2012 Hyundai Genesis Prada Limited Edition Goes on Sale in Asia

Hyundai has introduced the production version of its Genesis Prada in Korea, two years after a special edition was unveiled at the Seoul Motor Show. The limited edition variant is based on the 2012 Genesis sedan, equipped with a 430 PS Tau 5.0 GDi engine.

The company says the the joint project is the result of both companies’ approach to create a highly unique version of the Genesis model, addressed to the most sophisticated clientele.

The edition comes in three special colours, these being Black Nero, Blue Baltico and Brown Moro, and these are applied with a three-layer coat technology with stereoscopic gold pearl.

Dark chrome accents, in a nod to the unique palladium-coated buckles on Prada’s bags, are to be found, with the radiator grille, emblem and door handles wearing the material. The innovations introduced by Prada include also 19-inch alloy wheels and an outer, wedge shaped antenna.

Inside, there’s definitely no shortage of leather – the dashboard and the upholstery in the Genesis Prada get the artisan-crafted treatment in the form of “saffiano” leather, which is Prada’s signature top quality leather. Genesis Prada badging and a GP500 emblem round off things with this one.

Hyundai says the car will be produced by customised personal orders, and that it will work together with Prada to carry out exclusive VIP marketing activities on the vehicle, of which there will only be 1,200 units available for the Korean market. There are plans to offer the car to a limited number of Middle Eastern and Asian countries, including China, at a later point.



[Source: Hyundai]

Hyundai Launches Veloster in S. Korea

As part of the company’s new brand, called ‘Premium Youth Lab,’ which targets the younger generation by offering "premium emotional values", Hyundai has launched the new Veloster in South Korea today.

The company has announced that it will limit production and sales of the Veloster in the Korean market to 18,000 units annually in order to optimize its premium value. Prices will start at KRW19.4 million ($17,200) and go up to KRW20.95 million ($18,640). Hyundai plans to start sales of the Veloster in the European market in the first half of this year, followed by the US and other general markets in the second half.

Hyundai introduced its cutting-edge Hyundai Veloster three-door coupe in a world debut at the 2011 North American International Auto Show. It delivers innovation to the compact coupe segment with a unique three-door configuration for easy rear-seat access, Hyundai's Blue Link telematics system, Pandora Internet radio with seven-inch touch-screen display, and a new 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine mated to Hyundai's first dual-clutch transmission.

The all-new Gamma 1.6-liter four-pot is the smallest Hyundai engine to use Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI). "Gasoline-direct-injection technology allowed Hyundai engineers to create an engine that is powerful, fuel-efficient, and has fewer emissions," said Hyundai American Technical Center Inc. (HATCI) powertrain director, John Juriga. "Despite its small size, it generates some big numbers, with both impressive horsepower output and up to 40 mpg on the highway."

Peak output is rated at 138 horsepower at 6,300 rpm, while maximum torque is 123 lb-ft at 4,850 rpm. The engine also features Continuously Variable Valve Timing, an electronic throttle control, a roller timing chain, variable induction and innovative anti-friction coatings such as CrN Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating and Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating.

[Source: Hyundai Motor Company]

Hyundai Launches Veloster in S. Korea

As part of the company’s new brand, called ‘Premium Youth Lab,’ which targets the younger generation by offering "premium emotional values", Hyundai has launched the new Veloster in South Korea today.

The company has announced that it will limit production and sales of the Veloster in the Korean market to 18,000 units annually in order to optimize its premium value. Prices will start at KRW19.4 million ($17,200) and go up to KRW20.95 million ($18,640). Hyundai plans to start sales of the Veloster in the European market in the first half of this year, followed by the US and other general markets in the second half.

Hyundai introduced its cutting-edge Hyundai Veloster three-door coupe in a world debut at the 2011 North American International Auto Show. It delivers innovation to the compact coupe segment with a unique three-door configuration for easy rear-seat access, Hyundai's Blue Link telematics system, Pandora Internet radio with seven-inch touch-screen display, and a new 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine mated to Hyundai's first dual-clutch transmission.

The all-new Gamma 1.6-liter four-pot is the smallest Hyundai engine to use Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI). "Gasoline-direct-injection technology allowed Hyundai engineers to create an engine that is powerful, fuel-efficient, and has fewer emissions," said Hyundai American Technical Center Inc. (HATCI) powertrain director, John Juriga. "Despite its small size, it generates some big numbers, with both impressive horsepower output and up to 40 mpg on the highway."

Peak output is rated at 138 horsepower at 6,300 rpm, while maximum torque is 123 lb-ft at 4,850 rpm. The engine also features Continuously Variable Valve Timing, an electronic throttle control, a roller timing chain, variable induction and innovative anti-friction coatings such as CrN Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating and Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating.

[Source: Hyundai Motor Company]

Hyundai Launches Veloster in S. Korea

As part of the company’s new brand, called ‘Premium Youth Lab,’ which targets the younger generation by offering "premium emotional values", Hyundai has launched the new Veloster in South Korea today.

The company has announced that it will limit production and sales of the Veloster in the Korean market to 18,000 units annually in order to optimize its premium value. Prices will start at KRW19.4 million ($17,200) and go up to KRW20.95 million ($18,640). Hyundai plans to start sales of the Veloster in the European market in the first half of this year, followed by the US and other general markets in the second half.

Hyundai introduced its cutting-edge Hyundai Veloster three-door coupe in a world debut at the 2011 North American International Auto Show. It delivers innovation to the compact coupe segment with a unique three-door configuration for easy rear-seat access, Hyundai's Blue Link telematics system, Pandora Internet radio with seven-inch touch-screen display, and a new 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine mated to Hyundai's first dual-clutch transmission.

The all-new Gamma 1.6-liter four-pot is the smallest Hyundai engine to use Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI). "Gasoline-direct-injection technology allowed Hyundai engineers to create an engine that is powerful, fuel-efficient, and has fewer emissions," said Hyundai American Technical Center Inc. (HATCI) powertrain director, John Juriga. "Despite its small size, it generates some big numbers, with both impressive horsepower output and up to 40 mpg on the highway."

Peak output is rated at 138 horsepower at 6,300 rpm, while maximum torque is 123 lb-ft at 4,850 rpm. The engine also features Continuously Variable Valve Timing, an electronic throttle control, a roller timing chain, variable induction and innovative anti-friction coatings such as CrN Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating and Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating.

[Source: Hyundai Motor Company]

Hyundai Adds New GDI Engines to 2012 Equus in Korea

Hyundai launched the more powerful 2012 Equus for the company's home market of South Korea today. For 2012, the Equus is powered by either an all-new 3.8-liter V6 GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine that produces 334 horsepower or the new 429 horsepower 5.0-liter Tau V8 GDI powertrain. Both engines, also found in the recently unveiled 2012 Genesis, are mated to Hyundai's new in-house developed 8-speed automatic transmission.

The new 3.8-liter V6 engine achieves a claimed 9.7 km/L of fuel economy, which is approximately 22.8 US MPG. The 5.0-liter V8 does 8.8 km/L or around 20.7 US MPG. The 2012 Equus for the Korean market also adds new amenities both inside and out such as full LED headlamps, intelligent accelerator pedal (for crash avoidance) and new wheel designs.

Expect to see the new powertrains to be available in the 2012 Equus for the North American market as well when it arrives in showrooms later this year.

[Source: Hyundai]

Hyundai Adds New GDI Engines to 2012 Equus in Korea

Hyundai launched the more powerful 2012 Equus for the company's home market of South Korea today. For 2012, the Equus is powered by either an all-new 3.8-liter V6 GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine that produces 334 horsepower or the new 429 horsepower 5.0-liter Tau V8 GDI powertrain. Both engines, also found in the recently unveiled 2012 Genesis, are mated to Hyundai's new in-house developed 8-speed automatic transmission.

The new 3.8-liter V6 engine achieves a claimed 9.7 km/L of fuel economy, which is approximately 22.8 US MPG. The 5.0-liter V8 does 8.8 km/L or around 20.7 US MPG. The 2012 Equus for the Korean market also adds new amenities both inside and out such as full LED headlamps, intelligent accelerator pedal (for crash avoidance) and new wheel designs.

Expect to see the new powertrains to be available in the 2012 Equus for the North American market as well when it arrives in showrooms later this year.

[Source: Hyundai]

Hyundai Adds New GDI Engines to 2012 Equus in Korea

Hyundai launched the more powerful 2012 Equus for the company's home market of South Korea today. For 2012, the Equus is powered by either an all-new 3.8-liter V6 GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine that produces 334 horsepower or the new 429 horsepower 5.0-liter Tau V8 GDI powertrain. Both engines, also found in the recently unveiled 2012 Genesis, are mated to Hyundai's new in-house developed 8-speed automatic transmission.

The new 3.8-liter V6 engine achieves a claimed 9.7 km/L of fuel economy, which is approximately 22.8 US MPG. The 5.0-liter V8 does 8.8 km/L or around 20.7 US MPG. The 2012 Equus for the Korean market also adds new amenities both inside and out such as full LED headlamps, intelligent accelerator pedal (for crash avoidance) and new wheel designs.

Expect to see the new powertrains to be available in the 2012 Equus for the North American market as well when it arrives in showrooms later this year.

[Source: Hyundai]

Hyundai Unveils New Grandeur in Korea [w/VIDEO]

NOTE: More images will be added soon.

Hyundai has been advertising the all-new generation of its Grandeur for quite some time now, but today, the automaker officially launched the large sedan in its home market. The new Grandeur, which will be badged as the 2012 Azera in the States, arrives in the Korean market six years after its predecessor’s launch in May 2005.

Codenamed HG, the 2012 Grandeur is result of three-and-a-half years and 450 billion won (about US$415 million) of research, development and testing. Positioned between the Sonata and the Genesis sedan, the new Grandeur measures 4,910mm (193.3") long, 1,860mm (73.2") wide and 1,470mm (57.9") tall. It rides on a 2,845mm-long (112") wheelbase, which is 65mm (2.6") longer than the outgoing model.


The South Korean market model is offered with a choice of two gasoline engines, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder Theta II GDI with 201-horsepower and a new 3.0-liter V6 Lambda II GDI producing 270-horsepower. Both engines are linked to a standard six-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels.

The new Grandeur comes with a host of safety systems including VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control), VSM (Vehicle Stability Management), TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) and ESS (Emergency Stop Signal), plus a standard nine-airbag system that includes a driver’s knee airbag.

Other notable features include Hyundai's Advanced Smart Cruise Control, which automatically keeps a safe distance from a car ahead and provides automatic stop and restart functions in response to traffic flow, and a Smart Parking Assist System that utilizes a sensor to measure parallel parking spaces, controlling the steering wheel to semi-automatically park the car.

Hyundai said it aims to sell 100,000 units of the Grandeur this year (80,000 in the domestic market and 20,000 outside of Korea) and 120,000 units in 2012 when the car arrives in more markets.

The South Korean automaker has not yet provided details on the North American market Azera.

Along with some new photos, Hyundai also released a video showing the evolution of the Grandeur / Azera from the presentation of the first generation in 1986 to the current fifth gen model.

Saudi Arabia Signs $500 Million Deal with Korean Company to Build Cars

The King Saud University (KSU) on Sunday announced a $500 million deal with South Korea's Digm Automotive Technology to set up Saudi Arabia's first car manufacturing company. The Saudi university recently made headlines with the Mercedes G-Class-based 'Gazal 1' (pictured above) after announcing that the SUV is heading for production. The Saudi Press Agency reported that the university's

Korean Designer Mixes Science and Nature in a Saab Sports Sedan Concept for 2025

Earlier this year, Swedish automaker Saab was saved from the scrapheap by Spyker and a loan from the European Investment Bank. In spite of this, nothing much has changed. The stylish new 9-5 has gone on sale overseas, with the 9-4X crossover following in Q2 2011. And the aging 9-3 trundles on, blissfully unaware that anything has happened. Korean design student Youngho Jong is looking towards

Hyundai Evaluating the Creation of a Separate Genesis Brand to Compete with Lexus, May Build a BMW 3-Series Rival

If you were wondering what's next on the Hyundai and Kia Group's agenda of world domination, the answer is the addition of a third brand to the firm's portfolio to compete head on with Japan's Lexus and Infiniti, and possibly even Germany's finest, including BMW and Audi. The luxury arm would most likely be called Genesis and include the South Korean firm's current rear-wheel drive offerings

Kia Sketches New Picanto City Car Ahead of Geneva Show Debut

We've known for a while now that Kia is preparing a successor to its Picanto city car, but today, the South Korean automaker came out with a pair of official renderings and a short announcement which said the small hatchback will get its world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2011 and go on sale in Europe in late Spring. Kia added that the Picanto has been penned by the

VIDEO: Bang, Bang, Bang it's the 2012 Hyundai Azera Sedan

Having wow'd us with teaser renderings at first followed shortly after by official real-life photographs, Hyundai continues to build hype around its all-new-2012 Azera before the full reveal by giving the car a promotional role in a South Korean TV drama called "The Fugitive Plan B". While official information around the new Azera, which will be sold as the Grandeur in its home market, remains

2012 Hyundai Azera - Grandeur: First Official Pictures

Shortly after releasing some teaser renderings of the all-new Azera or Grandeur in South Korea and other markets, Hyundai today dropped the first real life photos of its full size sedan that slots between the Sonata and the Genesis. The pictures were escorted by a South Korean-language press release, but aside from a recap of the car's design features, Hyundai did not reveal any other details on

Hyundai Teases All-New Azera / Grandeur, Slots Between Sonata and Genesis

Hyundai is getting ready to lift the wraps of its fully redesigned Azera large sedan that will slot between the front-wheel drive Sonata and the rear-wheel drive Genesis when it arrives in dealerships. The automaker released the first teaser sketches of the 2012 Azera, which will be badged as the Grandeur in South Korea and other markets. The styling reflects Hyundai's 'fluidic sculpture' design

Hyundai Begins Accepting Orders for New Accent in Korea

Hyundai has begun accepting orders for the all-new redesigned Accent in its home market of South Korea today, ahead of its official sales launch on November 1st. For the new generation, Hyundai is bringing back the Accent nameplate for the Korean market after having supplanted it with the Verna moniker since 1999.

Hyundai is marketing the new Accent as a "premium compact" sedan, and is packing an expansive list of amenities and technologies to back such an audacious claim. For one, the Accent is the first in its class to bring six airbags standard across the range. Active front headrests and rear parking assist are also standard equipment in the new Accent. Also available is Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), or Hyundai's way of calling electronic stability control.

The highlight of the new Hyundai Accent, however, is found under the hood where an all-new 1.6-liter GDI Gamma four-cylinder engine resides. It produces a class-leading 140 PS (138 horsepower) and 122 lbs.ft of torque, and achieves equally segment-topping fuel economy figures of 16.7 km/L (40 US MPG) thanks to a 6-speed automatic transmission mated to the engine. A smaller 1.4L MPI Gamma four-cylinder engine is also available.

The new Accent also boasts the largest interior room in its class, thanks to increased dimensions in all aspects (4370mm length x 1700m width x 1455mm height). The wheelbase has also augmented by 70mm from its predecessor to 2570mm.

[Source: Hyundai]

Hyundai Releases Aero Kit for Avante/Elantra: Korea

Hyundai has released the first images of the new Avante/Elantra compact sedan with the company's new OEM aero kit and visual enhancements. The cosmetic upgrades are designed by Hyundai's new tuning branch for the South Korean market called TUIX (coined after "Tuning is Innovation & Expression).

Several exterior upgrades are available for the Avante from Hyundai's TUIX, including front/side/rear skirts, chrome beltline molding, rear spoiler, fuel cap, and sporty dark grey 17-inch alloy wheels. No performance upgrades are available from Hyundai at this point.

As of now, these visual upgrades will not be available for purchase in any markets other than South Korea. We will, however, stick with the adage "never say never", and speculate that Hyundai might be eyeing the customization-happy North American market as its first overseas foray into this field.

[Source: Hyundai]

READ MORE for a rear-view shot of the Avante tuned by TUIX.

Kia Recalls 56,000 Souls, Sorentos in US and S. Korea

Kia Motors said on Friday it had started a recall of some 56,000 Soul and Sorento vehicles sold in the United States and South Korea due to defective wiring harnesses that could cause fires. Some harnesses supplied by Johnson Controls for lighting in 2010 model-year Soul cars and 2011 model-year Sorento SUVs were improperly soldered, leading to possible electrical shorts, Kia said in a letter to U.S. safety regulators on August 30.

There were no reports of accidents or injuries due to the issue, which was identified in June, said Kia, an affiliate of South Korea's Hyundai Motor Co. Kia determined that a recall was needed on August 23.

The U.S. recall covers 23,972 Soul cars produced from September 7, 2009, through June 8, 2010, and 11,213 Sorento vehicles built from October 23, 2009, through July 30, 2010, according to the notice filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In August, NHTSA launched a probe into possible steering defects in the 2010 model-year Soul after a driver said a steering shaft detached from the steering wheel in a two-month-old vehicle and fell onto the driver's side floor, causing a complete steering loss and limited braking.

[Source: Reuters/Kia]

Kia Releases First Images of Forte Hatchback for Korea

For our readers interested in the upcoming Kia Forte Hatchback, we have two new official images from Kia as well as some information that accompanied these pictures.

According to Kia, the automaker commenced pre-orders for the Forte Hatchback in South Korea in early August. For the Korean market, the Forte Hatchback will be powered by a direct-injected version (GDI) of its 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with an output of 140 horsepower and 122 lb. ft of torque. It will be mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and is touted to achieve 16.5 km/liter in fuel economy (38 US MPG).

Kia has not mentioned a clear sales date for the Forte Hatchback in Korea. For now, all we can do is stay tuned for more official tidbits from the automaker as the year progresses.

[Source: Kia]

READ MORE for the second official image released by Kia!

Official: 2011 Hyundai Avante Interior Revealed

Stay tuned for more information.

[Source: Hyundai]