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Hyundai to premiere new ix20 B-segment MPV at Paris

September 3, 2010 at 12:19 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Hyundai, International News, Koreans

This is the first sketch released of an upcoming new Hyundai model called the Hyundai ix20. Despite the x in its name which so far has been given to new Hyundai SUV models, the ix20 is actually a B-segment MPV, according to Hyundai at least. This could possibly be a replacement for the seriously aging Hyundai Matrix but I’m not totally sure, but what’s probably confirmed is that its a Hyundai counterpart to the Kia Venga. The Hyundai ix20 will be displayed at the Paris Motorshow 2010 on the 30th of September 2010 but I bet a few images will be released in between this sketch and the show debut.

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Hyundai Concept RB – low cost Accent for Russia?

August 25, 2010 at 6:51 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Hyundai, International News, Koreans

Hyundai unveiled a new car at the 2010 Moscow International Motor Show today called the Hyundai Concept RB. It’s size puts it in the sub-compact B segment, the same size as the Hyundai Accent.

Of course you must remember that the new generation Accent has already been launched, so this is likely a low cost version. This is just a random guess but RB could possibly stand for Russia B-Segment!

The car is targeted at the Russian market (and likely other similar economies) and will begin production in January 2011 at Hyundai’s Saint Petersburg plant in Russia. Two engines are available – either a 1.4 litre Gamma CVVT with 107 PS and 135Nm or a 1.6 litre Gamma CVVT engine producing 124 PS and 156Nm. Both engines will be mated to either a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed auto.

Look after the jump for a full gallery of the Concept RB.
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Hyundai Sime Darby Special Hari Raya Promotion

August 24, 2010 at 12:01 am By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, Hyundai, International News, Local News

In conjunction with the upcoming Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) are offering customers discounted parts and labour when servicing their car as part of the “Special Hari Raya Service Promotion”.

Emphasizing on safety in relation to the long balik kampung journeys, Hyundai will give each of their customers a discount of up to 20 percent on selected parts and 10 to 15 percent off on labour. This is dependent on the amount spent on parts. As you would expect, only certified Hyundai service outlets will offer this promotion from the 20th of August till the 9th of September, using only genuine parts manufactured according Hyundai specifications.

Customers participating in the campaign will also receive a free mystery gift. Further details are available from your respective service centres and dealers.

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Hyundai i10 1.25 Kappa – Test Drive Review

August 6, 2010 at 10:51 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Hyundai, Koreans, Test Drive Reviews

The Hyundai i10 is one of those talented but overlooked cars in the market. When I first tested the car back in 2008, i was truly surprised at how sophisticated it drove compared to Perodua’s Viva and Myvi. Those who have driven an Atoz before will surely not believe that this is a car in the same segment by the same manufacturer – they are aeons apart!

So it was good to revisit the i10, now with a bigger engine to remedy one of the very few issues this writer had with the car – the leisurely pick up. In comes the 1.25-litre Kappa engine, which has 11 bhp and 20 Nm more than the Epsilon 1.1-litre, which will continue to be sold by Hyundai-Sime Darby. Will this new engine make the i10 the undisputed best small car out there and earn it a bit more attention? We find out.

Continue reading the report after the jump.
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New Hyundai Elantra – pictures and spec sheet revealed

July 28, 2010 at 8:56 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, Hyundai, International News

Hyundai showcased the new Hyundai Elantra/Avante at the Busan International Motor Show in Korea this year. Like all other new Hyundais, the new Elantra sees the use of the company’s new “fluidic sculpture” design language. Futuristic, was my reaction.

We’re featuring here some seemingly ‘unofficial’ shots of the Elantra doing its rounds on a scenic route revealing more of the cars design lines from every angle. Along with that, a spec sheet has also been included elaborating more on what you can expect from the car.

As mentioned before, the car will feature the 1.6 GDI engine that produces 138hp and 166Nm of torque. This is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with an impressive fuel consumption figure of 6.06L/100km, while the manual gearbox returns a 5.88L/100km figure.

In terms of tech, you will get features such as Smart Parking Assist System (SPAS), HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlamps, rear LED lamps and heated rear seats. This will be housed in the new body that is 4530mm long, 1435mm high and has a width of 1,775 enjoying a long wheelbase of 2700mm.

I’m particularly pleased by the fact that the interior photo unveils that the car uses a floor-mounted accelerator pedal, which I much prefer over the conventional version!

More pictures of the car available after the jump.
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Hyundai unveils Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec with 300hp!

July 19, 2010 at 8:19 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, Hyundai, International News

Hyundai have released details of a new Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 R-Spec for the US market, which as the name implies houses a 3.8 litre V6 engine capable of producing 306hp and 360Nm of torque. This is mated to a 6-speed close-ratio manual transmission and the car is propelled to 96km/h in just 5.5 seconds.

A world of difference compared to the 2.0T which produces 210hp from its 2.0 litre four cylinder engine. The ‘R-Spec’ equipment level was previously only available on the 2.0T. R-Spec gives the car stiffer front spring rates, limited slip diff, stiffer rear spring rates and unique shock valving which adds to the standard rear stabilizer bars that reduces body roll. In terms of stopping power, Brembo four-piston calipers will be used alongside ventilated front and rear rotors. This will sit on 19-inch wheels with a gunmetal finish.

Inside you will find a new interior which will be seen on both the R-Spec and the 2.0T model. What you’ll find inside is the use of soft touch materials on the door panels, lower instrument panels, steering wheel, glove box and the centre speaker grille.

Apart from that the shift bezel, instrument gauge cluster and dashboard knobs will have a different finish, while the A-pillars will be enveloped with cloth. Revisions were undertaken on the rear coat hooks, trunk deck lid grab handle and multi-information display screen graphics. There will also be appropriate R-Spec badging in the performance model. High-res pictures are available after the jump.
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Hyundai Sonata price revealed – RM135,888 to RM163,888!

June 24, 2010 at 9:44 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Hyundai, Koreans, Local News

I just got back from the special preview of the sixth generation Hyundai Sonata, where the media and soon to be owners of the YF got to have a closer look at the latest D-segment car to hit our market. At the event, Hyundai-Sime Darby revealed the only figure yet to be announced about the new Sonata – the price.

Much speculation has been made about the price, with some claiming that the range will start at RM148K. No such thing of course, and the 2.0 Standard is priced closer to RM130K than RM150K. Here you go:

2.0 Standard – RM135,888
2.0 High Spec – RM143,888
2.4 High Spec – RM163,888

The Sonata uses the new Theta II family of engines paired with a self-developed 6-speed auto ‘box. The 2.0 pushes out 164 bhp and 197 Nm of torque while the 2.4 has 175 bhp/227 Nm – figures that match (or better) those of its rivals. Combined fuel economy is rated at 13.2 km/l for the 2.0 and 12.5 km/l for the 2.4.

Spec wise, the High Spec cars get the panoramic roof, ESP with Hill Assist, leather seats and keyless entry with push start. The difference between the 2.4 HS and the 2.0 HS is that the bigger engined car gets a front passenger powered seat (as opposed to driver only), HID headlamps and climate control. Standard equipment across the range include ABS, dual airbags, 17-inch alloys, cruise control, factory stereo with iPod/AUX in and rear air-con vents. Five colours are available, which are white, silver, black, red and blue.

The car will have its official launch on the 2nd of July. But from tomorrow till next Tuesday (25-29 June) everyone is invited to Hyundai’s showroom at Glenmarie to view the car from 2pm to 7pm.

Images from the event after the jump. For those who missed it, click here for our review and gallery of the Sonata in Oman.
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Hyundai Sonata Test Drive Report from Oman

June 23, 2010 at 1:52 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Hyundai, Koreans, Test Drive Reviews

Few years ago, some said the Koreans were coming. They were right, because the Hyundais and Kias of one generation ago weren’t good enough to have arrived – coming yes, arrived no. But if you haven’t noticed, things have changed over the past few years – Hyundai-Kia is now the fourth largest carmaker in the world, ahead of all Japanese rivals except for Toyota, and is clearly on the up.

Products like this sixth-generation Hyundai Sonata (codenamed YF) reflect the brand’s current standing. Still good value, still has that long warranty, but now with attributes that appeal not only to the value conscious. Things like quality, class leading figures and design flair were almost never spoken in the same sentence as “Hyundai”, but the YF changes this. We drive Hyundai’s eye opener in Muscat, Oman.

Continue reading the report after the jump.
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Hyundai Tucson price in Malaysia gets a hike!

June 21, 2010 at 6:55 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Hyundai, Koreans, Local News

Hyundai distributors Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd have announced that as of today, new bookings for the Hyundai Tucson will be priced at a new increased price which is up by between RM2k to RM3k compared to the old prices depending on the model you buy.

HSDM says this new pricing is official from the 7th June this month, anyone who have made bookings for the Tucson before the 7th will enjoy the earlier price. The 5 year or 300,000km extended warranty remains.

Here’s the changes – for the specs of each model you can read our previous post.

  Old Price New Price
Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Standard RM126,888 RM129,888
Hyundai Tucson 2.0 High Spec RM136,888 RM139,888
Hyundai Tucson 2.4 RM152,888 RM154,888
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Hyundai faces persistent labour strikes in India, plans to shift part of i20 production to Turkey

June 10, 2010 at 12:29 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Hyundai, India, International News

First it was Honda in China, now it’s Hyundai in India. The Korean carmaker, No.2 in India after Maruti Suzuki, is the latest to be hit by worker strikes. According to a Hyundai press statement, 150 workers occupied the factory on Monday, forcing a three-day halt to production that has resulted in a loss of 4,000 cars being made and 1.3 billion rupees ($27.7 million).

This is the fourth strike since 2008 at Hyundai’s two adjacent plants in Sriperumbedur, outside the growing auto hub of Chennai, in the southern state of Tamil Nadu. But here, it isn’t about money.

The strike was to demand the reinstatement of 67 workers who were involved in violent protests in July 2009. Company spokesman Rajiv Mitra said that they damaged company property and assaulted guards and will not be rehired. “If you take them back, it sets a strong precedent: Anyone can do anything and not get punished.”

The strike has since ended after government intervention. Hyundai will take back 35 of the 67 rogue employees. The others will still have to face legal charges.

Hyundai employs about 10,000 in Sriperumbedur directly and its suppliers hire an additional 40,000 people. Last year Hyundai produced 560,000 cars in India, which is the company’s global small car production hub. Hyundai is also India’s biggest car exporter. However, labour issues are causing Hyundai to reconsider putting all eggs into one basket, as it plans to move some production of i20 superminis from India to an existing factory in Turkey by August.

It’s a smart option, as making i20s in Turkey reduces delivery times and incurs lower taxes for the car’s main market, Europe. Last year, Hyundai exported about 50,000 i20s from India to Europe, more than half of total production for that model. However, i20s for the domestic market and for export to right hand drive markets will still be made in India. No Indians would be fired as a result of the shift, Mitra said.

Source

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