New Hyundai 2012 Velostor

By Rod Cleaver

The Veloster is coming! Not the dinosaur you'd imagine but instead Hyundai's new segment busting vehicle. Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. has announced that the new 2012 Hyundai Veloster 3-door coupe will have a manufacturer's suggested retail price starting at $18,999.


2012 Hyundai Veloster Coupe

The Veloster will come with a high level of standard equipment including 17-inch alloy wheels, proximity keyless entry with push-button start, Gasoline Direct Injection fuel-saving technology, back-up camera and a 7-inch touch screen display as standard equipment.  The Veloster will be available at Hyundai dealers across Canada in September. The Veloster arrives with the most aggressive adaptation of Hyundai's "Fluidic Sculpture" design language. First launched in 2010, Fluidic Sculpture evokes the interplay of wind with rigid surfaces to create the illusion of constant motion. With the Veloster, Hyundai has enhanced the design to give the car more visual appeal on the road. Equipped with a 138-horsepower, 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine producing 123 lb.-ft. of torque, the Veloster can be paired with either a 6-speed manual transmission or Hyundai's first 6-speed EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission. With Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) technology, the Veloster can reportedly achieve highway fuel efficiency of 4.9 L/100km - surpassing the Honda CR-Z Hybrid. "The Veloster is a new type of vehicle for Hyundai," said Steve Kelleher, President and CEO of Hyundai Auto Canada Corp.  "The car was designed to appeal to people looking for a compact, stylish coupe with sporty handling to navigate the modern urban jungle and an efficient engine in this era of high fuel prices. We've also infused the Veloster with the latest technology to help buyers get the most out of their car. We believe there simply is nothing else like the Veloster on the market right now."

 

2012 Hyundai Veloster side view


Pricing for the Veloster starts at $18,999 for a very well equipped model with a 6-speed manual transmission.  Additional standard equipment includes heated seats, Bluetooth, telescopic steering wheel, fog lights, LED position lights, centre-mounted dual chrome exhaust outlets and a sophisticated trip computer.  The 6-speed EcoShift Dual Clutch Transmission can be added for $1,400.

A single, optional $3,500 Tech Package is available, upgrading the Veloster with 18-inch alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof, satellite navigation, premium 450-watt Dimension audio system with subwoofer, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, upgraded seat covers and armrest, high-gloss black interior accents, alloy pedals and automatic light control.

A full complement of standard safety equipment includes six airbags, disc brakes at all four wheels and Hyundai's Vehicle Stability Management system. Braking aids include ABS, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.

Veloster combines the style of a coupe with the functionality of a hatchback, all while incorporating an additional passenger-side door. Hinged conventionally, the rear passenger side door of the Veloster provides safe and easy access to the rear seats. In order to maintain the classic coupe style, the passenger-side rear door handle is hidden in the C-pillar.

© 2011 Auto Reviews Online Inc., All Rights Reserved.

Kia wins four design awards in new Automotive Brand Contest

  • Top title ‘Best of Best’ secured in the category for overall brand design
  • Three Kia models triumph in the category for Exterior Design
  • New competition promoted by the German Design Council


(SEOUL) July 20, 2011 -- Kia Motors is one of the main winners in the first-ever Automotive Brand Contest. This new international brand and design competition was organised by the Rat für Formgebung (German Design Council), which is also responsible for the Designpreis der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (German Design Award).


The judging panel of the first Automotive Brand Contest declared Kia Motors the worthy winner in two categories. In the Brand Design category, where strategy and focus of the brand’s overall design is rated, Kia was ranked ‘Best of Best’.


For the Exterior category, in which the design of the vehicle itself is the centre of attention, three Kia models were picked as winners: the compact Sportage CUV, the forthcoming Rio B-segment model (on sale from Fall 2011 in most global markets) and the all-new, athletic D-segment Kia Optima sedan. The Kia Optima and Kia Sportage have already been awarded prestigious design prizes: the red dot award (Kia Optima: ‘best of the best’) and the iF product design award.


“We are all exceedingly proud that Kia Motors has done so well in this new competition, which is very important within the automotive industry,” says Kia’s Chief Design Officer Peter Schreyer. “By changing our basic design focus, we have given our brand a face, a distinctive identity. “The ‘Best of Best’ title for Kia’s new design identity in the Brand Design category is a great endorsement of the creative and professional work done by our entire international design team. The latest awards conferred on the Sportage and Optima, and the very first one to go to our latest model, the Rio, reflect the continuity of our efforts to uphold our own high design standards. All four awards are a fantastic acknowledgement of our strategy to position design as a core Kia brand promise,” adds Schreyer.


Three Kia award winning models: design that points to the future


The fourth-generation Kia Rio, which celebrated its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show, is not a further development of its predecessor, but a powerful new personality in its own right. By clearly moving away from its past, the new B-segment model epitomizes Kia’s transformation to a design and quality-led brand. The wedge-shaped profile and sleek side windows lend the newcomer dynamic flair, while the balance between window graphics, wheelbase and the vehicle’s overall proportions creates a ‘premium’ impression rarely found in this segment. Developed with the global market in mind, the Rio will be available in Europe in both three-door and five-door bodystyles, with four-door and five-door bodystyles offered in most other markets.


The newly developed Kia Optima is a model that bears no resemblance to the brand’s earlier D-segment vehicles. Peter Schreyer headed the design of the athletic sedan at the Kia design centres in Frankfurt, Germany and Irvine, USA. Immediately following its launch in the Korean market in mid-2010, the Kia Optima topped the D-segment sales chart there – the first Kia model ever to do so.


With its third-generation of the Sportage, Kia has given the popular compact CUV a complete makeover. The Sportage combines all the key off-road features – raised ground clearance, commanding driving position and heightened sense of security – with a sleek and urban-friendly design.


Winners to be presented at IAA motor show in Frankfurt


The Rat für Formgebung (German Design Council), organiser of the newly instituted Automotive Brand Contest, was founded in 1953 as an initiative of the German Federal Parliament, and today counts among the world’s leading centers of excellence for communication and knowledge transfer in the field of design.


Among the patrons of this independent institution are 170 companies from both Germany and abroad. With its competitions, such as Designpreis Deutschland (Germany’s highest official design award), its exhibitions, as well as its conferences, seminars and workshops, the German Design Council’s purpose is to spread the word about good industrial design to a broad public. The Automotive Brand Contest is open to all companies in the automobile industry and their partners, in the supply industry and in the fields of design and brand communications.


This first year’s winners of the new competition will be presented with their awards at the IAA in Frankfurt on Automotive Designers’ Night, 13 September 2011 (first press day).

Life with the 2011 Hyundai Equus Ultimate

by Chris Shunk, Autoblog on Jul 11th 2011 at 4:30PM

2011 Hyundai Equus Ultimate
 

Long-Term 2011 Hyundai Equus Ultimate – Click above for high-res image gallery


The Hyundai Equus and I spent nearly two months together, and during that time, the big sedan began to felt like it was my personal car. The seats began to feel more lived in, technology became more intuitive and even the way the Equus handled different road surfaces became permanently mapped into my brain. But even after six weeks with it, I still never got used to the fact that the Equus was a Hyundai.

It's still a bit difficult for me to process the fact that Hyundai makes a full-blown luxury rig, and the behavior of others who encountered it tells me I'm not alone. I was continually amazed at the number of requests to sit in the vehicle by people I have never met before in my life. One elderly gentleman – who proved his love of automobiles by showing me a completely tricked-out Fiat 500 he had just purchased – went so far as to sit in the driver's seat. His wife smartly opted for the reclining rear passenger seat, where I showed her all the tricks that make the Equus a livery-ready passenger car. As a reward, I got to sit in the driver's seat of the 500. I can't say that I fit comfortably, so my new friends may have gotten the better end of the deal.

It's easy to be impressed with the dimensions of the Equus, but I didn't expect much driving excitement from over 2000 kilograms of Korean flagship. It's no canyon carver, but it's not a Lincoln Town Car, either. The 4.6-litre Tau V8 may soon be replaced with a more powerful 5.0-litre mill, but I'd add that the current powertrain has plenty of power to keep most anyone entertained. In fact, while I was waiting for kid to finish up tennis practice one evening, I headed over to the empty parking lot at the local high school. My goal was to see if I could lay down a serviceable burnout in the two-ton Hyundai. It took a couple tries, but once traction control was dismissed and the sport mode was enabled, the deed was done. It probably wasn't that pretty, but it was still entertaining. After managing only 13 litres per 100 kilometres in the first fun-filled week, I was routinely between 11.4-12 L/100 km through 4,800 kilometres of travel.

Interestingly, my three daughters and their friends seemed to be most impressed with the Equus, even going so far as to tell me that they want a Hyundai as their first vehicle. If you were wondering why Hyundai might bother with a $69,999 Cdn luxury sedan, know that it's clearly making its impact, and not just on my kids or neighbors.

With June in the books, the largest and most-lux of all Hyundai models is gone from my driveway and off to the next Autoblogger. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss it – even if I still have trouble processing the idea of a $70K Hyundai.

 

 

Hyundai Ousts Honda, Toyota to Take No. 1 Spot for Brand Loyalty on Kbb.com

 

Latest Q2 2011 Analysis from Kelley Blue Book's Kbb.com Shows Kia, Mini Also Bucking Loyalty Trends

IRVINE, Calif., July 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Kelley Blue Book's www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new car andused car information, today announces that Hyundai has ousted traditional mainstays Honda and Toyota to take the No. 1 spot in brand loyalty on kbb.com for Q2 2011. While Hyundai took the top spot in loyalty in February 2010, this marks the first time since kbb.com began tracking this data that Hyundai has held the No. 1 spot for an entire quarter.

Automotive shoppers' loyalty to their respective brands has waned during the past year for the majority of vehicle makes, due to the economic downturn and consumers becoming much more aware of issues such as fuel prices, safety recalls, available vehicle options and additional models within their intended price points.

While many of the auto industry's top players have found themselves struggling to retain customers, Hyundai has blazed a new trail and preserved its loyal consumer base. The driving factors behind this retention have been aggressive marketing campaigns combined with innovative product redesigns like the highly successful 2011 Sonataand 2011 Elantra.

For Q2 2011, Hyundai's brand loyalty was at 52.3 percent, with Honda following at 49.7 percent and Toyota sliding in third at 47.7 percent. Rounding out the top five for Q2 2011 are Ford in the fourth spot at 45.4 percent, andSubaru in fifth at 44.8 percent.

In a time when most brands are losing loyalty, it is notable that fellow Korean automaker Kia also is bucking the trend. Kia is one of only two brands that are up in brand loyalty year-over-year, with the other being Mini. Both Kia and Mini are succeeding in loyalty for reasons similar to Hyundai, with a combined result of attractive redesigns and additional models within their respective lineups, as well as aggressive marketing campaigns.

"Hyundai's product renaissance is benefitting the company not just by attracting an all-new customer base, but by helping them to retain current loyal Hyundai owners, as well," said Arthur Henry, market intelligence manager for Kelley Blue Book. "This latest brand loyalty analysis from kbb.com is a testament to the power of attractive vehicle designs and intriguing marketing in the minds of in-market car shoppers as they consider their next vehicle."

Furthermore, several luxury brands, which have eroded in loyalty over the past few years, have now risen in loyalty for Q2 2011, as well. April and May of this year saw some positive economic signals (such as a sharp drop in gas prices), and as a result, Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence sees prior luxury owners shifting back to the luxury brands they enjoyed when the economy was booming. This is a positive sign for luxury brands such asMercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW, all of which saw quarter-over-quarter increases for Q2 2011 versus Q1 2011, yet all remain down year-over-year.

Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence examines brand loyalty while consumers are still in the shopping phase. For this analysis, loyalty is defined as owners of the brand who are currently shopping the same brand for their next vehicle. This includes data from consumers who view a trade-in page or private party page in addition to a new-car page on Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.

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