Hyundai Azera

We recently got our first official sneak peak at the upcoming 2012 Hyundai Azera, but the South Korean automaker keeps dropping new information and pictures on its mid-size sedan that will take its place between the Sonata and the Genesis. This time we have details on the engine options for the KDM version, which will continue to use the Grandeur nameplate.

In South Korea, the Azera will be offered with a choice of two naturally aspirated engines, both featuring direct-injection technology. The base model will be powered by the same 2.4-liter GDI four-cylinder gasoline unit found on the Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima, while the flagship version will be motivated by a 3.0-liter GDi V6 delivering 270HP and 31.6 kg/m of peak torque.

The company states on the official brochure that the four-cylinder model will return an average fuel consumption of 12.8 km/lt (equal to 30.1 mpg US and 7.8 lt/100km), while the V6, 11.6 km/lt (27.3 mpg US or 8.6 lt/100km).

Hyundai has not made any comments or announcements regarding the powertrain options for the North American version of the Azera, though likely it will be offered exclusively with V6 engines. Recently, the South Korean automaker said that the Azera may get its North American debut at the New York Auto Show next April.

Hyundai i-flow Concept, 2010

Hyundai i-flow Concept, 2010

Making its global debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the Hyundai i-flow Concept car carries forward the company's evocative new form language, 'fluidic sculpture'. The flowing, elegant lines not only create a bionic, futuristic shape, but also contribute to exceptional aerodynamics, helping to reduce the car's CO2 output to just 85g/km and fuel consumption to only 3l/100km.

Hyundai's first diesel hybrid powertrain is also a key factor in delivering such an environmentally-conscious return, as is the application of next-generation materials and technologies developed in cooperation with leading chemical company BASF.

Previewing a future D-segment contender
With an overall length of 4.780mm and a 2.800mm wheelbase, the Hyundai i-flow Concept brings new ideas and a pioneering form to the traditional European D-segment. The dramatically-sculpted forms of the interior and exterior make for a striking sports sedan, and its width and height (1.850mm and 1.420mm respectively) give it an athletic stance.

The name i-flow reflects the exceptionally aerodynamic shape and the flowing lines of the concept car's eye-catching styling, and retains the 'i' prefix of Hyundai's established alphanumeric nomenclature for Europe. In 2011 Hyundai will bring into production a new challenger in the segment, drawing on the Hyundai i-flow Concept's sleek styling and innovative technology.

The evolution of 'fluidic sculpture'
Seventh in a series of daring concept cars to be born in the Russelsheim styling studio:
"The first impression of Hyundai i-flow Concept is the striking appearance generated through feminine sculptural layers combined with broad, athletic proportions. The rearward-oriented peak of the roof and distinctive main volume give an ultra-modern interpretation of the sedan genre. These unique proportions are complemented by the long tail and the short front overhang, features which were inspired by aerodynamic motives.

Sporting intentions are emphasized through innovative active aero elements, such as the adaptive front spoiler and side rocker blade. Sophisticated, futuristic front and rear light elements are cradled like sparkling jewels within the car's flowing planes, and the signature Hyundai hexagonal grille completes the frontal aspect.

The sense of agility and focused aerodynamics is further enforced by the glass roof., with its semi-transparent dye-sensitized solar cells connecting the front and rear screens to create an integral design unit. The roof and door glazing blend to form a unified shell, undercutting the floating C-pillar to produce an undisturbed, aerodynamic canopy. These daring, refined details complement the Hyundai i-flow Concept's overall appearance to culminate in a bold design statement which advances Hyundai's fluidic sculpture philosophy.

Inside: minimum weight, maximum space and a bionic feel

The interior of Hyundai i-flow Concept redefines the perception of space in a sedan body style. Fundamental elements, such as the seats and center console, were crafted for minimal weight and volume using cutting-edge materials from BASF - one of the world's leading automotive suppliers.

The seats, were developed in conjunction with BASF using advanced stress analysis, which highlighted the unnecessary mass areas and pointed towards an optimized lightweight seat structure. 'Steron', a BASF material, gives the seats a highly-resilient quality, excellent breath ability and a high-tech touch.

The upper dashboard, meanwhile, is treated with Elastoskin, a sprayed skin from BASF for a sophisticated, shimmering finish.

The technical, meticulous approach combines with an abundance of natural materials to engender a bionic feel in the cabin, further symbolized by the green color tones and the leaf-like shadows projected from the roof's semi-transparent dye-sensitized solar cells.

The cockpit's main interface centers around an expansive, contoured screen, which recognizes not only touch but also gestural inputs along its fascia-wide display. The fluidic forms of the exterior are echoed in the Hyundai i-flow Concept's cabin, where continuous lines sweep from the dashboard, through the doors to the open storage area at the rear.

The innovative, B-pillarless doors allow comfortable ingress and egress for passengers. The front door is hinged at the A-pillar, and the rear door swings backwards on an intelligent hinge arm system to allow unrestricted access to the rear seats. Additionally the front seats can be turned 30° towards the outside, to invite the driver and co-driver to enter the ultramodern lightweight seats.

An eco-technological test bed
The Hyundai i-flow Concept is a test bed for new energy harvesting ideas, ranging from flexible solar panel roofing to a thermo-electric generator. The key technical components of the vehicle have been developed by Hyundai under the Blue Drive banner in cooperation with BASF. Blue Drive remains at the heart of Hyundai's product development strategy, and continues to drive the company towards its target of global leadership in environmentally-sensitive technologies.

A focal point of Hyundai i-flow Concept is its extraordinary CO2 emissions level of just 85g/km. The car uses efficient aerodynamics, energy harvesting technologies and weight-saving materials to significantly undercut the current average for a D-segment sedan. Furthermore, the company's first diesel-electric hybrid powertrain runs the exciting new U2 1,7-liter engine augmented by two-stage turbocharging and Hyundai's Lithium Ion-Polymer battery to give a very efficient and advanced combination, particularly when partnered with Hyundai i-flow Concept's six-speed, dual-clutch transmission.

Energy Conservation
BASF and Hyundai R&D engineers have developed thermal engine encapsulation, which ensures that the engine reaches optimum operating temperature more quickly, by retaining heat when the car is at idle. Where a non-insulated engine would take three hours to drop to 40°C, the Hyundai i-flow Concept will stay above that temperature for 14 hours. The translates into fuel savings and emissions cuts of 5 per cent during summer and up to 9 per cent during winter.

Energy Harvesting
Another pioneering technique introduced in collaboration with BASF is thermo-electric waste heat recovery. This process equates to further reductions in fuel consumption, 5% at highest driving. In fact, up to half of the electrical energy consumed by Hyundai i-flow Concept at 80kph - 250 watts - can be recovered through the work of a thermo-electric generator. Harvested energy from hot exhaust gases is recaptured by this generator which is fitted into the exhaust manifold. The thermal electric generator then converts the wasted heat into useful electrical energy to help power auxiliary systems.

Liquid Metal, a coating with the appearance of a glossy skin made of liquid metal, has been developed by BASF Coatings. Special effect pigments in this eco-friendly waterborne coating system let the surface appear as polished metal with targeted mirror like reflections - this gives a liquid skin appearance to the car's exterior and increases the tension of the surface in the same time. The high color saturation on the Hyundai i-flow Concept adds an energizing charisma to the Hyundai concept car. The typical high contrast between highlight and flop underlines the sculptural impact of the Hyundai i-flow Concept.

Adaptive aerodynamic features harmonize with fluidic sculpture styling, not only to bring aesthetic value, but also to increase fuel efficiency. Radical ideas, such as the arch-like roofline and streamlined front, have a real impact, and the boat-tail shape and kick-up lines force the airflow to separate at the rear of the vehicle, leading to an extremely impressive aerodynamic drag coefficient of just 0.25 Cd.

An eco-driving guidance system is present to encourage super-efficient motoring. The system includes fuel consumption and gear shift indicators, and an active ECO function which adjusts the powertrain to its ultimate condition by adapting the engine and transmission control units. Finally, 'eco route' uses real-time traffic conditions and three-dimensional road data to calculate the most fuel-efficient way of reaching the desired destination.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Midsize Sports Sedan

Hyundai introduced its all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. This marked the North American debut of the latest version of the popular midsize sedan, introducing Hyundai's "Fluidic Sculpture" design language and an all four-cylinder engine lineup to the U.S. market. Hyundai Sonata is the second vehicle in Hyundai's 24/7 version 2.0 product initiative (seven new models in the next 24 months) following on the heels of the all-new Tucson. Production of Hyundai Sonata will begin in December 2009 at Hyundai's U.S. plant in Alabama with retail sales beginning in January 2010.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Midsize Sports Sedan

The new Sonata will launch with Hyundai's new Theta II GDI 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a Gasoline Direct-Injection (GDI) fuel delivery system, which contributes to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions. Hyundai Sonata is the first midsize sedan to adopt GDI technology as standard equipment in a naturally aspirated powertain. This shorter, more direct path of fuel delivery, allows for greater control of the fuel mixture at the optimum moment, thus improving efficiency. The fuel is injected by a camshaft-driven, high pressure pump that operates at pressures up to 2,175 psi. Direct injection also utilizes a higher than normal 11.3:1 compression ratio for increased power. The pistons are "dished" to increase combustion efficiency in the cylinder. This powerplant will deliver best-in-class fuel economy, best-in-class four-cylinder horsepower and best-in-class torque.

The Sonata 2.0T, as the car is officially named, is powered by a new 2.0-liter Theta II twin-scroll turbocharged gasoline direct-injection (GDI) engine that produces 274 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 269 lb-ft of torque from 1800-4500 rpm with regular fuel. The engine is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC manual control that drives the front wheels. No performance figures were released but Hyundai did announce that the Sonata 2.0T will deliver an estimated 22 mpg (10.7lt/100km) city and 34 mpg (6.9lt/100km) highway.

The 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbo engine will be available on the Sonata SE and Limited trim level, with the Limited getting additional upgrades, including a panoramic sunroof, 18-inch "hyper" silver alloy wheels, dual exhaust system and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Next year, Hyundai will add a 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine and a 2.4-liter Hybrid Blue Drive model featuring Hyundai's breakthrough lithium polymer battery pack. Details about these powertrains will be announced at the 2010 New York Auto Show. Hyundai Sonata's innovative segment first powertrain lineup is a key driver of Hyundai's goal to be the most fuel-efficient automaker on the planet.

Hyundai's commitment to making the Hyundai Sonata extremely fuel efficient continues with a six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC manual control or a standard six-speed manual transaxle. Hyundai's all-new six-speed automatic A6MF2 transaxle helps the company meet its goals of improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. Shifts are silky-smooth with an option of manual control through the SHIFTRONIC feature.

Developed over a four-year period, this new six-speed automatic is 26.4 pounds lighter than the five-speed it replaces. It also is 1.6 inches shorter and considerably simpler, having 62 fewer parts, which is a key to increased durability, lighter weight and lower cost. When it comes to transmissions, more gears are definitely better. The addition of a sixth gear enables closer spacing between gear ratios providing a better balance of performance and fuel economy while the wide overall gear ratio helps deliver strong acceleration.

All Sonatas have column-mounted, motor-driven electric power steering that adjusts instantly to changing driving conditions while improving fuel economy over a conventional steering system. A quick-ratio steering rack is used for crisp feel on turn-in. Hyundai Sonata's turning diameter of 35.8 feet is better than Camry, Accord, Altima, Fusion and Malibu.

One of the program targets for the 2011 Sonata engineering team was world-class power-to-weight ratio. Power-to-weight ratio pays dividends in both performance and fuel economy. Hyundai Sonata is rich in ultra-high-strength steel, leading to world-class body rigidity. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is 25 percent stiffer in torsion and 19 percent stiffer in bending rigidity than its predecessor, yet it is lighter than many midsize sedans, also offering more interior room.

The 2011 Sonata is a smart combination of superior styling, performance, safety and fuel efficiency. What’s more, it’s an affordable midsize car, putting a luxurious and rewarding driving experience within reach of many. Make the 2011 Sonata a part of your future.

2011 New Hyundai Avante Sports Sedan

Hyundai Motor Co. had its world-premier of the all-new Hyundai Avante compact Sports sedan, the company's best-selling model worldwide, at the 2010 Busan International Motor Show. The fresh 2011 new Hyundai Avante, badged because Hyundai Elantra in commercialises largest Korea comes on Hyundai’s latest 1.6L Gamma gas Direct Injection locomotive and a 6-speed automatic drive to the front-wheel drive compact, the 1st time GDI and six-speed automatic rifle have been boasted on a contract sedan in Korea.

2011 Hyundai Avante

The fresh Avante delivers a peak end product of 140ps and level best torque of 17.0kg-m. They are also almost 10 percent a lot fuel efficient than thems closest challengers, cheers to GDI, the six accelerate automatic and additional fuel economy sweetenings.The fresh Hyundai Avante will enchant and surprise on a raft of additional advanced characteristics not found on additional compacts, admitting HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlights, LED compounding lamps in the back, heated back end seats, puddle lamps and a color in TFT LCD entropy display nestled in the caliber cluster.

"The new Hyundai Avante encompasses Hyundai's latest ambitions, featuring the best styling and performance in its class," Steve S. Yang, President & CEO of Hyundai's Global Business Division, said at the Busan Exhibition and Convention Center (BEXCO) today. "We're confident that it will once again redefine the compact segment worldwide."

With sportier and even more elegant lines than its predecessor, the new Hyundai Avante - badged as Elantra in markets outside Korea - continues Hyundai's 'fluidic sculpture' design philosophy.

Hyundai has applied its latest 1.6L Gamma Gasoline Direct Injection engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission to the front-wheel drive compact, the first time GDI and six-speed automatic have been featured on a compact sedan in Korea. The new Avante delivers a peak output of 140ps and maximum torque of 17.0kg•m. It is also about 10 percent more fuel efficient than its closest competitors, thanks to GDI, the six speed automatic and other fuel economy enhancements.

The new Hyundai Avante will delight and surprise with a raft of other advanced features not found on other compacts, including HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlamps, LED combination lamps in the rear, heated rear seats, puddle lamps and a color TFT LCD information display nestled in the gauge cluster.

Under the Avante/Elantra badge, Hyundai has sold over 6 million units worldwide since the car's launch in 1990. Hyundai will begin sales of the all-new Hyundai Avante in the second half of 2010 in Korea.

2011 Hyundai Azera Gets a Facelift and More Horsepower!

Hyundai is on a roll with refreshing their entire lineup. After the recently introduced Tucson and Sonata comes a refreshed 2011 Azera. The new Azera, which is having its debut at the Chicago Auto Show benefits from a slight facelift and revised engines. The 2011 Azera is available with either a 3.3L or 3.8L V6 engine. The 3.3L puts out 260 horsepower and 233 lb-ft. of torque, while also getting 20 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The more powerful 3.8L V6 puts out an estimated 283 horsepower and 263 lb-ft. of torque, while getting 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. Both engines are mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission. With more focus on fuel economy, Hyundai has added a fuel economy indicator in the 2011 model. The "Eco Indicator" displays a green light to indicate when driving habits are contributing to good fuel economy.
The exterior of the 2011 Azera gets new headlights, taillights and foglights in addition to new bumpers, wheels and a revised trunk lid. The 2011 Azera will be available this spring.

All-New 2011 Hyundai Sonata Starts at $19,195

Hyundai has announced the pricing for the all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata starts at $19,195 and will hit dealers in the next few weeks. The all-new Sonata ditches the old model's boring three-box design for a much "sexier" silhouette. Besides the new styling, the other big news is that the Sonata is no longer going to have an available V6 engine. Slow sales of the V6 model prompted Hyundai to not offer it on the new generation. Instead at launch the Sonata's only engine offering is Hyundai's new direct injected 2.4-liter inline-four that puts out 198 horsepower (SE puts out 200-hp). The 2.4L can be mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission.

2010 Hyundai Genesis Sports Car Coupe with SHIFTRONIC to handle the additional torque

2010 Hyundai Genesis Sports Car Coupe

The people at South Korean automaker Hyundai are listening to their customers. The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, confirmed for production and a release early in 2009, follows the tradition of the 2009 Hyundai Genesis in offering a true high performance rear wheel drive, sporty architecture in an affordable package. The 2010 Genesis Coupe is a purpose-built rear-wheel drive sports coupe featuring two performance-focused engines - a212-horsepower 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a range-topping all-aluminum 306-horsepower, DOHC 3.8-liter V6 engine.

2010 Hyundai Genesis Sports Car Coupe

Genesis Coupe employs a MacPherson strut dual-link front suspension and a five-link rear suspension setup. Both engines are mated to a standard six-speed manual transmission. The Genesis Coupe 2.0t (2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo) offers an optional five-speed automatic with SHIFTRONIC® while the 3.8-liter V6 offers a ZF six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC to handle the additional torque.

The Genesis Coupe follows the styling tradition set forth by the Hyundai Tiburon, but outdoes that aging Hyundai compact sports car in every way. The Genesis Coupe comes with an available naturally aspirated V6, sure to be a motor to find its way into more of Hyundai's lineup. The high output engine offers 310 horses on premium fuel. Following the introduction earlier this year of the rear-wheel drive Genesis sport sedan, Hyundai Genesis Coupe is Hyundai's most dynamic performance car ever and the second consecutive all-new model introduction from Hyundai appealing directly to the car enthusiast.

2010 Hyundai Genesis Sports Car Coupe

Hyundai Genesis Coupe uses the same flexible rear-wheel drive architecture originally developed for the Genesis sport sedan.
The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe offers Xenon high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights. The advantages of HID headlamps include greater lighting power, daylight-type lighting and reduced power consumption. In addition, the cut lines of the new HID headlights are extremely precise, providing maximum nighttime visibility without distracting other drivers.

All Hyundai Genesis Coupe models feature standard four-channel ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) to optimize brake performance under various dynamic loading conditions. The system also includes Brake Assist, which provides maximum ABS-level braking force when a panic stop is detected.

2010 Hyundai Genesis Sports Car Coupe

It is nice to see that Hyundai, an automaker currently enjoying growth and a solid reputation for producing mainstream-market cars that last, is making steps toward the sports car market. The styling of the Genesis Coupe is hit or miss, some will love it and others will wonder what Hyundai was thinking. But, with the sports car pedigree to back it up, the Genesis Coupe should be another worldwide hit for Hyundai.

2010 Hyundai Genesis Sports Car Coupe

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe is offered in three trim levels: the stylish and affordable GS, the premium-sport GT featuring the 3.8-liter V6, and the high-performance SE, available with either the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine or the 3.8-liter V6 engine.

2010 Hyundai Tucson Impresses

In addition to the striking new 2011 Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai has unveiled the next-generation 2010 Tucson. The 2010 Hyundai Tucson is a welcome departure from the current generation. The new Tucson, which was designed by Hyundai's Frankfurt-based European design studio is a much better looking crossover than the one it replaces. The 2010 Tucson is only marginally bigger than the last-generation. Its 3.3 inches longer and one inch wider but manages to weight 61 pounds less. It is now the lightest crossover in its class.

The Tucson is powered by Hyundai's Theta II 2.4-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder engine. It puts out 176-hp and 168 lb-ft. of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. The Tucson has a 23 mpg city/31 mpg highway fuel economy rating when mated to the six-speed automatic.

The 2010 Tucson will be arriving in dealer showrooms in the next few weeks.

LA 2009: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Throws out the Bland

We've already seen photos of the new Hyundai Sonata mainly in Korean-spec. Hyundai has officially unveiled the 2011 Sonata at the LA Auto Show.

Right off its clear that the new Sonata is a huge departure from the last generation. The new Sonata features a new, much sexier exterior that draws inspiration from the Volkswagen CC and Mercedes CLS. The three-box design of the fifth-generation Sonata has been replaced by a car with a more coupe-like roofline.

Under the hood the big change is that a V6 engine will not be offered. At launch the only engine that will be offered is the recently announced 2.4-liter direct injected four-cylinder. 90% of the previous Sonatas were sold with four-cylinder engines, so it makes some sense that Hyundai has decided to fore go the V6 with this generation. In GLS and Limited trims the four-cylinder puts out 198 hp and 184 lb-ft. or torque. The SE model gets dual tailpipes and an extra two horsepower and 2 lb-ft. of torque. Hyundai estimates that the 2011 Sonata will get 23 mpg city and 35 mpg compared to 22/32 mpg for the 2010 model.

2011 Hyundai Avante

2011 Hyundai Avante Front View

2011 Hyundai Avante

2011 Hyundai Avante Show Car

2011 Hyundai Avante Unveiled

2011 Hyundai Avante Side View

2011 Hyundai Avante Pictures

2011 Hyundai Avante Rear View

2011 Hyundai Avante Sports Sedan

2011 Hyundai Avante New Luxury Cars

2011 Hyundai Avante Car Photo

2011 Hyundai Avante Rear Side View