A few weeks going back we requested a video of a South Korean automotive journalist performing one of the first road tests of the new Hyundai Genesis sedan, albeit the South Korean market model. Without purchasing to too even detail, he did not covet it and complained of person roll, mushy brakes, tires not up to the task, etc. It was as if one gave such a guy a Buick when he was expecting a BMW.

Hyundai Motor America was caught off guard by this video and contacted us in on their concern. According to them, the U.S.-spec version of the Genesis sedan and the South Korean version are markedly different, amongst the Yank-ified version tuned a great deal more for a sporty driving experience. The South Korean market, we are told, favors a various sort of extensive luxury sedan, one that is softer, larger amount of luxurious, and to be blunt, additionally Buick-like.

So we queried Hyundai, “What’s so unique right about the U.S.-spec version?” While they couldn’t divulge all the details, we were imparted upon this the U.S. version amongst own a 31% ideal spring rate in the front and 13% even greater in the rear. In fact, properties say the overall suspension will feature multi unusual factors geared more towards dynamic driving, and also weird springs, shocks and tires. Will it dwell up to Hyundai’s promise of a premium sports sedan? We’ll let you can appreciate subsequent to we press the U.S.-spec Genesis, a car that this South Korean journalist ought to enjoy a turd of a lot !no! than the one he drove.

Hyundai UK has announced the present it is suggesting a lightly-modified special edition Hyundai Coupe (that’s “Tiburon” in ‘Merican English… or Spanish, really). The Coupe TSIII sounds similar to it was named by a doo-wop board (”Tee-ess-ay-yay-yay”), comes in uni shades and becomes new squander hints (possibly attached to new mufflers, from the time a “sportier engine note” is mentioned), Eibach springs, anthracite-finish wheels, quilted leather appointments, a new spoiler, and super-special badging. Power, however, comes based on what i read in a 141-horsepower 2.0L four. Hey, at the very least it looks like it’s fast.

[Source: Hyundai]

We called up Hyundai to ask about the engine and the Coupe on display. Their response: “We’re not commenting on it at this time.” While we understand that certain cards have to be kept close to one’s chest, it would have been easier just to tell us that the coupe on display and the engine at its booth have nothing in common. Since they’re remaining disconcertingly tight-lipped, can we assume that the turbocharged 2.0-liter GDI will find its way into the Genesis Coupe in the future? We hope so. And with Hyundai’s recent announcement that direct-injected engines are going to find their way into several of its models, it adds that much more fuel to the fire.
[Sources: Hyundai, GenFans]

The i800 does, however, feature a coil-sprung rear suspension for a more minivan-like ride than some of its commercial transport competition. But aside from its features, the i800 is just a good looking van. Its design is more fluid than Chrysler’s new boxy minivans and it doesn’t look like it belongs in a FedEx fleet (we’re looking at you, Ford Econoline). Screw the Entourage, we want this Hyundai hauler in the U.S.
[Source: Hyundai]

As for Kia’s new Georgia plant where the two Korean carmakers considered building their pickup trucks, the company now says that it will be used to produce the revamped Sorento SUV.

Via: Bloomberg

The Mayor has good reason to keep his mouth shut. Just two years ago, the South Korean automaker was in talks with local area officials about a similar project. Those plans fell through when early media leaks identified Hyundai as the potential automaker, and they chose West Point, Georgia, instead. (You are probably asking yourself, as we are, why would the Mayor call a news conference about this in the first place…)

Regardless, analysts say the Rio Grande Valley would be a good fit for Hyundai. The location is close to Mexico, so components could be assembled on the other side of the border and shipped to the United States for final assembly. If Hyundai chooses Texas for their new plant it would be their fourth facility in the United States following plants in Alabama, Georgia, and California. That is, if the Mayor can keep a secret. Thanks for the tip iSpec!

[Source: The Monitor]

The overall effect is that the Elantra’s friendly face has been been given a healthy dose of attitude. Likewise, the Elantra’s rear also gets reshaped and loses its bulbous butt complex. We do expect these design updates to eventually reach the U.S.-market Elantra, as well as some new interior niceties like improved connectivity for digital music devices. Read more

In recent months, Hyundai has made a big splash with the introductions of the Genesis sedan and coupe. While those two models will likely do wonders for Hyundai’s street cred, they will definitely be niche players when it comes to volume. Among passenger cars in the US market, the midsize segment has been the highest volume category for nearly two decades. Since the mid-nineties, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord have been the primary players with everyone else having been an also-ran. In recent years, however, Hyundai’s entrant in the segment, the Sonata, has put up an increasingly aggressive challenge to the big dogs. The current generation Hyundai Sonata debuted for the 2006 model year and the company unwrapped its mid-cycle refresh back in February at the Chicago Auto Show.

The 2009 Sonatas have been in production since before the Chicago debut and they should be in stock at Hyundai stores around the country now. We went out to the Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center (HATCI) outside of Ann Arbor, MI for a tour of the facility where the new Sonata was created and then set out for a couple of hours to see how it behaves in the real world. Find out if the new Sonata is for you after the jump.

Read more

We can come up with all manner of criteria for evaluating a car at any level: design, performance, spec sheet, ride, features, technology, value… but the one factor that trumps all others, what it all really comes down to, is how it appeals to our inner child. At the heart of it, that’s why we love Lamborghinis and HUMMERs and Mustangs… and this particular Hyundai i10. It’s just a treat.

The ice-cream van conversion wasn’t made for Good Humor, although it certainly put us in that state of mind. It was created as a promotional tool for the British launch of the i10 by auto innovator Andy Saunders, the same guy who gave us the neo-Picasso Citroen 2CV and the ground-hugging Fiat 126, among others. While the Poole, England-based customizer has come up with many creative designs before, we doubt any of them would get children running after it down the street like the Pied Piper. Have a look at the images in the gallery below and pick out something delicious on us.
[Source: theCarfanatic.com and AutoTrader.co.uk]