Amazing : New Hyundai Sonata to Debut in 2014, New Genesis in 2013 !

A new version of the Hyundai Sonata sedan will debut by 2014, and a new version of the Genesis will arrive in 2013. Reuters reports that Hyundai CEO Kim Choong-ho confirmed the product debuts at an industry meeting in Seoul, South Korea.

The current version of the Hyundai Sonata (pictured) was introduced in Korea in late 2009 and launched in the U.S. in 2010. Since then, the car has not been significantly updated, although new turbocharged and hybrid models have become available. The Sonata is the best-selling Hyundai vehicle in the U.S., and the third best-selling Hyundai in Korea. The new, revamped version is designed to help Hyundai steal more market share from Japanese competitors like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord.

The Hyundai Genesis, which is the company’s large rear-wheel-drive flagship, should be updated by 2013. The Genesis launched in the U.S. for the 2009 model year, and for 2012 was upgraded with an optional 5.0-liter V-8 engine. The Genesis is the second slowest-selling Hyundai in the U.S. market, after the Azera sedan.

Hyundai also is planning to launch a new version of the Santa Fe crossover at the New York auto show in April. The company already is taking orders for the 2013 Santa Fe in South Korea.

Source: Reuters

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Rumor : Hyundai Confirms 204-HP Veloster Turbo Will Debut In Detroit !

After much speculation, Hyundai CEO John Krafcik has confirmed that there is, in fact, a turbocharged version of the Veloster hatchback in the works. The turbocharged hatchback will make its debut this upcoming January at the 2012 Detroit auto show.

Krafcik confirmed the hot hatch last night while at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show in Las Vegas, Nevada, and – as he often does – sent a tweet to Hyundai’s Twitter feed announcing the car’s debut in Detroit. That’s ironic, considering the company used the same account last week to downplay the possibility of a turbo Veloster.

We already knew that this car was coming, and even have a good idea of what will power the veloce Veloster. Just two weeks ago, the automaker took the wraps off of a turbocharged version of the 1.6-liter Gamma inline-four cylinder that is in the current Veloster. That new turbo mill should be good for around 204 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque, which is a significant improvement over the 138 hp and 123 lb-ft produced by the of the naturally aspirated engine.

Just as with the rest of its competitors, we expect that the Veloster Turbo will send all of its power through the front wheels. Expect transmission options to mirror those of the base Veloster, with either a six-speed manual or Hyundai’s all-new six-speed dual-clutch. No word yet on whether or not the more powerful engine will affect the Veloster’s 40 mpg highway rating, but don’t be surprised if those figures decrease slightly.

With 204 hp, the Veloster Turbo will sit mid-pack along with other hot hatches. It will best the Mini Cooper S (181 hp), the Volkswagen GTI (200 hp), and the Honda Civic Si (201 hp), although it won’tbe quite as powerful as the Mazdaspeed3 (263 hp) and Subaru WRX (265 hp).

Expect further details – along with a facelifted Genesis Coupe – to emerge closer to the Detroit show

Source: Hyundai Twitter

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The Hyundai Veloster Turbo Is Here…Finally !

The number one criticism of the Hyundai Veloster is that it lacks supreme power to match its go-fast looks. No more: Hyundai debuted a new Veloster Turbo at the Detroit Auto Show today, in hopes of turning the heat up on the hot hatchback.

That heat comes from a newly turbocharged 1.6-liter Gamma inline-four-cylinder engine. Thanks to the inclusion of a twin-scroll turbocharger, the Veloster Turbo now makes 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, an increase of 57 horses and 72 pound-feet. That power, as before, is sent to the front wheels via either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Considering that the Veloster Turbo is projected to weigh around 2800 pounds, the increase of power should mean big gains in acceleration times. It should also mean good fuel economy numbers: while the manual-equipped Veloster hits 40 mpg on the highway, the Veloster Turbo is projected to hit 27 mpg city and 38 mpg highway. Not bad for a car with at least 40 percent more power.

Inside, the seats get a predictably sporty treatment, and that sporty design moves outside as well: the Veloster’s distinctive grille receives a horizontal-slotted insert, which is topped off with a full aerodynamic kit.

The Veloster Turbo should be zooming toward Hyundai dealerships by this summer, at a price to be determined in the meantime.

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