Hyundai, Kia and Ssangyong at the 2009 Seoul Auto Show
Hyundai, Kia and Ssangyong at the 2009 Seoul Auto Show…
The 2009 Seoul Auto Show will open its doors on April 2. and this year, Korean car fans will have plenty of car novelties to see. Since several global automakers canceled their participation at this years auto show event, due to the global financial crisis, domestic carmakers will be taking the center stage of the Korean most important auto show.
The financially troubled Ssangyong Motor Company is planning to unveil its latest concept car, named C200 Aero. The concept car is quite an impressive looking vehicle with simple yet clean exterior design lines, LEd equipped headlamps and large 21-inch wheels.
The C200 Aero concept previews the forthcoming compact-sized crossover, which is expected to hit the South Korean dealers by the end of this year, will be one of the main rivals of the next generation Hyundai Tucson at its home market.
According to some rumors, Hyundai will exclusively unveil production models of the next generation Sonata YF. While I can not confirm this rumor yet, I can reveal that Hyundai will showcase the HND-4 concept at its Seoul Auto Show booth.
The Hyundai HND-4 features a hybrid powerplant and architecture and previews the upcoming Hyundai Elantra LPI hybrid. The Elantra hybrid (called Avante hybrid in Korea) will go on sale on its domestic market in July 2009. The Elantra hybrid concept will showcase the direction Hyundai will be heading towards with its upcoming hybrid cars.
In addition, Hyundai will also showcase these models: HED-6 (ix-onic concept), Genesis Prada special edition model, Genesis Coupe racecar, Equus luxury sedan, Grandeur/Azera, i30, i30cros wagon, Verna/Accent, VeraCruz, Santa Fe, and the Grand Starex/H1. Pretty impressive number of vehicles, dont you think?!
Hyundais sister firm, Kia Motors will unveil the Elantra LPI hybrid based hybrid car. Dubbed Forte LPI hybrid, the vehicle will use the same powertrain as the upcoming Elantra LPI hybrid, consisting of 1.6L Gamma engine, 20 hp electric motor and CVT transmission. It will also use the same lithium-ion polymer battery, supplied by LG Chem.
In addition, Kia will also debut its “Eco Dynamics” sub-brand which will symbolize Kias dedication to creating green and eco-friendly cars. In the coming years, all Kias hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fuel cell electric vehicles will be sold under the Kia Eco Dynamics brand.
And finally, Samsung-Renault, Korean fourth largest car producer will debut the Samsung eMX concept vehicle, which previews the future Samsung SM3, a compact sedan that will compete against Hyundai Elantra, Kia Forte and Daewoo badged Chevy Cruze.
March 24th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
Umm,is Ssangyong still alive?
March 24th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
The girls are sexy, but that Forte is a bit ugly.
March 24th, 2009 at 9:53 pm
Acually, I like this car. It is has simple lines and a beautiful interior. I saw this vehicle reviewed on the Kia-blog website and this is a real looker!. The lines are clean, and broad. I reminds me of a baby Acura TL or TSX. I may say that I like this car better than the current 4 door Elantra (ooh I can’t belive I said that). I mean, the Forte SX version has 5 speed “Sportmatic” transmission, 17″ alloy wheels w/ 4 wheel vented disk brakes, It’s pushes out 173 HP and gets 36MPG highway! It even features ABS, ESC, Traction control and a Tire Pressure monitoring system! It has MP3/CD USB and bluetooth capabilities. It even has Integrated turning signals in the mirrors. Wow. I was shoked! Now I can’t wait to see what the new 2010/11 Elantra sedan will look like when it gets “redone”! I’m sure Hyundai will not be outdone by its “brother company”!
Check it out ! http://www.kia-world.net/index.php/2009/02/11/2010-us-spec-kia-forte-to-replace-spectra-sedan/
March 24th, 2009 at 9:55 pm
…. and yes, Stingray… the girls ARE sexy.
March 24th, 2009 at 10:20 pm
I am very curious about one thing. Why is Hyundai so far behind kia technology Wise. In canada NONE of the Hyundais can be ordered with a NAVI system (except now for the genesis), not even the Veracruz! Also you can only get bluetooth on the Genesis. I know that in the USA the Veracruz and Sonata can be ordered with NAVIS (no bluetooth) in them but that is still limited. All this while at the same same time EVERY Kia has bluetooth atleast available if not standard (including Rio + spectra!) and the borrego, amanti and optima all have NAVIS. And Kia also just updated a very good majority of their vehicles with the new Kia design direction and they look reat and modern. The Accent and Elantra are both very outdated outside and in.
March 24th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
Oh and you can also get paddle shifters on the OPTIMA… come on. I am a huge Hyundai fan but am starting to get annoyed.
March 25th, 2009 at 1:15 am
I’m feeling this new Ssangyong design. A hint of Audi Q7 to the front and looks balanced overall. Lets see how it looks in production form. Hope they keep the large wheels..
I like the new Forte for its clean lines but that color an ‘interesting’ choice. Lets just say it would not be my first pick.. This color will not likely be offered to the public but hey, it got people talking..
March 25th, 2009 at 2:44 am
I agree with buzzg07, hyundai cars are very outdated when it comes to gadgets compared to kia. Kia has sirius radio in all of there cars, it has bluetooth in all of there cars, and as for the navi… hyundai does have navi’s for the azera,veracruz, and genesis ( not sure bout santafe, but one things for sure the sonata should really get a navi to compete with honda, mazda, and toyota.