Automatic Factory Warranty Cruise Control Cd Player All Power Off Lease Only on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Goes Both Ways: Free-trade pact sees South Korean brands losing share at home

France has been vocal, but not alone, in noting the rise of the South Korean automakers in Europe. The signing of a free-trade pact in 2011 between South Korea and the EU, along with the especially value-conscious buyers in a crisis-stricken Europe, has seen market share increases measuring in the double digits for Hyundai and Kia - analysts expect 14-percent growth for the two in 2012.
A report in Bloomberg has found that there's pain at the other end, too: The pact more than halved import tariffs on European cars headed to South Korea to 3.2 percent, and prices are now close enough to domestic offerings for more South Koreans to pay the premium for foreign luxury nameplates and the cachet they confer. Products sold by the five domestic automakers hogged 92 percent of the market last year, and sales have dropped 5.2 percent this year whereas import sales have risen by 24 percent. This will mark the first year that imports claimed ten percent of the market; compare that to 2002, when domestic market share in the world's 11th largest auto market was 99 percent.
The Germans are at the head of the arrow, counting for 65 percent of imported car sales, but every foreign maker has seen double-digit gains. Analysts think foreign makes could ultimately grab 15 percent of the market.

Hyundai reveals new Sonata Hybrid in Seoul

The wraps are off Hyundai's next-generation Sonata Hybrid after an unveiling in Seoul, South Korea, and the latest model brings an improved powertrain and slight styling tweaks. In the Korean domestic market, the Sonata Hybrid relies upon a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder gas engine producing 154 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque with a 51-hp electric motor providing the rest of the thrust. Hyundai isn't revealing net system output at the moment, and it isn't saying whether we will get this powertrain in the US yet. Company spokesperson Jim Trainor tells Autoblog that those details will likely be announced at the model's North American debut at Detroit Auto Show in January. Sales are expected to begin in the spring. In addition to the upgraded engine, there's an improved six-speed automatic that houses most of the hybrid components and uses a new clutch to reduce drag. The switch to an electric oil pump also removes some inefficiencies, and the battery pack underneath the trunk has been enlarged to 1.62 kilowatt hours, up from 1.43 kWh. Despite the capacity increase, Hyundai claims there's 10.5 percent more cargo room back there. The Sonata's design gets a slight rethink to improve fuel economy, too. Up front, the redone nose features a new mesh grille in a more rectilinear frame, and out back, there's a set of unique taillamps, a lip spoiler and a unique rear diffuser to go along with the full underbody cover that only the pavement sees. If anything, the new hybrid model looks more traditional to our eyes than the standard gas-powered Sonata, which comes as something of a surprise, especially as the previous-generation Sonata Hybrid was markedly more futuristic and divisive in its appearance. In any case, we expect the looks to remain largely the same for the US version, which will likely arrive wearing a 2016 model-year designation. All of the upgrades, boost fuel economy to 18.2 kilometers per liter on the Korean cycle, the equivalent of about 42.8 miles per gallon. Comparatively, the current Sonata Hybrid in Korea is rated at 16.8 km/l (39.5 mpg). Hyundai will also make a big expansion to its electrified slate next year. In addition to the standard Sonata Hybrid, a plug-in version will come later in 2015 – the automaker's first. More details will arrive about the model in Detroit.

2019 Hyundai Veloster N revealed with 275 horsepower

Hyundai has finally revealed the first N model to come to the U.S., the Veloster N, and it's basically the i30 N's funkier cousin. Under the hood is the very same turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder cranking out 275 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. That power goes to a 6-speed manual transmission that features an automatic rev-matching system for downshifts, and on to the front wheels by way of an electronic limited-slip differential. Backing up the power is a suspension that is adjustable for damping via the various drive modes on the car, which also adjust throttle response, rev-matching characteristics, steering, differential settings and the exhaust note. The Veloster N also has standard 225-mm wide high-performance summer tires on 18-inch wheels, which can be swapped for 19-inch wheels with 235-mm wide high-performance summer tires. There are two sets of brakes available, too. The standard front rotors are 13 inches and the rears are 11.8 inches, and the optional set are 13.6 inches in the front and 12.4 inches in the rear. Of course all of these performance upgrades need more visual flair, which the Veloster N proudly displays. Up front it has a more aggressive front fascia with red accents around the grille. There are vents behind the grilles that direct air toward the brakes for additional cooling. More aggressive side skirts and a faux rear diffuser with split dual-exhaust tips complete the look of the lower body, while a big wing caps it off. That big wing also has a triangular high-mount brake light just like the i30 N. The exterior can be coated in one of four colors, white, black, red, or the trademark light blue of N. The interior gets some updates, too in the way of cloth sports seats, an N steering wheel with buttons in that same blue color, and shift indicator lights appear on the instrument panel. Production of the Veloster N begins this September, and they will be available at dealers in the fourth quarter of this year. If you can't wait, though, the car will be available for download and virtual driving in Forza Motorsport 7 on January 16. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2019 Hyundai Veloster N: Detroit 2018 View 16 Photos Related Gallery 2019 Hyundai Veloster N View 25 Photos Image Credit: Live photos copyright 2018 Drew Phillips / Autoblog.com Detroit Auto Show Hyundai Hatchback Performance 2018 detroit auto show hyundai veloster n