New Hyundai Equus Limo Spotted in Dubai

Either a Hyundai executive in Dubai received an early example of the Korean firm's all-new flagship limo that was revealed in Korea in mid-February, or the company plans to include the United Arab Emirates among the countries that will receive the new Equus sedan as these pictures from the folks over at "Gulf4Cars" suggest. According to an earlier statement from the company, there are no plans to export the Equus, which is heavily based on the rear-wheel drive Genesis sedan, to North American or European markets.

Via: Gulf4Cars , Thanks for the tip Ashur!

Live Photos of Hyundai's ix-onic Concept Study that Previews new Tucson

These are the first live photos of Hyundai's new ix-onic concept study that was revealed to the members of the press during a special event prior to the Geneva Motor Show. The 'swoopy' styled ix-onic concept gives us a good indication of where Hyundai's design department is heading to with the next-generation Tucson compact SUV that will be called "ix35" in Europe under the firm's new naming system.

The live shots also give us our first taste of the ix-onic's interior which looks production-ready. The concept study is equipped with a new 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine producing an output of 175-horsepower.

Source: Telegraaf , Via: Worldcarfans

Hyundai's Equus Flagship Sedan Launched in Korea, could make it to the U.S.

What you're seeing here is the all-new Equus, Hyundai's Mercedes-Benz S-Class-sized flagship luxury sedan that was unveiled today in Korea. Not surprisingly, the actual production model features a much less dramatic design than what we were promised by the teaser sketches released by Hyundai earlier this year. While the outgoing model used a front-wheel drive architecture, the new Equus is based on a modified version of the rear-wheel drive Genesis platform with power coming from the same 3.8-liter Lambda V6 and 4.6-liter Tau V8 engines.

In the second half of the year, Hyundai will also introduce a long-wheelbase version of the new Equus equipped with a 5.0-liter variant of the Tau V8.

Compared to its Asian-market predecessor, the 2010 Equus is longer, wider and taller measuring 5,160mm in length, 1,900mm in width and 1,495mm in height. Technological highlights include a second-generation Vehicle Stability Management System (VSM2), a Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS) that employs a vision sensor to monitor traffic lane markers and a Pre-Safety Seatbelt System which on detecting an imminent front-end collision, automatically reels-in the safety belts.

Even though Hyundai has officially announced that there are currently no plans to export the 2010 Equus to the North American or European markets, Korean news outlet Ohmynews claims that the Equus will be launched in the States, most likely as the 'Genesis Prestige'.

Via: Worldcarfans

Hyundai i20 STC 3-Door Version Photos Leaked Ahead of Geneva

We were supposed to see the three-door Hyundai i20 for the first time at the Geneva Auto Show, but no thanks to an online leak, we now have official photos of the newest version of the Korean supermini. Besides the fact that the 3-door i20 is less practical than its five-door sibling and that it features restyled rear-quarter windows, there are no other visible differences between the two models.

Same goes for the engine range that will consists of a total of seven gasoline and diesel units. The i20's gasoline range includes a 78PS 1.2-liter, a 100PS 1.4-liter and a 126PS 1.6-liter engine, all of which are mated to five-speed manual gearboxes. The 1.4- and 1.6-liter models can be equipped optionally with a four-speed automatic transmission.

The diesel line-up comprises of a 1.4-liter unit available in two guises with outputs of 75PS and 90PS, and a 1.6-liter motor with 115PS and 128PS. Both 1.4-liter diesel models are equipped with a five-speed stick shift, while the flagship 1.6-liter modes are offered with a six-gear manual gearbox.

Photos via: Telegraaf

New Hyundai i30 Sport Hatchback and Crossover Wagon Models

Looks can be greatly deceiving as Hyundai proves with its new special edition i30 Sport versions that were launched in Germany today. Despite their sporty appearance and promising name, the i30 Sport Hatchback and Crossover Wagon (sold in the U.S. as the Elantra Touring) only differ visually from their normal siblings as there aren't any mechanical changes. To be produced in a limited run of just 200 units, the hatchback is offered with a 126HP 1.6-liter petrol engine while the Crossover Wagon with a 140HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel.

Both i30 Sport models are offered exclusively in a Crystal White paint finish and come equipped with a design package that includes a faux carbon-fiber grille cover, black inserts around the fog lights (sedan only), a discreet front spoiler, side skirts, roof wing, a rear apron with an integrated diffuser and two chromed exhaust tailpipes plus a set of rather neat looking 18-inch alloy wheels finished in Anthracite.

Inside, the Sport insignia adds leather seats, leather steering wheel and shift knob, an automatic air conditioning with cooled glove box, cruise control, steering wheel audio controls, USB and iPod connection as well as electric windows.

Prices in Germany are set at €20,990 for the i30 Sport hatchback and at €24,490 for the station-wagon variant.

New Hyundai i30 Sport Hatchback and Crossover Wagon Models

Looks can be greatly deceiving as Hyundai proves with its new special edition i30 Sport versions that were launched in Germany today. Despite their sporty appearance and promising name, the i30 Sport Hatchback and Crossover Wagon (sold in the U.S. as the Elantra Touring) only differ visually from their normal siblings as there aren't any mechanical changes. To be produced in a limited run of just 200 units, the hatchback is offered with a 126HP 1.6-liter petrol engine while the Crossover Wagon with a 140HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel.

Both i30 Sport models are offered exclusively in a Crystal White paint finish and come equipped with a design package that includes a faux carbon-fiber grille cover, black inserts around the fog lights (sedan only), a discreet front spoiler, side skirts, roof wing, a rear apron with an integrated diffuser and two chromed exhaust tailpipes plus a set of rather neat looking 18-inch alloy wheels finished in Anthracite.

Inside, the Sport insignia adds leather seats, leather steering wheel and shift knob, an automatic air conditioning with cooled glove box, cruise control, steering wheel audio controls, USB and iPod connection as well as electric windows.

Prices in Germany are set at €20,990 for the i30 Sport hatchback and at €24,490 for the station-wagon variant.

Hyundai CEO reveals Details on Tiburon Successor that's Planned for 2011

With the new, rear-wheel drive Genesis Coupe already available on the market, Hyundai is now concentrating on the successor of the Tiburon (called Hyundai Coupe in Europe and other markets) that is scheduled to be introduced in 2011. Speaking with Autoweek magazine, John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai Motor America, revealed that the firm's new coupe will be positioned below the current Tiburon in terms of size and more importantly, in price. If you're thinking in the likes of the long-gone Honda CRX, you're probably right.

"It will have a lower price point, kind of eco sport positioning, where it is not going to be all about performance," Krafcik said. "It is going to be very fuel efficient. It is going to be stylish, a real nice complement to the Genesis coupe," he added.

Krafcik also noted that the new coupe will share a front-wheel platform with the Hyundai Accent and Elantra and that it will be offered with an entry-level 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, adding that the car's styling will draw its inspiration from the Veloster 2+2 coupe concept that was revealed at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show.

We can't say that we're surprised with Krafcik's revelations as it was apparent that Hyundai would follow a different road with the Tiburon's successor after the introduction of the sportier and more powerful, RWD Genesis Coupe.

Via: Autoweek

Hyundai BLUE-WILL: Prius-Like Plug-in Hybrid Concept to be Unveiled in Seoul

Korean automaker Hyundai is ramping up its efforts in the hybrid segment with the presentation of an all-new concept car at the 2009 Seoul Motor Show that opens on April 2. The BLUE-WILL is a proposal for a family-sized, dedicated hybrid model in the likes of the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight. The plug-in hybrid powered by an all-aluminum gasoline direct-injected 1.6-litre engine which is coupled to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and a powerful 100kw (134HP) electric motor

Electric power is stored in a compact Lithium-Ion Polymer battery pack which is located along with the fuel tank under the rear seat to maximize luggage space. The Hyundai group will be the first automaker in the world to apply Lithium Ion Polymer batteries in mass production vehicles when the Kia Forte and Hyundai Elantra LPG-Hybrids go on sale in Korea this summer.

Other notable highlights of the BLUE-WILL include the use of recycled PET soft drink bottles for the headlamp bezels and bio-degradable plastics for the interior and the engine cover while the car's panoramic glass rooftop integrates dye-sensitized solar cells that generate power for the batteries from the sun without hurting visibility.

Further details of the concept will be revealed by Hyundai at the Seoul Show.

2010 Hyundai Equus: Full Details, High-Res Photos and Official Brochure

Today, Hyundai performed the official market launch of its new flagship sedan, the Equus VI, at an event held in Seoul, Korea that was attended by more than 1,000 VIP guests including South Korea's Prime Minister Han Seung-Soo. Representing a total investment of 500 billion won (approximately US$337 million), the 2010 Equus will serve as a rival to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and its likes.

Based on a modified version of the Genesis sedan's rear-wheel drive platform, the 5,160mm long Equus comes with a choice of two engines, the 'Lambda' 3.8-liter V6 with 290HP and 36.5kgm of torque and the 'Tau' 4.6-liter V8 delivering 366HP and 44.8kgm of torque. Both engines are matted to a six-speed automatic transmission. According to Hyundai, the Equus V6 has a combined fuel economy rating of 10.8 lt /100km (21.8 mpg US) and the Equus V8, 11.4 lt / 100km (20.6 mpg US).

The Equus rides on a 5-link suspension (front and rear) featuring lightweight aluminum control arms while Hyundai has worked in partnership with ZF-SACHS to develop an air-suspension that is electronically governed to minimize body roll, nose-diving and other undesirable characteristics.

Other notable highlights include the standard Vehicle Stability Management which integrates the Lane Departure Warning System, Pre-Safety System, Third Generation Smart Cruise Control (SCC) and other sub-systems, as well as the addition of a Knee Air Bag for the driver that brings the total airbag count to nine.

In Korea, the Equus will be available in four trim levels, with prices starting from 63.7 million won (approximately US$44,850) for the entry level, V6-powered VS380 model and topping out at 105 million won (approximately US$73,900) for the V8-powered VS460 Prestige. Towards the end of 2009, Hyundai will extend the range with a long wheelbase edition that will be powered by a 5.0-liter V8 'Tau' engine.

Hyundai officials said that the company plans to sell around 13,000 units of the new Equus in the Korean market this year, increasing that number to 19,000 units in 2010. The new Korean flagship sedan will also make its way to selected overseas markets like China and the Middle East starting in the second half of 2009.