The Hyundai Veloster Wins A 12th Annual Auto Style Awards

On November 22, 2011, Hyundai Motor America announced that the all-new 2012 Hyundai Veloster three-door coupe earned an Auto Style Award from eCityofStyle as part of its 12th annual awards program. The online source for an insider's look into the world of style, picked the five most stylish vehicles for the current model year. With more than 300 new cars for 2012, the finalists were selected after judges assessed exterior and interior style, fun-to-drive factor, exclusivity, and the all-important head-turning quotient. The eCityofStyle editors noted, ““Gone are the days of Hyundai's budget car status. Today, the Korean automaker is a legitimate threat to the establishment, designing cars that look considerably more expensive than they really are. The Veloster is perhaps Hyundai's most successful execution of its new design language, called Fluidic Sculpture. From the tight front end to the sculpted side creases to the powerful wheel arches, the Veloster's exterior is both aggressive and sleek.”

Following the 2011 Equus’ style award win last year, Hyundai is grabbing consumer attention and media headlines again with the Veloster. The Veloster and the other winners were selected by fashion editors, stylists, fashion photographers and designers; all experts that live outside of the automotive world.

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“With Veloster, we want to show consumers that high style and reasonable pricing can go hand in hand,” said Scott Margason, director, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Veloster stands out from the crowd with a stylish yet functional design. We’re honored that eCityofStyle is recognizing the beautiful design and unique personality of the car.” According to Hyundai,  Veloster’s cutting edge integration of the third-door combined with a breakthrough design inspired by a high-performance sport bike allows Veloster to stand-out from its competition and makes a bold statement about Hyundai’s commitment to innovative design. Distinctive black A-pillars give the glass a motorcycle helmet visor appearance and in the front is an aggressive form of Hyundai’s signature hexagonal front grille and unique Hyundai-signature LED position lights. Veloster’s dynamic rear design has a distinctive glass hatch, dual centered chrome exhaust tips and black lower fascia that complement the assertive front fascia. Inside, the center stack and controls resemble a sport bike fuel tank and the air vents are inspired by motorcycle tailpipes, while the floor console mirrors the seat of a bike.

Beyond design, the Veloster’s fuel-sipping feature of 40 MPG highway adds to its appeal in LA where fuel prices are well above the national average. Joining the Veloster as Auto Style Award winners are the BMW 6 Series, Fiat 500, Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, and Range Rover Evoque.

Source: examiner.com

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Hyundai’s Reputation is on the Rise

With another strong showing in one of the country’s top gauges of perceived quality, Hyundai is further growing its status as one of the most trusted names in the auto industry. According to ALG’s Fall 2011 Perceived Quality Study, Hyundai is now in the top ten in this important measure, having jumped from the 18th spot to the ninth position in just three years—by far the biggest improvement during that period.

“Hyundai has made impressive efforts to improve brand perception and we can see that it has truly paid off in the mainstream rankings,” said Eric Lyman, vice president, Residual Value Solutions, ALG.

According to Hyundai, much of this recent success can be attributed to a trio of high-quality, high-efficiency cars that have launched in the past year, including:

• Hyundai Elantra—Which will soon add a coupe body style to its popular sedan and five-door hatchback configurations.
• Hyundai Accent—With best-in-class fuel economy (30 mpg city/40 mpg highway/34 mpg combined) and horsepower (138 hp).
• Hyundai Veloster—Showcasing a particularly dynamic design as the industry’s only three-door coupe.

Plus, because the Elantra and Veloster are capable of 40 mpg as well, as is the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Hyundai now offers four different vehicles capable of reaching that impressive mark. As a result, not only did that frugal foursome account for nearly 20,000 sales in October alone, but they also helped Hyundai achieve an overall fleet fuel-efficiency rating of 37 mpg (using the current CAFE calculations).

“Hyundai continues to impress car shoppers with the level of quality throughout the lineup from the entry level Accent all the way to our flagship Equus sedan,” said Frank Ferrara, executive vice president, Customer Satisfaction, Hyundai Motor America. “And, with a slew of recently launched and redesigned models, Hyundai quality and brand perception will continue to grow.”

Source: hyundaiinthenews.com

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2012 Hyundai Azera: The sincerest form of flattery

If you've ever criticized Hyundai for derivative design, you'll want to have your torches and pitchforks at the ready for this one.

The first thing I thought when Hyundai pulled the wraps off of its new 2012 Azera here at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show was that it looked just like a Toyota Camry. Perhaps that's not totally fair, because as the large sedan spun slowly on its turntable, I also saw hints of Mazda6, Nissan Altima, and BMW 6-Series. For a brand like Hyundai that's been building a ton of steam over the last few years with its distinctive Sonata, Elantra, and Accent models, looking just like the competition is not a good thing.

Interestingly, the Azera was referred to as "the most dramatic example of the Fluidic Sculpture design language" during its unveiling. Whoever wrote that line on the prompter clearly hasn't seen the Veloster or the newly unveiled Genesis Coupe.

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Quibbles about design aside, the Azera does check many of the right boxes where specs and tech are concerned. Under its hood spins a 3.3-liter V-6 engine that uses gasoline direct-injection technology to send 293 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission (yes, there is a manual shift mode) and out through the front 18- or 19-inch wheels. Fuel economy is estimated at 20 mpg city and 29 mpg highway. Looking at the numbers, the Azera seems to be able to go blow for blow with the Toyota Avalon, Nissan Maxima, and non-SHO Ford Taurus with which it competes.

The Azera is nicely equipped where cabin comfort is concerned. Leather heated seats are standard for the front and rear rows. If the Sonata and Genesis sedans that sandwich the new sedan in Hyundai's lineup are any indicator, fit and finish should be good.

One area where Hyundai has been consistently winning our favor has been cabin tech, and the Azera looks to be no exception. Hyundai's new Blue Link telematics system that debuted on the Veloster will be standard on the Azera with a similar tiered system (Assurance, Essentials, and Guidance) of available functionality. Navigation is also standard, as are satellite radio, traffic, weather, and stock data from XM Satellite Radio. Owners are also given a choice between a seven-speaker Dimension audio system or a 550-watt, 12-speaker Infinity premium audio rig. Regardless of which you chose, Bluetooth calling and audio streaming and USB/iPod connectivity are standard.

Source: cnet.com

Vehicle Special: Red 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe

A long list of standard comfort and safety features and an impressive engine makes this 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe a commendable midsize crossover SUV choice for your next car.

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Hyundai aims to raise brand awareness with 5 TV spots before and during Super Bowl

Hyundai Motor Co. is hoping that five television spots before and during the Feb. 5 Super Bowl game will help to bolster its rising brand recognition and continue big sales gains from the past few years.

North American CEO John Krafcik says the fast-growing brand is working on a 60-second spot that will run right before kickoff, plus two ads on the pregame show and two during the first and third quarters of the game.

He wouldn’t say how much the Korean automaker is spending on the ads, which will compete with most creative spots American companies have to offer during one of television’s highest-rated and most expensive sporting events. Last year Super Bowl ads cost companies about $3 million for 30 seconds.

Chrysler Group LLC’s two-minute spot featuring rapper Eminem was among those that created the most Super Bowl buzz this past February, and it helped kick off what has been a strong sales year for the recovering company. The cinematic third-quarter ad showed Eminem driving through Detroit and introduced a new car, the Chrysler 200 sedan, amid gritty scenes of the city. A voiceover talked about how the city has survived going through “hell and back.”

Krafcik said Hyundai hopes to have standout spots as well, but it will focus more on a brand message rather than going for entertainment value.

“We’re competing with Doritos and Pepsi and Anheuser-Busch,” he said Friday at an auto show briefing for reporters at a technical center near Ann Arbor, Mich. “Those are tough competitors from an entertainment point of view.”

Hyundai, he said, might have a little more fun with its ads this year and try to make them more memorable than in the past. But it’s also trying to sway about a third of the auto market that has a neutral view of the brand, which sells the Elantra compact, Sonata midsize car and Tucson crossover SUV, among other models.

Hyundai has had huge sales growth in a lackluster U.S. auto market. Through October, the company has sold more than 545,000 vehicles, already passing last year’s record sales of 538,000, according to Autodata Corp. Hyundai’s U.S. market share has risen from 4.2 percent in 2009 to 5.2 percent so far this year, and analysts believe the company has taken sales mainly from Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp., both of which have experienced declines.

Hyundai’s sales are so strong that it’s having trouble supplying cars and crossovers to its dealers, Krafcik said. It has raised the annual output at its Montgomery, Ala., factory to around 330,000 this year, and will produce more cars in North America in 2012, he said. But he wouldn’t comment when asked if the company plans to build a new factory in the U.S.

Source: washingtonpost.com

 

Vehicle Special: 2012 Hyundai Accent GS

Larger, sharper and more fuel-efficient, this redesigned 2012 Hyundai Accent deserves your consideration as an affordable, stylish new car!

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Check out what Hyundai's Senior Manager has to say about the 2012 Veloster's uniqueness

Check out what Hyundai's Senior Manager of Product Planning, Brandon Ramirez has to say about what makes the 2012 Veloster so unique.

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ARK Performance Partners With Hyundai

ARK Performance partnered with Hyundai to build a rally-inspired Hyundai Veloster. Check out what they did with the Veloster and find out how to get the parts for yourself!

This 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a Great Choice For Your Next Vehicle

This 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe bundles excellent rear-wheel-drive driving dynamics with brisk performance into an attractive package. Equipped with sharp handling, sporty cabin design and strong four-cylinder fuel economy.

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Hyundai SEMA Booth Features Five Custom Cars For Performance Hungry Tuners

Hyundai will showcase the innovative Veloster and the performance-oriented Genesis Coupe at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show Nov. 1-4, 2011. Hyundai has again united with some of the biggest names in the aftermarket industry to build five one-of-a-kind models for the Hyundai display at SEMA (booth #24387) at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The lineup of Hyundai vehicles includes:

• ARK Performance Veloster
• PM Lifestyle Veloster
• Genesis Hurricane SC
• Rhys Millen Racing RM500 Genesis Coupe
• Rhys Millen Racing 2WD Global Rally Cross Veloster

“Each year we bring our newest, most exciting cars to SEMA through a partnership with aftermarket specialists to create even more powerful options for Hyundai owners,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “This year, we chose to bring back the tuner-friendly Genesis Coupe as well as debut modifications to our new and innovative three-door coupe, the 2012 Veloster.”

Adding even more Velosters to Hyundai’s modified pack, RIDES magazine, in association with Lux Motorwerks, also built three custom Velosters centered around the passion points of music, technology and gaming. Each of the three Velosters boasts its own style, top-of-the-line modifications and the most current gear available.

 

ARK Performance Veloster

To showcase the performance capabilities and aftermarket potential of its three-door coupe, Hyundai teamed up with ARK Performance to transform Veloster into a sleek rally car. The ARK Performance Veloster will be unveiled with a custom twin-scroll turbocharger increasing its horsepower to 210-horsepower and a bright green and flat gray paint scheme to give enthusiasts a glimpse at Veloster’s potential. The Veloster will showcase mechanical, interior and exterior modifications including an open wheel concept with aggressive fenders and Nitto tires. ARK will also develop Veloster specific parts to showcase the tunability of the engine and vehicle exterior.

PM Lifestyle Veloster

Hyundai partnered with PM Lifestyle, a leader in creative innovation and digital media distribution in the automotive industry, and the Universal Technical Institute (UTI) to develop a powerful and interactive custom Veloster for this year’s SEMA Show. The bold, blue Veloster with a carbon-fiber hood, Konig Deception wheels and custom leather interior will make its debut on the SEMA Show floor and then take off on a three-year show tour with UTI, making appearances at over 120 autocross, supercross and school demonstration events. With an anticipated performance of 163-horsepower, PM Lifestyle’s custom Veloster will showcase many special modifications, making it a guaranteed highlight at this year’s SEMA Show.

Genesis Hurricane SC

 Showcasing the extreme power of Hyundai’s most popular performance car, Hyundai America Technical Center Inc. (HATCI) teamed up with Magnuson Products, Rhys Millen Racing, Harman International and Torvec Inc. to develop and build a special edition prototype Genesis Coupe, the Genesis Hurricane SC. The Genesis Hurricane SC represents a two year development effort by HATCI, Hyundai’s design, technology and engineering branch, as its engineers worked to enhance all aspects of the vehicle including power, traction, braking, exterior and interior design and audio system. Highlighting the performance modifications, HATCI teamed up with Magnuson Products to supercharge Genesis Coupe’s 3.8L V-6 engine with a liquid to air intercooler, producing more than 450-horsepower.

In addition to the supercharged V-6, the Hurricane features an IsoTorque differential from Torvec Inc., exterior enhancements from Rhys Millen Racing and a Harman International high level Lexicon audio system.

Rhys Millen Racing RM500 Genesis Coupe

Making auto enthusiasts’ wishes come true at this year’s SEMA Show, RMR’s modified Genesis Coupe will showcase Hyundai’s most powerful engine under its hood – the award-winning 5.0-liter Tau V8. The RM500 Genesis Coupe is a 450-horsepower machine with a distinct, production-ready look. This marks the fourth year of the partnership between RMR and Hyundai creating show-stopping vehicles for tuners and consumers alike. In addition to the Tau V8, the all-black Genesis Coupe receives a custom RMR stainless exhaust with GReddy rear section muffler and titanium tips, oil cooler and rear differential cooler. These mechanical enhancements give Hyundai’s most powerful engine an extra 20 horsepower boost.

Rhys Millen Racing 2WD Global Rally Cross Veloster

Rhys Millen Racing (RMR) will also showcase his Two-Wheel Drive Veloster Rally Car. This production-based two-wheel drive racer has custom lightweight RMR body panels, improved aerodynamics, and rally-inspired suspension tuning for the rally enthusiast. The car features Hyundai’s 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and delivers 300-horsepower and 300 lb.-ft. of torque.

Source: hyundaiinthenews.com

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Hyundai Plans to Make a Turbo Version of the Veloster!

Hyundai is going to fire up the power on its hot little sports mobile, giving turbo power to its new, little Veloster three-door.

The hottest version of the car will come with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine, Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik told reporters gathered last night in Las Vegas on the eve of the SEMA aftermarket parts show. Interesting timing: The Veloster -- one of the most novel new cars to hit the market -- has barely landed in showrooms, and already Hyundai is talking about a hotter version.

Good for Hyundai. Drive On has been predicting that the Veloster could become a breakout hit with its sporty, menacing looks, two doors on the right and one on the left, and affordable pricing. Hyundai is loading up the SEMA show with custom versions of Veloster, trying to show what customizers can do with the car. That's one possibility in the photo, above.

Krafcik also revealed that some tweaks are on the way for Veloster's pricier corporate sibling, the Genesis coupe. Hyundai appears to be saving that announcement for the auto shows in the next three months.

Source: usatoday.com