflage, some details like the more raked roofline suggest that the new Sonata will be much more adventurous in its design than the current car.

Built on a newly developed platform, the next-generation Sonata is said to be slightly larger than the outgoing model resulting to improved space for passengers and their luggage.

A four-cylinder and a V6 gasoline engine is sure to be in the mix while in Europe and other markets consumers will also be able to opt between the Korean firm's new 2.0-liter and 2.2-liter turbo diesels delivering an output of 185HP and 200HP respectively.

Via: Hyundai Blog

Facelifted Hyundai Accent / Verna Unveiled in Korea

We're not quite sure what exactly this lovely lady is pointing at, but behind her is the facelifted Hyundai Verna Transform, or as it is more commonly known in markets around the world, the Accent. Revealed today in South Korea, the sub-compact model gains a redesigned front fascia with new headlights, grille and bumper plus new exterior mirrors that now house the turning signals. We don't have any photos of the car's rear-end, but it is said that changes include the restyled tail lights and bumper.

Inside, the 2010 Verna, or if you prefer, the Accent, benefits from a revamped instrument panel that features blue lighting, a subtly redesigned center console and new equipment features including the addition of USB/AUX inputs and Bluetooth connectivity.

Hyundai also said that the entire engine range has received minor improvements that help reduce fuel consumption and evidently, CO2emissions. The new Verna goes on sale across South Korea today. There's no official word when the updated sub-compact model will hit other markets including the U.S. and Europe.

Via: Worldcarfans , Source: rpm9

European Sales Down 12.3% in April but Fiat Group and Hyundai Manage to Sell More Cars

Despite the fact that the new passenger car market declined for the twelfth consecutive month in Europe, totaling 1,251,862 units in April, or 12.3% less than in the same month a year ago, Hyundai and the Fiat Group that consists of the Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Lancia brands managed to buck the downward trend posting 9.7% and 4.7% sales gains respectively. Overall, the Fiat Group sold 121,671 cars in April while Hyundai, 27,454 units. With the exception of Skoda (+0,4%), Chevrolet (+4.5), Dacia (+60,4%), all the other brands recorded declines in the month of April.

Europe's largest automaker, the VW Group was down 4.2% to 284,607 units, while Daimler (Mercedes-Benz and Smart) and the BMW Group saw their sales tumble by 26.3% and 31.2% respectively.

The French PSA Peugeot Citroen Group posted a 14.7% drop, Toyota recorded a 22.4% decline, Renault a 14.0% decrease while GM and Ford posted a drop of 13.1% and 6.3% respectively.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Partially Spied in Garage

It's no secret that Hyundai is currently working on the successor of its mid-size Sonata sedan that is rumored to make its debut in production form at either the 2009 Los Angeles auto show or the 2010 Detroit Show next January with sales said to start sometime in the first half of the year. These latest photos, courtesy of a reader over from the Hyundai-Blog that appears to have snapped the test car in some kind of a garage, give us a fractional look of the new Sonata's fascia and profile. Not much to go by, but we'll keep a close eye for any newer spy shots.

Based on a newly developed platform, the next-generation Sonata will be offered with an updated engine lineup. Depending on the market, buyers will be able to choose from four-cylinder and V6 gasoline units plus the Korean firm's newly developed 2.0- and 2.2-liter turbo diesels with outputs of around 185HP and 200HP respectively.

Via: Hyundai-Blog

2006 Paris Show : Hyundai to present its 2007 VW Golf contender in the form of the FD Concept

Following the steps of its subsidiary KIA, who previewed a few months ago the Cee'd Concept, Hyundai Europe is going to present a near to production version concept car at this years Paris International Motor Show.

Dubbed FD, Hyundai's concept is based on the all-new, European developed, designed and manufactured, Kia Cee'd. It's goal is to give us a preview of Hyundai's upcoming C-Segment competitor which will go on sale in Europe next summer (2007).

Like its Kia counterpart the Ceed, the FD is considered a Top Priority in Hyundai Group's European strategy as both models will compete in Europe's best selling category, the C-Segment. Of course that's better said than done, as the Korean's will have to go against European heavyweights like the Volkswagen Golf, Opel Astra, and Renault Megane.

Finally, it should be noted that when the FD goes in production next year, most likely it'll be available not only as a 5door hatch but like the Kia Cee'd in other versions also. (Click here for the story: Kia Cee'd: 3door - Station Wagon - GTi - Coupe-Cabrio)

Technorati: Hyundai+FD, Concept, Paris+International+Motor+Show, 2006, C-Segment, 2007, auto+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles

2007 Hyundai Veracruz SUV Picture Update

Oh, boy, those "annoying" camera-phones did it again: they caught the 2007 Hyundai Veracruz with its pant's down... showing off its interior beauties. Too be honest though, I can't say that I’m aroused by the looks of it. Looks too simple, too Korean for me, but hey, who'd expect something different anyway.

In case you've missed it, here's the official Hyundai press release on the 2007 Veracruz plus a few exterior pictures:

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.

Veracruz will also feature as standard equipment the Hyundai HideawayTM third-row seat, a simple-to-use 50/50 split fold-into-the-floor seat, offering flexibility for up to seven passengers.

Equipped with a standard 3.8-liter V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission, Veracruz will offer an unprecedented combination of styling, safety, comfort and convenience including available all-wheel drive, standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC), standard side-airbags, as well as side-curtain airbags for all three rows of passengers. Veracruz will compete primarily with upper midsize crossovers including Honda Pilot, Nissan Murano, Subaru B9 Tribeca and Lexus RX350.

Technorati: Hyundai+Veracruz, SUV, 2007, auto+news, automobile, autos, vehicles, automotive, cars