2012 Kia Sorento Lx on 2040-cars

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Hyundai Group design chief wants more differentiation between models and brands

Luc Donckerwolke, the man who oversees design at Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, is determined to get more differentiation into the model range. He not only wants greater visual separation between all the models in the range, he also wants more distinction between Hyundai Group cars and others in the respective segments, and global distinctions so that a Hyundai in China doesn't necessarily look like one built for North America. He told Autocar, "We will not have a global design language because otherwise it's too rigid. [The alternative is] more work, but it's more flexible." Donckerwolke gets an extreme look at the results of homogeneous design, because an enormous number of cars on the road in South Korea are Hyundai Group products. "[Our] core task is to differentiate the design philosophy of the three brands, not least because we have a big [around 70%] share in Korea. We need to differentiate each model, otherwise the landscape is too homogeneous." Top-down, each brand gets a design brief. Hyundai will be Hyundai's "sexy, seductive and sensuous, sporty, eager and stylish," holding onto its value proposition while adding emotion. Kia will be "young, challenging and cool — cooler than before," said brand design chief Byungchul Juh, with Donckerwolke adding that it's about "streetwear — bold, fresh and young." And Genesis is "haute couture." Donckerwolke characterizes the design philosophy as not "Russian dolls but ... chess pieces, with a look that reveals its own charismatic character. For example, Kia's used to be about the tiger nose grille, separate headlights and the lower intake. Now it's going to be more of a mask that will deliver sportiness and a presence." Kia designer Juh said, "There will be a distinct version of tiger face for each segment, and we'll keep the tiger nose grille. In principle it's the same, but there's a different interpretation for each segment, and more of a 3D feeling. We're moving from a nose to a face." The sketches we've seen of Kia's coming small global crossover take a first step, and we're told the next Sportage will make more impact than the new Tucson. As for Hyundai, the next Sonata will "be the design flag-bearer." We wait to see how much of the vehicle all of this affects. But right now, look at the 2020 Elantra and Sonata from the front three-quarter; ignore their front fascias, and they're two sizes of one sausage.

How automakers stand to benefit from Iran

The big global news of late is a deal that sees a number of major powers easing some sanctions on Iran in return for the Middle Eastern nation scaling back its nuclear program. This thawing of relations between Iran and the West could have far-reaching impacts in both the near and long term, particularly on the auto industry.
As Bloomberg points out, foreign manufacturers, especially Kia and Peugeot, stand to win big by this short-term easing of sanctions. But the impact of opening up the Iranian market to larger-scale sales cannot be underestimated - Peugeot, for example, sold 457,900 units to Iran in 2011 as spare parts kits alone. Opening the Iranian market could also have a huge impact on the cost of oil, as the country was one of the largest producers in the OPEC consortium before firmer sanctions took effect in 2012. Still, as David Cohen, US undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence said, it's "not open season now for business in Iran."
Bloomberg has an excellent report of all the near-term effects an easing of sanctions has across a number of industries. Hop over and give it a look.

Kia reveals new K3 Forte sedan in Korea [w/video]

Kia's new version of the Forte sedan has already been unveiled back in South Korea, where it's known as the K3. But while details have yet to be announced, we can expect most (if not all) of these updates to make their way to US showrooms soon. The facelifted version of the model known here as the Forte, in Korea as the K3, and elsewhere as the Cerato has a more sophisticated exterior appearance, with a larger grille, new head- and tail-lamps, and reshaped bumpers to give it a wider, more planted appearance. The interior features a sporty new flat-bottom steering wheel as well as new vents, multimedia controls, and trim. The Korean automaker has also taken the opportunity to outfit the new K3 with speed-sensitive electric power steering, lane assist, automatic park assist, and hands-free trunk opening. In its home market, the revised K3 offers 130 horsepower and 118 pound-feet of torque. But considering that the current Forte packs more punch than that already, we wouldn't take too much stock in the KDM engine specs. The 2015 Kia Forte LX available in the US packs a 1.8-liter inline-four good for 145 hp and 130 lb-ft of torque, while the more potent Forte EX steps up to a 2.0-liter four delivering 173 hp and 154 lb-ft. The Forte nameplate was launched in the US in 2009. The current, second-generation model launched in 2013. It's currently offered as a sedan, five-door hatchback, and as the two-door Forte Koup. The closely related Kia Cee'd offered in Europe is sold as a three-door hatch, five-door hatch, or five-door wagon.