Hyundai i40 CW, Elantra, Accent And Veloster Confirmed for Australia

Hyundai has capped off its part in the 2011 YouTube Symphony Orchestra in Sydney this weekend with the announcement of four all-new models for Australia, due later this year...

MORE HERE

Hyundai i40 CW, Elantra, Accent And Veloster Confirmed for Australia

Hyundai has capped off its part in the 2011 YouTube Symphony Orchestra in Sydney this weekend with the announcement of four all-new models for Australia, due later this year...

MORE HERE

Hyundai i40 CW, Elantra, Accent And Veloster Confirmed for Australia

Hyundai has capped off its part in the 2011 YouTube Symphony Orchestra in Sydney this weekend with the announcement of four all-new models for Australia, due later this year...

MORE HERE

2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Facelift Spied in Australia

Our Aussie friends at Car Advice have posted the latest spy shots of the upcoming Hyundai Genesis Coupe facelift today. A left-hand drive version (LHD) of the rear-wheel drive coupe was spotted testing in Victoria's mountain region. Though again, we don't see anything new with these pictures, the car's location poses a long-unanswered question of its possible arrival in the Australian market.

An editor of Car Advice contacted Hyundai’s Senior Manager, PR and Events, Ben Hershman, asking what the Genesis Coupe was doing in Australia. Hershman responded, “Hyundai Motor Company utilises Australia as a hot test region for global model development. This has been happening for a number of years.”

Car Advice, however, notes that it has been anything but hot in the Victoria region and raised the possibility of the company testing the waters for the coupe in the Australian market. Who knows?



[Source: Car Advice]

2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Facelift Spied in Australia

Our Aussie friends at Car Advice have posted the latest spy shots of the upcoming Hyundai Genesis Coupe facelift today. A left-hand drive version (LHD) of the rear-wheel drive coupe was spotted testing in Victoria's mountain region. Though again, we don't see anything new with these pictures, the car's location poses a long-unanswered question of its possible arrival in the Australian market.

An editor of Car Advice contacted Hyundai’s Senior Manager, PR and Events, Ben Hershman, asking what the Genesis Coupe was doing in Australia. Hershman responded, “Hyundai Motor Company utilises Australia as a hot test region for global model development. This has been happening for a number of years.”

Car Advice, however, notes that it has been anything but hot in the Victoria region and raised the possibility of the company testing the waters for the coupe in the Australian market. Who knows?



[Source: Car Advice]

2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Facelift Spied in Australia

Our Aussie friends at Car Advice have posted the latest spy shots of the upcoming Hyundai Genesis Coupe facelift today. A left-hand drive version (LHD) of the rear-wheel drive coupe was spotted testing in Victoria's mountain region. Though again, we don't see anything new with these pictures, the car's location poses a long-unanswered question of its possible arrival in the Australian market.

An editor of Car Advice contacted Hyundai’s Senior Manager, PR and Events, Ben Hershman, asking what the Genesis Coupe was doing in Australia. Hershman responded, “Hyundai Motor Company utilises Australia as a hot test region for global model development. This has been happening for a number of years.”

Car Advice, however, notes that it has been anything but hot in the Victoria region and raised the possibility of the company testing the waters for the coupe in the Australian market. Who knows?



[Source: Car Advice]

Cyclone Yasi - The day after, storms & flooding in Cairns

Uploaded by: rsking60

Description: Cyclone Yasi footage taken from my balcony in Cairns north. Streets flooded, car abandoned, crazy thunder & lightening

Toowoomba Flood 2011.01.10

Uploaded by: whitelightbringer

Description: Amazing footage of East Creek near Chalk Drive / Chalk Lane rising and washing away lots of cars during Flash Flood in Toowoomba on Monday 10 January 2011. This is some of the best footage I have seen of the Flood and was taken from the second floor of our office which backs onto Chalk Lane. It shows just how fast the creek turned into a torrent and quickly flooded Chalk Drive and Chalk Lane. I also got some video of where the creek crosses Neil Street and some video of the aftermath and the huge amount of cars damaged and piled on top of one another in the Chalk Drive car park. ***** With the incredible exposure that my video is receiving all over the internet and media worldwide I would like to encourage you to donate to the relief appeals. You can donate to the Queensland Government Appeal at: www.qld.gov.au Or the Churches of Christ Care Queensland Flood Appeal here: care.cofcqld.com.au Please pray for us. There are many people who are suffering through this. *** Okay comments are back up. Thank you for all your expressions of support for us.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback: Production Version's Shape Trademarked

At the 2010 Paris Motor Show in early September, General Motors unveiled a near-production version of the Chevrolet Cruze five-door hatchback. Now, the Detroit automaker has registered trademark filings with the European patent office revealing the shape and details of the actual production model which is set to reach dealerships in Europe as a Chevrolet and in Australia as a Holden, in mid 2011.

2011 Ford Territory: Redesigned Australian Crossover Teased

Ford Motor Corp.'s Australian division has released a teaser illustration of its new-look 2011 Territory, some six months ahead of the crossover's market launch. The current Territory is based on the underpinnings of the local market Falcon sedan and was first introduced in Australia in 2004 having received some subtle updates throughout its production life. It is believed that the 2011

Unbelievable, but True: Man Booked for Same Offence in Two Different Continents by the Same Policeman!

What are the odds of receiving a ticket for the same offense, by the same officer, in two different continents? Well, as policeman Andy Flitton recently discovered, it's not as impossible as it sounds. Back in 2009, shortly before migrating to New Zealand, Constable Flitton ticketed an unnamed man for speeding in England. At the time, Mr Flitton was an officer for the Metropolitan Police in

VIDEO: Race Driver Fast Laps NZ Circuit in New Volvo S60 Blindfolded!

And you thought your latest weekend track race was adrenaline-filled... Enter the realm of Jonny Reid, one of New Zealand's top racing drivers. The 27-year-old Kiwi put a brand new 2011 Volvo S60 to the test around Hampton Downs raceway in Auckland. Nothing spectacular there you say? How about if we told you that he did it blindfolded? Yes, that's right; the young racing driver couldn't see a

Hyundai Australia Updates Entire 2011 Line-Up with Customer-Driven Upgrades

In response to consumer and media feedback, Hyundai Australia announced today a tidal wave of changes for some of its core products, namely the 2011 Hyundai i45 (Sonata in other markets). Follow the jump to see what Hyundai has in store for its Australian line-up for the 2011 model year.

[Source: The Motor Report]


2011 Hyundai i20

The 2011 Hyundai i20 now gets Bluetooth hands-free connectivity standard across the range. Dashboard illumination is changed from orange to the familiar blue already offered in nearly all Hyundai vehicles today. Side and curtain airbags are now standard across the range for the 2011 model year. Stability control, traction control and ABS have been available on all i20 models since launch.

The new standard equipment adds $500 to the sticker price of the entry level i20 Active, but the Elite and Premium prices stay the same. The range now stretches from $15,490 to $23,490.

2011 Hyundai i30

The popular Hyundai i30 gets some minor cosmetic updates in the form of black headlamp bezels, plus a dark silver finish for the mid-spec SLX's 16-inch rims. Wagon variants get silver roof rails. Inside, Bluetooth connectivity is standard on all models and a one-touch triple turn signal is fitted to the i30 SLX and i30 SR. A follow-home headlight function has also been added to all models.

All variants bar the i30 SR and i30cw Sportswagon undergo a $200 price rise, however dealership drive-away pricing of $19,990 has been retained for the entry-level i30 SX.

2011 Hyundai i45

The 2011 i45 has undergone the most radical changes, with criticism of the car's handling at launch prompting the company to develop a new suspension package for the mid-size sedan. Amplitude Selective Dampers (ASD), previously only available on the i45 Premium, are now fitted to the entire range. The damper tune has also been revised to give less damping force at low speeds and a firmer ride at high speed, eliminating the 'looseness' reported by various media publications at the model's launch earlier this year. Front spring rates are also 15 percent firmer, while the rear spring rates rise 6 percent. The front swaybar is now 1mm thicker, with the rear swaybar growing 3mm.

Extra sound deadening has been added to the rear wheelarches, improving noise suppression.

i45 Premium models now enjoy front seat heaters and sat-nav with integrated Bluetooth as standard. The sat-nav unit is unique to Australian i45s, and is sourced from Continental. Although only the Premium gets it as standard, it's available as a $1000 option on the i45 Active and Elite.

Prices rise $100 for the i45 Active and i45 Elite (thanks to the adoption of ASD suspension), while the Premium goes up $1000 due to the addition of satellite navigation. The base i45 Active manual now costs $29,590, while the i45 Premium now retails at $38,990.

2011 Hyundai ix35

The ix35 range is joined by a new model for 2011. Due to high customer demand, the Highlander variant – previously only available with a 2.0 litre turbodiesel – can now be had with a 2.4 litre petrol engine.

Available only with a six-speed automatic transmission, the ix35 Highlander 2.4 petrol joins the range from November 2010 and will retail from $35,490 - $3000 cheaper than the existing Highlander diesel.

Rear parking assist is now standard across the ix35 range, as is Bluetooth phone and audio integration.

The electronic power steering has come in for some minor changes to improve steering feel, and in response to criticism of harsh ride quality all AWD variants now get ASD suspension as standard.

More sound insulation also improves the cabin ambience, however the electrically-adjusted driver's seat on the Active has been deleted. Highlander variants now get rear privacy glass as standard.

Retail pricing remains static for the base ix35 Active, while the Elite variants and Highlander diesel rise by $500. Price of entry is still $26,990 for the ix35 Active manual, while the range-topping ix35 Highlander diesel is now $38,490.

Hyundai i30 'Trophy' Goes on Sale in Australia

Celebrating its recent successes in the Australian market, Hyundai has today announced a new special edition model in the i30 and i30cw line-up, dubbed 'Trophy'. Limited to just 500 units in each bodystyle, the i30 Trophy hatch and i30cw Trophy wagon are based on the 2.0 litre petrol SX model, available with both manual and automatic transmissions.

Outside, the Trophy models feature 16-inch alloy wheels (plus a matching full-size spare), along with a rear spoiler for the i30 hatch. The front bumper features recessed fog lamps to suit the i30's restyled headlights, and 'Trophy' badging rounds out the exterior tweaks. On the inside, cruise control is fitted as standard for the Trophy variants, along with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and matching gear knob.

Standard features for the SX-based i30 and i30cw wagon Trophy limited editions includes air-conditioning with pollen filter, remote keyless entry with alarm, power windows and mirrors, along with full AUX, USB and iPod connectivity, and a chilled glove box.

[Source: Description]

Kia Cerato Limited Goes On Sale In Australia

Kia Australia has announced the release of the limited-production 2010 Cerato (Forte in other markets) Limited today, based on the range-topping Cerato SLi trim. With just 200 units being produced, the Cerato Limited Edition adds leather seats, power sunroof, aero kit and rear spoiler to the SLi's standard features.

The Cerato SLi is equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights and a six-function trip computer, along with cruise control, USB and iPod connectivity and a six-speaker sound system. Safety features such as anti-lock brakes, traction control system, and electronic stability control (ESC) are also standard, as well as rear sonar parking assist.

The Cerato Limited is available in the vehicle's three most popular colours: Ebony Black, Platinum Silver and Clear White. The 5-speed manual Limited is priced at AU$25,990, a $2300 jump over its SLi counterpart, while the 4-speed automatic sporting Limited retails for AU$27,990, reflecting a $2800 increase over the SLi Automatic.

Kia Australia has also confirmed in recent months that the five-door Cerato Hatch, revealed in April, will make its Australian debut in October. Pricing and details will be revealed closer to launch.

[Source: Kia Australia]

READ MORE for two more images of the Cerato Limited.

Hyundai launches i45 "Driven by obsession" campaign in Australia

Hyundai Motor Company Australia has launched a campaign for its new mid-sized sedan i45, with its ads featuring water droplet technology that creates shapes from cascading water.

The TV ad shows individual water droplets falling and creating shapes as they hit the car. One of the key images is a massive sword being “thrust” into the i45.
The “Driven by Obsession” campaign, created by Innocean Worldwide in partnership with Disciple, includes television, cinema, print, online, point of sale and outdoor.

Tim Brown, Disciple creative partner, said: “We’d seen graphic waterfalls technology at trade shows and felt that using it was a beautiful and captivating way to tell our story.”

Innocean took over the car maker’s creative account in April last year.

According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries April 2010 VFACTS report, Hyundai’s vehicle sales in the year to the end of April rose 65.4 per cent, compared the same 2009 YTD period.

This was compared to the overall car market which was up 20.3 per cent during that same period.

[Source: Hyundai]