Updated Hyundai i20 WRC Looking Good for the Geneva Motor Show

While Kia has chosen to build and sell actual sporty versions (the Cee'd and Pro_Cee'd GT) of their regular road-going cars, in order to boost the sporting credentials of their brand, sister-brand Hyundai has chosen a slightly different approach in order to achieve the same basic goal � participation in the World Rally Championship.

Their i20 WRC is being worked on and incrementally-improved in preparation for the car's official debut onto the world rally stage, which is set to take place next year.

First revealed at the Paris Motor Show, last year, the i20 WRC has since received several upgrades, and while it's not really finished, it really looks the part with the latest body upgrades and a revised livery, which combines Hyundai's trademark light-blue color with traditional Korean script.

Aside from the cosmetic and aerodynamic alterations, the car has also had its suspension setup retuned, under the supervision Michel Nandan � a WRC veteran. He now heads the newly-created Hyundai Motorsport GmbH, which operates out of Alenzau, Germany and has developed the car along with Hyundai's own research and development team, based in Namyan, Korea.

No technical specifications have been released, but it will most likely be powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, with just under 300 hp, powering all four wheels. Private test sessions will be arranged at various locations around Europe later in the year and more details will be provided along the way.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Hyundai Delivers Its First Special Edition Veloster RE:MIX

Last October, Hyundai rolled out the production version of its Veloster RE:MIX at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Embracing the RE:MIX ethos of �individual creativity, passion and connectivity,� the limited-edition Veloster was rumored to be hitting dealers before the end of 2012.

It actually took until mid-February for Hyundai to get inventory into dealer hands, which is why the first Veloster RE:MIX has just now been delivered to Brittany Carmona, a customer of Sterling McCall Hyundai in Houston, Texas.

RE:MIX Velosters will be available in Sprint Gray, Century White, 26.2 Yellow, Marathon Blue, Ultra Black and Boston Red. Outside, each wears a custom body kit, 18-inch gunmetal-painted alloy wheels, LED headlight accents, LED taillights, custom graphics and RE:MIX badging.

Inside, the custom Veloster gets a 450-watt Dimension audio system, a leather steering wheel and shift knob, interior accent lighting, keyless entry with push button start and  RE:MIX floormats. A manual transmission is standard, while a dual-clutch automated manual is an available option.

What the car doesn�t get, however, is any bump in output from its 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, which makes 136 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. There�s no change to the Veloster�s suspension or brakes, either.

On the other hand, that�s probably OK with Veloster RE:MIX shoppers. In the words of a Sterling McCall spokesman, �The Veloster RE:MIX represents the ultimate Hyundai lifestyle coupe... customers today are looking for individual design expression, exclusivity and smartphone connectivity.�

While all Veloster models deliver connectivity and a degree of design expression, only the Veloster RE:MIX can deliver exclusivity. Pricing starts at $20,475 for the the manual transmission version (including a destination charge of $795), so if you want to park one in your own driveway, now is the time to visit your local Hyundai dealer. 

Articles Source : motorauthority

Hyundai, Kia delaying and updating new Sonata, Optima Hybrids?

Given the recent debacle regarding overstated fuel-economy estimates from Hyundai and Kia, we wouldn't blame the companies for being a little gun-shy about new vehicle releases. That just might be the case for the 2013 Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima Hybrids.

With the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) not including those two models under its 2013 model-year list (it only lists the 2012 versions and 2013's gas-only versions), Hybrid Cars is wondering if the two companies aren't pushing back their debuts for some late tweaks. At the moment, only the 2012 Optima Hybrid shows up on Kia's website, and the same goes for the Sonata Hybrid. A Hyundai representative told Hybrid Cars that the 2013 Sonata Hybrid is being redesigned in Korea, with announcements possibly coming in the next month or two.

It would seem to make sense that Hyundai and Kia are takign some extra time readying their 2013 model-year hybrids. In late 2012, Hyundai and Kia had to drop fuel-economy estimates on many of its 2012 and 2013 model-year vehicles after reporting inaccurate mileage estimates. The companies agreed to give money back to about 900,000 vehicle owners, with the amounts varying based on the MPG adjustment to their models and the owners' odometer readings. In all, the companies set aside about $412 million for refunds. Both the 2012 Sonata and Optima Hybrids are now rated at 36 miles per gallon combined.

Articles Source : Autoblog

2013 Hyundai i30 3-door

The i30 3-door is the third member of the i30 family, joining the Hyundai i30 Tourer and i30 5-door hatchback which made their public premiere earlier this year.

2013 Hyundai i30 3-door

2013 Hyundai i30 3-door

2013 Hyundai i30 3-door

Set to debut at the up-coming Paris Auto Show, the all-new i30 3-door�s styling is influenced by the carmaker�s latest �fluidic sculpture� design language. The new model features a slightly redesigned hexagonal grille, flanked by redesigned front foglights and daytime running lights.

Back at rear, the 2013 Hyundai i30 3-door sports a slightly redesigned bumper and restyled set of fog-lights.

Under the hood, the forthcoming i30 coupe will offer the same range of four-cylinder engines as the Hyundai i30 5-door, along with six-speed manual and automatic transmission options.

A more potent sporty variant is also headed for the Hyundai showrooms, according to latest rumors which suggest that the South Korean carmaker is preparing to launch a 200+ horsepower i30 turbo sometime next year. The car will kick-start the arrival of a host of future performance Hyundai models.

Full details of the 2013 Hyundai i30 3-door coupe will be released at the 2012 Paris Auto Show, where the model will make its inaugural public premiere before going on sale in Europe in the first half of 2013.

Articlea Source : Hyundaiblog