Hyundai Blog :: 2011 Hyundai cars - new Sonata & Tucson, news, dealerships, sales, spy shots, reviews, accessories, parts, tuning

Hyundai Veloster Coupe expected to achieve 40 PPG and top Honda CRZ fuel economy…

The up-coming Hyundai Veloster Coupe, which is scheduled to make its official premiere at the 2010 Paris Auto Show in October (officially starts on October 2nd) will not only be fast, but also extremely fuel efficient (for a sports car).

According to John Krafcik, the all-new entry-level Hyundai coupe will hit 40 MPG fuel economy and will beat its main rival, the Honda CR-Z hybrid car, which can achieve “only” 36 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on highway.

The as-yet-unnamed Hyundai coupe will achieve above mentioned fuel economy figures without a hybrid set-up, which is a remarkable achievement for Hyundai brand and once again proves that the South Korean carmaker has become the company that’s setting up latest vehicle’s fuel economy standards.

Reportedly, the forth-coming Hyundai Coupe will feature a 1.6L four-cylinder GDI engine with estimated power-output of 140+ horsepower. The fuel-sipping four-cyl. engine will be mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission - rumored to be a dual clutch gearbox similar to VW’s DSG gearbox.

In addition to being more fuel efficient, the Veloster two-door coupe will also be more fun to drive than Honda’s reborn CRX, the CR-Z coupe. The model will feature a suspension set-up tuned to provide firm and sporty ride. And according to John Krafcik, the president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America, the upcoming two-door coupe will also be more spacious that the CR-Z coupe. It will offer seating for four-people instead of only two like the CR-Z.

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Kiplinger’s Personal Finance recently named the 2010 Hyundai Tucson crossover as the Best New Crossover vehicle in the segment. The Tucson was chosen as one of the top new car models in eleven categories, topping the competition in its category, which includes the Volvo XC60 and Mitsubishi Outlander.

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance’s associate editor, Jessica Anderson, talked about the Tucson. She said, “Hyundai’s new Tucson was clearly the best new model in its category,”
The 5-passenger 2010 Tucson crossover is well loved by car owners for its standard features such as a hill-drive control, trip computer, keyless entry, complete power accessories, and air-conditioning, among others.

It also has a 6-speaker music system with CD player, auxiliary audio jack, satellite radio and a USB port with an iPod interface to make the driving experience fun and easy. The Tucson, as all other Hyundai cars, is known for its powerful engine, a very friendly price, and reliable safety features, which include Hyundai’s standard life-saving safety technologies including the Downhill Brake Control (DBC) and Hillstart Assist Control (HAC).

Anderson also said, “Hyundai’s smallest crossover got a significant redesign this year. Sharply creased sheet metal and a more aggressive stance turn heads, a bigger engine gives it more oomph, and more-generous proportions increase both cargo space and passenger room, especially in the second row.”

To determine the top car models with the best values in each category, Kiplinger’s editors went through all the participating 2010 models and analyzed them based on the magazine’s ranking system. All the vehicles were compared against each other based on their performance, value, safety, roominess, and how well they drive.

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The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T was named as one of the 2010 Top 10 “Fast-Lane Four-Cylinders” of Kelley Blue Book’s website, kbb.com.

The rear-wheel drive 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2,0T is powered with a standard 210-horsepower, 2.0L turbo-charged four-cylinder engine. This purpose-built sports coupe runs like a six-cylinder engine but economizes on fuel like a four-cylinder. Hyundai cars are known for effectively putting together power and fuel economy.

Scott Margason, Hyundai Motor America’s director for product planning, talked about the Genesis. He said, “We think our Genesis Coupe 2.0T, with its unique combination of rear-wheel drive and four-cylinder turbo power, offers an intriguing alternative to existing front-wheel drive sport coupes. ”

Expert editors from kbb.com chose the ten best performing cars with a modern twist to make the cut for its Top 10 “Fast-Lane Four-Cylinders.” These days, more and more car manufacturers are deciding to produce more four-cylinder engines combined with variable valve and/or camshaft timing and direct fuel injection primarily because of the continuously rising price of fuel and increasingly strict emissions requirements.

According to Jack R. Nerad, the executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, “Many car shoppers may be surprised at the sheer number of performance-oriented new cars available today that boast ‘only’ a four-cylinder engine. Even more surprising is the amount of power and performance elicited from many of these four-bangers, providing a satisfying alternative for enthusiasts who also may be looking to save a little cash at the gas pump.”

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Hyundai reveals it has sold more than 5 million Sonata sedans worldwide since first launched 25 years ago.

Hyundai Sonata mid-size sedan, which has made its inaugural premiere 25 years ago, has reached the sales of 5 million units, reported Hyundai Motor Company recently. This is already the third Hyundai vehicle to achieve this important milestone after the subcompact Hyundai Accent and Hyundai Elantra car which broke the same mark in 2001 and 2008, respectively.

According to Hyundai, sales of Sonata sedan exceeded 1-million units back in 1994, while the 4-million sales mark was achieved in 2007. Less than three years after, the popular Sonata mid-size car added another 1 million units for a total of 5-million cumulative sales.

Out of all 5 million Sonatas sold worldwide, more than half (2,7 million units) were sold in the South Korean market, where the model has been in great demand ever since launched two decades and a half ago. The rest were sold overseas. Sonata’s largest market overseas was (and still is) the U.S. market, which accounts for two thirds of total sales.

The first generation Hyundai Sonata sedan was launched in 1985. It was built on a rear-wheel-drive platform and featured a 2.0L four-cylinder engine. Only three years later, in 1988, it was replaced by a new model. The second-generation Sonata adopted front-wheel-drive system.

A few years later, Hyundai unveiled the third generation Sonata sedan, which was the very first Korean car equipped with standard front airbags, while fourth generation model, launched in 1998, was mounted with the high performing Delta engine that was developed entirely with proprietary technologies.

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AutoPacific recently announced that the 2011 Hyundai Sonata is its first-ever President’s Award recipient. As the Sonata is considered by Hyundai as its most important vehicle today, it has received so many accolades and now this first-ever President’s Award given by the respected auto consulting firm confirms quite clearly consumers believe in the credibility of the new Hyundai.

AutoPacific was not sure whether the hype of the new Hyundai was all real, and so they put the Sonata to a test. AutoPacific has been conducting research on driver satisfaction since 1997.

George Peterson, president of AutoPacific said, “With all we have seen and read about the 2011 Sonata, AutoPacific felt that it was necessary to put this vehicle to a unique test. Over the years, we have seen several important vehicles come to market that have attempted to redefine their brands. They are often launched with a considerable amount of hype, but then fail to deliver a customer experience that truly satisfies.”

AutoPacific is well-respected in the automotive industry as a leading marketing and product-consulting firm. It annually publishes a number of syndicated studies on the industry. The awards and accolades it gives out are sought after by car manufacturers and dealers.

To receive the President’s Award, AutoPacific’s methodology involved 975 drivers and car owners in analyzing the all-new 2011 Sonata and rated the car based on 48 different categories that include comfort, convenience, performance and environmental friendliness, among others.

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Hyundai Motor Company releases new 2011 Grandeur sedan in Australia!

Hyundai Motor Company Australia has announced it has brought a 2011 Grandeur sedan to the market. Known as Hyundai Azera in the North American market, the Grandeur received an array of cosmetic updates and specification upgrades for the 2011 model year.

Styling-wise, the 2011 Grandeur features new radiator grille, black-bezel headlights and new front bumper with refined black-mesh lower air dam housed in-between redesigned fog lamps. The refined rear profile for 2011 Grandeur sports an all-new rear combination lamp with a more modern geometric theme, while the new moulded bumper with chrome insert houses the updated twin-exhausts.

The up-dated Hyundai Grandeur also benefits from revised seven spoke alloys and redesigned side mirrors with LED turn signals that add both elegance and safety. The side profile of Hyundai’s near-luxury sedan is also highlighted by black piano finish, which has been applied to the vehicle’s B-pillar.

Due to all the above-mentioned styling changes made to rear and front fascias, Grandeur’s length has increased 15mm to 4910mm, according to Hyundai Motor Company Australia.

Inside, the 2011 Grandeur features a revised metal finish centre floor console, providing a more modern feel. Specification enhancements also include one-touch triple turn signal, the convenience of a combined key and remote device for access and operation and outside mirrors fitted with “puddle lamps” which illuminate the ground on approach to the vehicle for driver and passenger access when the doors are unlocked by remote.

As every new Hyundai vehicle, the 2011 Grandeur sedan also provides an outstanding occupant protection. Each Grandeur model is equipped with up-to-date safety features, such 8 airbags (2 x front, 2 x side front, 2 x side rear, 2 x curtain airbag), ESC system with TCS - Traction Control System, four-channel, four-sensor Anti-skid Braking System and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution.

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The 2010 Tucson GLS and 2010 Santa Fe are Low Cost Car Insurance awardees!

Insure.com recently recognized both the 2010 Hyundai Tucson and 2010 Santa Fe SUV in its “Low Cost Car Insurance Award”, which extends Hyundai’s value story beyond its purchase price and into the overall cost of ownership.

From a total of 2,400 vehicles that are all 2010 models, Insure.com examined and compared their average rates in order to award the ten least expensive vehicles to insure according to four categories, which are cars, SUVs, crossover vehicles, vans and trucks. Under the SUV category, the 2010 Hyundai Tucson came in at number 4 and the 2010 Santa Fe at number 6 as the cheapest vehicles to insure.

“When you add the full suite of consumer protection offered under Hyundai Assurance, including our industry-leading warranty, roadside assistance, and job-loss protection program, to the reduced cost of ownership derived from our fuel economy leadership, low maintenance and insurance costs, the Hyundai value proposition has never been stronger. In addition, there’s no doubt that our commitment to standardizing life-saving technologies across our vehicle lineup contributes to the favorable insurance rates”, commented Barry Ratzlaff, who works as a service operations director at Hyundai Motor America - HMA.

This is actually the Santa Fe’s second time to be recognized in Insure.com’s list of Low Cost Car Insurance. The Hyundai 2010 Santa Fe presents new features in its updated exterior and new powertrains with six-speed transmission. These innovations make the Santa Fe SUV perform better on the road and more fuel economic at the same time. The 2010 model presents new standard features and a refined design that is proven to be more dependable and versatile.

On the other hand, the all-new 2010 Tucson presents all-new updates and improvements from its predecessor in every functional area, which includes a roomier cabin with extra cargo space, fuel economy and new technology. The 2010 Tucson is the first Hyundai Crossover Utility Vehicle (CUV) that was designed and engineered in Europe. It was conceived at Hyundai’s design and technical centers in Frankfurt, Germany. The Tucson features Hyundai’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design language.

Regarding Insure.com’s list of Low Cost Car Insurance, Insure.com’s editors explained: “Your own personal car insurance quotes are built on a variety of factors, including where you live, your age and your driving record.  And when it comes to buying collision and comprehensive insurance, your vehicle choice plays a pivotal role.”

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The UK-based driving school extends partnership with Hyundai Motor Company…

Bill Plant, one of the UK’s leading driving schools has announced it has signed a deal with Hyundai Motor Company to purchase 600 new Hyundai i30s for its pupils and instructors. The company, which operates more than two dozens of driving schools and training centres for instructors across the UK, has spent more than £7 million to purchase the fleet of new Hyundai i30s.

The cars will be delivered to the Bill Plant driving school over the next 12 months and will make up almost all of Bill Plant’s fleet. The agreement to purchase a fleet of new i30 hatchbacks is an extension of a last year’s contract, when Bill Plant ordered more than 400 units of new Hyundai i20 hatchback.

When asked why did the company decide to use Hyundai cars in their fleet, Jake Plant, general manager at Bill Plant commented: “You have got to have the right vehicle for the pupils. A small city car is the wrong kind of vehicle for those who learn driving. It’s just too small. You need a family hatch and for us the all-new Hyundai i30 hatchback is the right size. It is reliable, fuel-efficient, looks good and is just about the right size for instructors and pupils. It’s very important that instructors and pupils like the car, and they love the i30.”

Speaking of fuel efficiency, the Bill Plant driving school ordered all cars with diesel engine and fuel-saving stop-start technology. The Idle-Stop&Go -ISG system applied to the 2011 Hyundai i30 models can reduce vehicle’s fuel consumption by as much as 7 percent! “Fuel consumption is important for us and our instructors which is why we went for the diesel i30 with ISG, Hyundai’s stop-start system.”

All Hyundai i30s provide excellent safety to the pupils and instructors with a number of safety features, including 6-airbags, ABS breaking system, seatbelt reminder system, belt pretensioners and active head restraints to reduce the risk of whiplash injury. Each of the new Hyundai vehicles in the Bill Plant driving school is also equipped with ESP system.

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