korean cars
Veloster an Early Success Says Hyundai
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Hyundai hyped its Veloster and the automotive media had high hopes for the innovative odd four-door hatchback, but when the reviews came out, the praise was missing. Good? Yes. But great? Hardly. Still, Hyundai is calling the Veloster an early success, capturing the highest percentage of the “compact sporty car” market in its first full…
Hyundai Considering Turbocharged V6 Says Powertrain Boss
With the debut of a new 5.0-liter Tau V8 in the Genesis Sedan R-Spec and rumors that it will find its way under the hood of the Genesis Coupe, Hyundai isn’t necessarily committed to eight-cylinders. That’s not surprising as the industry moves towards forced induction options like turbocharging and supercharging in order to deliver ideal…
2012 Hyundai Azera Video – First Look: 2011 LA Auto Show
Slotting in above the Sonata and below the Genesis sedan, the Azera is Hyundai‘s highest front-drive offering, sitting as a rival to cars like the Toyota Avalon and Nissan Maxima. It looks like a larger Sonata, and in many ways that’s just what it is, offering the best leg and headroom in its segment. Power…
2012 Hyundai Azera is a Sexy Plus-Sized Model: 2011 LA Auto Show [Video]
If you’re into plus-size models, then you’re sure to appreciate the the all-new Hyundai Azera. Looking like a curvy Sonata but with some more meat on its bones, the Azera is all-new for 2012 and sports a more powerful 3.3-liter V6 engine making 293-hp and 255 lb-ft of torque. Using a six-speed automatic transmission Hyundai…
Hyundai “Serious” About Genesis Coupe V8
Proving that the V8-powered Genesis Coupe is in fact possible, Hyundai unveiled the RMR500 concept at the SEMA Show recently, built with its motorsports partner Rhys Millen Racing. Powered by the brand’s new 5.0-liter Tau V8, as found in the Genesis Sedan R-Spec and with a few modifications, it makes an incredible 450-hp. During a…
Hyundai Elantra Coupe to Bow at Chicago Auto Show With Slightly More “Sport”
During a technical briefing at the company’s technical center in Ann Arbor, MI, Hyundai has given journalists a first peak at the upcoming Elantra Coupe. Billed as a preview of future products for next week’s LA Auto Show and Detroit Auto Show in January, Hyundai Motor America CEO announced that the official unveiling for the…
Kia Ray Micro-Box Revealed
Is the Kia Soul just a touch too big for your needs? Well if you happen to live in Kia’s home market of S. Korea, you could look into their newest offering, dubbed the Ray. While the name might sound similar to the sea creature, the Kia Ray is neither sleek or stealthy. What it…
Hyundai Genesis Coupe 5.0L V8, Supercharged V6 First Look Video: 2011 SEMA Show
Hyundai may be promoting its new Veloster model at the 2011 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, but it’s the brand’s modified Genesis Coupes that are generating the most buzz. With a supercharged V6 built in-house at the company’s technical center and a 5.0-liter V8 version using the donated engine from the Genesis R-Spec sedan it’s…
Hyundai Veloster Storms The Show Floor: 2011 SEMA Show
The Hyundai Veloster is arguably this year’s hot sport compact, and Hyundai came out in full force with a collection of Velosters covering both the “show” and “go” ends of the spectrum. First up is the hotly anticipated ARK Performance Veloster, featuring the first application of a turbocharger on the Veloster. With Hyundai’s subsequent announcement…
Kia Rio B-Spec is a DIY Race Car for Under 30K: 2011 SEMA Show
As promised Kia has unveiled its Rio B-Spec race car at the 2011 SEMA Show today, based on the brand’s all-new Rio 5-Door sub-compact. More of a kit than an actual race car, this is a project for the do-it-yourselfer. On top of the $13,600 price of a Rio, Kia’s racing partner Kinetic Motorsports will…
Hyundai Genesis Coupe 5.0L V8 Unveiled by Rhys Millen Racing: 2011 SEMA Show [Video]
The best part about SEMA is that every now and then an automaker shows something incredible. The worst part is that these cars aren’t even concepts, they’re just marketing hype show cars. Is that the case with the Rhys Millen Racing Tau-V8-powered Hyundai Genesis Coupe? We certainly hope not. Unveiled today at the SEMA Show…
Kia Optima Hybrid USTCC Pace Car Revealed: 2011 SEMA Show
After taking the championship in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge street tuner challenge this year, Kia is announcing further commitments to the world of motorsports. In addition to the 2012 Rio B-Spec racer, built by Kia Racing and Kinetic Motorsports, Kia has unveiled an Optima Hybrid pace car for the United States Touring…
Hyundai Veloster Turbo Confirmed, Will Bow at Detroit Auto Show
Rumored for months and perhaps even years, Hyundai has confirmed it will offer a Veloster Turbo model. Announced by Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik at a media dinner in Las Vegas on the eve of the SEMA Show, the car will officially debut at the Detroit Auto Show this January. Krafcik was mum on…
Hyundai Targets 7 Million Global Sales in 2012, Could Oust Toyota from Top Three
That said, both brands plan on achieving combined global sales of 7 million units next year, up from more than 6.5 million in 2011, which also marked a record total.
Hyundai Veloster Turbo Rated at 204-HP, 195 Lb-Ft
Hyundai has revealed official details of its upcoming Veloster Turbo model, which is listed with a rating of 204-hp. A significant increase over the 140-hp of the standard model the Gama 1.6-liter 4-cylinder gets a twin scroll turbocharger and direct-injection. Full power comes on at just 6000 rpm, with a significant 195 lb-ft of torque…
Modified Kia Souls Inspired by Michelle Wie, Blake Griffin to Bow at SEMA Show
Along with the debut of a new B-Spec budget race car, Kia is looking to showcase its updated 2012 Soul at the 2011 SEMA Show. In total, the Korean automaker will display six sports-themed vehicles. The first of the group has already been teased (above) and is a colorful creation inspired by pro golfer Michelle…
Kia Aiming For 500,000 Sales, 800 Dealers By 2012
Kia is hoping to reach the 500,000 unit milestone and add 40 new dealers by 2012, as the Korean automaker enjoys increasing success in the U.S. market. Kia Vice Chairman Hank Lee said that Kia is on pace to sell 470,000 vehicles in 2011, up from 356,258 in 2010. Lee also said that in addition…
Hyundai Genesis Hurricane SC Coming To SEMA
Hyundai will unveiled a one-off Genesis coupe at SEMA, dubbed the Genesis Hurricane SC, built in collaboration with Magnuson Products, Rhys Millen Racing, Harman International and Torvec Inc. Magnuson is a well known maker of superchargers, and will be contributing the “SC” part of the equation, though technical details haven’t been released. Horsepower has been announced…
‘Versatile’ Veloster to Showcase Little Hyundai’s Tuning Potential at SEMA
While most of the cars at the SEMA Show are built to be over-the-top displays of horsepower and gaudiness Hyundai is preparing to showcase at least one of its new Veloster models that takes a different approach. Make no mistake, the car created by marketing agency PM Lifestyle and the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) will…
Hyundai Overtakes Honda As America’s Fifth Largest Automaker
Surging volumes and a lag in Japanese output helped Hyundai surpass Honda as America’s fifth largest automaker in 2011, selling 522 more units (from both Hyundai and Kia combined) than Honda did through September. Analysts cite Honda’s inventory disruption due to Japan’s natural disasters in March as a leading cause of the change in rankings….
Hyundai Veloster Turbo Heading to SEMA Show with Rally Car Style
The SEMA Show is sneaking up on us again and one of the first vehicles we’re learning about is the ARK Performance Hyundai Veloster. Set to be unveiled at the Korean automaker’s stand at the annual aftermarket expo and built by ARK Performance, the rally-car styled Veloster will get some massively flared fenders and a…
Hyundai 10-Speed Transmission Planned for Genesis, Equus in 2014
As we first reported back in December, Hyundai is developing a 10-speed automatic transmission. Now details of when that new unit will be available have come to light, with the project expected to be completed by 2014. Hyundai president Park Seong Hyon says the new gearbox will likely be installed in the Genesis sedan and…
Hyundai CEO Bemoans CAFE Loopholes, Halo Sports Cars
Hyundai CEO John Krafcik will keep his company’s focus on being a fuel economy leader, and has ruled out a high-performance sports car, even as he discussed the various ways in which the new CAFE regulations can be gamed to produce low fleet fuel economy ratings. With large vehicles being held to less stringent standards…
2013 Hyundai Geneis Coupe to Get Supercharged 3.8L V6
Leaked photos of the 2013 Genesis Coupe have already hit the net showcasing a Veloster-style nose for the Hyundai sports car. Now new shots have revealed one of the engine options – and it’s a good one. Rumors had suggested the base 2.0T 4-cylinder would be upgraded to equal the power of that in the…
