Sime Darby Auto Hyundai (SDAH) officially opened its new 3S centre in Prai, Penang recently. The ceremony was officiated by Kim Hoo-Keun, Head of Asia & Pacific Regional Headquarters.

SDAH invested close to RM6 million to upgrade the 3S centre, which spans 17,483 sq ft. Located on Jalan Baru, the centre has a spray-painting facility, six service bays (expandable to 12) and a WiFi lounge with beverages. SDAH Prai also offers Quick Service, a 24-hour key drop service and shuttle service to Megamall Pinang.

This new 3S centre also complies with the Hyundai Dealer Enhancement Programme (DEP). DEP was introduced by HMC to reinforce Hyundai’s brand presence by aligning it with Hyundai’s global corporate image.

The 3S centre is part of Wisma EMC, which can be found at 972, Jalan Baru, Prai. Call 04-3997788 (service) and 04-3993988 (sales) for enquiries.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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You’ve met Gorilla Glass. Now, meet Baboon Car.

Yes, it was definitely a case of monkeying around when the clever folk at Hyundai UK decided to put the new i30 up to a very different type of wear and tear challenge – in the first endurance test of its kind in the UK by a car manufacturer, cheeky safari park baboons were let loose on the hatchback.

Baboons from Knowsley Safari Park on the outskirts of Liverpool were the volunteers, chosen for their well-known love of tearing park visitors’ cars apart – Wayne Rooney will certainly remember them well; his vehicle was subject to their scrutiny when he visited the Merseyside attraction last year.

An i30 was parked in the baboon enclosure, and was immediately besieged by dozens of the park’s primates. The monkeys simulated the punishment a typical family might subject a car to: jumping up and down on seats, pushing and prodding buttons and opening and closing storage bins.

They even checked the durability of cupholders with plastic drinking beakers. Meanwhile, other baboons tested the fabric of seats by eating their lunch in the car, and some played with their toys in the i30’s sizeable boot.

Outside, the paintwork was smeared and scraped, but the hard-wearing paint protected the car from significant scratches and chips.

Ten hours later, playtime was called to an end, and the car – specially-designed for families and their ‘little monkeys’ in the back – emerged virtually unscathed. Seems the extra strong materials used to build the interior, easy wipe plastics and tough fittings held up to the abuse.

“For a baboon, to have a car to play with for a whole day is manna from heaven,” said David Ross, the GM at Knowsley. “I’ve seen thousands of cars pass through this enclosure, get mobbed by monkeys, and none have lasted the distance as well as this Hyundai.”

“These baboons are incredibly inquisitive. If you put them on any car they will scour it for the weak points and find any faults. At one point there were 40 monkeys in the car, pushing it to its limits – that’s ten times the size of the average human family.”

Well, now that the baboon car has come about, I wonder if any other manufacturer will attempt to ape the feat. Maybe use some lions? Elephants? Have a whale of a time?

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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Automobil Produktion, a German industry publication, had reported last week that Chung Euisun, Hyundai chairman Chung Mongkoo’s son, met top BMW personnel in Munich to discuss sharing engine development costs.

The sum reportedly goes to the tune of one to two billion euros. Another source said that both parties had been discussing a comprehensive alliance, including jointly developing an engine and sharing development costs equally.

The need to meet requirements of stricter European Union carbon-emission norms in 2020 means companies have to spend considerably in research and development of new conventional and alternative energy powertrains.

In addressing the tie-up talk, BMW dismissed the speculation it might look to add another technology partner beyond Peugeot, Toyota and possibly General Motors, with chief executive Norbert Reithofer telling reporters that further cooperation partners are currently not foreseen.

A Hyundai Motor spokesman added there were no alliance talks or meetings between senior company officials, stating the speculation was groundless.

Meanwhile, analysts said some form of tie-up with Hyundai would be beneficial to BMW, since its 1.6 million vehicle sales base limits its scale compared to Audi, which can share development costs with parent company VW.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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Kia’s new flagship K9 sedan has begun selling in Korea. The company’s first rear-wheel drive large sedan in over a decade isn’t just to be a domestic offering – it’s set to be launched in a number of key overseas markets later this year.

The V6 and eight-speed transmission-equipped vehicle measures in at 5.09 metres long, with overall width and height being 1.90 and 1.49 metres respectively. The car has a 3.045 metre-long wheelbase, promising generous front and rear occupant space.

The K9 rolls in powered by an upgraded 290 PS Lambda V6 3.8 litre MPI engine, though a 334 PS 3.8 litre GDI engine will join the global engine line-up next year. The normally aspirated twin DOHC mill is mated to an all-new Kia eight-speed automatic transmission, which features shift-by-wire (SBW) technology.

Salient points include an ultra-stiff bodyshell made with 74.3% high-strength steel, as well as an electronically-controlled air suspension with five-link front and rear suspension geometry, and four driving modes (Eco, Normal, Sport and Snow) enable the driver to choose a preferred set-up of suspension, steering, engine and transmission.

Depending on model, available active safety features for the car will include fully adaptive all-LED headlamps, a Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), radar-based Blind-Spot Detection (BSD) and an Around-View Monitor (AVM) with four cameras.

Premium comfort features include a 12.3-inch full-size Thin Film Transistor (TFT) LCD cluster, a head-up display, twin 9.2-inch monitors to entertain rear seat occupants and a remarkable 17-channel, 17-speaker Lexicon sound system and Smart Cruise Control (SCC), which adjusts the vehicle’s speed to maintain the distance from the vehicle ahead.

A special “VIP” option will offer twin heated and ventilated rear seats with a reclining backrest, sliding cushion and lower leg support for the nearside seat, together with a front passenger seat that slides forwards when unoccupied.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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Hyundai, whose joint venture in China is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, unveiled the Elantra Langdong at the ongoing Beijing show. Langdong, which can be translated as a “dynamic (car) for the young, new generation,” is based on the C-segment ‘MD’ Elantra, but with a more conventional chrome bar grille. Which face do you prefer?

As with our Elantra, Hyundai’s 1.6L (Gamma) and 1.8L (Nu) MPI engines with D-CVVT will be offered on Langdong. With six-speed automatic and manual transmissions, and Active ECO driving mode, Hyundai claims best in class fuel economy in China.

Premium features include a navigation system, dual-zone auto air con, ventilated/heated powered seats, push start button, side airbags and a tyre pressure monitoring system, among other things.

Also, Hyundai will introduce its Blue Link infotainment system in the Langdong. Blue Link offers a variety of features such as safety and maintenance alerts, navigation and remote control. This Blue Link service will be introduced throughout the brand’s range in China this year.

The Langdong will be produced at Hyundai’s new, third plant in Beijing in the second half of 2012. Currently under construction, the plant will raise Hyundai’s maximum production capacity in China to one million units.

Click here for our local launch report and here for our review of the Elantra.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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There’s a war between Japan and South Korea. No, the East Asian neighbours aren’t pointing missiles at each others’ territory, or even joining forces against the belligerent North – the “war” is happening right in our backyard. Waged between fervent Japanese car fans and their Korean counterparts, our comments section and mamak car talk are the battlegrounds, among other forums.

This is of course a new phenomenon. No such battle existed five years back, when Korean brands were still finding their way in auto world. The Japanese, and their salesmen, never felt threatened – Korean cars were dismissed as lower quality wheels for budget hunters who couldn’t shell out more for a Toyota or Honda. And they were mostly right – besides value for money, there were little else going for previous gen Hyundais and Kias.

How things have changed. The Koreans haven’t abandoned “value for money” as a proposition, but perceived quality, technical ability and styling have all caught up, and in some instances, surpassed the stalwarts. No, today’s Hyundais aren’t perfect cars, but they’re really giving the Civics and Corollas of the world a real fight.

Let’s now take a look at the fifth-generation Hyundai Elantra, the reigning North American Car of the Year. Coincidentally, the last time a compact won that title was in 2006, when the revolutionary eighth-gen Honda Civic wowed the crowd…

One of the main pillars of Hyundai’s transformation from also-ran to almost-desirable is styling. You can built a great car, but if it’s boring from the outside, it’s never going to get the attention it deserves, especially so for a challenger brand. Hyundai’s decision to give its new range bold styling was risky, but it’s paying off handsomely.

Personally, my eyes don’t fully agree with every Fluidic Sculpture product that they’ve churned out so far. Never really got the Sonata and Tucson’s fussy faces, and I think the size/proportions of the Accent don’t speak the design language very well. But the Elantra is a different matter.

For me at least, everything looks “right”. I’m no designer, but the Elantra has enough size for the flowing lines to come into play, and the shape is very athletic – the roofline is truly coupe-like (a term that’s overused and abused these days) while the daylight opening (side window area) is sportscar-like shallow.

The Sonata can appear thick on its sides despite the Passat CC inspiration, but there’s no such issue here. Best angle for me is the rear three quarters view, where those wavy tail lamp clusters guide your eyes down the “spine” that skewers both door handles.

There’s no empty patch that will make you go “I think they should have put something here”. The rear also doesn’t look narrow and tall, something that afflicts many C-segment sedans today. Brilliant.

If the exterior is shapely, the dashboard matches it in flair. It’s a riot of curves and shapes in here, but the focus point is the centre stack, or more precisely, its narrow waist. This set of opposing curves is repeated on the steering wheel as well.

It’s a little too busy for me when paired with our Korean test car’s two-tone interior, but the local spec’s all-black theme softens the impact. Not to all tastes, but no one can accuse Hyundai of being safe and boring! Proceed to the Volkswagen camp if you want a solid but sombre business-like atmosphere.

Speaking of VW, the German “air of solidity” isn’t present here, but I suspect that it’s down to the effect of the funky vs serious dashboard design. Like how one would presume that the guy in the suit is more successful/wealthier than the guy in tee and jeans.

Probing deeper, quality wise, there’s nothing the Elantra’s cabin lacks compared to Japanese rivals. The feel of the materials, the way the knobs turn and the fit of the buttons are all good. Cabin quality has been good for quite some time now, but the Koreans are picking up more finesse as they go along.

We tried the 150 PS/178 Nm 1.8-litre automatic and it was so much better to drive than the previous-gen Elantra. Compared to its predecessor, the MD Elantra’s controls feel a lot more natural – the steering has more weight to it and feels more connected to the ground, while the brakes aren’t too grabby.

The engine is very well insulated at idle and low revs, and it provided sufficient pick-up and linear response to not feel lacking.

The six-speed automatic does its job competently in the background. Hyundai’s self-developed slush box isn’t the fastest shifting or most “sporty feeling” around, but it’s far from the worst six-speed auto we’ve tried. I don’t remember it being indecisive or hunting in the Elantra.

But no, the Elantra isn’t one to delight the super keen driver. It does well for the most part, but once you really drive it hard, it’s apparent that the Hyundai is tuned for comfort.

It feels lightweight and agile enough in corners, but there’s quite a bit of body roll, the steering could do with more feel, and it isn’t the last word on grip. Also, the Nu engine isn’t as sweet revving as the 1.8 SOHC in the Honda Civic.

So it’s no driving champion, but the Elantra rode well, at least on smooth Korean roads (we’ve yet to drive it in Malaysia) and is a much sharper tool than before. Now that it’s launched here, I’m looking forward to reacquaint myself with the Elantra again, in 1.6 manual form perhaps.

The fact that it isn’t the best car to drive hard doesn’t matter a bit to buyers in this segment. What really matters is that Hyundai has brought to market a great package that includes standout looks, good quality and decent performance. For me, it does one thing very well, all else decently, and nothing wrong at all, the Elantra.

The Hyundai Elantra is now in showrooms. Click here for our media preview report for full specs and prices.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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Naza Kia is sponsoring a Kia Sorento SUV as the hole-in-one prize for the Maxis Team Golf Tour (MTGT) 2012. MTGT is a loyalty programme for Maxis postpaid customers and is one of the biggest amateur team golf events in the country.

This year is the 12th consecutive year Maxis has held the event, which will comprise of 10 rounds at various golf courses across the country. The grand final will be held at the Stone Forest International Golf Course in Yunnan, China. The local rounds start next month while the grand final will be held n November.

MTGT 2012 is only open to Maxis postpaid customers with valid handicaps. Two people make one team and entry fee is RM248 per person.

Kia’s global association with golf includes the sponsorship of two-time Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) winner Michelle Wie and the Kia Classic, which is part of the LPGA Tour. Another sporting event sponsored by Kia is of course the EURO 2012 finals in Poland and Ukraine. Participate in Naza Kia’s Test Drive Kia On Tour 2012 roadshow and you could be on your way to Ukraine for the Group B match between Germany and Holland.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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News of another opening of a 3S outlet, and this one is a Hyundai outing. Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors dealer Sutera Gemilang Auto’s spanking new facility in Shah Alam, launched over the weekend, is the latest integrated sales, service and spare parts centre for the brand in the country.

The 31,500 sq ft centre, located at Lot 7960, Jalan Batu 3 (off Jalan Subang), has a total of nine service bays, and is targeting to service approximately 32 vehicles a day. It carries the same features as all Hyundai 3S centres, which includes a premium Wi-Fi lounge, a kids corner and free flow of beverages to provide greater comfort and convenience for its customers.

The dealership – which has invested close to RM3 million in setting up the centre – also offers Quick Service and a 24-Hour Key Drop facility, as well as a free hourly shuttle service to Citta Mall (and anywhere within the radius of 15 km from the facility).

Meanwhile, HSDM isn’t stopping on its expansion plans – the company is looking to have a total of 22 3S centres nationwide by the end of 2012, and add a further four more next year.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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Hyundai’s third-generation Santa Fe, which premiered in New York last week, is set to make its market debut sometime in mid-year. The SUV arrives in two wheelbase variant forms, a standard five-seater model as well as a long wheelbase version, which will appear in early 2013. The latter will offer seating for up to seven over three rows, but will only be available in left-hand drive format.

The exterior for both versions features elements of what the company calls the ‘Storm Edge’ design concept, which supposedly captures the strong and dynamic images created by nature during the formation of a storm. You’ll be seeing more of this urban-style design cues on future Hyundai models.

As for numbers, the new Santa Fe rides on a 2,700 mm wheelbase, and measures in at 4,690 mm long, 1,680 mm tall and 1,880 mm wide – a lowered height and extended overhang gives the new offering a sportier look. Meanwhile, the LWB has a longer wheelbase of 2,800 mm, with increased overall length of 4,905 mm, and adds 10 mm and 5 mm to height and width over the SWB.

As well as its wider appearance, the new SUV delivers more spacious cabin room compared to the outgoing model. Front- and second-row legroom have been increased, by 38 mm and 45 mm respectively, while luggage space in the trunk has been increased by 37 mm in depth over the existing Santa Fe, yielding a class-best luggage capacity of 534 litres with the front five seats upright.

For the US market, two petrol engines will be available, a 2.4 litre Theta GDI normally-aspirated four-pot as well as a 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbocharged Theta mill. In terms of output, the 2.4 offers 190 hp and 245 Nm, while the 2.0 turbo unit delivers 264 hp and 365 Nm.

In Europe, the Santa Fe will also be available with Hyundai’s Euro 6-compliant 2.2 litre ‘R’ diesel engine featuring a variable geometry turbo (VGT). The all-aluminium engine generates 197 hp and 431 Nm of torque, whilst achieving CO2 emissions of just 145 g/km. There’s also a 148 hp 2.0 litre R diesel variant, though European buyers won’t get the petrol turbo option.

Transmission choices are a six-speed manual and six-speed automatic, which have been tuned to suit the power delivery of the engine line-up.

As part of Hyundai’s efforts to present a unified brand image, Hyundai has adopted a new global naming strategy of one consistent name for one model worldwide, so the SUV is set to be known as Santa Fe in all markets. However, according to local markets’ preferences, the sub-name may be differentiated – the Santa Fe will be called the Santa Fe Sport in the US.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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Metaphorically speaking, if you close your eyes and drive this car, you’d have a hard time telling where this car is from. You see, every car out there, no matter the brand, hints at the country in which it came from.

For example, the interiors of Japanese cars usually feel bright, filled with synthetic materials, rides on the softer side, have good handling and are more reserved with the steering. German cars, on the other hand, are over-wrapped in skin and loaded with buttons placed in a very organised manner. Cars from Deutschland ride firmly, have excellent handling and the steering is always full of banter.

And Korean cars, well, they were lacking ideas in every department. In recent years though, they have proved that they can pull up their socks and make a car loaded with features, enjoyable to drive and with a head-turning design. The difference between then and now is really night and day. They have, somehow, integrated the cost-friendliness of the Japanese with the driving dynamics of the Germans. It’s not perfect but it all signs are pointing in the right direction.

This brings me to the car here: the Kia Forte Koup, which was launched in Malaysia sometime late last year with a price of RM115,800 on-the-road with insurance. Finally a two-door coupe that does not cost both kidneys, and it has good value too.

At this point, you might expect me to somehow tie in Peter Schreyer but I am not going to. I leave its design to your own mind and judgment. Personally, I think that the loss of two rear doors, the lowered roof and the redesigned bumpers make the car look appropriately aggressive; bigger wheels might even give it more street cred. The dimensions of the Koup is made tauter too – 4,480 mm in length, 1,765 mm in width and 1,400 mm in height – compared to its four-door sibling.

As for the interior, well, I leave that to you as well. The point of contention here is the red two-colour interior. Some have warmed to red-accented dashboard you see in the pictures while others run the other way.

Besides the colour scheme, the interior does lean toward the Japanese. The whole catalog of interior plastics is here – from the soft and malleable to the hard and shiny. What’s more important is that these plastics are put into their appropriate place following function.

The centre console is not outfitted with tons of buttons either. It hosts the usual climate control and stereo system. Above the disc slot is the ‘hazard lights’ button. It is the only button there, thus, you’ll never miss hitting it when the situation calls for it.

There is also a feature called the Speaker Control Switch that does not control the volume of the speakers at all. Instead, it surrounds the front speakers with a ring of light, which also let you make it pulsate according to the beat of the song. Rounding up the electronic gadgetry are cruise control, engine start/stop button and the smart key.

Both front seats are bucket type and have adequate thigh and body support. Sitting in the driver’s seat, I can tell that there has been some thought that went into the ergonomics. All buttons are easy to reach and those that are further than my finger can be controlled from the steering. The steering feels thick and substantial. The meter cluster is huge; speedo is in the middle, rev meter flanks the left and the fuel gauge is on the right.

A surprising thing to note about the interior is its spaciousness and I don’t mean the space in the front. What is quite unexpected is the legroom at the back. The Koup’s wheelbase of 2,650 mm matches that of its four-door sibling. This also means that you’ll be able to fit two full-sized adults in the rear without the need to detach their legs. But the getting-into will be tight head-wise; the Koup loses 60 mm of headroom due to the sloping roof.

But enough of measurements and design and spaciousness… what you are really here for is to know how the Koup drives.

Under the bonnet is a 2.0 litre THETA II engine with CVVT that generates 156 PS (or about 154 hp) at 6,200 rpm and 194 Nm at 4,300 rpm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed torque-converter automatic transmission that allows for manual shifting of the gears that drive the front wheels. However, if you’re hankering for earth-burning acceleration, don’t. The partnership does not make the car quick.

Given the natural-aspiration nature of the engine, most of the power lives in the median of the rev range. Not to say that the Koup is a slouch, it is just that you need to spur the Koup into the middle rev range before things get really exciting. The challenge then becomes a game of keeping the revs in the sweet spot, which can be achieved with surprising ease. The manual shifter is snappy and locks in the gears with minimal delay and all you really need to do is to hold the throttle. Done.

Although the Koup is not quick getting to 100 km/h, it does have the legs to run once you settle in. And when the urge to get ahead of the car in front overwhelms, the Koup proves that it has still plenty of fire in its belly to complete the mission. Hitting near double-century figures on the speedo becomes all too easy.

At speed, the Koup shows its worth. It is also where the Koup feels like a car from continental Europe. Armed with MacPherson struts at the front and a coupled torsion beam axle at the rear, the Koup dispatches high-speed sweepers with a predictably flat and stable behavior that simply builds confidence to get from apex to apex until the tyres start talking back. The steering feels properly weighted and alert so it is easy to keep the car tracking the way you want it to.

Find yourself understeering? Not a problem, feed the steering a bit more turn, just lift off the throttle for a bit and let the Koup’s weight, grip and the electronic stability program keep you on the black stuff.

The trade-off with the brilliant handling is that the Koup gets a rather unyielding ride. You will feel every inch of the road, flat or otherwise, yet it is not hard enough that it crashes into every hole it rolls over.

When everything is taken into consideration, the Koup drives as how a sporty coupe should. I do think the Koup is less of a road warrior and more of a long-distance B-road runner. If you’re not packing to much people for a weekend, here’s the ride you should take.

So, if you’re looking for a reasonably priced car that hasn’t got too many doors, strides well in the city and have the endurance to go interstate, then say hello to the Kia Forte Koup.

Photos: H.T Production

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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The much-awaited fifth-generation Hyundai Elantra has finally arrived, well, almost. Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors officially introduced the MD Elantra – which wears Inokom badging – earlier today at a media preview, though the car will only be available in showrooms from April 6 onwards.

The arrival of the 4.53 metre-long C-segment sedan has definitely been long awaited; after all, it’s almost two years since the Avante version of the car made its debut in Korea. The locally-assembled vehicle will be available in four variants and two engine configurations here, these being three 1.6 litre models and a range-topping 1.8 litre version.

The range is made up of the 1.6 MT Standard and 1.6 AT Standard baseline models, a better specified 1.6 AT High Spec variant, all three powered by a Gamma 1.6 litre MPI D-CVVT mill, and the single 1.8 litre job is known as the AT Premium, which wears a Nu D-VVT 1.8 litre MPI D-VVT engine.

In terms of output numbers, the 1.8 litre – which features an offset crankshaft design – offers 150 PS at 6,500 rpm and 178 Nm at 4,700 rpm, while the 1.6 Gamma (MPI) is good for 130 PS at 6,300 rpm and 157 Nm at 4,850 rpm. As for the transmissions, both the manual and automatic gearboxes are six-speeders, with the auto equipped with Shiftronic manual control.

Standard kit across the range includes headlamp auto light control, fog lamps, dual airbags, ABS and steering wheel audio controls. There’s also Vehicle Stability Management and ESP, but these are only to be found in the 1.8 AT Premium and the 1.6 AT High Spec.

Leather seats feature throughout the entire 1.6 range, with the 1.8 litre model getting Nappa leather as well as environmentally friendly foam for its construction material; supposedly, it offers passengers greater comfort when travelling on rough roads.

Steering wheel tilt adjustment is offered with both 1.6 Standard models, with the 1.6 AT High Spec and 1.8 Premium getting a tilt and telescopic wheel. Elsewhere, with the exception of the manual variant, the range gets full keyless entry and a start/stop ignition button.

The 1.8 features an array of additional features, as befits its premium tag and added asking price – the list includes automatic rain sensing wipers, a full auto climate control system with an auto defogging system and cluster ionizer system as well as an audio visual navigation (AVN) system, with a reverse camera visual display.

It’s also the only variant to be fitted with a sunroof, a 10-way adjustable driver power seat as well as auto cruise control.

As for wheels, the three 1.6 models come with 16-inch alloys wrapped with 205/55 series tyres, and the 1.8 wears 17-inch units and 215/45 profile tyres. Seven colours are available for the MD, namely Ceramic White, Sleek Silver, Hyper Silver, Clean Blue, Tomato Red, Santorini Blue and Phantom Black.

Pricing for the MD Elantra range starts from RM86,888 for the 1.6 MT Standard, followed by RM91,888 for the 1.6 AT Standard. The 1.6 AT High Spec rolls in at RM96,888, while the top-of-the-range 1.8 AT Premium goes for RM111,888, all prices on-the-road, with insurance.

While you won’t be able to walk in and view the MD in the showrooms just yet, you can get up and close with the car at a test drive event this weekend, which is March 30 to April 1, at Citta Mall, Ara Damansara, from 10 am to 6 pm daily.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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[UPDATE: Visitors who book a KIA car at the roadshow will also get a chance to win.]

If you love football then you might this piece of news of interest.

KIA will be giving you a chance to win tickets to Ukraine in June to watch this year’s biggest football event – the EURO 2012. Kia Motors is, after all, the official sponsor for EURO 2012.

The mechanics are simple, visit the ‘Test Drive Kia On Tour’ roadshow at selected venues, test drive a Kia and you’ll get a chance to win the trip to Ukraine. They gave away a Forte 1.6 EX last year.

There are six Kia cars available at the event – the Optima K5, Sportage, Sorento, Forte, Forte Koup and the Rondo MPV.

The roadshow starts in One Utama in, from March 28 to April 1, from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm daily. The roadshow will then head to KSL City Mall (Johor) from April 13 to April 15, The Curve (PJ) from May 18 to May 20 and Queensbay Mall (Penang) from May 24 to May 27.

At each venue, visitors will stand a chance to win one grand prize comprising of airfare, accommodation and a EURO 2012 match ticket to the Group B match between Germany and Netherlands.

The grand prize winner of each venue will be announced on the last day of each roadshow at 9:00 pm. Of course there are other gifts to take home when you test drive a Kia or sign up to become a Kia Malaysia fan on Facebook at the venues.

If you need more information, call 1-800-888-542.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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Introducing Team Hyundai, a five-man ambassador team for the Korean carmaker at the upcoming UEFA EURO 2012 tournament. Football fans will need no help, but for the benefit of all, they are Iker Casillas (Spain), Lukas Podolski (Germany), Giuseppe Rossi (Italy), Karim Benzema (France) and Daniel Sturridge (England).

The fab five will fulfil their roles as ambassadors through a series of marketing activities as part of Hyundai’s promotions and campaigns for EURO 2012. In addition, Hyundai will launch a new charitable initiative that supports young people and players to realise their ambitions.

By entering the dedicated application on Hyundai’s global Facebook page – www.facebook.com/Hyundaiworldwide – fans can ‘like’ their favourite Team Hyundai player. For every ‘like’, Hyundai will donate €1, and the company is targeting a total donation of €250.000.

Hyundai has been a partner of UEFA for more than 12 years, spanning four EURO tournaments. For the upcoming one in Poland and Ukraine, Hyundai will deliver a fleet of more than 350 vehicles to transport teams, VIPs and officials.

What’s your five-a-side EURO fantasy team?

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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Kia is no stranger to the red dot design awards; it has previously won with the Kia Optima K5 and the Sportage. Well, here are two more for the award cabinet.

The five-door versions of the Kia Picanto and the Rio have been named winners in red dot’s ‘Product Design’ category. Both cars were up against more than 4,500 products by 1,800 manufacturers of different industries across the world.

To date, Kia’s red dot awards now total six – the Soul in 2009, Venga in 2010, Sportage and Optima in 2011. The Optima was also named ‘best of the best’ in 2011 – the highest award for groundbreaking design, eligible to only the best products in each category.

Other awards for the Rio include the best ‘Exterieur’ class at the Automotive Brand Contest in 2011. As for the Picanto three-door, it took home the iF product design award 2012.

I wonder just how packed Peter Schreyer’s design trophy cabinet is now?

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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Hyundai has released teaser images of its new, third-generation Santa Fe, which bears the ‘DM’ codename in Korea. The DM Santa Fe is set to be premiered at the New York International Auto Show in April.

Based on the company’s current design philosophy called Fluidic Sculpture, the Santa Fe’s lines are adapted into its own concept called ‘Storm Edge’. The rationale states that this design captures the strong and dynamic images created by nature during the formation of a storm.

Click to enlarge.

So, the Santa Fe’s new lines are bolder, with more voluminous surfaces and it loses the curves of what we see usually see, like on the Sonata. What is similar though is the hexagonal grille that is on the fascia of every Hyundai car on the market.

The new lines also aims to deliver a more premium image, which hints on the ambitions Hyundai has for its new SUV. Expect more details on the vehicle when the New York Show opens.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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Yesterday, we saw the fourth-generation SsangYong Korando (sold as Actyon in Malaysia) receive a mild facelift, today we check out the facelifted Actyon Sports pick-up truck. Compared to the Korando’s nip/tuck, this is a major change from the unusual to the normal – looks like SsangYong’s new Indian owners don’t like the old mantra of standing out by looking odd.

The bulging “helmet head” of old has gone, and in comes a contemporary and unoffensive face. Despite that, the Actyon Sports is still the most distinctive truck in town as everything else is unchanged, from the rising beltline and large glass area to the number plate on the mega sized tailgate.

For the latter, SsangYong has listened to complaints – it now takes half the effort to operate (11 kgF from 22 kgF). If you’ve used the old car before, you’ll know what I mean.

There’s a new “e-XDi active diesel” engine that delivers 155 PS and 360 Nm from (a low) 1,500 rpm to 2,800 rpm. The claimed fuel economy of 7.4L/100 km represents a 7.5% improvement.

Available features including heated seats, Bluetooth connectivity, Eco-cruise control, a sliding sunroof and ESP. This one could be brought in by SsangYong’s Malaysian dealer, Competitive Supreme, since the previous gen was offered.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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The fourth-generation SsangYong Korando has been given a mild facelift, with the rework package consisting of a wider choice of new powertrains, an upgraded exterior and interior as well as improved refinement.

The vehicle, better known as the Actyon here, debuted in Geneva, and brings along two new engines for the ride, a 149 PS 2.0 litre eco diesel unit and a 2.0 litre petrol mill – these will be available in 2WD and AWD form, wearing manual transmissions.

External revisions are minimum, led by a chrome-coated mesh radiator grille and contemporary-looking hybrid wiper blades. Inside, the trim has been upgraded to a carbon grain pattern in line with the car’s active look. The switchgear gets a high-gloss finish, and the instrument cluster gets improved LED illumination.

As for improvements to NVH, a revised gearing along with a new engine casing helps to reduce diesel engine noise, while an enhanced transmission control system improves the overall driving experience.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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Kia’s second-generation cee’d has made its debut in Geneva, and the car arrives in five-door hatchback and SW body styles. Designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe, exclusively for the European market, the car has been deemed as a more sophisticated, more efficient and a more refined offering than its predecessor.

It’s both longer (by 50 mm, to 4.31 metres) and lower (by 10 mm) than its predecessor, and despite being based on a completely new platform, the new cee’d continues on with a 2,650 mm wheelbase, one of the longest in the C-segment.

The track has also been widened on the new car, by 17 mm at the front and 32 mm at the rear, and the availability of 17- and 18-inch diameter alloy wheels means that the new car offers a minimal gap between tyres and bodywork.

Engine-wise, the new cee’d will be available with a wide variety of mills, offering power outputs from 90 to 135 ps. For Europe, the primary offerings are two Gamma petrol engines (a 1.4 MPI and a 1.6 GDI, with 100 PS and 135 PS respectively) and two diesels, these being a 90 hp 1.4 WGT and a 1.6 VGT diesel offered in two states of tune (110 and 128 PS). Certain European markets will also get a 130 PS 1.6 MPI petrol unit.

All engines will be offered with a choice of manual or automatic six-speed transmissions. Depending on version, the 1.6 GDI will also be available with Kia’s all-new six-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT), which is developed by Kia’s in-house transmission development team in partnership with a German-based engineering firm.

The car will be available with a number of fuel-saving technologies, organised under the company’s EcoDynamics sub-brand, to optimise efficiency and lower emissions. These technologies, available on both diesel and petrol models with manual transmission, include ISG (Start/Stop), low-rolling resistance tyres and an alternator management system (AMS).

The standard steering system employs electric power-assistance, but on certain models an all-new Flex Steer system is available, offering improved driving dynamics. This one introduces three operating modes – comfort, normal and sport – allowing the driver to vary the level of steering assistance and the weight of feedback, in order to best suit the current driving conditions and the driver’s personal preferences.

Inside the cabin, higher quality materials are featured, as is a broader range of high-tech equipment – new standard gear includes tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel adjustment, iPod/Aux and USB support, a six-speaker audio system and a multi-mode trip computer.

Other kit includes a full length (1,045 mm long) powered panoramic glass sunroof, LED daytime running lights, fixed cornering lamps (illuminated depending on steering angle) and a new Parallel Park Assist System (PPAS), which features front, side and rear sensors and automatic steering control by an on-board computer to safely perform parallel parking, with the driver remaining in control of the accelerator and brake.

The cee’d is set to be manufactured exclusively at Kia’s Zilina facility in Slovakia, and is set to go on sale across Europe from the second quarter of 2012. As for the wagon version, details on that one will only emerge closer to its European on-sale date later in the year.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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More on SsangYong’s XIV-2 concept, another Geneva debutant. The ‘convertible’ crossover utility vehicle essentially previews what will shape up as a strategic global model when the form eventually goes into production. Or at least, that’s how the Korean automaker envisions it.

The 4.16 metre-long B-segment offering blends SUV and coupe lines, as well as its trump card – a fabric roof with a one-touch automatic operating system, so occupants can enjoy open air driving enjoyment at a pinch.

Inside, the concept features cabin controls that are integrated into a single central system and managed using a centre console mounted screen, and smart/mobile devices use an Auto User Interface to provide passengers with a moving communication space.

There are four independent bucket seats housed in a comfortable and luxurious environment, and materials and finishes include aluminium and carbon fibre, with red colour highlights on the dials thrown in for good measure.

The vehicle will feature two engine variants, both 1.6 litre four-cylinder power units in petrol and diesel guise. The petrol has 125 PS and 158 Nm for numbers, while output for the diesel mill is 130 PS and 300 Nm. A choice of six-speed auto and manual transmissions abound for both versions, and there’s Idle Stop and Go (ISG) in there too.

Ssangyong says the XIV-2 will be introduced in various body styles, including five-door and three-door coupé as well as an extended body version. In any case, it has all come a long way from the likes of the Musso!

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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It looks like the third-generation Kia Rio is getting very close to its Malaysian debut – reader Kevin spotted two silver-coloured examples of the five-door UB somewhere in the Klang Valley earlier today.

No idea as to what the chosen powertrain for this market is to be – globally, there are six engine choices, including a 1.6 GDI lump offering 138 hp right through to a 69 hp 1.1 litre three-pot diesel. Something like the 107 hp 1.4 litre petrol unit would be right up the alley locally, but guess we’ll have to wait and see.

The car, which was unveiled at last year’s Geneva show, is also available in sedan form, which is the Rio Sedan offered in the US market as well as the K2 derivative, which sells in China.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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These are the first images of the facelifted Hyundai i20, which will debut at Geneva 2012. Hyundai’s B-segment supermini wears a new face that’s in line with the brand’s new Fluidic Scupture image, although it looks milder compared to newer, clean sheet designs such as the i40 and new i30.

In terms of dimensions, width (1,710 mm), height (1,490 mm) and wheelbase (2,525 mm) remain the same, while overall length has increased by 55 mm over its predecessor to 3,995 mm. As comparision, the 3,950 mm Ford Fiesta has a 2,489 mm wheelbase.

The big news for Europe is a new 1.1 litre, three-cylinder ‘U-II’ diesel engine. This 75 PS unit is among four powertrain options for the refreshed i20 and has the lowest CO2 emissions of any conventional powertrain car on sale today. When mated to Hyundai’s Blue Drive tech, it emits just 84 g/km of CO2. This is even lower than some hybrids, and will be good for markets like the UK where car tax is aligned to CO2 ratings, not engine capacity.

Besides this, there will be another sub-100 g/km diesel – a 1.4 litre ‘U-II’ 90 PS engine that emits 96 g/km. This is proof that diving into the deep end of the demanding European market is a sure way for a carmaker to improve itself. Sink or swim, as the saying goes.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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More from the Geneva front. The Swiss show, which kicks off this week, will see Hyundai showcasing its new i-oniq concept, which is an electric sports hatchback with a range-extending petrol engine.

The i-oniq continues to evolve the company’s fluidic sculpture form language, with a design that combines gentle feature lines and muscular surface treatment to inject premium and sporty into the overall mix. Design cues include a ‘penthouse roof’ and LED headlights.

The 4.4 metre-long vehicle seats four in its driver-oriented cabin. Plenty of high-tech equipment to be found in the driver interface and controls, so it goes, while passengers benefit from a lounge-style space designed to optimise comfort, featuring sculpted surfaces inspired by musical instruments, no less.

It’s powered by a 1.0 litre, three-cylinder petrol engine mated, via a generator, to a lithium-ion electric motor, with 109 PS as the output figure. In electric-only mode, i-oniq has a range of 120 km, while with assistance from the petrol engine it can travel up to 700 km, producing just 45 g/km of CO2 in the process.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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Kia today revealed the first official images of its new flagship sedan. To be called K9 in Korea, it will be launched there in the first half of 2012. The K9 is Kia’s first rear-wheel drive sedan. As its name denotes, the big sedan slots in above the K5 (Optima) and K7, or Cadenza in export markets.

“K9 is our first rear-wheel drive large sedan, created without compromise in its design, driving performance and new technologies. K9 sets a whole new level of standards and values in the large sedan segment, and its design will be another Kia demonstration of our brand’s power to surprise the world,” said Soon-Nam Lee, Director of Overseas Marketing Group.

The K9’s design concept is “high-tech luxury sedan” and Kia describes the front end as “imposing and characterful”. The BMW style front grille slats may be a touch heavy for some, but it does lend the car presence. The rear end reminds me of the Hyundai Grandeur. No word on what’s inside, but there’s a “3.8 GDI” badge at the back. The 2012 Hyundai Genesis is powered by a 3.8 GDI V6 with 333 hp and 395 Nm, 350 hp/400 Nm for the Genesis Coupe.

It’s interesting to note that while the popular models at the lower end of the scale such as the Forte and Optima K5 sport sharp styling, the large higher end models like the Cadenza and this K9 have round edges and smooth lines.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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The second-generation Hyundai i30 that was unveiled in September last year welcomes a new family member in the shape of this wagon. Revealed ahead of its Geneva world debut, the Hyundai i30 Wagon shares engines and running gear with the five-door C segment hatchback, but has a longer body.

Designed for European tastes at Hyundai’s R&D Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the i30 Wagon, at 4,485 mm long, is 185 mm longer than the five-door hatch, making it one of the most spacious vehicles in segment. It’s also 10 mm longer than the original i30 wagon.

Compared with the hatch, the wagon expands trunk space from 378 litres to a best-in-class 528 litres – fold down the rear seats and cargo volume increases more than three fold to 1,642 litres.

Like the hatch, the Wagon’s front is distinguished by Hyundai’s hexagon-shaped grille and prominent “eyes”. From the B-pillar backwards, the wagon has its own style. The roofline slopes to add dynamism to the fluidic sculpture body, while a pronounced swage line runs horizontally along the sides of the body and rises all the way to the rear lights.

Click here for our previous post on the new i30 hatchback.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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More images of the next-generation Kia cee’d have come about ahead of the five-door hatchback’s world debut in Geneva next month. Still nada as far as tech details go, but Kia says the new cee’d is longer, wider and lower than its predecessor, with the same long wheelbase.

Design-wise, the front of the new car gets the latest interpretation of the company’s trademark ‘tiger-nose’ grille as well as aggressive, wraparound headlamp clusters housing LED daytime running lights.

Other new detail touches for the exterior includes a new, bolder, more sophisticated Kia badge, an indicator blade protrusion in the front headlamps, the Kia-signature windscreen head castellations, a chrome side glazing surround and a specific aerodynamic shaping of the tail lamp which extends into the adjacent bodywork.

Meanwhile, there’s a completely new interior, offering a more premium look and feel and higher perceived quality, with the use of soft touch materials, as well as improved switchgear and enhanced driving position ergonomics – the dashboard layout features a cockpit-like design with an aircraft-themed, driver-oriented fascia.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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SsangYong is set to give its XIV-2 concept car its debut in Geneva next month. The eXciting User Interface Vehicle 2, to give it its full name, is the follow up of XIV-1 concept that was presented in Frankfurt last year, with a convertible twist to it.

The XIV-2 measures in at 4.16 metres long, 1.82 metres wide and 1.56 metres tall, with a 2.6 metre wheelbase, and will be equipped with eco-friendly, fuel efficient 1.6 litre diesel and petrol engines meeting Euro VI emission regulations.

Click to enlarge.

The Korean automaker is developing the concept as a premium crossover utility vehicle, with a view of it becoming a strategic model for the global market. SsangYong says that the vehicle’s styling cues are based around ‘a special experience with fun’ theme, and blends the characteristics of a robust and powerful SUV with the dynamic style of an open top sports coupé.

The XIV-2 features a one-touch automatic opening soft-top roof to provide ‘wind in the hair’ driving enjoyment, and its futuristic and aesthetic appearance is very much aimed at bowling over the younger generation.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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Kia has unveiled the seventh in a series of unique SE versions that has come about with its Soul five-door hatch. This one, called the Red Rock Special Edition Soul, unsurprisingly derives its inspiration from the rock formations found in the North American Southwest.

The production model includes a number of features designed to set it apart from other Soul variants, led by a lustrous exterior shade called Canyon. Other RRSE exterior features include a high-gloss black front fascia and mirror housings, while the interior gets exclusive black leather trim and brown cloth seats.

The edition began life as a concept, premiering at last year’s New York auto show. Following its debut, the Red Rock Special Edition concept toured the US, and with enough favourable nods has made the journey from concept to reality. Proof then that there’s more than one way to stir your Soul.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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Ads for the new Hyundai Elantra have started cropping up all over the city and the virtual world (even on this blog), but we’ve had no official word on the launch date, specs and pricing yet. However, a quick scour on Mudah.my to look for pre-launch ads posted by Hyundai Sime Darby Motors salesmen reveal the following:

• Four specs – 1.6 litre manual, 1.6 litre automatic standard spec, 1.6 litre automatic high spec and 1.8 litre premium
• Six-speed for both manual and automatic gearbox
• Auto headlamps
• Smart key with push start button ignition
• Supervision meter cluster (self-illuminated)
• GPS navigation
• Reverse camera
• ABS, ESP and Vehicle Stability Management
• Dual airbags
• iPod and USB support
• 5 year or 300,000km warranty

The images posted on Mudah also show an Inokom badge on the car instead of a Hyundai badge. So far there are two price ranges indicated on the classifieds ads – about RM85k to RM90k and another price range of about RM120k. This probably means the 1.6 litre models will be around the RM85k to RM95k mark, while the 1.8 litre while be around RM120k+. UPDATE: It appears that all the ads advertising the high spec Elantra for over RM100k have gone missing from Mudah – what’s going on?

You might be wondering what Vehicle Stability Management is. It’s basically a system that manages the ESP stability control system as well as the electric power steering to take the car’s safety assist systems to a higher level. For example, when a driver accelerates or brakes on a split-traction surface (slippery wet puddle on one side, dry pavement on the other), your steering will normally pull to one direction.

VSM detects this condition via the ESP system, and sends a signal to the electric power steering to apply steering assist – up to 8Nm of counter steering force to keep the vehicle steady; VSM works the same way during sudden lane changes or fast cornering.

Once again, these are just specs and pricing taken from salesmen ads on Mudah.my, and are in no way the confirmed specs released by Hyundai Sime Darby Motors. And of course, it’s likely that some of the features above, like the auto headlamps, GPS and reverse camera would most likely be reserved only for the 1.8 litre variant.

Sources – Mudah ad 1, Mudah ad 2, Mudah ad 3

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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Kia has revealed the first sketches of what will be its all-new flagship sedan, which is set to be introduced in the Korean market sometime in the first half of the year. The KH, as it’s codenamed, won’t just be limited to the domestic market – Kia says the car will be its flag-bearer in other markets globally.

No details about the car, save that it’ll have the honour of being the company’s first rear-wheel drive vehicle. Kia says that the the design concept behind the KH is tagged as ‘distinctive, modern and classic,’ but there are enough family-look cues on call, the radiator grille design being one of them.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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Hyundai has introduced the European market i30 in the US, but the Euro-centric i-prefix name has been swapped for the moniker “Elantra GT”, which identifies the i30 as being part of Hyundai’s C-segment family. So the Yanks have a total of 3 Elantras to pick from now – the sedan, the 2-door coupe as well as this 5-door hatch. Only one engine option so far – the 148 horsepower 1.8 liter 4-pot that they can get in the Elantra sedan, available with either a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic.

Look after the jump or click the image above for a full gallery.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:41:12 +0000.

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