If you think that the Japanese are the only automakers capable of electronic wizardry in Asia, here’s Hyundai convincing you that the Koreans otherwise.

Hyundai’s set to take on the Ford Mondeo with their i40. But aside from the really flowing design, the i40 packs some interesting tech that might make a few people want to spring for it.

The i-flow concept (on which the i40 is going to be based) showcased at the Geneva motor show packs tech such as the smart grille that controls the amount of air flowing through it to cool the engine.

The car also packs regenerative braking and a thermo-electric generator which retains heat to give the car the jolt it needs for a cold start.

Now those are pretty smart tech for a car. Personally, I don’t think I’m the type of guy who’d be prompted to go for the Hyundai over the Mondeo just for the tech. But I’m sure some people will.

Hyundai is really into lifting its brand image. Sure enough, the Korean giant has made quite the achievement shedding its old shoddy image and is now a legit worldwide competitor. It has even surpassed FoMoCo as the 4th largest automaker in the world.

Now Hyundai seems to be intent on stomping on Ford by gunning for the Mondeo with the Hyundai i-flow.

Not too many details have been released regarding this Mondeo killer but Hyundai claims that it will be a stylish saloon that previews the look of its new D-segment contender.” That “i-” thing hints on a possible hybrid system. Hyundai claims that the car will boast of lightweight materials and solar cells to help on energy efficiency.

The car will be unveiled at the Geneva motor show next month.

Hyundai should be making this concept exceptional. The Mondeo has set quite the bar for Hyundai to beat. The Mondeo is Top Gear’s Car of the Year and Hyundai has yet to convince Clarkson and the boys that their cars aren’t cheap and plasticky.

Hyundai’s really making a killing ever since they’ve improved their cars and made those great marketing campaigns. On top of all, they do offer a great value for money.

Just check out the starting price of the Hyundai Tucson CUV. The GLS standard base model only start at $18,995. The range-topping limited edition with premium package starts at $28,695 with AWD. (Prices exclude freight charge of $795).

All Tucson trim levels will carry the same 2.4L Theta II engine that dishes out 176 hp and 168 lb-ft of torque. That should be enough to give a decent performance for city and highway driving. The base model comes with a six-speed manual and any trim level above gets a six-speed auto.

Luxury options include touch-sreen sat nav, panoramic sunroof, and wireless connectivity. Safety features also include side curtain airbags with rollover sensors.

Source: Hyundai

Meet the Hyundai Equus – their latest effort in associating luxury with their marque. Sure they had a pretty good attempt at a budget luxury car with the Hyundai Genesis, but with the epic rise of the company, there sure is nothing stopping them.

And what’s more luxurious than a limo? And don’t think that all of this will be “budget” like the Genesis either. The car would cost around $112,000 converted when it goes on sale in Korea.

The Equus is powered by a 5.0L V8 engine that dishes outr 400 bhp and 370 lb-ft max torque. That makes the Equus the most powerful Hyundai.

It does need the power to pull quite the load especially since it needs to pack luxurious bits like electronic adjustable foot rests and massaging seats.

Also, Hyundai is proud of the Equus’ space. It has a longer base than other cars in its class. And that means a bit more leg room than the Lexus LS460L and the Mercedes-Benz S500L.

If you’re some government official or some C-level executive with a lot of enemies, Hyundai’s also offering bulletproofing.

Source: Autocar

Looks like the Tokyo motor show will mostly be a Japanese affair as Korean giant Hyundai (the world’s fourth largest automaker) pulls out of the show.

Hyundai was the only large non-Japanese automaker that’s lined up for the show. The Germans and the Americans have all stated that they will not be part of this year’s show. So that leaves us with Lotus and Alpina as the non-Japanese.

Not known to many, automakers pay a price to have a stand in the exhibit hall. Hyundai is said to have already paid a non-refundable $120,000 for their space on the show.

Hyundai, in a statement, claims that their decision is in line with the financial crisis. They claim to be carefully channeling their funds. Still, that’s $120,000 written off as a business expense.

A bit of a prima donna complex perhaps now that Hyundai’s one of the big boys now?

Hyundai will be featuring quite a lot of green vehicles in the upcoming Frankfurt show and they’re not waiting for the show to start unveiling them. Check out this all-electric version of the i10 city car.

The car is powered by a 49kw electric motor drawing its juice from a 16kw lithium-ion polymer battery. While other EVs and hybrids (like the Prius) use nickel hydride batteries, lithium-ion polymers are lighter and 12% more efficient.

The engine produces 155 lb-ft of torque which is enough pull to get you around the city without much problems. The car is capable of getting from 0-62 mph in 15 seconds and go all the way up to 80 mph. Hey, what can you expect from an i10 with a small electric motor. This isn’t Tesla.

As for the charge times, the battery can be charged to 85% capacity in 15 minutes from a 413V power source (not exactly your wall socket) and full charge is achieved in five hours. It has a capable range of 100 miles in a single charge.

Hyundai’s taking on the example of the Honda FCX Clarity and other EVs as far as rolling out the car to the public is concerned. The car will be leased to customers in Korea first by the second half of next year before entering production in 2012.

Source: Autocar

It’s all about the money these days and big companies like automakers do have the luxury to base their activities in different parts of the world. Hyundai, Korea’s largest automaker and the world’s 4th largest, will be taking the production of its i20 small car from India to Europe by mid-2010.

The reason? Tax benefits. Hyundai’s India plant can currently produce 200,000 i20s in a year. However, Hyundai sees an opportunity to slash operation and production costs due to tax benefits and plans to move the production of 70,000 cars to another plant in Europe.

Hyundai hasn’t announced to which part of Europe they will be shipping production but given Hyundai’s production locations in Europe, it will most likely be in the firm’s Turkish plant.

Hyundai is an emerging big player in today’s market through clever marketing and product development. Their recent success in the US through anxiety marketing and the affordability of their cars is testament that Hyundai can be a force to reckon with.

Source: Autocar

All that anxiety marketing and recession-proof value added services have helps Hyundai rise to fourth place as the largest automaker in the whole world.

The Automotive News Data Center figures revealed that Hyundai-Kia’s outsold Ford by 8,000 more units in the US during the 1st half of 2009. Ford, though the only US automaker not to declare bankruptcy suffered a 30% sales drop. This is in stark contrast to the distance between the two automakers last year with Ford outselling Hyundai by as much as a million units.

Hyundai’s efforts in the marketing front has helped secure this victory for the company. Hyundai cars made a killing in the Cash for Clunkers and pennypinching car buyers have much reason to trade in their older cars for a Hyundai. They’re cheap, they’re efficient, and when combined with Hyundai’s value offerings like credit protection and gas-lock, Hyundais are absolute steals.

This marks Hyundai’s rise as an automotive giant. Just a decade ago Hyundai was synonymous to shabby workmanship but it has clearly repositioned itself as a real competitor in the business.

Hyundai is really making a killing in the North American market. With the struggles of the Detroit Big Three, enterprising Hyundai made the most out of the recession to make it the preferred brand during tough times for the economy.

Their intensive campaign to bring some class to the badge and their anxiety marketing tactics have definitely upped their ante in the market. Hyundai cars are among the top sellers for the Cash for Clunkers program rolled out by the government.

Now, Hyundai wants intensify their US market share by bringing their flagship car – the Equus – to US soil. The Equus is Hyundai’s attempt to rival luxury sedans from automakers such as Mercedes, BMW and Lexus.

The US-spec Equus will sport a 4.6L V8 mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox.

Hyundai’s last attempt to penetrate the luxury market was with the Hyundai Genesis. The Equus is expected to compete among a higher class.

Hyundai continues to expand its stake in the North American market. Inside Line confirmed that Hyundai will be unveiling its next-generation 2011 Sonata at the Detroit Motor Show next year (2010). Currently, Hyundai is making top buck from the current Sonata as one of its top sellers from the Cash for Clunkers program by the government.

The 2011 incarnation is speculated to use a four-cylinder as its base engine while having a V6 as an option. Hyundai might slap on its direct injection technology to help improve fuel economy.

A hybrid Sonati might also be in the works – the first Hyundai to have an electric motor work in tandem with the gasoline plant. Hyundai has been hyping its Hybrid Blue Drive for quite some time now and was first seen on the Nuvis SUV Concept in the last New York Show. Hyundai seems to be prepare to use it on a production car.

John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai Motors, said that the car’s design will be “bold, so bold.” Whether or not the design and its new tech will make it more attractive than its competitors in the segment has yet to be seen.

Hyundai is really taking the fight to the larger automakers making real buck in the financial crisis. For one, the Korean automaker has broken out of its stigma of being a builder of shoddy cars. (I’ve been a staunch critic of Hyundai’s build qualities but I can’t deny their US business strategies.)

The Cars Allowance Rebate System or “Cash for Clunkers” has been rolled out with Hyundai being the first ones to offer it has created quite the buzz. Availers of the program account for seven percent of Hyundai’s sales since the program began.

Hyundai’s best seller so far is the Elantra which account for 41% of sales. Given the rebate, buyers can now avail of a bran new Hyundai Elantra for just $8,620. Aside from the low price, Hyundai is also offering other incentives like credit security in case of job loss and price-locked gas. Makes you wonder how they make a profit per car. (Build quality?)

Now this begs the question, how is this helping US automakers? Hyundai reported that 32% of trade-in models were Ford vehicles. 23% were Dodge. This program was supposed to prop up US car sales so someone from the government should be able to explain how buying Korean will save the Detroit Three.

Hyundai is really taking the fight to ailing US automakers. I’ve been a staunch critic of their cars but I really have to hand it to their marketing team this time. Even with the Cash for Clunkers program, Hyundai is set to get the sweet end of the deals.

Anyone who wants to buy a car in this economy should look into getting a Hyundai if only for financial reasons. For one, they do offer a buy-back program that covers you at no risk of worsening your credit score at any time you lose your job. Who wouldn’t want that security.

Their latest offering now aims to address the recent spike in gas prices with this gas price lock program. If you buy a Hyundai, you have the option to get gas nearly anywhere in the US for up to 12,000 miles in a whole year for a locked price of not more than $1.49 a gallon.

Hyundai stole some of the thunder at the Seoul Motor Show, as it unveiled the world’s first-ever liquid petroleum gas (LPG) hybrid vehicle: the Elantra LPI Hybrid.

It’s not simply an LPG-powered hybrid. LPI stands for Liquid Petroleum Injected, as the Elantra LPI runs on a fuel-injected LPG Gamma 1.6L engine mated to a 20-horsepower electric motor. The hybrid’s fuel economy is pegged at 40mpg, a 41-percent improvement over the standard Elantra, which runs on a 1.6L petrol engine. CO2 mission levels are at a good 103g/Km.

Incidentally, the Elantra LPI will also be the first vehicle that will use lithium-ion polymer batteries to store juice. Lithium-ion polymer batteries are said to have higher energy density, along with lower production costs and better reliability than conventional batteries that use lithium-ion.

Hyundai is really making a strong case for itself. The company’s jam-packed schedule includes unveiling the Blue-Will plug-in hybrid concept still at the Seoul Show next week and launching the Sonata hybrid in the North American market next year. The Elantra LPI will be launched in South Korea this July.

Source: Motor Authority

Well Hyundai has got us all fooled with that one. I, for one, thought that the Genesis Coupe would be the one to replace the sporty Tiburon but that wouldn’t be the case. Hyundai is reported to be developing the next-generation Tiburon.

Hyundai Motor America’s acting CEO John Krafcik confirmed this, stating that the car will most likely be an eco-sports vehicle. It will both be very fuel-efficient and stylish (probably drawing from the Veloster [pictured]). The car will share a front-wheel drive platform (the same as the one found in the Accent and the Elantra) and will sport a fuel-efficient 1.6L four-banger engine.

The car is set to be out by 2011 and will drop the ‘Tiburon’ name. The car is also set to be smaller and cheaper than the current Tiburon. Perhaps it will be taking on the cheaper sports coupes like the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback.

Source: AutoWeek

Hyundai has come up with its own plug-in hybrid, the Blue-Will. The Korean automaker has released information about the new concept car, ahead of its official unveiling at the Seoul Motor Show.

The Blue-Will uses Hyundai’s 1.6-liter petrol engine with direct injection, the same one found on the ix-onic concept at the Geneva Show minus the turbocharger. The petrol engine is mated to a 100kW electric motor with a Li-Ion battery pack much like the one in the Elantra hybrid. The car also uses continuous variable transmission.

Also of note is that the Blue-Will concept uses eco-friendly materials in its construction. These include bioplastics for the engine cover and some interior parts and recycled plastic for headlamp bezels. The sunroof also acts as a solar panel that could provide power for some of the car’s electric systems.

“All the technology behind the Blue-Will concept is viable,” said a Hyundai spokesperson. “Even though there are no plans for a production version, it shows where we’re going with our hybrid technology.” Translation: The technology is viable, but a market release isn’t (yet). Well, at least they can still do something about that front fascia.

Source: Autocar

More previews for the 2009 Geneva show with none other one of Hyundai’s new offerings. Hyundai will be offering another twist on the small i20 by giving it a 3-door model. If you’d remember, the 5-door model was unveiled in Paris last year.

The i20 slides in between the i10 and i30 in terms of size though you’d have to ask whether the size differences are really that great to warrant a potential market saturation and brand cannibalism. Aside from the number of doors, the 3-door i20, is pretty much the same as the 5-door one. The best buy will probably one with the 78-hp 1.2L petrol engine which is regarded as one of the best in its range.

Hyundai has been hellbent on its marketing and advertising campaign in the US in efforts to sway buyers. Slowly (but surely), Hyundai is succeeding shaking off the muck that has stained its name. Fact of the matter is, Hyundai cars are now really quite good. Not enough to beat the Japanese in my book, but they can start giving even Toyota a run for their money.

In his keynote address at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show breakfast, John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America CEO and president, declared that the era of ‘Greed is good’ mentality that has prevailed over the past 20 or so years is finally over.

He cited that the global economic crisis has put a lot of things in perspective, including the way the industry and the consumers approach their priorities. He says that the focus now should be on developing environment-friendly cars and green initiatives for the future.

“The truth is, Krafcik said, “the decade of greed didn’t end in the 80s. The junk bond and S&L scandals of the 80s were followed by the Internet bubble of the 90s, which gave way to the mortgage-backed-securities-generated crisis we face today. It turns out the decade of greed has lasted 28 years…and has left Wall Street consumed in its own Bonfire of Vanities.

“One thing seems fairly certain – as 2009 unfolds, the era of greed may finally be at a close. The current global economic crisis has paved the way for significant change.”

Source: Autobloggreen

Nearing the opening of the Geneva Motor Show, Hyundai has released new information on a new concept vehicle it will unveil at the show.

If you remember, at last year’s Geneva Show, Hyundai also showcased the HED-5. Back then, it was announced to be nearing production, but it never really saw the light of day. Well, here’s the updated version of that vehicle. It is equipped with a 1.6-liter GDi turbodiesel that goes for 175 horsepower. Hyundai’s proprietary six-speed automatic transmission system is also present.

The design of the HED-6 features influences from such European cities as Berlin, London, and Paris—primarily because the vehicle was designed by Hyundai’s European design team. Backswept headlights, a combination of curves and angles, and a hexagonal grille gives the HED-6 an aggressive exterior, complete with a sculpted rear window made from Lexan plastics.

I guess everyone will just have to wait for the actual piece on the HED-6 once it is unveiled officially at the Geneva show. Unless, of course, Hyundai decides to spill the beans prematurely on this much-awaited probable Tucson successor.

Source: Motor Authority

Lo and behold. It looks like Hyundai’s marketing campaign is bringing them good returns and even Kia seems to be shaking off their tarnished reputations (as far as performance and build quality are concerned). Both Hyundai and Kia have posted sales increase in the US car market despite the economic crunch.

Hyundai enjoyed a 14% sales boost, selling 24,512 units. And you can’t blame people for opting for a Hyundai especially with their very attractive return policy (you can return newly-bought vehicles in the moment you lose your job). Kia was also able to increase their figures by 3.5%.

Well, this is also not to mention that both Hyundai and Kia’s offerings in their fleet cost relatively less than the next foreign brand. And with all the concessions they’re giving, people will definitely consider them worthy buys.

Source: Kia

No one can probably blame Hyundai for trying to make a new name for itself. We’ve seen them start to gun for Lexus with the budget-luxury sedan Hyundai Genesis. Still, the world is finding it a bit hard to shake off the not-so-great reputation of Hyundai cars from ten years back.

To help boost the name, Hyundai isn’t really holding back in introducing new tech on their cars. The Genesis will eventually get a new 8-speed automatic transmission for its 2011 incarnation. This new gearbox is supposed to help with fuel economy and better acceleration. Execs claim that this alone will improve the Genesis’ fuel economy by 2%.

Since Hyundai also shares tech with fellow Korean automaker Kia, the Kia Borrego is also set to get this same transmission. Currently, both cars use a 6-speed automatic.

Source: Automotive News (subscription required)

Hyundai Motors America has now got probably the best campaign to pad their sales numbers. And it’s a perfect plan to take advantage of the number of people who are just scared shitless about losing their jobs. If you buy a Hyundai and lose your job within a year, you can just send the car back to them.

Hyundai’s site says. “If you find that you cannot make your payment because of a covered life changing event, we’ll allow you to return your vehicle and walk away from your loan obligation – and in most cases we will cover most, if not all of the difference.”

And mind you that this comes with no added charges to the sticker price. According to them, this is the better way to go in attracting customers more than just offering discounts and other incentives in the purchase package. I personally think this is quite a great thing Hyundai is offering. I’d take this over discounts but I don’t think a Hyundai’s the best investment to make these days.

Well, this surely looks like a very attractive option to those who’d still want to buy a new car this year and would still be able to sleep at night knowing that their car purchase can spell the end of them.

Source: CNN

Hyundai has announced that it has finished developing an all-new six-speed automatic transmission system, one that will feature significant improvements on fuel economy and emission levels.

In a nutshell, the new transaxle is 12.2 percent more fuel-efficient than its current counterpart. Additionally, it is also smaller and lighter—it has 62 fewer parts than the average five-speed auto and is lighter by around 12 kilograms. “The strength of our design is its completely unique layout, which makes it smaller, more compact and lighter than any other six-speed on the market today,” said Project Manager Hong-Min Kim.

The fewer parts and lighter structure makes the new transmission cheaper and easier to maintain. Moreover, Hyundai claims that the system is maintenance-free, with a gearbox guaranteed to be ‘filled for life’ with auto transmission fluid. The sixth gear provides a wider gear ratio and a balance for performance and fuel-efficiency.

The new six-speed will debut on the 3.3-liter Hyundai Grandeur, on which the 12.2-percent fuel-efficiency boost was measured. With such advanced designs and the accompanying benefits, there’s no wonder Hyundai had to apply for 300 patents related to the development of this transaxle.

Source: Lethistorylive

Another interesting concept made its debut at the LA Auto Show, as Hyundai unveiled its HED-5 i-Mode Concept. The six-seat i-Mode concept of Hyundai’s family crossover sports a wide array of technology and an environment-friendly powertrain.

The HED-5 i-Mode uses Hyundai’s new Theta Turbo GDI power plant The four-cylinder, 2.0-liter engine uses Continuously Variable Valve Timing along with direct-ignition of gasoline to improve fuel-efficiency and to reduce harmful exhaust emissions. The engine is also equipped with turbo-charging, and is thus capable of 286 horsepower. Hyundai sees the GDI becoming a fixture in future models. The extensive use of composite materials, along with the BayVision glazing system, makes the car ultra-light and allows the irregular design.

The car also has numerous technologically-advanced features. Hyundai has collaborated with LG Electronics to develop the HED-5 i-Mode’s entertainment suite. There are two touch-screen displays which can be dropped down to surf the internet, play video games, or watch TV shows and movies. Wireless peripherals allow unfettered enjoyment of the car’s various implements.

Overall, distinct styling (notice the absence of a B-pillar), advanced features, and efficient performance are the HED-5 i-Mode’s strengths. It should see a fair amount of interest until it sees production.

Source: 4wheelsnews

Striving to get a perfect combination of looks and performance, Rhys Millen Racing (RMR) came up with their custom Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T, dubbed the “Art of Speed.” With a mere 12 weeks to build the car before the show opened, the RMR team made their own aftermarket components and were able to radically change the car’s looks while still retaining its distinct features and providing a performance boost.

For the bodywork, RMR replaced the body panels with carbon fiber replicas molded out of another Genesis Coupe’s body panels. These are way lighter than the stock body panels. From the vented hood to the added side skirts, every exterior panel is made out of carbon fiber for total weight reduction. For maximum downforce, a rear wing was also added.

The interior was stripped to the bare essentials to reduce weight. An eight-point safety cage was added to reinforce the frame. There is only one seat from Sparco to round out the interior. Lightweight wheels, a custom turbocharger kit, and a racing-optimized suspension system are also among the modifications made to drastically upgrade the Coupe’s performance.

RMR expects the “Art of Speed” Coupe to turn heads and win awards at SEMA both for the stunning visuals and actual performance. Production Genesis Coupes will hit dealerships in Spring 2009.

Source: Lethistorylive

Well this is the sole perk of being in a country where an automaker is based. You often get to get first dibs to whatever they’re offering. I’ve been a staunch critic of Korean cars but Hyundai is slowly convincing me to change my take.

The “budget luxury car” Hyundai Genesis turned out to be quite the car according to many reviewers. Now it comes with a sportier variant – the Genesis Coupe a car which has created quite the buzz. Dubbed as the most exciting performance coupe from the Korean company, enthusiasts are just curious whether this would easily trump the Tiburon as a cult classic.

Powering the base car is a 2.0L turbocharged engine that dishes out 210 hp on regular fuel, and, get this, gets 223 hp on premium fuel. The grand daddy – powered by the 3.8L V6 packs 310 hp, propelling the car from 0 to 62 mph in 6.3 seconds. That easily beats a stock MX5 on the road.

The car’s already available in Korea but will only hit US showrooms in Spring 2009.

Source: Hyundai