R-SPEC A SHOWCASE FOR WHAT HYUNDAI CAN DO
During the technical briefing, Hyundai was quick to boast that the 5.0 is the most powerful motor ever developed by Hyundai, but equally coy when asked about expected sales numbers for the R-Spec, or what percentage of Genesis customers would opt for the $46,500 high-performance model. Clearly, this is a demonstration of what Hyundai can do rather than a volume model, but that didn?t stop us from making a bee-line for the R-Spec, even when conventional logic dictates that we?d only be set up for disappointment upon switching into the V6 model.
Despite being saddled with over 4,000 lbs of weight, the R-Spec hauls itself down the road with little abandon. Coming out of a traffic circle, we gently applied the throttle to see what would happen, and were granted with a microsecond powerslide before the traction control put a stop to our fun. Beyond the traffic circle, there was little in the way of curves (save for the occasional high speed sweeper) for us to test the improved steering, springs and damping, but we noticed that all three felt fairly firm, especially more so than the last Genesis we drove a couple years ago. Hyundai has added more assist to the R-Spec?s steering, something that we definitely welcome, but that may not be looked upon favorably by other Genesis drivers, who tend to trade in cars like the Lexus ES350 and Honda Accord.
The suspension calibrations of the Genesis was one area previously criticized for being both uncomfortable and not sporting enough. Given that we were on a largely straight, perfectly paved ribbon of black tarmac for the entire drive, it would be hard to fairly evaluate the suspension?s improvements, although we did feel certain firmness when tossing the R-Spec into corners. A better test would be a week on Midwestern, winter-afflicted pavement, and we?re hoping Hyundai takes the hint.
What everyone wants to know about is the new powerplant, and the 5.0-liter V8 is like most Hyundai engines; it does what it says on the tin with little fanfare and lots of competency. Anyone expecting an American-style rumbling small-block can stop reading right now, as this V8 is much closer to something you?d see from Lexus. It may not operate silently in the background like a Lexus V8, but the nature of the R-Spec calls for a bit more involvement, and a step on the throttle will launch the luxury sedan down the road at a rapid pace.
One criticism we do have is with the throttle tip-in, which we found awkward and stilted from a dead stop. In addition, the 8-speed automatic takes a brief pause when downshifting, but this isn?t exclusive of the Hyundai unit ? we have never been enamored with 8-speed automatics and their multitude of ratios, and the gear-hunting is a general affliction rather than a specific issue.
UP-RATED V6 MAKES V8 A HARD SELL
As we handed off the keys to the R-Spec and hopped into a V6-powered Genesis, we were expecting to be a little underwhelmed by the 100 horsepower deficit, but that wasn?t the case. The base Genesis is more than adequate, with 333 horsepower and a chassis only slightly less sporting than the R-Spec. The V6 also weighs a few hundred pounds less, an important factor in everything from fuel consumption to performance.
We had trouble discerning the performance of the two cars ? sure, the engines sound slightly different, the steering has a bit more slack on the V6, and the R-Spec can hit 60 mph in 5 seconds as opposed to just under 6 seconds for the base car, but does it really justify the roughly $3,000 price premium between a similarly equipped V6 and an R-Spec (a base Genesis V6 with no options and an R-Spec have a nearly $12,000 price gap)?
Our V6 tester came with all the bells and whistles of the R-Spec, like the 17-speaker Lexicon audio system, lane departure warning system, HID headlights, Bluetooth and in-dash navigation system, leading us to further question the necessity of the R-Spec. Sure, it?s a great symbol of Hyundai?s accomplishments, but with the significant price gap and superior fuel economy (19/29 mpg for the V6 versus 16/25 mpg for the R-Spec), we found ourselves more enamored with the plain-Jane 6-cylinder car. Even if the R-Spec looks like something out of a rap video and can serve up powerslides on demand, the V6 is the practical choice that doesn?t lose much in the way of performance, luxury or style.
If there is a reason to opt for the big 5.0-liter it?s that you?ve already committed to the idea of getting a V8 and with the price premium to step up from the 4.6-liter to the 5.0 just $2,000? well? why not?
THE VERDICT
Hyundai says their target Genesis customer is ?the millionaire next door?, ostensibly a wealthy guy who is secure enough to drive a Hyundai, but probably wears a watch that you?ve never heard of, but costs more than a Rolex. While we wholeheartedly endorse the R-Spec, this kind of buyer isn?t too interested in the boy-racer aesthetic or the extra few thousand that the big engine costs. For them, the V6 is more than adequate, and if they really are millionaires, they probably have something more hardcore lurking in the garage anyways.
View the original article here
Friday, July 1, 2011
2012 Hyundai Accent Review
IMPROVED LOOK HARDLY THRILLING
Visually, the Accent looks quite similar to a Fiesta, so much so that in the rear view mirror, we often mistook it for its American competitor. Upon closer inspection, the styling cues themselves are all Hyundai, with details like the lights and grille resembling the larger Elantra. However, the Accent seems larger than its dimensions suggest, a factor that should help ease the ridiculous stigma of driving a sub-compact.
BIGGER CHANGES INSIDE AND ON THE ROAD
The Accent?s interior is much simpler than the Fiesta, lacking the SYNC integration and offering fewer buttons and more intuitive controls. Hyundai insists that the interior is a ?premium? offering due to its ?piano black? trim smattered around the cockpit, and we honestly can?t help but shrug our shoulders. We doubt any consumer will really care at this price point, but materials are light years away from the low rent crap in the previous car, and everything appears well put together.
Where the car really comes close to ?premium? status is on the road. Everything is quiet, with wind and engine noises carefully insulated from the cabin, while the ride is smooth and well composed. Hyundai fitted monotube shocks to the 2012 Accent, which are more expensive than the typical twin-tube design, but the extra money shows when the Accent hops over expansion joints or cracked pavement with virtually no fuss, whereas other competitors would let you know that you just hit a bad stretch of road. The Accent?s steering does lack the heft that makes the Fiesta feel like a ?driver?s car?, though you?re never in doubt regarding what the front tires are doing. Given that the Accent uses an electric power steering system, remedying this matter would only take a few software changes.
BEST-IN-CLASS FUEL ECONOMY AND POWER
Power for the Accent comes from a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine with direct-injection, a first for the segment. With 138 horsepower and 123 lb-ft of torque, it?s significantly more than the current competition, but on par with the upcoming Chevrolet Sonic?s 1.4L turbocharged engine ? though that car musters a significant 148 lb-ft of torque. Unlike the rest of the competition, the Accent will deliver 30-mpg in town and 40-mpg on the highway, with either an automatic or manual transmission and without the aid of any special aerodynamic packages. While these numbers are impressive, we couldn?t help but wonder why Hyundai was unable to squeeze better figures out of the Accent, when the heavier Elantra manages the exact same fuel economy digits with a larger engine ? and one that doesn?t have direct injection. One Hyundai rep told us that the gearing on the Accent was different, and the extra mpg was left on the table in favor of better in-gear acceleration numbers.
We didn?t get to sample the 6-speed automatic, but found the 6-speed manual well matched to the engine. While it lacked any pretense of sportiness, the shifter and clutch are a breeze to operate in traffic, and on the highway we found ourselves cruising comfortably in 6th without any undue noise or vibration. This is one area where the Fiesta loses out to the Accent, and while ?fun-to-drive? might be on the radar of auto journalists everywhere, comfortable highway driving is far more relevant to any potential subcompact buyers.
SPACIOUS INTERIOR WITH PLENTY OF CARGO ROOM
Other less exciting matters like cargo space and interior volume are also high points for the Accent, with rather generous helpings of both available in the Hyundai. The company says that the Accent boasts more cargo room than the Nissan Juke and greater interior volume than the Audi A4, no small feat for a vehicle with a fairly minute footprint.
If you?re looking for exact numbers, the sedan?s trunk space is rated at 13.7 cu-ft. The 5-door hatch gets even more space with 21.2 cu-ft out back, which then grows to 47.5 cu-ft when you drop the second row. It?s lots of space, but still no one comes close to the near 60 cu-ft available in the Fit.
Our 5-door model came well equipped with the requisite features like Bluetooth connectivity, iPod jacks, ABS, stability control and curtain airbags. Retailing for $15,795 (plus another $1,000 for the automatic gearbox), the Accent also represents substantial value in this segment, offering excellent bang-for-buck. If you?re on a real budget a base GLS sedan ca be had for $12,445, although you?ll want to spend an extra $1,750 to add on air conditioning and power windows.
THE VERDICT
Like the rest of Hyundai?s lineup, the Accent is a compelling product that?s priced right and comes with the features that consumers are gravitating towards in droves. But rather than being sold on price, or ?just good enough? to make the cut, the Accent is a legitimate contender in the field, one that could arguably be the choice vehicle in a segment that will matter more and more as gas prices increase and personal fortunes decrease.
The strongest competition yet could be from Kia?s upcoming Rio ? a car that shares most of its underpinnings with the 2012 Accent, but may end up retailing for just a bit less. Our only reservation about the Accent is the unfortunate connotations attached to the Accent nameplate. A Hyundai rep even admitted that the stigma was so strong, the company looked into changing the nameplate altogether, but ultimately decided against it. We hope that consumers can look past the car?s sordid history and vote with their pocketbooks. After all, it wasn?t long ago that the Elantra and Sonata were in the same boat.
Monday, June 27, 2011
2011 Hyundai Equus Review [Video]
Can Hyundai, a company that seems to be doing absolutely everything right, pull off another Lexus? Perhaps, but they?ll have to do better than just keep up.
HYUNDAI GETS THE LUXURY SEDAN FORMULA RIGHT
At first glance all the pieces seem in place. It?s rear-wheel drive and is powered exclusively with a V8 engine. It?s also enormous, stretching 203.1-inches end to end (longer than an extended wheelbase Lexus LS) and is nearly a full lane wide at 74.8-inches (thicker than an S-Class). That amounts to excessive interior room with lots of space to be chauffeured around in.
It also looks the part, with a front-end design mid-way between a Lexus LS and Mercedes S-Class. It?s imposing and luxurious, though hardly memorable or distinctive. Hyundai made the decision to do without the large hood ornament on U.S. spec models; likely a wise call as the style is a bit too traditional for an up-and-coming brand like Hyundai to pull off. Then again, it would have made passers by take notice. For a car this original, we were shocked at the lack of attention it attracted.
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The Equus is more than just a big grille, however, with massive headlights and LEDs up front, impressive high-grade paint and some big chrome wheels ? which are a bit gaudy but at least help the car stand out. Hyundai even made its best effort to hide the car?s origins, with just one ?H? badge on the trunk.
SOFT AND SPACIOUS RIDE
Whether driving or riding in the back, the Equus continues to deliver successfully against competitors. It?s whisper quiet ? so much so in fact that we suspected a window had been left down a crack on the next car we tested, as the noise entering the cabin was significant by comparison.
The seats are soft and comfortable, both in terms of cushioning and the quality of the leather. Spend an hour and a half commuting home and you?ll arrive refreshed, as we did, surprised that even a gridlocked late afternoon in a rainstorm did little to sour our mood. With a car as comfortable as the Equus, you?ll already feel rested and at home, long before you?ve arrived.
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While the rear seats were made use of during our video shoot, sadly none of the AutoGuide staff volunteered to be a personal driver for the week, so we can only imagine just how much more enjoyable the Equus would be commuting in the reclining rear seats ? especially with the free iPad Hyundai is equipping each model with.
We were disappointed, however, to discover that our test model did not come with the iPad owner?s manual, despite Hyundai having pumped-up the bonus feature, complete with its own Equus app and related services. Instead, in the glove box we found the usual tomb of a book.
In its home market of South Korea you?re likely to see executives being shuttled around in the back, but models sold on our shores are almost certain to be piloted by their owners. That being said, the car?s driving characteristics are much more important here. Steering is expectantly light, although the brakes are excessively tuned to match, with very little by way of initial bite. Yes it makes for limo smooth transitions, but patience can lead to panic when significant stopping power is required.
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An adjustable air suspension with variable dampers comes standard and pressing the sport button on the center console firms the car up considerably ? which delivers a more ideal drive for all but highway cruising. The limo can be raised and lowered as well, although with the default lower setting delivering almost enough ground clearance to hop a curb, unless you plan on using the Equus instead of your F-150 to get to the ranch, we can?t think of a reason why you?d need it.
As for the engine itself, it?s as smooth and quiet as the suspension, with the 4.6-liter ?Tau? V8 making 385-hp and 324 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic it hits 60 mph in 6. 4 seconds and achieves 16/24-mpg. When it comes to Equus ownership, patience will be rewarded with Hyundai already planning to upgrade the powertrain to a 5.0-liter direct-injection unit with around 430-hp and an 8-speed automatic that should help improve both acceleration and fuel economy.
DRAWBACKS: DETAILS AND TECHNOLOGY
A serious rival up until this point, in the true luxury segment, the Equus comes up short. In two important areas, namely interior materials and high-tech electronics, the Korean Benz is no Benz at all.
We found no issues with the leather, and the assembly of components is first rate, but some of the other materials used are lacking. We?ve seen better wood trim in a 1970s basement and the use of plastic on the center stack cheapens the experience. True, there are nice metal kick-plates when you enter the cabin, excellent stitched leather on the doors and a large piece of aluminum used for the center console, but the control knob for the navigation and infotainment is cheap to the touch, the heated steering wheel is only hot on the leather portion and, worst of all, when we ran the Equus through a car wash, some water slipped through. It was a minimal amount and our camera man didn?t mind, but we bet if it was your wife sitting in the passenger seat, all dolled up for a night out, she?d be furious. And finally, the dash and center stack lack the individuality and creativity of design that should be standard in this segment.
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Are we being nit picky here? Absolutely. And without apologies, as buyers in this range expect the best and we can guarantee they will look at the Equus with an even more skeptical eye. There?s an unmistakable feel that the Equus is already a few years old, which it is. Introduced here this year, it?s been on sale since 2009 in Korea.
As a flagship, the Equus brings new technology and features to Hyundai, but hardly to the segment. We?ve already discussed the suspension features, and there aren?t a lot of others. Standard equipment does include intelligent cruise control that can keep the car?s distance from the vehicle ahead, although it?s not an all-speed system that works in stop and go traffic, like the one found on the BMW 7 Series. Apart from that, the only other real feature is lane departure warning.
Additional standard features do include heated and cooled front seats with a driver massage function that uses the lumbar system. There are also rear and side privacy screens, the latter of which can be raised and lowered on the first touch of the power window switch, rather than needing their own button.
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In many ways the Equus is more about what you get (and can get) as a back seat passenger. The rear passenger seat gets a reclining function and can operate the seat ahead to make more room. Upgrading to the Ultimate Package (the only option and priced at $6,500) brings with it a four seat arrangement with an 8-inch screen for rear seat passengers, plus the passenger side rear seats gets a recliner-like leg support, massaging function, as well as a cooling function for both rear seats. And don?t forget the fridge. Other items include a power trunk lid (this really ought to be standard) as well as a forward-view camera to see out and around tight corners.
EQUUS OFFERS UNPARALLED SERVICE PROGRAM
While all nice options, none are really innovative. Hyundai has saved that card for the way it deals with potential customers and clients thanks to its ?Your Time, Your Place,? and ?At Your Service? programs where the automaker will bring the car to you for a test drive. Owners will also be treated to no-charge maintenance for five years or 60,000 miles as well as a valet service where your vehicle will be picked up from your home or office and returned to you, or a loaner provided if you need one. Plus, there?s that iPad, which serves as an electronic drivers manual and with a pre-loaded Equus app allows you to check out features of the car and even book service appointments.
THE VERDICT
One way Hyundai hopes to attract buyers is through attractive pricing of its new flagship luxury sedan, although the numbers also serve as fair warning that not even Hyundai thinks this is a serious competitor to the über sedans of Germany. Starting at $58,000 it undercuts its nearest rival, the Lexus LS by over $8,000 and is $35,000 (the price of a Genesis) less than a Mercedes S550.
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Instead, the Equus is perhaps a more appropriate rival for 5 Series and E-Class buyers looking for extra space without spending the big bucks. It?s just barely in the rearview of the Lexus LS, which itself is half a decade old and on the verge of retirement. Other possible rivals include the new Infiniti M, the aged Acura RL, and Lincoln MKS. Hyundai might even pick up a few Cadillac DTS or STS customers.
So will Hyundai pull a Lexus and surprise the Germans? Not yet. In fact, while a decent enough car, the Equus lacks the attention to detail and originality to pull a Lexus on Lexus. Will future versions make up the difference? Most likely. That is, unless Hyundai calls it a stunt and pulls a Phaeton on us.
A solid first effort, whether you?re cruising the streets of Stuttgart or Beverly Hills, good enough doesn?t cut it at this level.
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Hyundai elantra
Hyundai sonata
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Hyundai’s Futuristic Viral Ad Campaign for the New Accent [with Video]
In a very interesting melding of the virtual and real world, Hyundai has crafted a new viral ad to showcase its 2012 Accent sub-compact and highlight the brand’s new slogan “New Thinking. New Possibilities.". What makes this futuristic video intriguing is that the viral includes an actual 2012 Hyundai Accent suspended on a wall with a driver walking down the side to get into the car. At the same time, we see a film being projected on the wall creating an eye-catching combo.
See both the shorter and full version of Hyundai’s new viral of the 2012 Accent right after the jump.
Read more »
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Hyundai Releases First Real Life Photo of the New i40 Mid-Size Model
Up until now, South Korea's largest automaker had only released a set of illustrations of the i40 CW (CrossWagon). The new photo shows off the interior of the i40, and in particular the dashboard with its sculpted shapes.
There's a big screen display mounted high up on the middle of the dash flanked by a pair of small air vents, underneath which nestle a bank of push buttons for ventilation and minor controls.
The company claims that new i40 "will move the company towards a ‘modern premium’ positioning that will bring high-end features and vehicle quality to Hyundai customers at accessible prices."
Hyundai has not released any details on the engine line-up, but it is believed that at launch, the i40 will be offered with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol with direct injection and an output of around 170-horsepower, plus two variants of the a 1.7-liter turbo-diesel with 115 HP and 136 HP.
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Hyundai Sells 3.6 Million Vehicles in 2010, up 16.3% from 2009, Net Profits Soar 78%
Not including affiliate Kia Motor's results, Hyundai alone recorded global sales of 3,612,487 units (domestic plants: 1,730,682, overseas plants: 1,881,805) in 2010, which represents a 16.3 percent increase from a year earlier.
Sales revenue rose 15.4 percent to 36.8 trillion won (US$ 33 billion) from a year earlier thanks to the introduction of new cars and an improved product mix, while operating profit also soared 44.4% to 3.2 trillion won (US$2.8 billion). Net profit increased 77.8 percent to 5.3 trillion won (US$4.8 billion).
South Korea's largest automaker has set even higher goals for 2011, stating that it plans to "reinforce its internal competitiveness" and achieve a global sales target of 3.9 million units.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
SCOOP: 2012 Kia Rio Spotted out on the Road
Like sister company Hyundai, Kia is in the midst of a new-product blitz that started a little over a year ago. Since the second half of 2009, the South Korean automaker has refreshed its lineup with a slew of new models such as the Forte Koup, Cadenza sedan, Venga mini MPV, Sorento, Sportage and Optima sedan.
Now, following the announcement on the completely redesigned Picanto city car that will break cover at the Geneva Show, our spy photographers snapped the next new model to be added to Kia's range, the 2012 Rio subcompact, while testing in Germany.
Detroit Show Preview: Hyundai Curb Crossover Concept Study
The upcoming Veloster sports hatch will be sharing the spotlight at Hyundai's Detroit motorshow stand with a new crossover concept called the Curb. The South Korean firm has released very little information on the study that carries the HCD-12 codename, but we do know that it has been penned at the firm's California Design Center. According to the company, the Curb's styling is an evolution of the "fluidic sculpture" design language seen on the latest Sonata and Elantra sedans. The official unveiling of the Curb will take place on Monday, January 10 at the Cobo Hall in Detroit. Read more »
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
New Hyundai Veloster Teased Again, Reveals Third Side Door
According to Hyundai's dedicated Veloster web page, we'll have to wait for the Detroit Motor Show to open its doors on Monday, January 10, to see the new sports hatch in the flesh. However, the South Korean automaker continues the tease with the release of yet another photo, this time revealing the Veloster's asymmetric layout with two conventional doors on the passenger's side and a single door on the driver's side. The Veloster also gets a large rear hatch with a split rear glass. Read more »
Monday, January 3, 2011
Hyundai - Kia Group Targeting a 10-Percent Increase in Sales for 2011
For the Hyundai Motor Group and its affiliate Kia Motors, the New Year brings a new sales target as the South Korea's largest automaker said on Monday it aims to sell 6.33 million cars in 2011, which represents a 10 percent increase over 2010 when the company sold a combined total of 5.75 million units. More specifically, Hyundai delivered 3.6 million cars (up 16 percent from 2009), while sold Kia 2.1 million vehicles (+40 percent over 2009) worldwide last year.
Read more »
Hyundai Launches First 4-D Commercial for New Azera Sedan
Hyundai is banking on the latest film technologies to promote its new Azera sedan, at least on its home turf. The automaker released a new advertisement for the mid-size saloon, which is named Grandeur in its home market, in select 4-D and 3-D movie theaters in South Korea. Read more »
