CarsDirect.com's editors named the 2011 Hyundai Elantra one of the "Top Ten Cars to Look Forward to in 2011" on their new Pricing Insider Blog. The all-new Elantra encompasses all of Hyundai's latest ambitions including modern design, advanced safety technologies and best-in-class 40 mpg highway fuel economy. In the very competitive compact car segment, the Elantra stands out with "class-above" mid-size car interior volume, a new 1.8-liter "Nu" engine and a low starting price point of $14,830.
"Compact-car buying used to be a compromise with consumers settling for affordable, fuel-efficient cars without style, space, or luxury amenities," said Scott Margason, director of product planning, Hyundai Motor America. "The 2011 Elantra challenges the current compact sedan segment, offering a sleek, sophisticated look and affordable price tag, while still returning 40 mpg of fuel economy."
CarsDirect.com is the leading multi-brand online car buying service, providing new and pre-owned automobiles and related products and services. Their "Top Ten Cars to Look Forward to in 2011" list highlights the very best cars that they believe 2011 has to offer.
"Hyundai [has] pulled it off and delivered a car that not only challenges the compact status quo, but seemingly has the competition totally outgunned," said CarsDirect.com editors. "With a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing a respectable 148 horsepower, the Elantra has plenty of power for a compact—especially when you take into account that it has more power than the industry benchmarks, the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.
"But what really sets the Elantra apart is its incredible fuel economy. Rated at 29 City/40 Highway mpg, the Elantra is nearly untouchable in its class. Moreover, with its thoroughly modern body style, the Elantra looks and feels more advanced than its Japanese rivals. Even with a new Civic due next year and a new Corolla planned for 2013, we believe this generation of Elantra will enjoy its spot at the top of the compact car hierarchy."
Joining the Elantra on the CarsDirect.com list are the Nissan Leaf, Kia Optima, Chevrolet Volt, Audi A8, BMW 1-Series M Coupe, Ford Explorer, Buick Regal GS, Fiat 500, and Ford Focus. For more information about the "Top Ten Cars to Look Forward to in 2011" from CarsDirect.com visit: http://pricinginsider.carsdirect.com/tag/top-10-cars-to-look-forward-to-in-2011/.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through about 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance.
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
HYUNDAI CELEBRATES ITS 25TH ANNIVERSARY IN THE UNITED STATES
With gas prices at $1.20 per gallon, financing topping 10 percent APR and airbags emerging as the latest safety technology, the auto industry looked much different 25 years ago when Hyundai brought its car to the United States. Today, with a full line-up of award-winning products, Hyundai Motor America celebrated its 25th anniversary in the U.S. on February 20th, focused on the new challenges and exciting opportunities that the next 25 years will bring.
Since its start in 1986 with the humble Excel, Hyundai has grown into a full-line producer of cars and crossovers, from Accent to Equus, from Tucson to Veracruz. Since the company’s arrival, Americans have put 6,608,208 Hyundai vehicles in their driveways, with more than 4,350,000 still on the road today. In 2010, sales topped 538,000, making Hyundai the sixth best-selling brand in the country, behind only Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Ford, and Chevrolet. U.S. production capacity has grown to over 400,000 units of Sonata, Elantra and Santa Fe models produced in modern assembly plants in Alabama and Georgia. Hyundai engines and transmissions are produced here, too. Direct U.S. employment totals more than 4,000, with total employment including suppliers and dealers of over 45,000. Hyundai’s commitment to the U.S. market includes engineering, design, testing, production, sales, and marketing. In all, Hyundai’s investments in the U.S. total $1.7 billion.
Hyundai’s heritage is built on earning the trust of its owners. Every Hyundai sold since the 1999 model year comes with what remains the industry’s best warranty – a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a 5-year, 60,000-mile vehicle warranty. Over the years, Hyundai has partnered with its owners in deeper ways, through good and bad times, and now offers a comprehensive suite of programs under the Hyundai Assurance banner that includes America’s Best Warranty, five years of unlimited mileage roadside assistance, and the innovative job-loss protection program.
As Hyundai grows, so do its aspirations. Last year, Hyundai established the most aggressive fuel economy goal in the industry, committing to a 50 miles-per-gallon-plus fleet average by 2025. This strategy, which falls under the banner “BlueDrive,” includes the aggressive implementation of a range of new, affordable technologies such as direct injection, turbocharging, internally-developed transmissions, and lightweighting. In parallel, Hyundai’s engineering teams are developing new fuel cell and battery solutions to help provide alternative solutions beyond the internal combustion engine.
Hyundai’s pursuits are not limited to the automobile. Hyundai Hope on Wheels is the united effort of Hyundai Motor America and its more than 800 dealers across the U.S. to help children fight cancer. We are dedicated to raising awareness about childhood cancer, celebrating the hope of the brave children battling the disease and finding a cure through our support of the best pediatric cancer researchers in the country. A portion of every Hyundai sold goes directly to this fight and more than $23 million have been donated since 1998.
“As far as we’ve come since 1986, we still feel we’re in the early stages of connecting the Hyundai brand to the U.S. consumer,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “We’ve always challenged convention – from our powertrain strategies, to our consumer partnership programs, to our unique Genesis and Equus retail approach. It’s authentically Hyundai to question the status quo and pursue our own vision of how things should be in order to best serve our customers. This willingness to challenge convention will continue to guide us these next 25 years.”
Hyundai’s model lineup now offers 12 distinct cars and crossovers – with more on the way. Hyundai’s immediate future includes three exciting new models arriving at showrooms through summer. The Veloster, a unique 3-door 40-mpg sporty coupe featuring Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics solution, will join all-new 4-door and 5-door versions of the Accent, which will also deliver 40 mpg. Hyundai’s award-winning Genesis gets a thorough face-lift and new engines and transmissions, with the performance-focused Genesis R-Spec and its all-new 429-horsepower Tau 5.0L V8 engine making its first appearance.
Hyundai’s anniversary present still awaits; a state-of-the-art headquarters based in Fountain Valley, Calif. is slated for completion in late 2012. The new campus doubles the size and capacity of the current building, giving Hyundai and its employees an environment conducive to growth as it prepares to help write the next chapter of a great American success story.
Since its start in 1986 with the humble Excel, Hyundai has grown into a full-line producer of cars and crossovers, from Accent to Equus, from Tucson to Veracruz. Since the company’s arrival, Americans have put 6,608,208 Hyundai vehicles in their driveways, with more than 4,350,000 still on the road today. In 2010, sales topped 538,000, making Hyundai the sixth best-selling brand in the country, behind only Toyota, Honda, Nissan, Ford, and Chevrolet. U.S. production capacity has grown to over 400,000 units of Sonata, Elantra and Santa Fe models produced in modern assembly plants in Alabama and Georgia. Hyundai engines and transmissions are produced here, too. Direct U.S. employment totals more than 4,000, with total employment including suppliers and dealers of over 45,000. Hyundai’s commitment to the U.S. market includes engineering, design, testing, production, sales, and marketing. In all, Hyundai’s investments in the U.S. total $1.7 billion.
Hyundai’s heritage is built on earning the trust of its owners. Every Hyundai sold since the 1999 model year comes with what remains the industry’s best warranty – a 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty, and a 5-year, 60,000-mile vehicle warranty. Over the years, Hyundai has partnered with its owners in deeper ways, through good and bad times, and now offers a comprehensive suite of programs under the Hyundai Assurance banner that includes America’s Best Warranty, five years of unlimited mileage roadside assistance, and the innovative job-loss protection program.
As Hyundai grows, so do its aspirations. Last year, Hyundai established the most aggressive fuel economy goal in the industry, committing to a 50 miles-per-gallon-plus fleet average by 2025. This strategy, which falls under the banner “BlueDrive,” includes the aggressive implementation of a range of new, affordable technologies such as direct injection, turbocharging, internally-developed transmissions, and lightweighting. In parallel, Hyundai’s engineering teams are developing new fuel cell and battery solutions to help provide alternative solutions beyond the internal combustion engine.
Hyundai’s pursuits are not limited to the automobile. Hyundai Hope on Wheels is the united effort of Hyundai Motor America and its more than 800 dealers across the U.S. to help children fight cancer. We are dedicated to raising awareness about childhood cancer, celebrating the hope of the brave children battling the disease and finding a cure through our support of the best pediatric cancer researchers in the country. A portion of every Hyundai sold goes directly to this fight and more than $23 million have been donated since 1998.
“As far as we’ve come since 1986, we still feel we’re in the early stages of connecting the Hyundai brand to the U.S. consumer,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “We’ve always challenged convention – from our powertrain strategies, to our consumer partnership programs, to our unique Genesis and Equus retail approach. It’s authentically Hyundai to question the status quo and pursue our own vision of how things should be in order to best serve our customers. This willingness to challenge convention will continue to guide us these next 25 years.”
Hyundai’s model lineup now offers 12 distinct cars and crossovers – with more on the way. Hyundai’s immediate future includes three exciting new models arriving at showrooms through summer. The Veloster, a unique 3-door 40-mpg sporty coupe featuring Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics solution, will join all-new 4-door and 5-door versions of the Accent, which will also deliver 40 mpg. Hyundai’s award-winning Genesis gets a thorough face-lift and new engines and transmissions, with the performance-focused Genesis R-Spec and its all-new 429-horsepower Tau 5.0L V8 engine making its first appearance.
Hyundai’s anniversary present still awaits; a state-of-the-art headquarters based in Fountain Valley, Calif. is slated for completion in late 2012. The new campus doubles the size and capacity of the current building, giving Hyundai and its employees an environment conducive to growth as it prepares to help write the next chapter of a great American success story.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Hyundai Elantra heats up competition with Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruze
The very first thing I said to myself when I sat down in the 2011 Hyundai Elantra was "Well, this is going to screw things up."
For months, I have been advocating that the best compact cars were imported from Detroit. (Hey, maybe I should copyright that line before some carmaker steals it?) The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and 2012 Ford Focus were far and away my top picks for mainstream compact car transportation. But now, I'm not as sure. The 2011 Hyundai Elantra is simply gangbusters in nearly every category.
It has the looks of Hyundai's all-new Sonata, which is awesome. It gets better gas mileage than most subcompact cars. It comes with out-of-this-world amenities, such as second-row heated seats, a crystal-clear navigation system, and more than 43 inches of legroom in the front row. And it has a starting price under $15,000, giving it a dollar to luxury quotient of incredible.
Realistically, the base-model Elantra GLS feels more like a price statement than a civilized modern machine. It only comes with a six-speed manual, and things like air conditioning, cruise control and 16-inch wheels are optional. Lots of carmakers pull off this stunt.
But it's when Hyundai starts adding options that the Elantra begins to feel like a bargain. A top-of-the-line Elantra Limited starts at $21,980 — both the Cruze and Focus can still cost thousands of dollars more.
My fully loaded Limited was a cocoon of luxury and leather, at a cost of $22,000. The 7-inch, high-resolution monitor at the top of the center stack provided a crisp navigation system that's easy to use. There is also a slew of technology features that are quickly becoming the norm on many compact cars: Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone operation, voice recognition and push-button start.
Hyundai also adds a proximity feature, which unlocks the door when you touch the handle — meaning you don't have to pull your keys out of your pocket to unlock the door. It's a feature that you never knew you needed until you start using it. Stunning interior delivers
The interior is simply stunning.
There's an elegant center stack that roughly resembles an hourglass. Throughout the cabin, waves of luxury roll through every surface, reflecting an emotive design. At the top of the center stack is a sliver of blue light that cuts out of the dash and relays information. At night, the cabin fills with a soft blue light that is easy on your eyes — and your night vision.
The instrument panel includes two chrome-trimmed gauges and the same blue lighting. Every individual piece looks and feels well crafted, and together, they combine into a masterpiece.
Even the comfortable seats offer just the right touch of environmental sensibilities with lightweight, eco-friendly foam. It's only a seat, but, somehow, you feel better about it. Then again, you also feel better because it's heated — in the front and back row.
Hyundai also has managed to help the environment another way: The Elantra hits 40 mpg on the highway and 29 mpg in the city. Unlike the Cruze and Focus, which reach 42 mpg and 40 mpg, respectively, those cars need special fuel-efficient models to do that. Hyundai does it with all of its cars — not a small difference. Responsive, peppy engine
The little 1.8-liter dual overhead cam four-cylinder engine with dual-continuously variable valve timing provides 148 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque. Its performance on Detroit's streets was good. The engine is peppy and the six-speed automatic transmission in my test vehicle was extremely smooth — almost too smooth. It changed gears quickly and rarely rewarded me with that gear-shifting lurch. Lots of carmakers do this to improve fuel economy, but in the Elantra it was more noticeable. There is a manual override on the automatic that allows more aggressive drivers to get more out of the engine and the car.
On the road, the electric motor driven power steering was very linear and precise. I would have preferred more resistance the farther I moved the steering wheel, especially at highway speeds, when the Elantra felt a little twitchy.
However, it was comfortable on the highway and driving at low parking lot speeds, something to remember for people who drive in heavy traffic. It was also extremely quiet, making it all that much better to sit back and enjoy the 360-watt optional stereo system.
And a stereo is important — as this car is so good looking it should come with its own soundtrack. Exterior is modern classic
Hyundai says the exterior is the next step in its fluidic sculpture design language.
No matter what you call it, the fifth-generation Elantra looks sharp. The wheels are pushed out to the edges, but not so far to disrupt the car's proportions. The small grille above and below the bumper help define the Elantra's face, while the angular fog lamps provide dimples to the car's smile. It looks modern and classic in the same breath.
There is also nice definition along the car's side, with the A-line moving through both door handles and then through the rear tail lamp. While it has all the trappings of the Sonata — the first fluidic design car to enter Hyundai's lineup — I like the Elantra more. The Sonata is almost overdone with all of the sharp edges. But with the Elantra, the designer seemed to know when to put the pencil down. Sometimes the best design happens when you stop.
Inside and out, the Elantra seems to offer more and more.
The Cruze and Focus may have set a new standard for compact cars, but the Elantra raises the bar even higher.
That's not good news for carmakers, which now have to re-evaluate their next compact offering.
But it's fantastic news for consumers.
For months, I have been advocating that the best compact cars were imported from Detroit. (Hey, maybe I should copyright that line before some carmaker steals it?) The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and 2012 Ford Focus were far and away my top picks for mainstream compact car transportation. But now, I'm not as sure. The 2011 Hyundai Elantra is simply gangbusters in nearly every category.
It has the looks of Hyundai's all-new Sonata, which is awesome. It gets better gas mileage than most subcompact cars. It comes with out-of-this-world amenities, such as second-row heated seats, a crystal-clear navigation system, and more than 43 inches of legroom in the front row. And it has a starting price under $15,000, giving it a dollar to luxury quotient of incredible.
Realistically, the base-model Elantra GLS feels more like a price statement than a civilized modern machine. It only comes with a six-speed manual, and things like air conditioning, cruise control and 16-inch wheels are optional. Lots of carmakers pull off this stunt.
But it's when Hyundai starts adding options that the Elantra begins to feel like a bargain. A top-of-the-line Elantra Limited starts at $21,980 — both the Cruze and Focus can still cost thousands of dollars more.
My fully loaded Limited was a cocoon of luxury and leather, at a cost of $22,000. The 7-inch, high-resolution monitor at the top of the center stack provided a crisp navigation system that's easy to use. There is also a slew of technology features that are quickly becoming the norm on many compact cars: Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone operation, voice recognition and push-button start.
Hyundai also adds a proximity feature, which unlocks the door when you touch the handle — meaning you don't have to pull your keys out of your pocket to unlock the door. It's a feature that you never knew you needed until you start using it. Stunning interior delivers
The interior is simply stunning.
There's an elegant center stack that roughly resembles an hourglass. Throughout the cabin, waves of luxury roll through every surface, reflecting an emotive design. At the top of the center stack is a sliver of blue light that cuts out of the dash and relays information. At night, the cabin fills with a soft blue light that is easy on your eyes — and your night vision.
The instrument panel includes two chrome-trimmed gauges and the same blue lighting. Every individual piece looks and feels well crafted, and together, they combine into a masterpiece.
Even the comfortable seats offer just the right touch of environmental sensibilities with lightweight, eco-friendly foam. It's only a seat, but, somehow, you feel better about it. Then again, you also feel better because it's heated — in the front and back row.
Hyundai also has managed to help the environment another way: The Elantra hits 40 mpg on the highway and 29 mpg in the city. Unlike the Cruze and Focus, which reach 42 mpg and 40 mpg, respectively, those cars need special fuel-efficient models to do that. Hyundai does it with all of its cars — not a small difference. Responsive, peppy engine
The little 1.8-liter dual overhead cam four-cylinder engine with dual-continuously variable valve timing provides 148 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque. Its performance on Detroit's streets was good. The engine is peppy and the six-speed automatic transmission in my test vehicle was extremely smooth — almost too smooth. It changed gears quickly and rarely rewarded me with that gear-shifting lurch. Lots of carmakers do this to improve fuel economy, but in the Elantra it was more noticeable. There is a manual override on the automatic that allows more aggressive drivers to get more out of the engine and the car.
On the road, the electric motor driven power steering was very linear and precise. I would have preferred more resistance the farther I moved the steering wheel, especially at highway speeds, when the Elantra felt a little twitchy.
However, it was comfortable on the highway and driving at low parking lot speeds, something to remember for people who drive in heavy traffic. It was also extremely quiet, making it all that much better to sit back and enjoy the 360-watt optional stereo system.
And a stereo is important — as this car is so good looking it should come with its own soundtrack. Exterior is modern classic
Hyundai says the exterior is the next step in its fluidic sculpture design language.
No matter what you call it, the fifth-generation Elantra looks sharp. The wheels are pushed out to the edges, but not so far to disrupt the car's proportions. The small grille above and below the bumper help define the Elantra's face, while the angular fog lamps provide dimples to the car's smile. It looks modern and classic in the same breath.
There is also nice definition along the car's side, with the A-line moving through both door handles and then through the rear tail lamp. While it has all the trappings of the Sonata — the first fluidic design car to enter Hyundai's lineup — I like the Elantra more. The Sonata is almost overdone with all of the sharp edges. But with the Elantra, the designer seemed to know when to put the pencil down. Sometimes the best design happens when you stop.
Inside and out, the Elantra seems to offer more and more.
The Cruze and Focus may have set a new standard for compact cars, but the Elantra raises the bar even higher.
That's not good news for carmakers, which now have to re-evaluate their next compact offering.
But it's fantastic news for consumers.
Friday, February 11, 2011
2012 Hyundai Genesis Offers its Most Powerful V8 Powertrain With Further Design and Chassis Refinement
New 5.0-liter V8 R-Spec Model, Enhanced Direct Injection V6 Engine and New Eight-speed Transmissions Significantly Improve Driving Dynamics and Refinement
Hyundai's award-winning Genesis sedan continues its segment leadership with exterior design improvements, new direct injection technology for its Lambda V6 engine, new eight-speed automatic transmissions, and enhanced chassis tuning. In addition, a new 5.0-liter direct injection V8 engine is now available exclusively with the 5.0 R-Spec model, which includes unique 19-inch machined-finish alloy wheels, optional Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 summer performance tires and sport-tuned transmission, suspension and steering calibrations for exhilarating vehicle dynamics.
2012 Genesis Highlights
* New 5.0-liter R-Spec Direct Injection V8 performance flagship model added
- Most powerful Hyundai engine ever with 429 horsepower
- Unique 19-inch alloy wheel design with premium machined finish
- Dark chrome headlamp inserts
- Unique R-Spec sport transmission, suspension and steering calibrations
* Direct injection technology added to Lambda 3.8-liter V6 engine for 15 percent improved output (333 HP), improved fuel economy and emissions
* In-house-developed eight-speed automatic transmissions for all engines
* More aggressive grille and front fascia design
* New headlight design with LED accents and daytime running lights
* Sportier rocker panel design
* Folding mirrors with integrated puddle lamps
* New, brushed aluminum finish window surround
* Redesigned rear taillights
* Redesigned rear fascia with integrated dual asymmetrical exhaust tips
* New 17-inch alloy wheel design (3.8 model)
* New interior woodgrain colors for Black, Beige and Saddle leather interiors
* New Twilight Blue Pearl exterior color (replaces Sapphire Blue Pearl)
NEW 5.0 R-SPEC: MOST POWERFUL HYUNDAI V8 ENGINE EVER
The heart of the Genesis 5.0 R-Spec model is a new Tau V8 engine producing 429 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 376 lb. ft. of torque at 5,000 rpm. This new Tau V8 represents the most powerful Hyundai engine ever, with a higher specific output (85.8 hp/liter) than its normally-aspirated premium luxury competitors. For 2011, the Tau V8 engine family has again been named to the prestigious Ward’s Ten Best Engines for the third consecutive time.
The 5.0-liter cylinder bore was increased from 92 mm to 96 mm over the 4.6-liter bore for a total displacement of 5.0 liters (5,038cc). In addition to the enlarged displacement, direct injection technology has been added. This high-pressure direct injection system (over 2200 psi), dramatically increases power and torque while reducing fuel consumption and emissions. Compression ratio has been increased from 10.4 to 11.5:1 for greater thermal efficiency and output. The Tau also receives a revised bed plate for improved block rigidity and lower NVH as well as camshaft carriers and a roller timing chain to improve valvetrain stability.
Even more, this new V8 still offers all of the premium engine technology from the 4.6-liter V8, including Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT), a tuned variable induction system, and low-friction diamond-like coatings (DLC) on piston skirts, rings and tappets. Even with these impressive power increases, fuel economy is estimated at 16 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, nearly matching the 4.6-liter V8 (17 mpg city/26 mpg highway). As an additional point of interest, this same 5.0-liter Tau V8 with eight-speed transmission will replace the current 4.6-liter V8 as the standard powertrain in the 2012 Hyundai Equus premium luxury sedan, on sale this summer.
The Tau 5.0-liter V8 is coupled with a new in-house eight-speed transmission. This new Hyundai-developed transmission adds two additional ratios to enhance acceleration, shifting smoothness, and transmission efficiency by six percent over the former six-speed. All eight-speed transmissions will include SHIFTRONIC® manual shift capability. This new eight-speed transmission is the first offered by a non-luxury branded manufacturer.
In keeping with Hyundai engineering philosophy, the R-Spec also will include more aggressive chassis tuning, matching its corresponding powertrain enhancements for optimal dynamic balance. For enhanced body roll control, front stabilizer bar diameter has been increased from 25 mm to 26 mm, and rear diameter from 18 mm to 19 mm over the 4.6 model. R-Spec will offer a unique sport design 19-inch alloy wheel with premium machined finish and optional Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 summer performance tires. The R-Spec steering calibration has been matched to this unique wheel and tire combination for optimized performance and driving refinement expectations in this segment. To complete the performance package, front brake rotors have increased from 13.0 inches to 13.6 inches over the 2011 4.6 model.
In addition to the more aggressive styling cues for all 2012 Genesis models, R-Spec will offer unique headlights with dark chrome inserts for a more distinctive front appearance. An R-Spec trim designation badge has been added to the rear deck, and black R-Spec embroidered floor mats daily remind the driver of the performance that awaits behind the wheel. Genesis R-Spec only will be offered in three sport-oriented exterior colors: Black Noir, Titanium Gray, and Platinum Metallic, each with Black leather interior and an all-black leather steering wheel for a differentiated sport appearance from the 4.6 model.
DIRECT INJECTION LAMBDA 3.8-LITER ENGINE
In keeping with its 5.0-liter V8 sibling, the Genesis 3.8-liter Lambda engine will receive direct injection (GDI) technology, boosting its output 15 percent from 290 to 333 horsepower, an impressive gain of 43 horsepower with no increase in displacement. In addition, peak torque rises from 264 lb.-ft. to 291 lb.-ft., a generous increase of 27 lb.-ft. from the same 3.8 liters. Compression ratio increases from 10.4:1 to 11.5:1 for greater thermal efficiency. This new direct-injected Lambda V6 produces a higher specific output (87.6 hp/liter) than its normally-aspirated premium luxury competitors.
The 3.8-liter engine retains all of the premium technologies that have made it outstanding since the launch of Genesis: Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT), variable induction, all aluminum block and heads, steel timing chain, and iridium-tipped spark plugs. Besides the generous horsepower and torque gains, direct injection technology produces a significant reduction in emissions through a 40 percent reduction in catalyst light-off time. Further, a variable vane oil pump has been fitted to precisely match oil pressure with engine lubrication requirements for increased efficiency at all engine speeds. As a result, 3.8-liter GDI fuel economy increases over seven percent from 27 mpg to 29 mpg on the highway.
2011 Genesis 3.8-liter Engine vs. 2012 Genesis 3.8-liter Direct Injection with eight-speed automatic
All 3.8-liter engines will be coupled to an in-house-developed eight-speed transmission with SHIFTRONIC and precisely calibrated gear ratios for an overall transmission efficiency gain of six percent. These two additional ratios serve to achieve competing objectives of acceleration and economy without compromise.
AWARD-WINNING TAU 4.6-LITER V8 ENGINE WITH EIGHT-SPEED AUTOMATIC
For 2012, Genesis' award-winning Tau 4.6-liter V8 powerplant will now be coupled exclusively with an in-house-developed eight-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC, adding benefits in acceleration and efficiency. Internal engineering tests estimate this new eight-speed transmission to be six percent more efficient at transferring power than the former 6-speed automatic, increasing highway fuel economy from 25 mpg to 26 mpg.
This same 4.6-liter Tau V8 engine was already significantly improved for 2010 with induction and tuning enhancements increasing peak output from 375 to 385 horsepower. A variable intake system, iridium-tipped spark plugs, anti-knock control, and multi-port injection further add to the sophistication of this engine.
2011 4.6-liter Tau V8 vs. 2012 4.6-liter Tau V8 with eight-speed automatic transmission
CHASSIS REFINEMENT FOR 3.8 AND 4.6 MODELS
Always seeking to enhance the Genesis driving experience, Hyundai engineers have made further refinements to the 3.8 and 4.6 model suspension damping calibrations. These precise adjustments serve to minimize the traditional compromises between handling precision and ride comfort. In addition, body roll control for the 3.8 model is enhanced, with the rear stabilizer bar diameter increasing from 17 mm to 18 mm. Braking is also improved on both the 3.8 and 4.6 models; the 3.8 model front rotor size increases from 12.6 inches to 13.0 inches, while adding by higher performance 4-piston brake calipers, and the 4.6 model front brake rotors increase from 13.0 inches to 13.6 inches for greater fade resistance.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
Not content to rest on their laurels, Hyundai's design team has sought to make a great Genesis exterior design even better for 2012. For the front view, the front grille has been enhanced, a more aggressive front fascia with larger intake openings was developed, and the headlights have been redesigned, adding LED accents and daytime running lights (DRLs). From the side view, the standard 17-inch alloy wheel design has been freshened and the rocker panels have been refined. In addition, the mirrors now incorporate power-folding and puddle lamp functions, while the side window surround now receives a decidedly sporty brushed aluminum finish. From the rear view, the taillights have been redesigned and new dual asymmetrical exhaust tips are more cleanly integrated with a new bumper fascia.
NEW SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES
Maintaining Hyundai's emphasis on delivering leading safety technology, Genesis boasts world-class active and passive safety features to help both prevent accidents and maximize the well being of its occupants in the event of a collision. Genesis continues the Hyundai tradition of standardizing key life-saving safety technology with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), eight airbags and electronic active head restraints. Active front head restraints have been proven by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to help prevent whiplash.
Adding to this safety leadership for 2012, Genesis adds new daytime running lamps to all models. Further, Genesis offers a newly-developed Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), available on the 3.8 Technology package, 4.6 and 5.0 R-Spec models.
Genesis' total of eight airbags includes advanced dual front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and roof-mounted side curtain airbags for both front and rear outboard seat occupants.
Genesis has a total of eight ultrasonic sensors located on the front and rear bumpers. The sensors, along with the rear backup camera, help detect how close objects are when parking. Distance is indicated on the in-dash screen and accompanied by an audible warning tone.
Genesis is brought to a halt by large four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). Genesis 3.8 models now have large 13.0-inch front rotors with four-piston fixed calipers, while 4.6 and 5.0 models have oversized 13.6-inch front rotors.
NEW TECHNOLOGY AND FEATURES
Genesis 3.8 Standard Equipment
2012 Genesis also will increase its impressive list of standard equipment, adding headlight LED accents and daytime running lights (DRLs) and outside mirror puddle lamps.
Genesis 3.8 Premium Package
The 3.8 Premium Package will now offer newly-developed power-folding outside mirrors and heated rear seats with console controls. For 2012, the 3.8 Premium package will also include rearview camera, DVD navigation system with seven-inch touchscreen, XM NavTraffic, and 18-inch Hyper Silver split-spoke alloy wheels.
Genesis 3.8 Technology Package:
The 3.8 Technology package will continue to satisfy tech-savvy buyers, adding a newly-developed Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), and thin-film-transistor LCD gauge cluster readout.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program which now includes the 5-year/60,000 mile fully transferable bumper-to-bumper warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty and 5-year complimentary Roadside Assistance in addition to the highly acclaimed vehicle return policy introduced in early 2009. For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.com.
Hyundai's award-winning Genesis sedan continues its segment leadership with exterior design improvements, new direct injection technology for its Lambda V6 engine, new eight-speed automatic transmissions, and enhanced chassis tuning. In addition, a new 5.0-liter direct injection V8 engine is now available exclusively with the 5.0 R-Spec model, which includes unique 19-inch machined-finish alloy wheels, optional Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 summer performance tires and sport-tuned transmission, suspension and steering calibrations for exhilarating vehicle dynamics.
2012 Genesis Highlights
* New 5.0-liter R-Spec Direct Injection V8 performance flagship model added
- Most powerful Hyundai engine ever with 429 horsepower
- Unique 19-inch alloy wheel design with premium machined finish
- Dark chrome headlamp inserts
- Unique R-Spec sport transmission, suspension and steering calibrations
* Direct injection technology added to Lambda 3.8-liter V6 engine for 15 percent improved output (333 HP), improved fuel economy and emissions
* In-house-developed eight-speed automatic transmissions for all engines
* More aggressive grille and front fascia design
* New headlight design with LED accents and daytime running lights
* Sportier rocker panel design
* Folding mirrors with integrated puddle lamps
* New, brushed aluminum finish window surround
* Redesigned rear taillights
* Redesigned rear fascia with integrated dual asymmetrical exhaust tips
* New 17-inch alloy wheel design (3.8 model)
* New interior woodgrain colors for Black, Beige and Saddle leather interiors
* New Twilight Blue Pearl exterior color (replaces Sapphire Blue Pearl)
NEW 5.0 R-SPEC: MOST POWERFUL HYUNDAI V8 ENGINE EVER
The heart of the Genesis 5.0 R-Spec model is a new Tau V8 engine producing 429 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 376 lb. ft. of torque at 5,000 rpm. This new Tau V8 represents the most powerful Hyundai engine ever, with a higher specific output (85.8 hp/liter) than its normally-aspirated premium luxury competitors. For 2011, the Tau V8 engine family has again been named to the prestigious Ward’s Ten Best Engines for the third consecutive time.
| Genesis 5.0 Competitive Set | 5.0 R-Spec 5.0-liter V8 |
Lexus GS460 4.6-liter V8 |
Infiniti M56 5.6-liter V8 |
M-B E550 5.5-liter V8 |
| Normally-aspirated V8 Specific Output (HP/liter) |
85.8 | 74.3 | 75.0 | 69.5 |
Even more, this new V8 still offers all of the premium engine technology from the 4.6-liter V8, including Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT), a tuned variable induction system, and low-friction diamond-like coatings (DLC) on piston skirts, rings and tappets. Even with these impressive power increases, fuel economy is estimated at 16 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, nearly matching the 4.6-liter V8 (17 mpg city/26 mpg highway). As an additional point of interest, this same 5.0-liter Tau V8 with eight-speed transmission will replace the current 4.6-liter V8 as the standard powertrain in the 2012 Hyundai Equus premium luxury sedan, on sale this summer.
The Tau 5.0-liter V8 is coupled with a new in-house eight-speed transmission. This new Hyundai-developed transmission adds two additional ratios to enhance acceleration, shifting smoothness, and transmission efficiency by six percent over the former six-speed. All eight-speed transmissions will include SHIFTRONIC® manual shift capability. This new eight-speed transmission is the first offered by a non-luxury branded manufacturer.
In keeping with Hyundai engineering philosophy, the R-Spec also will include more aggressive chassis tuning, matching its corresponding powertrain enhancements for optimal dynamic balance. For enhanced body roll control, front stabilizer bar diameter has been increased from 25 mm to 26 mm, and rear diameter from 18 mm to 19 mm over the 4.6 model. R-Spec will offer a unique sport design 19-inch alloy wheel with premium machined finish and optional Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 summer performance tires. The R-Spec steering calibration has been matched to this unique wheel and tire combination for optimized performance and driving refinement expectations in this segment. To complete the performance package, front brake rotors have increased from 13.0 inches to 13.6 inches over the 2011 4.6 model.
In addition to the more aggressive styling cues for all 2012 Genesis models, R-Spec will offer unique headlights with dark chrome inserts for a more distinctive front appearance. An R-Spec trim designation badge has been added to the rear deck, and black R-Spec embroidered floor mats daily remind the driver of the performance that awaits behind the wheel. Genesis R-Spec only will be offered in three sport-oriented exterior colors: Black Noir, Titanium Gray, and Platinum Metallic, each with Black leather interior and an all-black leather steering wheel for a differentiated sport appearance from the 4.6 model.
DIRECT INJECTION LAMBDA 3.8-LITER ENGINE
In keeping with its 5.0-liter V8 sibling, the Genesis 3.8-liter Lambda engine will receive direct injection (GDI) technology, boosting its output 15 percent from 290 to 333 horsepower, an impressive gain of 43 horsepower with no increase in displacement. In addition, peak torque rises from 264 lb.-ft. to 291 lb.-ft., a generous increase of 27 lb.-ft. from the same 3.8 liters. Compression ratio increases from 10.4:1 to 11.5:1 for greater thermal efficiency. This new direct-injected Lambda V6 produces a higher specific output (87.6 hp/liter) than its normally-aspirated premium luxury competitors.
| Genesis 3.8-liter GDI Competitive Set | GENESIS 3.8-liter GDI V6 |
Lexus GS350 3.5-liter V6 |
BMW 528i 3.0-liter V6 |
M-B E350 3.5-liter V6 |
| Normally-aspirated V6 Specific Output (hp/liter) |
87.6 | 86.6 | 80.0 | 76.6 |
2011 Genesis 3.8-liter Engine vs. 2012 Genesis 3.8-liter Direct Injection with eight-speed automatic
| Engine | Horsepower | Torque (lb-ft) |
Fuel Economy (mpg) | |
| City | Highway | |||
| Lambda 3.8-liter V6 Direct Injection with eight-speed automatic transmission |
290 → 333 | 264 → 291 | 18 → TBD | 27 → 29 |
All 3.8-liter engines will be coupled to an in-house-developed eight-speed transmission with SHIFTRONIC and precisely calibrated gear ratios for an overall transmission efficiency gain of six percent. These two additional ratios serve to achieve competing objectives of acceleration and economy without compromise.
AWARD-WINNING TAU 4.6-LITER V8 ENGINE WITH EIGHT-SPEED AUTOMATIC
For 2012, Genesis' award-winning Tau 4.6-liter V8 powerplant will now be coupled exclusively with an in-house-developed eight-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC, adding benefits in acceleration and efficiency. Internal engineering tests estimate this new eight-speed transmission to be six percent more efficient at transferring power than the former 6-speed automatic, increasing highway fuel economy from 25 mpg to 26 mpg.
This same 4.6-liter Tau V8 engine was already significantly improved for 2010 with induction and tuning enhancements increasing peak output from 375 to 385 horsepower. A variable intake system, iridium-tipped spark plugs, anti-knock control, and multi-port injection further add to the sophistication of this engine.
2011 4.6-liter Tau V8 vs. 2012 4.6-liter Tau V8 with eight-speed automatic transmission
| Engine | Fuel Economy (mpg) | |
| City | Highway | |
| Tau 4.6-liter V8 with eight-speed automatic transmission |
17 → 17 | 25 → 26 |
CHASSIS REFINEMENT FOR 3.8 AND 4.6 MODELS
Always seeking to enhance the Genesis driving experience, Hyundai engineers have made further refinements to the 3.8 and 4.6 model suspension damping calibrations. These precise adjustments serve to minimize the traditional compromises between handling precision and ride comfort. In addition, body roll control for the 3.8 model is enhanced, with the rear stabilizer bar diameter increasing from 17 mm to 18 mm. Braking is also improved on both the 3.8 and 4.6 models; the 3.8 model front rotor size increases from 12.6 inches to 13.0 inches, while adding by higher performance 4-piston brake calipers, and the 4.6 model front brake rotors increase from 13.0 inches to 13.6 inches for greater fade resistance.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
Not content to rest on their laurels, Hyundai's design team has sought to make a great Genesis exterior design even better for 2012. For the front view, the front grille has been enhanced, a more aggressive front fascia with larger intake openings was developed, and the headlights have been redesigned, adding LED accents and daytime running lights (DRLs). From the side view, the standard 17-inch alloy wheel design has been freshened and the rocker panels have been refined. In addition, the mirrors now incorporate power-folding and puddle lamp functions, while the side window surround now receives a decidedly sporty brushed aluminum finish. From the rear view, the taillights have been redesigned and new dual asymmetrical exhaust tips are more cleanly integrated with a new bumper fascia.
NEW SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES
Maintaining Hyundai's emphasis on delivering leading safety technology, Genesis boasts world-class active and passive safety features to help both prevent accidents and maximize the well being of its occupants in the event of a collision. Genesis continues the Hyundai tradition of standardizing key life-saving safety technology with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), eight airbags and electronic active head restraints. Active front head restraints have been proven by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to help prevent whiplash.
Adding to this safety leadership for 2012, Genesis adds new daytime running lamps to all models. Further, Genesis offers a newly-developed Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), available on the 3.8 Technology package, 4.6 and 5.0 R-Spec models.
Genesis' total of eight airbags includes advanced dual front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and roof-mounted side curtain airbags for both front and rear outboard seat occupants.
Genesis has a total of eight ultrasonic sensors located on the front and rear bumpers. The sensors, along with the rear backup camera, help detect how close objects are when parking. Distance is indicated on the in-dash screen and accompanied by an audible warning tone.
Genesis is brought to a halt by large four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). Genesis 3.8 models now have large 13.0-inch front rotors with four-piston fixed calipers, while 4.6 and 5.0 models have oversized 13.6-inch front rotors.
NEW TECHNOLOGY AND FEATURES
Genesis 3.8 Standard Equipment
2012 Genesis also will increase its impressive list of standard equipment, adding headlight LED accents and daytime running lights (DRLs) and outside mirror puddle lamps.
Genesis 3.8 Premium Package
The 3.8 Premium Package will now offer newly-developed power-folding outside mirrors and heated rear seats with console controls. For 2012, the 3.8 Premium package will also include rearview camera, DVD navigation system with seven-inch touchscreen, XM NavTraffic, and 18-inch Hyper Silver split-spoke alloy wheels.
Genesis 3.8 Technology Package:
The 3.8 Technology package will continue to satisfy tech-savvy buyers, adding a newly-developed Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), and thin-film-transistor LCD gauge cluster readout.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program which now includes the 5-year/60,000 mile fully transferable bumper-to-bumper warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty and 5-year complimentary Roadside Assistance in addition to the highly acclaimed vehicle return policy introduced in early 2009. For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.com.
Friday, February 04, 2011
Crowd-Pleasing Composition in 3 Movements
WHEN it comes to describing precisely what makes the 2011 Hyundai Sonata so undeniably excellent, the structural metaphor that applies best is, obviously, the crunchy taco.
What makes a great taco is its shell. If the shell is fresh, crisp and robust, it doesn’t get soggy quickly or crack and crumble, and the flavor of what’s inside will shine. Chicken, steak or pork carnitas, it’s all tastier when served in a perfectly fried corn tortilla taco shell.
Before Hyundai stuffed the all-new version of its midsize front-drive sedan, it built a great shell. By forgoing the option of a V-6 engine (unlike most of its rivals, as well as the previous-generation Sonata), the car’s basic structure could be optimized around 4-cylinder engines, which take up less space.
So the nose doesn’t have to cover a wider V-6, the engine bay doesn’t require the strength to carry a heavier V-6 and room need not be made for an exhaust system evacuating two banks of cylinders. Dozens of other less obvious challenges were also avoided. By sticking with 4-cylinder engines — in mild naturally aspirated, spicy turbocharged and righteous hybrid flavors — Hyundai made it easier to engineer a relatively lightweight, rigid and efficient shell.
There’s nothing exotic or even clever about the Sonata’s structure. It’s a standard steel unibody with a pair of MacPherson struts constituting the front suspension and a multilink independent rear suspension. Hyundai has just sweated the details better this time than it ever has before.
Size-wise, the new Sonata’s dimensions are almost right atop the Honda Accord sedan; the Hyundai’s 110-inch wheelbase is just 0.2 inch shorter than the Honda’s and the Sonata is within a half-inch of the Accord in overall width, height and wheel track. The “almost” lies in overall length, where the Sonata’s 189.8 inches is 4.3 inches shorter than the Accord. But despite that, the Sonata offers virtually the same interior room (the back seat is a little tighter) and 16.4 cubic feet of trunk space compared with the Accord’s 14.
Based on the interior volume, the Environmental Protection Agency rates the Sonata, like the Accord, a “large” car. But the Sonata, styled in Hyundai’s California studio, is a swoopy, sleek, streamlined looker compared with the aging Accord, which is blandly boxy from the blunt face of its fuddy to the trailing edge of its duddy.
The Sonata has the “four-door coupe” profile of a Mercedes-Benz CLS or a Volkswagen CC, without those cars’ compromised interior space. That’s a slick trick.
Fortunately, Hyundai didn’t stop thinking when it stuffed the Sonata’s shell. Even the base GLS, which starts at $19,915, includes nice touches like a pull-down handle built into the trunk lid and, below the ventilation controls, two easily accessible 12-volt power points, a USB port and an audio jack. The ventilation controls themselves are neat, featuring a human pictograph for choosing where the flow of air should be directed.
There’s a thoughtfulness that runs throughout every 2011 Sonata that pays off in nearly perfect ergonomics, nicely shaped seats, easily scanned instrumentation, standard Bluetooth cellphone integration with the sound system and an overall feeling of quality that Hyundai has frankly never even approached before.
This isn’t a small step forward for the South Korean company; the made-in-Alabama Sonata is a thumping bound to the front of its class.
The standard Sonata engine is a direct-gasoline injection 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with variable valve timing, a sky-high 11.3:1 compression ratio and a relatively long crank stroke for better torque production. Rated at 198 horsepower in the GLS and the more luxurious Limited, and at 200 in the sporty-trim SE, the engine is sweet natured until about 5,000 r.p.m. — after which it gets a bit ragged.
But the slick part of the Sonata’s drivetrain is the transmission. A 6-speed manual is standard on the base car, the GLS, but virtually all buyers will take the 6-speed automatic. Built by Hyundai itself, that transmission is a paragon of electronically controlled self-shifting virtue; the gears are perfectly spaced with fifth a 1:1 direct drive and sixth an overdrive. The transmission can be shifted manually using the floor-mounted shifter, but why bother?
Combine the GLS automatic’s modest 3,199-pound unloaded weight (about 80 pounds less than a comparable Accord) with the drivetrain’s talents and the result is a federal rating of 22 miles per gallon in the city, 35 on the highway and 28 combined — again slightly better than the Accord.
Car and Driver magazine tested a Sonata SE with the automatic and it waltzed to 60 m.p.h. in 7.8 seconds — nearly a second quicker than the 2010 Accord EX to which it was compared.
The real treat, however, lies in the new turbocharged Sonata 2.0T. Using a shorter stroke, smaller bore, 2-liter version of the same direct-injection engine, the intercooled turbocharger installation whips the output up to a robust 274 horsepower with outstanding torque from off-idle to the 6,500 r.p.m. red line — and does so on regular-grade gas.
No, the turbo 4 is not as silken as the V-6s from Honda or Toyota, but operating through the 6-speed automatic produces effortless thrust, excellent acceleration (0-60 in 6.2 seconds, again according to Car and Driver) and impressive fuel economy. The E.P.A. rates the Sonata 2.0T at 22 m.p.g. in town and a noteworthy 33 on the highway.
All that additional power does, however, point up some of the weaker elements. The suspension is a touch too soft and the speed-proportional electric power steering seems to vary its assist a half-beat behind the driver’s moves.
And since the turbo engine is available only in SE and Limited models, prices start at a dizzier $24,865. Yet considering the amount of equipment aboard, that still seems like a bargain.
The final variation on the Sonata theme is the Hybrid. The hybrid system itself is technically interesting and the redecoration of the car’s nose is pure funk, but the most significant element in how it drives is the same 6-speed automatic used in other Sonatas.
While most hybrids use a continuously variable transmission without fixed gears, the Sonata’s conventional gearbox makes for a more conventional driving experience. The Sonata Hybrid’s recalibrated version of the same 2.4-liter decelerates with the gear changes. For those of us who despise the engine drone associated with CVTs, that sound is a relief. Otherwise, the drivetrain machinations of the Hyundai hybrid system are almost invisible as long as the car is driven moderately.
In fact, if it weren’t for the electro-luminescent instrument panel and the liquid-crystal display between the tachometer and speedometer that graphically encourages economical driving, many drivers wouldn’t notice much difference between the Hybrid, with 206 horsepower (166 horses for the gas engine and 40 more for the electric motor) and the regular Sonata GLS. But they will notice the Hybrid’s stunning E.P.A. rating: 40 m.p.g. on the highway and 36 in the city.
The Sonata Hybrid just went on sale at a starting price of $26,545 — almost $1,000 less than the Toyota Camry Hybrid, which isn’t as well equipped and has a lower mileage rating.
Of course the Sonata isn’t perfect. Some will find its high beltline — the line below the side windows — disconcerting. The turbo model’s lack of a manual transmission keeps it from being a performance leader. And there are still some interior switches that operate raggedly. But this is the first car Hyundai has sold in America that’s so good and so keenly priced that any buyer shopping in its market segment must seriously consider it. It’s the first unavoidable Hyundai.
That’s why it is doing so well. Some 200,000 of the new Sonatas have been sold so far, Hyundai says. After all, everyone loves a tasty taco.
What makes a great taco is its shell. If the shell is fresh, crisp and robust, it doesn’t get soggy quickly or crack and crumble, and the flavor of what’s inside will shine. Chicken, steak or pork carnitas, it’s all tastier when served in a perfectly fried corn tortilla taco shell.
Before Hyundai stuffed the all-new version of its midsize front-drive sedan, it built a great shell. By forgoing the option of a V-6 engine (unlike most of its rivals, as well as the previous-generation Sonata), the car’s basic structure could be optimized around 4-cylinder engines, which take up less space.
So the nose doesn’t have to cover a wider V-6, the engine bay doesn’t require the strength to carry a heavier V-6 and room need not be made for an exhaust system evacuating two banks of cylinders. Dozens of other less obvious challenges were also avoided. By sticking with 4-cylinder engines — in mild naturally aspirated, spicy turbocharged and righteous hybrid flavors — Hyundai made it easier to engineer a relatively lightweight, rigid and efficient shell.
There’s nothing exotic or even clever about the Sonata’s structure. It’s a standard steel unibody with a pair of MacPherson struts constituting the front suspension and a multilink independent rear suspension. Hyundai has just sweated the details better this time than it ever has before.
Size-wise, the new Sonata’s dimensions are almost right atop the Honda Accord sedan; the Hyundai’s 110-inch wheelbase is just 0.2 inch shorter than the Honda’s and the Sonata is within a half-inch of the Accord in overall width, height and wheel track. The “almost” lies in overall length, where the Sonata’s 189.8 inches is 4.3 inches shorter than the Accord. But despite that, the Sonata offers virtually the same interior room (the back seat is a little tighter) and 16.4 cubic feet of trunk space compared with the Accord’s 14.
Based on the interior volume, the Environmental Protection Agency rates the Sonata, like the Accord, a “large” car. But the Sonata, styled in Hyundai’s California studio, is a swoopy, sleek, streamlined looker compared with the aging Accord, which is blandly boxy from the blunt face of its fuddy to the trailing edge of its duddy.
The Sonata has the “four-door coupe” profile of a Mercedes-Benz CLS or a Volkswagen CC, without those cars’ compromised interior space. That’s a slick trick.
Fortunately, Hyundai didn’t stop thinking when it stuffed the Sonata’s shell. Even the base GLS, which starts at $19,915, includes nice touches like a pull-down handle built into the trunk lid and, below the ventilation controls, two easily accessible 12-volt power points, a USB port and an audio jack. The ventilation controls themselves are neat, featuring a human pictograph for choosing where the flow of air should be directed.
There’s a thoughtfulness that runs throughout every 2011 Sonata that pays off in nearly perfect ergonomics, nicely shaped seats, easily scanned instrumentation, standard Bluetooth cellphone integration with the sound system and an overall feeling of quality that Hyundai has frankly never even approached before.
This isn’t a small step forward for the South Korean company; the made-in-Alabama Sonata is a thumping bound to the front of its class.
The standard Sonata engine is a direct-gasoline injection 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with variable valve timing, a sky-high 11.3:1 compression ratio and a relatively long crank stroke for better torque production. Rated at 198 horsepower in the GLS and the more luxurious Limited, and at 200 in the sporty-trim SE, the engine is sweet natured until about 5,000 r.p.m. — after which it gets a bit ragged.
But the slick part of the Sonata’s drivetrain is the transmission. A 6-speed manual is standard on the base car, the GLS, but virtually all buyers will take the 6-speed automatic. Built by Hyundai itself, that transmission is a paragon of electronically controlled self-shifting virtue; the gears are perfectly spaced with fifth a 1:1 direct drive and sixth an overdrive. The transmission can be shifted manually using the floor-mounted shifter, but why bother?
Combine the GLS automatic’s modest 3,199-pound unloaded weight (about 80 pounds less than a comparable Accord) with the drivetrain’s talents and the result is a federal rating of 22 miles per gallon in the city, 35 on the highway and 28 combined — again slightly better than the Accord.
Car and Driver magazine tested a Sonata SE with the automatic and it waltzed to 60 m.p.h. in 7.8 seconds — nearly a second quicker than the 2010 Accord EX to which it was compared.
The real treat, however, lies in the new turbocharged Sonata 2.0T. Using a shorter stroke, smaller bore, 2-liter version of the same direct-injection engine, the intercooled turbocharger installation whips the output up to a robust 274 horsepower with outstanding torque from off-idle to the 6,500 r.p.m. red line — and does so on regular-grade gas.
No, the turbo 4 is not as silken as the V-6s from Honda or Toyota, but operating through the 6-speed automatic produces effortless thrust, excellent acceleration (0-60 in 6.2 seconds, again according to Car and Driver) and impressive fuel economy. The E.P.A. rates the Sonata 2.0T at 22 m.p.g. in town and a noteworthy 33 on the highway.
All that additional power does, however, point up some of the weaker elements. The suspension is a touch too soft and the speed-proportional electric power steering seems to vary its assist a half-beat behind the driver’s moves.
And since the turbo engine is available only in SE and Limited models, prices start at a dizzier $24,865. Yet considering the amount of equipment aboard, that still seems like a bargain.
The final variation on the Sonata theme is the Hybrid. The hybrid system itself is technically interesting and the redecoration of the car’s nose is pure funk, but the most significant element in how it drives is the same 6-speed automatic used in other Sonatas.
While most hybrids use a continuously variable transmission without fixed gears, the Sonata’s conventional gearbox makes for a more conventional driving experience. The Sonata Hybrid’s recalibrated version of the same 2.4-liter decelerates with the gear changes. For those of us who despise the engine drone associated with CVTs, that sound is a relief. Otherwise, the drivetrain machinations of the Hyundai hybrid system are almost invisible as long as the car is driven moderately.
In fact, if it weren’t for the electro-luminescent instrument panel and the liquid-crystal display between the tachometer and speedometer that graphically encourages economical driving, many drivers wouldn’t notice much difference between the Hybrid, with 206 horsepower (166 horses for the gas engine and 40 more for the electric motor) and the regular Sonata GLS. But they will notice the Hybrid’s stunning E.P.A. rating: 40 m.p.g. on the highway and 36 in the city.
The Sonata Hybrid just went on sale at a starting price of $26,545 — almost $1,000 less than the Toyota Camry Hybrid, which isn’t as well equipped and has a lower mileage rating.
Of course the Sonata isn’t perfect. Some will find its high beltline — the line below the side windows — disconcerting. The turbo model’s lack of a manual transmission keeps it from being a performance leader. And there are still some interior switches that operate raggedly. But this is the first car Hyundai has sold in America that’s so good and so keenly priced that any buyer shopping in its market segment must seriously consider it. It’s the first unavoidable Hyundai.
That’s why it is doing so well. Some 200,000 of the new Sonatas have been sold so far, Hyundai says. After all, everyone loves a tasty taco.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
HOLYOKE BLUE SOX TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE ON WEDNESDAY, January 26th 2011
On Wednesday, January 26th, 2011, the Holyoke Blue Sox will be holding a press conference at 10:30 a.m. at the Blue Sox Headquarters in the Open Sq. complex Suite 203 in Holyoke Ma. 413-652-9014
Blue Sox Chief Operating Officer Barry Wadsworth will start off the press conference by introducing Kirk Fredriksson as the new General Manager of the Holyoke Blue Sox for the upcoming 2011 season. This will be the 15th season that Fredriksson has been at the helm of a team in the New England Collegiate Baseball League.
Kirk served as the general manager of the Torrington Twisters for 12 seasons before moving to the New Bedford Bay Sox in 2008 where Fredriksson spent the past two years, and is now taking over the general managing duties for the Blue Sox.
“I’ve known Barry for years and Holyoke head coach Darryl Morhadt has been a friend of mine for 30 years” Fredriksson said, I’m very close to the organization, and I have helped them a lot in other capacities for the last four years . Barry’s tried to get me to come onboard for a while, so I decided this year would be a good time to do that”, “I love the NECBL, and I love the league.”
Fredriksson has done quick work as the general manager already inking Team USA to a game with the Holyoke Blue Sox in late June. America’s best crop of young talent will be on showcase in Holyoke, Massachusetts, on June 25. First pitch will be at 6:30 p.m. at MacKenzie Stadium, Holyoke, MA. This will be Team USA’s third stop in a seven game road trip.
This marks the 11th season that Team USA has done this tour around the NECBL, the tour began in 2000. General Manager of Team USA Eric Campbell will be present at the press conference to officially announce the 2011 tour.
“It’s this level of competition, Fredriksson said, the NECBL serves as a great stage for Team USA to get ready for their season”. “It’s considered to be one of the premier summer collegiate leagues in the country,” he said. “The venues are good, the teams are good. It’s one of those things they know what to expect when they come to the NECBL, they’re expecting good teams, good venues, great competition, and there’s no surprises that way.”
Along with Team USA coming to town on the 25th of June, there will also be a fundraising luncheon on the same day to help support the Blue Sox Foundation. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase tickets in April for the luncheon, the location and time will be announced at a later date. If some fans cannot make it to the luncheon they will have another great opportunity to meet the players of Team USA, and the hometown Blue Sox as there will be an autograph session before and after the game on the 25th.
“These players are sleeping at our Hotels, having lunch in our restaurants,” Wadsworth said. “They’re spending some time here; they’re getting to know a little bit about Holyoke, and the people around Holyoke and the Pioneer Valley. That’s exactly what the Blue Sox try to do. It’s not always just about the baseball, It’s about getting the Pioneer Valley community involved and provide the opportunity to meet these young scholar athletes, who have a good chance someday to be playing in the Major leagues. “That’s what excites me.” Wadsworth said.
When the “Blue Sox Educational Tour” kicks off in the middle of May, there will be a different look to it as well, the Blue Sox have been donated a brand new vehicle for the tour. Gary Rome Hyundai has donated a brand new completely wrapped van for the Blue Sox Educational tour this season. The vehicle will be unveiled at the press conference as well.
The Blue Sox Educational tour consists of players traveling to Pioneer Valley schools talking to the kids about the importance of staying in school, being good role models in their communities and the value of education as a whole. At each school event the kids will be given tickets to a Blue Sox baseball game compliment of Gary Rome as well.
Other guests at the press conference on Wednesday will include, Barry’s Sister CEO of the Holyoke Blue Sox Karen Rella, Honorable, Elaine A. Pulta, Mayor of Holyoke, Doris Ransford President of Holyoke Chamber of Commerce and Gary Rome of Gary Rome Hyundai.
Blue Sox Chief Operating Officer Barry Wadsworth will start off the press conference by introducing Kirk Fredriksson as the new General Manager of the Holyoke Blue Sox for the upcoming 2011 season. This will be the 15th season that Fredriksson has been at the helm of a team in the New England Collegiate Baseball League.
Kirk served as the general manager of the Torrington Twisters for 12 seasons before moving to the New Bedford Bay Sox in 2008 where Fredriksson spent the past two years, and is now taking over the general managing duties for the Blue Sox.
“I’ve known Barry for years and Holyoke head coach Darryl Morhadt has been a friend of mine for 30 years” Fredriksson said, I’m very close to the organization, and I have helped them a lot in other capacities for the last four years . Barry’s tried to get me to come onboard for a while, so I decided this year would be a good time to do that”, “I love the NECBL, and I love the league.”
Fredriksson has done quick work as the general manager already inking Team USA to a game with the Holyoke Blue Sox in late June. America’s best crop of young talent will be on showcase in Holyoke, Massachusetts, on June 25. First pitch will be at 6:30 p.m. at MacKenzie Stadium, Holyoke, MA. This will be Team USA’s third stop in a seven game road trip.
This marks the 11th season that Team USA has done this tour around the NECBL, the tour began in 2000. General Manager of Team USA Eric Campbell will be present at the press conference to officially announce the 2011 tour.
“It’s this level of competition, Fredriksson said, the NECBL serves as a great stage for Team USA to get ready for their season”. “It’s considered to be one of the premier summer collegiate leagues in the country,” he said. “The venues are good, the teams are good. It’s one of those things they know what to expect when they come to the NECBL, they’re expecting good teams, good venues, great competition, and there’s no surprises that way.”
Along with Team USA coming to town on the 25th of June, there will also be a fundraising luncheon on the same day to help support the Blue Sox Foundation. Fans will have the opportunity to purchase tickets in April for the luncheon, the location and time will be announced at a later date. If some fans cannot make it to the luncheon they will have another great opportunity to meet the players of Team USA, and the hometown Blue Sox as there will be an autograph session before and after the game on the 25th.
“These players are sleeping at our Hotels, having lunch in our restaurants,” Wadsworth said. “They’re spending some time here; they’re getting to know a little bit about Holyoke, and the people around Holyoke and the Pioneer Valley. That’s exactly what the Blue Sox try to do. It’s not always just about the baseball, It’s about getting the Pioneer Valley community involved and provide the opportunity to meet these young scholar athletes, who have a good chance someday to be playing in the Major leagues. “That’s what excites me.” Wadsworth said.
When the “Blue Sox Educational Tour” kicks off in the middle of May, there will be a different look to it as well, the Blue Sox have been donated a brand new vehicle for the tour. Gary Rome Hyundai has donated a brand new completely wrapped van for the Blue Sox Educational tour this season. The vehicle will be unveiled at the press conference as well.
The Blue Sox Educational tour consists of players traveling to Pioneer Valley schools talking to the kids about the importance of staying in school, being good role models in their communities and the value of education as a whole. At each school event the kids will be given tickets to a Blue Sox baseball game compliment of Gary Rome as well.
Other guests at the press conference on Wednesday will include, Barry’s Sister CEO of the Holyoke Blue Sox Karen Rella, Honorable, Elaine A. Pulta, Mayor of Holyoke, Doris Ransford President of Holyoke Chamber of Commerce and Gary Rome of Gary Rome Hyundai.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Hyundai Builds the New CR-X Honda Didn’t
DETROIT — When we first heard details on the Hyundai Veloster three-door hot-hatch we wondered if it was the new CRX that Honda didn’t build. With two six-speed transmissions to choose from, a kicking power-to-weight ratio and up to 40 mpg the answer is yes.
Hell yes.
The near-production 2012 Hyundai Veloster shown at the Detroit auto show is a curious FWD hatchback offering three doors (one on the driver’s side, two on the passenger’s) and a liftgate in a design that incorporates the aggressive lines of the Sonata and Euro-market i40 Wagon with a rear end inspired by … a motorcycle helmet.
The aggressive and sporty look is backed up by a 1.6-liter direct-injection four-banger with dual continuously variable valve timing. It offers a relatively potent 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque. Though not as powerful as the 180-horsepower Scion tC (the most powerful car in this class), the Hyundai weighs 2,584 pounds compared to the Scion’s 3,060 pounds — a difference of nearly 500 pounds.
“Somehow I think Colin Chapman would be pleased,” Hyundai USA boss John Krafcik said at the press conference unveiling the car.
You have your choice of two transmissions, both with six speeds: a lightweight manual for purists and a new Hyundai-developed dual-clutch transmission for everyone else. Hyundai estimates the combination of the DCT, small engine and low weight will produce a stellar 40 mpg.
No one’s driven the Veloster yet, at least no one who can talk about it, so all comparisons to the venerable Honda CRX and the new Honda CR-Z hybrid must occur in the purely hypothetical realm. But it doesn’t take a genius to see the Veloster smokes the CR-Z with better fuel economy, more power, lower weight, better transmissions and a more attractive aesthetic.
Hyundai, like Honda with the CR-Z, is marketing this car as “fun to drive.” It made a point of noting the McPherson struts and coil springs up front and what they call a V-torsion beam rear suspension out back. We think that’s marketing speak for a variation on the twist-beam torsion bar. The car rolls on 17-inch alloys with 18-inchers available.
Ultimately, the Veloster may compete against cars from Mini instead of Honda, since it offers more power in a package that weighs slightly more than the three-door Cooper but less than the five-door Clubman. Look for the Veloster this summer with a price starting around $17,000.
Thursday, January 06, 2011
2011 HYUNDAI SONATA SOARS IN KBB.COM'S "MOST RESEARCHED NEW VEHICLES" REPORT
The all-new Hyundai Sonata, a North American Car of the Year finalist, was deemed the "most noteworthy success story" of the year in kbb.com's "Most Researched New Vehicles of 2010" report. Sonata leapt 24 places to number five overall. Because Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com is one of the most-trafficked automotive research sites, visitation to specific vehicles has become a leading indicator of sales patterns for manufacturers. Hyundai will sell approximately 200,000 Sonatas in calendar year 2010 and volume is up 65 percent year-to-date (through November).
"Hyundai's popular all-new Sonata helped to re-shuffle the deck among the top 20 most-researched new cars of 2010, knocking a few vehicles further down on the list compared to where they were last year," said James Bell, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com.
"The research from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com validates a trend we've been following throughout the year. Sonata is clearly making more consumers' shopping lists than ever before," said Mike O'Brien, vice president, product and corporate planning, Hyundai Motor America. "Data from Compete shows that Sonata was the most-shopped vehicle on the Internet six of the last seven months, proving that as awareness and availability of the 2011 model increased, shopping patterns quickly followed suit."
The 2011 Sonata represents a modern approach to the traditional mid-size sedan segment by using only advanced four-cylinder engines, emotional design and luxury features offered with Hyundai's strong value proposition. In addition to the standard 2.4-liter, gasoline direct injection powertrain making 35 miles-per-gallon highway, Hyundai added a 2.0-liter, 274-horsepower turbo and first-ever hybrid to the Sonata lineup. The Sonata Turbo went on sale in September and Sonata Hybrid, achieving 40 miles-per-gallon highway, will reach showrooms in January.
The all-new Sonata was the first mid-size car to receive a five-star crash test rating under National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's new, more stringent 2011 system and an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety Top Safety Pick honor, placing it in a safety position unsurpassed in the industry.
"The site traffic on Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com clearly demonstrates which models are resonating with today's new-car shoppers, especially when we examine the most-researched new vehicles of 2010," said Bell. "Hyundai's homerun Sonata was not only the darling of the industry this year, but also made a strong impression in the minds of new-car shoppers by leaping ahead to the fifth most-researched new car of 2010."
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through about 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
2011 HYUNDAI SONATA NAMED AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE "ALL STAR"
The all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata has been named to Automobile Magazine's annual "All Stars" list as one of the most outstanding cars of the year.
"The critical acclaim and recognition from experts like the editors of Automobile Magazine is gratifying," said John Krafcik, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "Sonata is a game-changing car that has surpassed everyone's expectations. The All Star award is recognition that the record number of customers who chose Sonata this year made a great choice."
Each fall, Automobile Magazine tests new model cars and its reigning All Stars before selecting 10 vehicles that stand out among all others in the market.
"The Sonata has emerged as an unquestioned leader in a segment that's bursting with excellent automobiles. Painstakingly conceptualized, designed and engineered by Hyundai, the Sonata meets and exceeds the varied needs and wishes of demanding American buyers," writes Automobile Magazine. The editors conclude, "The Sonata is a car that sells purely on its merits rather than on its warranty, and increasing numbers of savvy Americans are beating a path to Hyundai's door."
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata was introduced earlier this year. Sonata brings to the market a number of breakthroughs previously unheard of in the mid-size family sedan segment including standout design, a standard gasoline direct injected engine that delivers 35 miles per gallon on the highway, an optional 274-horsepower 4-cylinder turbo and a hybrid model that will go on sale in the U.S. in January.
Through the first 11 months of the year, Sonata sales are up 65 percent over last year on the strength of the new model, which, is manufactured at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Sonata's breakthrough 2.4-liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine, 2.0-liter turbo GDI and 6-speed automatic transmission also are manufactured in the United States. Hyundai Motor America sold 500,000 new vehicles in the U.S. for the first time ever, this year. Sonata has been the most "shopped" midsize car in the market for six of the past seven months as measured by Compete, an automotive market analysis firm.
The complete story on the "Automobile All Stars" is available in the February 2011 issue of Automobile Magazine and at www.automobilemag.com. The February issue will be available on iPad on December 20 and on newsstands on January 4, 2011.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through about 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance.
"The critical acclaim and recognition from experts like the editors of Automobile Magazine is gratifying," said John Krafcik, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "Sonata is a game-changing car that has surpassed everyone's expectations. The All Star award is recognition that the record number of customers who chose Sonata this year made a great choice."
Each fall, Automobile Magazine tests new model cars and its reigning All Stars before selecting 10 vehicles that stand out among all others in the market.
"The Sonata has emerged as an unquestioned leader in a segment that's bursting with excellent automobiles. Painstakingly conceptualized, designed and engineered by Hyundai, the Sonata meets and exceeds the varied needs and wishes of demanding American buyers," writes Automobile Magazine. The editors conclude, "The Sonata is a car that sells purely on its merits rather than on its warranty, and increasing numbers of savvy Americans are beating a path to Hyundai's door."
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata was introduced earlier this year. Sonata brings to the market a number of breakthroughs previously unheard of in the mid-size family sedan segment including standout design, a standard gasoline direct injected engine that delivers 35 miles per gallon on the highway, an optional 274-horsepower 4-cylinder turbo and a hybrid model that will go on sale in the U.S. in January.
Through the first 11 months of the year, Sonata sales are up 65 percent over last year on the strength of the new model, which, is manufactured at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. Sonata's breakthrough 2.4-liter gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine, 2.0-liter turbo GDI and 6-speed automatic transmission also are manufactured in the United States. Hyundai Motor America sold 500,000 new vehicles in the U.S. for the first time ever, this year. Sonata has been the most "shopped" midsize car in the market for six of the past seven months as measured by Compete, an automotive market analysis firm.
The complete story on the "Automobile All Stars" is available in the February 2011 issue of Automobile Magazine and at www.automobilemag.com. The February issue will be available on iPad on December 20 and on newsstands on January 4, 2011.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through about 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance.
Friday, December 03, 2010
Leave a Facebook comment, enter to win 4 Tickets to Usher!
We're giving away 4 tickets to go see Usher in concert on December 18, 2010 at the XL Center in Hartford, CT. In order to enter, simply "Like" the Gary Rome Hyundai Facebook page, then check our FB page. Leave a comment on the Wall post titled "Leave a Facebook comment, enter to win 4 Tickets to Usher" to enter the giveaway. Done. Feel free to "Like" the post itself so your Facebook friends can see the giveaway, and remember to allow direct messages in your Facebook privacy settings.
To enter the Usher Tickets giveaway:
* "Like" the Gary Rome Hyundai Facebook page. Leave a comment on the Facebook Wall post titled "Leave a Facebook comment, enter to win 4 Tickets to Usher"
* You must be 18 years or older and a resident of the U.S.
* Limit 1 entry per person.
* The entry period ends at 3:00PM ET on Wednesday, December 15.
* At that time, we'll select 1 winner from the eligible commenters to receive 4 Tickets to Usher at the XL Center in Hartford, CT.
* Make sure your Facebook privacy settings allow for direct messages to receive notification in the event you win.
* Winner must be able to pick up tickets in person at the dealership in Holyoke, MA.
* Standard giveaway rules apply for everything else.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Listen to XM Radio Free for 2 Weeks Nov 18 - Dec 1.
All you need is an XM capable device or radio and tune in. http://www.xmradio.com/freepreview
Thursday, November 18, 2010
2011 Hyundai Sonata and Genesis Sedan Awarded an Automotive Best Buy Award from Consumers Digest
Consumers Digest Magazine named both the 2011 Hyundai Sonata and 2011 Hyundai Genesis sedan a "Best Buy." The ratings are based on behind-the-wheel assessment, safety ratings, ownership costs, warranty, price, comfort, ergonomics, styling and amenities. The Sonata is a Best Buy in the Family Car category and the Genesis sedan is a Best Buy in the Luxury Car segment.
"Value, as we see it, is based on purchase price and ownership costs relative to quality, performance and subjective factors like comfort and design," said Randy Weber, publisher, Consumers Digest. "Few purchases are more important, or require more research, than buying a new vehicle. Our analyses ensure that consumers are as satisfied with their auto purchase years after making it as they were on the day they drove off the lot."
The Automotive Best Buy Awards reflect Consumers Digest's view of which 2011 vehicles offer exceptional value for the money. A panel of six automotive experts evaluates the vehicles from behind-the-wheel on an ongoing basis, both under real-world conditions in their own test-drives and at manufacturers' new-model introductions. They assess design factors including styling, accessories and amenities, cargo space, and fit and finish, as well as performance characteristics including starting and acceleration, steering and handling, ride quality and fuel economy.
"The Genesis has provided ground-breaking value among its luxury competition with lavish appointments and impressive driving performance," said Mike O'Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "The all-new Sonata also upholds Hyundai's legacy of value with exciting design, best-in-class fuel economy and outstanding residual value. Both cars continue to exceed expectations for consumers in their respective segments."
For more information and a complete list of award winners, visit http://www.consumersdigest.com/award_page.html.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through about 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance.
"Value, as we see it, is based on purchase price and ownership costs relative to quality, performance and subjective factors like comfort and design," said Randy Weber, publisher, Consumers Digest. "Few purchases are more important, or require more research, than buying a new vehicle. Our analyses ensure that consumers are as satisfied with their auto purchase years after making it as they were on the day they drove off the lot."
The Automotive Best Buy Awards reflect Consumers Digest's view of which 2011 vehicles offer exceptional value for the money. A panel of six automotive experts evaluates the vehicles from behind-the-wheel on an ongoing basis, both under real-world conditions in their own test-drives and at manufacturers' new-model introductions. They assess design factors including styling, accessories and amenities, cargo space, and fit and finish, as well as performance characteristics including starting and acceleration, steering and handling, ride quality and fuel economy.
"The Genesis has provided ground-breaking value among its luxury competition with lavish appointments and impressive driving performance," said Mike O'Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "The all-new Sonata also upholds Hyundai's legacy of value with exciting design, best-in-class fuel economy and outstanding residual value. Both cars continue to exceed expectations for consumers in their respective segments."
For more information and a complete list of award winners, visit http://www.consumersdigest.com/award_page.html.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through about 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance.
Hyundai Elantra Earns Highest Residual Value in its Class in the 2011 ALG Residual Value Awards
ALG, the industry benchmark for residual values and depreciation data, today announced its 12th annual Residual Value Awards, honoring vehicles across 19 different segments and two brands that are predicted to retain the highest percentage of their MSRP after a three-year period. The 2011 Hyundai Elantra topped the competitive compact segment, winning ALG's award for the highest residual value in its class.
The 2011 Residual Value Awards are based on the entire model year forecast of 2011 products. Award winners are determined through careful study of the competition in each segment, historical vehicle performance and industry trends. Vehicle quality, production levels relative to demand and pricing and marketing strategies are among the key factors that affect ALG's residual value forecasts.
"Hyundai's win of the mid-compact segment highlights the growing reputation of the brand, as well as its impressive new product push," said Raj Sundaram, Senior Vice President, Solutions Group and ALG. "The all-new 2011 Elantra shines with standard luxurious features and a modest price tag, and it's expected to be a favorite of young drivers like the VW Jetta and Mazda3 before it."
The all-new 2011 Elantra encompasses Hyundai's latest ambitions including "Fluidic Sculpture" design, advanced safety technologies and best-in-class 40 mpg highway fuel economy. It took 33 months to develop the all-new Elantra and four years to bring it to market. The 2011 Elantra launches with new 1.8-liter "Nu" engine and in-house six-speed automatic transmission.
"Achieving such tremendous value retention speaks to the overall quality and merit of the Elantra," said Mike O'Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "Vehicles that retain their value in the long-term offer a lower overall cost of ownership to the customer, allowing Hyundai to offer strong lease options to consumers and better resale value at trade-in time for our customers who purchase their vehicles."
For more information and a complete list of winners, visit: www.alg.com.
ALG
Based in Santa Barbara, California, ALG (www.alg.com) is a leading provider of data and consulting services to the automotive industry. ALG publishes the "Automotive Lease Guide" - the standard for Residual Value projections in North America, and has been forecasting automotive residual values for over 45 years in both the U.S. and Canadian markets. ALG is a company of DealerTrack Holdings, Inc. HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through about 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance.
The 2011 Residual Value Awards are based on the entire model year forecast of 2011 products. Award winners are determined through careful study of the competition in each segment, historical vehicle performance and industry trends. Vehicle quality, production levels relative to demand and pricing and marketing strategies are among the key factors that affect ALG's residual value forecasts.
"Hyundai's win of the mid-compact segment highlights the growing reputation of the brand, as well as its impressive new product push," said Raj Sundaram, Senior Vice President, Solutions Group and ALG. "The all-new 2011 Elantra shines with standard luxurious features and a modest price tag, and it's expected to be a favorite of young drivers like the VW Jetta and Mazda3 before it."
The all-new 2011 Elantra encompasses Hyundai's latest ambitions including "Fluidic Sculpture" design, advanced safety technologies and best-in-class 40 mpg highway fuel economy. It took 33 months to develop the all-new Elantra and four years to bring it to market. The 2011 Elantra launches with new 1.8-liter "Nu" engine and in-house six-speed automatic transmission.
"Achieving such tremendous value retention speaks to the overall quality and merit of the Elantra," said Mike O'Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "Vehicles that retain their value in the long-term offer a lower overall cost of ownership to the customer, allowing Hyundai to offer strong lease options to consumers and better resale value at trade-in time for our customers who purchase their vehicles."
For more information and a complete list of winners, visit: www.alg.com.
ALG
Based in Santa Barbara, California, ALG (www.alg.com) is a leading provider of data and consulting services to the automotive industry. ALG publishes the "Automotive Lease Guide" - the standard for Residual Value projections in North America, and has been forecasting automotive residual values for over 45 years in both the U.S. and Canadian markets. ALG is a company of DealerTrack Holdings, Inc. HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through about 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 5-years of complimentary Roadside Assistance.
Monday, November 15, 2010
2011 Hyundai Elantra: First Look
* Competes with: Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Chevy Cruze, Ford Focus
* Looks like: An aggressive compact sedan
* Drivetrain: 148-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine; six-speed manual or automatic transmission
* Hits dealerships: 2011
Hyundai busted sales records with its revamped Sonata midsize sedan earlier this year, and it looks like it will do the same when the new Elantra goes on sale next year.
The just-announced Elantra will use the same formula as the Sonata, offering a high level of refinement, value and performance for a good price. However, this model has a not-so-secret weapon: 40 mpg standard.
While the Chevy Cruze and smaller Ford Fiesta promise 40 mpg highway or better, they do so only in special trims or with certain transmissions. The new Elantra gets an EPA-estimated 29/40 mpg city/highway and 33 mpg combined. That's the exact same mileage as the smaller Fiesta SFE.
Pricing hasn't been announced, but it looks like the base GLS model will come without air conditioning and a few other conveniences to deliver a low price. It still comes with power windows, a six-speaker stereo system and USB port.
The GLS Popular Equipment Package can be added. It includes air conditioning, cruise control, telescopic steering wheel and 16-inch steel wheels.
The Limited trim will come loaded with leather seating, automatic transmission, black chrome grille, fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, sunroof, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, heated front and rear seats, and Bluetooth connectivity.
A navigation system with 7-inch screen is available as an option on either trim level.
By David Thomas Cars.com
* Looks like: An aggressive compact sedan
* Drivetrain: 148-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine; six-speed manual or automatic transmission
* Hits dealerships: 2011
Hyundai busted sales records with its revamped Sonata midsize sedan earlier this year, and it looks like it will do the same when the new Elantra goes on sale next year.
The just-announced Elantra will use the same formula as the Sonata, offering a high level of refinement, value and performance for a good price. However, this model has a not-so-secret weapon: 40 mpg standard.
While the Chevy Cruze and smaller Ford Fiesta promise 40 mpg highway or better, they do so only in special trims or with certain transmissions. The new Elantra gets an EPA-estimated 29/40 mpg city/highway and 33 mpg combined. That's the exact same mileage as the smaller Fiesta SFE.
Pricing hasn't been announced, but it looks like the base GLS model will come without air conditioning and a few other conveniences to deliver a low price. It still comes with power windows, a six-speaker stereo system and USB port.
The GLS Popular Equipment Package can be added. It includes air conditioning, cruise control, telescopic steering wheel and 16-inch steel wheels.
The Limited trim will come loaded with leather seating, automatic transmission, black chrome grille, fog lights, 17-inch alloy wheels, sunroof, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, heated front and rear seats, and Bluetooth connectivity.
A navigation system with 7-inch screen is available as an option on either trim level.
By David Thomas Cars.com
Monday, November 08, 2010
2011 Hyundai Equus test drive - Hyundai isn't horsing around
We can all learn a lesson from Hyundai. They don't sit around and wait for others to define their vehicles: They tell us who the competition is, and thus define their vehicles. Witness the latest new Hyundai: the 2011 Hyundai Equus. Hyundai tells us to compare it to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, the BMW 7-Series and the Lexus LS. Hmm... we'll see. The 2011 Hyundai Equus will arrive in two different configurations, Equus Signature ($58,900) and Equus Ultimate ($65,400), each with a 5-year/60,000 mile basic warranty, a 10 year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty, and EPA fuel economy estimates of 16 MPG city/24 highway.
First Glance: Haven't we seen you somewhere before?
I have to get this out of the way first. I think that the name "Equus" is a terrible mistake. "Equus" is Latin for "horse," which is how we come to the English words "equestrian," "equine" and others. Fine so far. But "Equus" is also the title of Peter Shaffer's iconic 1973 play about a young man who blinded six horses with a spike after they witnessed his sexual failure in a barn. The play's Broadway production won a Tony Award in 1974. A 1977 film adaptation directed by Sidney Lumet featured Richard Burton. The play has been revived many times over the years, usually as a star turn. In 2007, Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) played the troubled young man to much acclaim on London's West End. My point is that this is not some obscure little play. This is a major work, and it has a perverse, violent, psychosexual context that no car manufacturer would want to attach to their new vehicle. I know that the Equus name is revered in South Korea, as the previous version of this executive sedan was been a big success over there. But bringing a new vehicle to the US and ignoring the literary and cultural context of the name strikes me as insensitive. One big demerit before I even drive your vehicle, Hyundai.
Walking around the outside of the Equus, it's easy to see the designers' inspiration. There's some Mercedes-Benz in the front end (link goes to photo), some Maybach in the haunches, a little 7-series in the trunk lid. 19" wheels fill each fender well. The whole look is elegant, if a little generic. The Hyundai flying "H" logo only appears on the trunk, not on the hood, where a new Equus ornament faces the world.
In the Driver's Seat: Home, James
In South Korea, the Equus has been Hyundai's flagship executive car since its first generation in 1999. True Type A businessmen use drivers, so that their commute time can be work time. As such, the back seat of the Equus Ultimate is set up like an executive jet, with two cushy seats separated by a large center console. The right side seat is the power seat -- it even has a fold-out footrest. The front right side seat powers far forward to allow for maximum comfort and space in the rear. Every luxury option is standard on the Ultimate trim level, including heated and cooled seats, a refrigerator, rear-seat entertainment system and gold bullion storage compartment (or is that a glove box?).
The driver's and front passenger seats are not bad, either. Everywhere you look and touch, you are rewarded with quality materials, assembled with care and skill. I'm not generally a fan of wood trim in cars, but the wood in Equus is nice, even if its buried under a thick layer of clear coat.
The interior is so polished and elegant that complaints are few and minor, and I have only one: I'm not crazy about the font that they use on the controls and dash buttons -- it's not as sophisticated as the rest of the design.
Lexicon provided the audio and video technology aboard the Equus, and it's really great. You get home theater quality sound inside the cabin, with the new Lexicon Discrete LOGIC7 Surround Sound audio system that delivers 600 watts through 13 channels. Particular attention was paid to the sound quality in the rear seat, where the executive might be riding.
On the Road: Floating through life
Hyundai is great at benchmarking other successful brands, and engineering toward duplicating or bettering their results. Lexus has been the industry leader in cabin quietness -- until now. Equus's interior sound levels are the quietest that I've ever perceived. Road noise doesn't sneak in, no matter how pebbled the path. Very impressive.
Under the hood you'll find a great big 4.6 liter V8 engine with up-to-date technology like continuously variable valve timing and variable induction. Recognizing that its buyers might be thriftier than most luxury buyers, Hyundai has tuned the V8 to perform with either premium or regular gas, with only a slight performance penalty for the cheaper stuff. A ZF-sourced six speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels. The Equus weighs in at just under two and a half tons, about what I expect for a big luxury sedan, and acceleration and performance are grunty, but not overwhelming.
The Equus' air suspension provides a smooth ride, especially when paired with the continuous damping control that adjusts shock-absorber performance. A newly developed electro-hydraulic power steering system provides excellent feel when turning. Some electric power steering systems feel numb, but the interaction of electric and hydraulic systems keeps the steering feel live in most driving situations.
Call it a gimmick, but it will probably sell a few Equii: the vehicle's manual will be loaded on an Apple iPad, instead of printed on paper. I love the idea, I've never had to worry about the batteries running low on my Toyota's paper manual when I was trying to figure out how to use the jack. Is this a smart use of technology, or too smart for its own good?
Journey's End: Who's zooming who?
Equus is significantly less expensive than comparably-equipped competitors, which Hyundai names as the Lexus LS 460 L ($70,925), Mercedes-Benz S550 ($91,600) and BMW 750Li ($86,400). I don't expect Equus to compete with the S-Class and the 7-series, no matter how much Hyundai believes that it will. A buyer who is considering a $90,000 S-Class is buying something more than an executive sedan -- they're buying into the Mercedes-Benz brand experience.
Hyundai has some great ideas about how to improve the brand experience for Equus, like delivering the vehicle to potential buyers' homes for test drives, specially-trained Hyundai dealers providing sales and service, and valet service for maintenance and repair. Hyundai has been preparing its buyers for a luxury experience for years, with the vast improvement in the Sonata and the introduction and success of the Genesis. But Hyundai is not Mercedes-Benz or BMW. Hyundai isn't even Lexus... yet.
I think the real competition for Equus is price point where you can get more for your money with a Hyundai: The BMW 550 Gran Turismo ($63,900) and the Mercedes-Benz E550 ($57,100) had better look out, because buyers looking for luxury and space might find the sweet spot in Equus long before they approach the $85,000 - 90,000 mark.
Bottom line: Equus represents another major step forward for Hyundai. I can't wait to see what's next. -- Jason Fogelson About.com
First Glance: Haven't we seen you somewhere before?
I have to get this out of the way first. I think that the name "Equus" is a terrible mistake. "Equus" is Latin for "horse," which is how we come to the English words "equestrian," "equine" and others. Fine so far. But "Equus" is also the title of Peter Shaffer's iconic 1973 play about a young man who blinded six horses with a spike after they witnessed his sexual failure in a barn. The play's Broadway production won a Tony Award in 1974. A 1977 film adaptation directed by Sidney Lumet featured Richard Burton. The play has been revived many times over the years, usually as a star turn. In 2007, Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) played the troubled young man to much acclaim on London's West End. My point is that this is not some obscure little play. This is a major work, and it has a perverse, violent, psychosexual context that no car manufacturer would want to attach to their new vehicle. I know that the Equus name is revered in South Korea, as the previous version of this executive sedan was been a big success over there. But bringing a new vehicle to the US and ignoring the literary and cultural context of the name strikes me as insensitive. One big demerit before I even drive your vehicle, Hyundai.
Walking around the outside of the Equus, it's easy to see the designers' inspiration. There's some Mercedes-Benz in the front end (link goes to photo), some Maybach in the haunches, a little 7-series in the trunk lid. 19" wheels fill each fender well. The whole look is elegant, if a little generic. The Hyundai flying "H" logo only appears on the trunk, not on the hood, where a new Equus ornament faces the world.
In the Driver's Seat: Home, James
In South Korea, the Equus has been Hyundai's flagship executive car since its first generation in 1999. True Type A businessmen use drivers, so that their commute time can be work time. As such, the back seat of the Equus Ultimate is set up like an executive jet, with two cushy seats separated by a large center console. The right side seat is the power seat -- it even has a fold-out footrest. The front right side seat powers far forward to allow for maximum comfort and space in the rear. Every luxury option is standard on the Ultimate trim level, including heated and cooled seats, a refrigerator, rear-seat entertainment system and gold bullion storage compartment (or is that a glove box?).
The driver's and front passenger seats are not bad, either. Everywhere you look and touch, you are rewarded with quality materials, assembled with care and skill. I'm not generally a fan of wood trim in cars, but the wood in Equus is nice, even if its buried under a thick layer of clear coat.
The interior is so polished and elegant that complaints are few and minor, and I have only one: I'm not crazy about the font that they use on the controls and dash buttons -- it's not as sophisticated as the rest of the design.
Lexicon provided the audio and video technology aboard the Equus, and it's really great. You get home theater quality sound inside the cabin, with the new Lexicon Discrete LOGIC7 Surround Sound audio system that delivers 600 watts through 13 channels. Particular attention was paid to the sound quality in the rear seat, where the executive might be riding.
On the Road: Floating through life
Hyundai is great at benchmarking other successful brands, and engineering toward duplicating or bettering their results. Lexus has been the industry leader in cabin quietness -- until now. Equus's interior sound levels are the quietest that I've ever perceived. Road noise doesn't sneak in, no matter how pebbled the path. Very impressive.
Under the hood you'll find a great big 4.6 liter V8 engine with up-to-date technology like continuously variable valve timing and variable induction. Recognizing that its buyers might be thriftier than most luxury buyers, Hyundai has tuned the V8 to perform with either premium or regular gas, with only a slight performance penalty for the cheaper stuff. A ZF-sourced six speed automatic transmission sends power to the rear wheels. The Equus weighs in at just under two and a half tons, about what I expect for a big luxury sedan, and acceleration and performance are grunty, but not overwhelming.
The Equus' air suspension provides a smooth ride, especially when paired with the continuous damping control that adjusts shock-absorber performance. A newly developed electro-hydraulic power steering system provides excellent feel when turning. Some electric power steering systems feel numb, but the interaction of electric and hydraulic systems keeps the steering feel live in most driving situations.
Call it a gimmick, but it will probably sell a few Equii: the vehicle's manual will be loaded on an Apple iPad, instead of printed on paper. I love the idea, I've never had to worry about the batteries running low on my Toyota's paper manual when I was trying to figure out how to use the jack. Is this a smart use of technology, or too smart for its own good?
Journey's End: Who's zooming who?
Equus is significantly less expensive than comparably-equipped competitors, which Hyundai names as the Lexus LS 460 L ($70,925), Mercedes-Benz S550 ($91,600) and BMW 750Li ($86,400). I don't expect Equus to compete with the S-Class and the 7-series, no matter how much Hyundai believes that it will. A buyer who is considering a $90,000 S-Class is buying something more than an executive sedan -- they're buying into the Mercedes-Benz brand experience.
Hyundai has some great ideas about how to improve the brand experience for Equus, like delivering the vehicle to potential buyers' homes for test drives, specially-trained Hyundai dealers providing sales and service, and valet service for maintenance and repair. Hyundai has been preparing its buyers for a luxury experience for years, with the vast improvement in the Sonata and the introduction and success of the Genesis. But Hyundai is not Mercedes-Benz or BMW. Hyundai isn't even Lexus... yet.
I think the real competition for Equus is price point where you can get more for your money with a Hyundai: The BMW 550 Gran Turismo ($63,900) and the Mercedes-Benz E550 ($57,100) had better look out, because buyers looking for luxury and space might find the sweet spot in Equus long before they approach the $85,000 - 90,000 mark.
Bottom line: Equus represents another major step forward for Hyundai. I can't wait to see what's next. -- Jason Fogelson About.com
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Hyundai took on Toyota. Now for BMW.
Now the Harmons are a Hyundai family.
They already own two -- a 2008 Santa Fe sport utility vehicle and a 2005 Elantra -- and Mr. Harmon, a Chicago-area electrical contractor who owns several construction companies, has his eye on the Equus, a nearly $60,000 sedan that arrives in November.
"This will go head-to-head with the BMWs and Mercedes," Mr. Harmon said. "If you test-drive all of them with your eyes closed, you're going to pick the Hyundai."
The idea that Hyundai could compete with luxury automakers would have seemed absurd two decades ago, when its low-quality cars made the South Korean company a laughingstock in the United States.
These days, rivals know not to underestimate Hyundai and its affiliate, Kia, which have been posting record sales during one of the auto industry's most difficult periods.
"The challenge for the Korean companies is just to keep this winning streak going," said James Bell, executive market analyst with the automotive information firm Kelley Blue Book. "In a lot of ways, they followed the Japanese model of how to succeed in the marketplace."
But while Toyota and Honda built their empires largely on reliability and fuel economy, Hyundai and Kia have taken that formula a step further with a focus on making their vehicles attractive.
"You didn't really buy a Toyota Tercel because it was a beautiful car," Mr. Bell said. "The factor that the Koreans have added to that mix is styling."
As a result, Hyundai and Kia are becoming a serious threat to the Japanese dominance of most passenger car segments. Hyundai's midsize car, the Sonata, was the most researched vehicle in the country in May, according to Compete, a Boston research firm.
Sales of the Sonata, which accounts for one-third of Hyundai's total volume, are up about 50 percent this year, while demand for the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord is down slightly. Even though the Camry and Accord remain tops in their segment, Hyundai has been closing the gap quickly.
Over all, Hyundai's market share in the United States has increased to nearly 5 percent, from 3 percent in 2008. Kia's share has grown to more than 3 percent, from 2.1 percent in 2008.
Together the two companies, which operate independently from each other in the United States but share some operations, now outsell the Japanese carmaker Nissan. In the second quarter, Hyundai was the fifth-most-considered brand in the country, bumping Nissan to sixth place, according to a Kelley Blue Book study.
Hyundai, Kia and Subaru of Japan were the only three automakers whose sales here increased in 2009.
Hyundai expects its United States sales to top 500,000 for the first time ever this year, as its rivals grapple with sales that are far below the level of several years ago, before the recession.
In fact, the recession has been a big reason behind the success that Hyundai and Kia have enjoyed in recent years. Their models are priced lower than most of the competition, but in better times many shoppers still might not have researched Hyundai or Kia enough to see what the vehicles offered.
"It gave us an opportunity to really reach some people who might not have looked at us before -- people who would have defaulted into an Accord or Camry," John Krafcik, the chief executive of Hyundai Motors America, said. "Times like these that force people to go deeper into the purchase analysis definitely favor us."
David Champion, the director of automotive testing for Consumer Reports, said shoppers who had not checked out Korean cars lately would probably be surprised.
"You're not getting a bargain-basement car," Mr. Champion said. "You're getting a very well-equipped car with good reliability. Every new Kia and Hyundai that we've tried has been so much better than the previous model and really, really competitive."
But for all their strides, the Korean companies still have work to do before they are broadly perceived to be among the industry's elite brands.
"It's still going to take time to get people into the cars and to spread the word of mouth," said Mr. Champion, who described Hyundai's foray into the luxury segments as selling "an Armani suit with a Wal-Mart label."
Hyundai and Kia have been marketing themselves heavily to overcome outdated perceptions -- in some cases filling voids left as the Detroit automakers pulled back on sponsorships and ads during big events like the Super Bowl.
"We didn't use to see doctors and lawyers and that type of affluent buyer, because it just wasn't socially acceptable to pull up in a Hyundai," said Brian Malpeli, who has sold Hyundais since the brand's early years and is the general sales manager at World Hyundai in Matteson, Ill. "But the more and more people start noticing us, the more they see the value in it."
Mr. Harmon, who bought his Santa Fe at World Hyundai, says saving thousands of dollars to get what he considers a more enjoyable vehicle trumps any concerns about whether the brand is fashionable.
"I know what kind of quality I'm sitting in," he said. "I don't care if I pull up next to a Porsche in my Santa Fe, because he spent $110,000 for his, and I spent $30,000 for mine, and I like mine more than his."
Article from: NY Times
They already own two -- a 2008 Santa Fe sport utility vehicle and a 2005 Elantra -- and Mr. Harmon, a Chicago-area electrical contractor who owns several construction companies, has his eye on the Equus, a nearly $60,000 sedan that arrives in November.
"This will go head-to-head with the BMWs and Mercedes," Mr. Harmon said. "If you test-drive all of them with your eyes closed, you're going to pick the Hyundai."
The idea that Hyundai could compete with luxury automakers would have seemed absurd two decades ago, when its low-quality cars made the South Korean company a laughingstock in the United States.
These days, rivals know not to underestimate Hyundai and its affiliate, Kia, which have been posting record sales during one of the auto industry's most difficult periods.
"The challenge for the Korean companies is just to keep this winning streak going," said James Bell, executive market analyst with the automotive information firm Kelley Blue Book. "In a lot of ways, they followed the Japanese model of how to succeed in the marketplace."
But while Toyota and Honda built their empires largely on reliability and fuel economy, Hyundai and Kia have taken that formula a step further with a focus on making their vehicles attractive.
"You didn't really buy a Toyota Tercel because it was a beautiful car," Mr. Bell said. "The factor that the Koreans have added to that mix is styling."
As a result, Hyundai and Kia are becoming a serious threat to the Japanese dominance of most passenger car segments. Hyundai's midsize car, the Sonata, was the most researched vehicle in the country in May, according to Compete, a Boston research firm.
Sales of the Sonata, which accounts for one-third of Hyundai's total volume, are up about 50 percent this year, while demand for the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord is down slightly. Even though the Camry and Accord remain tops in their segment, Hyundai has been closing the gap quickly.
Over all, Hyundai's market share in the United States has increased to nearly 5 percent, from 3 percent in 2008. Kia's share has grown to more than 3 percent, from 2.1 percent in 2008.
Together the two companies, which operate independently from each other in the United States but share some operations, now outsell the Japanese carmaker Nissan. In the second quarter, Hyundai was the fifth-most-considered brand in the country, bumping Nissan to sixth place, according to a Kelley Blue Book study.
Hyundai, Kia and Subaru of Japan were the only three automakers whose sales here increased in 2009.
Hyundai expects its United States sales to top 500,000 for the first time ever this year, as its rivals grapple with sales that are far below the level of several years ago, before the recession.
In fact, the recession has been a big reason behind the success that Hyundai and Kia have enjoyed in recent years. Their models are priced lower than most of the competition, but in better times many shoppers still might not have researched Hyundai or Kia enough to see what the vehicles offered.
"It gave us an opportunity to really reach some people who might not have looked at us before -- people who would have defaulted into an Accord or Camry," John Krafcik, the chief executive of Hyundai Motors America, said. "Times like these that force people to go deeper into the purchase analysis definitely favor us."
David Champion, the director of automotive testing for Consumer Reports, said shoppers who had not checked out Korean cars lately would probably be surprised.
"You're not getting a bargain-basement car," Mr. Champion said. "You're getting a very well-equipped car with good reliability. Every new Kia and Hyundai that we've tried has been so much better than the previous model and really, really competitive."
But for all their strides, the Korean companies still have work to do before they are broadly perceived to be among the industry's elite brands.
"It's still going to take time to get people into the cars and to spread the word of mouth," said Mr. Champion, who described Hyundai's foray into the luxury segments as selling "an Armani suit with a Wal-Mart label."
Hyundai and Kia have been marketing themselves heavily to overcome outdated perceptions -- in some cases filling voids left as the Detroit automakers pulled back on sponsorships and ads during big events like the Super Bowl.
"We didn't use to see doctors and lawyers and that type of affluent buyer, because it just wasn't socially acceptable to pull up in a Hyundai," said Brian Malpeli, who has sold Hyundais since the brand's early years and is the general sales manager at World Hyundai in Matteson, Ill. "But the more and more people start noticing us, the more they see the value in it."
Mr. Harmon, who bought his Santa Fe at World Hyundai, says saving thousands of dollars to get what he considers a more enjoyable vehicle trumps any concerns about whether the brand is fashionable.
"I know what kind of quality I'm sitting in," he said. "I don't care if I pull up next to a Porsche in my Santa Fe, because he spent $110,000 for his, and I spent $30,000 for mine, and I like mine more than his."
Article from: NY Times
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Gary Rome Hyundai Joined Hyundai Motor America to Help Fight Childhood Cancer with the 2010 Hope on Wheels Tour
September 2010 – Now in it's twelfth year, Hope on Wheels continues to embody Gary Rome Hyundai's commitment to helping kids fight cancer. Hope on Wheels has donated millions of dollars to children's hospitals across the country. This year the Tour will award grants to doctors doing important childhood cancer research. September is National Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month so Gary Rome Hyundai wants to do everything possible to help the cause.
On Tuesday September 14th at 11:30am Hyundai Hope On Wheels will be awarding a $100,000 grant at the D'amour Cancer Center, 3350 Main Street, Springfield, Massachusetts. Gary Rome Hyundai is proud to be a part of this incredible Grant Presentation and hopes area media will attend and help spread the word of how Hope On Wheels is benefiting the Baystate Health Foundation.
Every time a car is sold this September at Gary Rome Hyundai, Gary will donate $100 to Hope on Wheels. Gary Rome Hyundai is part of the 780 nationwide dealerships working diligently to raise as many dollars as possible.
The 2010 Hope of Wheels Tour is just one of the ways Gary Rome Hyundai gives back to the community. Several fund raising efforts as well as participation in local humanitarian promotions are very important ways Gary Rome Hyundai says thank you.
For more information and the complete list of 2010 Hyundai Hope on Tour stops visit www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org.
On Tuesday September 14th at 11:30am Hyundai Hope On Wheels will be awarding a $100,000 grant at the D'amour Cancer Center, 3350 Main Street, Springfield, Massachusetts. Gary Rome Hyundai is proud to be a part of this incredible Grant Presentation and hopes area media will attend and help spread the word of how Hope On Wheels is benefiting the Baystate Health Foundation.
Every time a car is sold this September at Gary Rome Hyundai, Gary will donate $100 to Hope on Wheels. Gary Rome Hyundai is part of the 780 nationwide dealerships working diligently to raise as many dollars as possible.
The 2010 Hope of Wheels Tour is just one of the ways Gary Rome Hyundai gives back to the community. Several fund raising efforts as well as participation in local humanitarian promotions are very important ways Gary Rome Hyundai says thank you.
For more information and the complete list of 2010 Hyundai Hope on Tour stops visit www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org.
Friday, April 02, 2010
Hyundai Donates $2.1 Million to Childhood Cancer Research with 2010 Hope on Wheels Tour
Ceremonies at the New York International Auto Show and Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama Mark Launch of 2010 Hyundai Hope on Wheels Tour
Hyundai Motor America and its dealers will launch the 2010 Hyundai Hope on Wheels tour today during Hyundai's press conference at the New York International Auto Show. With newly-named Hope on Wheels National Youth Ambassador Brianna Commerford, 12, standing by, Hyundai CEO John Krafcik will announce the 2010 tour, which will visit more than 40 children's hospitals across the country. This year's tour will donate $2.1 million to support childhood cancer research.
Hope on Wheels National Youth Ambassador Brianna battled Stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma when she was just ten years old. Now healthy and in remission, Brianna wants to share her story to spread awareness and help bring hope to other children facing cancer. Brianna will serve a two-year term as the Hope on Wheels National Youth Ambassador.
"At Hyundai, we believe in doing what others might think is impossible," said John Krafcik, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "With the dramatic increase in survival rates that we've seen over the past several decades, we believe that a cure for pediatric cancer is now within reach. Hyundai is focusing the bulk of our philanthropic efforts on funding childhood cancer research through Hope on Wheels so that one day no child will ever have to face cancer."
The first official hospital donation event of the year will take place later today as Hope on Wheels donates $125,000 to the Hope & Heroes program at NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. This year, Dr. Jennifer Levine and Dr. Julia Glade Bender have been selected to receive the donation, which will support their research. Children receiving treatment at the hospital and their families will join Brianna and New York area Hyundai dealers for a special Handprint Ceremony at the Hyundai booth. The children will place their handprints in colorful paint on the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe, the official vehicle of the Hope on Wheels Tour, to commemorate their brave battles with childhood cancer.
"Since 2004, Hyundai has been a dedicated donor to the children's cancer research program at the Herbert Irving Child and Adolescent Oncology Center," said Dr. Michael Weiner, director, Herbert Irving Child and Adolescent Oncology Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center. "We are proud to be a recipient of Hyundai's generosity and ongoing support for children with cancer."
Later this month, U.S. Hyundai dealers will gather at the company's manufacturing plant in Montgomery, Alabama for their annual national dealer meeting. The company and dealers together will present a ceremonial check for this year's $2.1 million donation to Brianna on behalf of all the children helped by childhood cancer research. The second hospital donation of the 2010 tour will be made to the Children's Hospital of Alabama in the amount of $40,000.
"On behalf of Hyundai dealers across the country, Hope on Wheels is honored to continue its support for childhood cancer research in 2010 and recognize the brave children who are battling this disease" said Oscar Leeser, President of the Hyundai Hope on Wheels Foundation and dealer owner of Hyundai of El Paso in El Paso, Texas. We are proud to be able to award research grants to the Hyundai Scholars – they are the pediatric oncologists whose unwavering dedication to research helps to care for children facing cancer and gives them hope for a healthy future."
This year Hyundai Hope on Wheels marks its 12th year of commitment to supporting childhood cancer research efforts. Hyundai and its dealers have donated more than $14 million to children's hospitals nationwide and collected hundreds of handprints from children fighting childhood cancer. Every time a new Hyundai vehicle is sold in the U.S., $5 is donated to Hope on Wheels. More information and the complete list of 2010 Hyundai Hope on Wheels tour stops is available at www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 780 dealerships nationwide.
HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS
Hyundai Hope on Wheels™ is the united effort of all 780 Hyundai dealers across the U.S. to raise awareness about childhood cancer and celebrate the lives of children battling the disease. Hyundai Hope on Wheels has donated more than $14 million to childhood cancer research since 1998 and is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Hyundai Motor America and its dealers will launch the 2010 Hyundai Hope on Wheels tour today during Hyundai's press conference at the New York International Auto Show. With newly-named Hope on Wheels National Youth Ambassador Brianna Commerford, 12, standing by, Hyundai CEO John Krafcik will announce the 2010 tour, which will visit more than 40 children's hospitals across the country. This year's tour will donate $2.1 million to support childhood cancer research.
Hope on Wheels National Youth Ambassador Brianna battled Stage IV Hodgkin's Lymphoma when she was just ten years old. Now healthy and in remission, Brianna wants to share her story to spread awareness and help bring hope to other children facing cancer. Brianna will serve a two-year term as the Hope on Wheels National Youth Ambassador.
"At Hyundai, we believe in doing what others might think is impossible," said John Krafcik, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. "With the dramatic increase in survival rates that we've seen over the past several decades, we believe that a cure for pediatric cancer is now within reach. Hyundai is focusing the bulk of our philanthropic efforts on funding childhood cancer research through Hope on Wheels so that one day no child will ever have to face cancer."
The first official hospital donation event of the year will take place later today as Hope on Wheels donates $125,000 to the Hope & Heroes program at NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. This year, Dr. Jennifer Levine and Dr. Julia Glade Bender have been selected to receive the donation, which will support their research. Children receiving treatment at the hospital and their families will join Brianna and New York area Hyundai dealers for a special Handprint Ceremony at the Hyundai booth. The children will place their handprints in colorful paint on the 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe, the official vehicle of the Hope on Wheels Tour, to commemorate their brave battles with childhood cancer.
"Since 2004, Hyundai has been a dedicated donor to the children's cancer research program at the Herbert Irving Child and Adolescent Oncology Center," said Dr. Michael Weiner, director, Herbert Irving Child and Adolescent Oncology Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital and Columbia University Medical Center. "We are proud to be a recipient of Hyundai's generosity and ongoing support for children with cancer."
Later this month, U.S. Hyundai dealers will gather at the company's manufacturing plant in Montgomery, Alabama for their annual national dealer meeting. The company and dealers together will present a ceremonial check for this year's $2.1 million donation to Brianna on behalf of all the children helped by childhood cancer research. The second hospital donation of the 2010 tour will be made to the Children's Hospital of Alabama in the amount of $40,000.
"On behalf of Hyundai dealers across the country, Hope on Wheels is honored to continue its support for childhood cancer research in 2010 and recognize the brave children who are battling this disease" said Oscar Leeser, President of the Hyundai Hope on Wheels Foundation and dealer owner of Hyundai of El Paso in El Paso, Texas. We are proud to be able to award research grants to the Hyundai Scholars – they are the pediatric oncologists whose unwavering dedication to research helps to care for children facing cancer and gives them hope for a healthy future."
This year Hyundai Hope on Wheels marks its 12th year of commitment to supporting childhood cancer research efforts. Hyundai and its dealers have donated more than $14 million to children's hospitals nationwide and collected hundreds of handprints from children fighting childhood cancer. Every time a new Hyundai vehicle is sold in the U.S., $5 is donated to Hope on Wheels. More information and the complete list of 2010 Hyundai Hope on Wheels tour stops is available at www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 780 dealerships nationwide.
HYUNDAI HOPE ON WHEELS
Hyundai Hope on Wheels™ is the united effort of all 780 Hyundai dealers across the U.S. to raise awareness about childhood cancer and celebrate the lives of children battling the disease. Hyundai Hope on Wheels has donated more than $14 million to childhood cancer research since 1998 and is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Hyundai Brand Loyalty Replaces Toyota for the Number One Spot, According to Kelley Blue Book's KBB.com
All-new Sonata Emerges on the Top 10 Most Researched New Vehicle List
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 03/15/2010 Brand loyalty for Hyundai recently surpassed that of Honda and replaced Toyota, allowing Hyundai to take the No. 1 spot among car shoppers, according to the latest Kelley Blue Book's www.kbb.com Market Intelligence data. Up from third place in Q4 2009, Hyundai saw the greatest increase in loyalty in February 2010, with Hyundai owners looking at new models within the brand increasing by 10.4 percentage points to 56.3 percent.
Furthermore, according to Kelley Blue Book Values data, throughout the month of February 2010 Hyundai outperformed the overall car segment average by a healthy margin. Hyundai values increased 2 percent month-over-month, relative to a 0.3 percent increase for the entire car segment.
"A large part of Hyundai's momentum is a result of introducing passionate new products like the 2011 Sonata and 2010 Tucson," said James Bell, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "To sustain this momentum, Hyundai should continue to promote its attractive new-vehicle lineup, solid warranty offer and strong price-points to new-car shoppers."
In addition to topping brand loyalty, the all-new 2011 Sonata was named to kbb.com's Top 10 Most-Researched New Vehicles list for the first time. In February, the Sonata was the fifth most-researched new car on kbb.com alongside 'Top 10 Most-Researched' mainstays such as Accord, Civic, Camry and CR-V.
"2009 marked an unprecedented year for the Hyundai brand and we are well poised to keep the momentum going in 2010," said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. "With impressive new vehicles like the all-new Sonata and our dedication to deliver stylish, fuel efficient and affordable vehicles, more customers are adding Hyundai models to their shopping lists."
This Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence data analysis examined site traffic to used-car trade-in pages and new-car pricing report pages on Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, and compared loyalty data from Q4 2009 to February 1 – 28, 2010. The Kelley Blue Book Values data within this release represents month-over-month used-vehicle depreciation percentages.
Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com) Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, has provided vehicle buyers and sellers with the new and used vehicle information they need to accomplish their goals with confidence. The company's top-rated Web site, www.kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the New Car Blue Book® Value, which reveals what people actually are paying for new cars. The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book® Official Guide. According to the C.A. Walker Research Solutions, Inc. - 2009 Spring Automotive Web Site Usefulness Study, kbb.com is the most useful automotive information Web site among new and used vehicle shoppers, and half of online vehicle shoppers visit kbb.com. Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com also is a W3 Gold Award winner, sanctioned by the International Academy of Visual Arts. Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, used car Blue Book Values, car reviews, new cars for sale, used cars for sale, and car dealer locations.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through almost 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program which now includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable bumper-to-bumper warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 5-year complimentary Roadside Assistance in addition to the highly acclaimed vehicle return policy introduced in early 2009. For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.com.
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 03/15/2010 Brand loyalty for Hyundai recently surpassed that of Honda and replaced Toyota, allowing Hyundai to take the No. 1 spot among car shoppers, according to the latest Kelley Blue Book's www.kbb.com Market Intelligence data. Up from third place in Q4 2009, Hyundai saw the greatest increase in loyalty in February 2010, with Hyundai owners looking at new models within the brand increasing by 10.4 percentage points to 56.3 percent.
Furthermore, according to Kelley Blue Book Values data, throughout the month of February 2010 Hyundai outperformed the overall car segment average by a healthy margin. Hyundai values increased 2 percent month-over-month, relative to a 0.3 percent increase for the entire car segment.
"A large part of Hyundai's momentum is a result of introducing passionate new products like the 2011 Sonata and 2010 Tucson," said James Bell, executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com. "To sustain this momentum, Hyundai should continue to promote its attractive new-vehicle lineup, solid warranty offer and strong price-points to new-car shoppers."
In addition to topping brand loyalty, the all-new 2011 Sonata was named to kbb.com's Top 10 Most-Researched New Vehicles list for the first time. In February, the Sonata was the fifth most-researched new car on kbb.com alongside 'Top 10 Most-Researched' mainstays such as Accord, Civic, Camry and CR-V.
"2009 marked an unprecedented year for the Hyundai brand and we are well poised to keep the momentum going in 2010," said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. "With impressive new vehicles like the all-new Sonata and our dedication to deliver stylish, fuel efficient and affordable vehicles, more customers are adding Hyundai models to their shopping lists."
This Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence data analysis examined site traffic to used-car trade-in pages and new-car pricing report pages on Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, and compared loyalty data from Q4 2009 to February 1 – 28, 2010. The Kelley Blue Book Values data within this release represents month-over-month used-vehicle depreciation percentages.
Kelley Blue Book (www.kbb.com) Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, has provided vehicle buyers and sellers with the new and used vehicle information they need to accomplish their goals with confidence. The company's top-rated Web site, www.kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the New Car Blue Book® Value, which reveals what people actually are paying for new cars. The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book® Official Guide. According to the C.A. Walker Research Solutions, Inc. - 2009 Spring Automotive Web Site Usefulness Study, kbb.com is the most useful automotive information Web site among new and used vehicle shoppers, and half of online vehicle shoppers visit kbb.com. Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com also is a W3 Gold Award winner, sanctioned by the International Academy of Visual Arts. Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, used car Blue Book Values, car reviews, new cars for sale, used cars for sale, and car dealer locations.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through almost 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program which now includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable bumper-to-bumper warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and 5-year complimentary Roadside Assistance in addition to the highly acclaimed vehicle return policy introduced in early 2009. For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.com.
Monday, March 08, 2010
Elantra Touring Named a 'Top 10 Family Car' by KBB.com
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 03/03/2010 The 2010 Elantra Touring was named a "Top 10 Family Car" by Kelley Blue Book's www.kbb.com, the leading provider of new car and used car information. Elantra Touring was one of 10 cars that made the list of what kbb.com editors consider the very best of the best vehicles for families this year. Some other makes and models on the "Top 10 Family Car" list include, Ford Taurus, Honda Accord Crosstour, Chevrolet Equinox and Subaru Outback.
"While the product landscape in the new-car world seems ever-changing, the vehicle needs of the typical American family remain fairly constant; capable versatility, value, safety and economical factors usually remain top-of-mind," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for kbb.com. "Sporting a roomy and flexible cargo area, a slew of safety features, an outstanding warranty and a low starting price, one could make a case for the 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring as the most family-friendly small car out there. It's also easy on gas and not afraid to have a little fun."
Every year Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com assembles a list of the "Top 10 New Family Cars," evaluating an ever-lengthening list of eligible vehicles on such factors as resale value, fuel efficiency, capability and kid-friendliness.
The functional five-door Elantra Touring provides buyers with a unique offering in the compact segment, with its modern, sleek styling and fun-to-drive qualities. Elantra Touring offers standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC), in addition to a host of other class-leading safety technologies. It also offers loads of standard equipment making it ideal for the financially savvy car buyer. Standard features include air conditioning, AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers and iPod®/USB and MP3 auxiliary input jacks, power windows, heated mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry with alarm and plenty of storage compartments including a cooled glove compartment.
"The Elantra Touring is a fun-to-drive, functional five-door that raises the bar in value, safety and quality," said Brandon Ramirez, Elantra Touring product manager, Hyundai Motor America. "The array of standard safety and convenience features, coupled with an outstanding warranty and unbeatable price point make this car the perfect model for any family."
For more information on the Top 10 Family Cars for 2010 from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, visit www.kbb.com/Top10FamilyCars.
KELLEY BLUE BOOK
Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, has provided vehicle buyers and sellers with the new and used vehicle information they need to accomplish their goals with confidence. The company's top-rated Web site, www.kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the New Car Blue Book® Value, which reveals what people actually are paying for new cars. The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book® Official Guide. According to the C.A. Walker Research Solutions, Inc. - 2009 Spring Automotive Web Site Usefulness Study, kbb.com is the most useful automotive information Web site among new and used vehicle shoppers, and half of online vehicle shoppers visit kbb.com. Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com also is a W3 Gold Award winner, sanctioned by the International Academy of Visual Arts. Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, used car Blue Book Values, car reviews, new cars for sale, used cars for sale, and car dealer locations.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through almost 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program which now includes the 5-year/60,000 mile fully transferable bumper-to-bumper warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty and 5-year complimentary Roadside Assistance in addition to the highly acclaimed vehicle return policy introduced in early 2009. For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.com.
"While the product landscape in the new-car world seems ever-changing, the vehicle needs of the typical American family remain fairly constant; capable versatility, value, safety and economical factors usually remain top-of-mind," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for kbb.com. "Sporting a roomy and flexible cargo area, a slew of safety features, an outstanding warranty and a low starting price, one could make a case for the 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring as the most family-friendly small car out there. It's also easy on gas and not afraid to have a little fun."
Every year Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com assembles a list of the "Top 10 New Family Cars," evaluating an ever-lengthening list of eligible vehicles on such factors as resale value, fuel efficiency, capability and kid-friendliness.
The functional five-door Elantra Touring provides buyers with a unique offering in the compact segment, with its modern, sleek styling and fun-to-drive qualities. Elantra Touring offers standard Electronic Stability Control (ESC), in addition to a host of other class-leading safety technologies. It also offers loads of standard equipment making it ideal for the financially savvy car buyer. Standard features include air conditioning, AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 audio system with six speakers and iPod®/USB and MP3 auxiliary input jacks, power windows, heated mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry with alarm and plenty of storage compartments including a cooled glove compartment.
"The Elantra Touring is a fun-to-drive, functional five-door that raises the bar in value, safety and quality," said Brandon Ramirez, Elantra Touring product manager, Hyundai Motor America. "The array of standard safety and convenience features, coupled with an outstanding warranty and unbeatable price point make this car the perfect model for any family."
For more information on the Top 10 Family Cars for 2010 from Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com, visit www.kbb.com/Top10FamilyCars.
KELLEY BLUE BOOK
Since 1926, Kelley Blue Book, The Trusted Resource®, has provided vehicle buyers and sellers with the new and used vehicle information they need to accomplish their goals with confidence. The company's top-rated Web site, www.kbb.com, provides the most up-to-date pricing and values, including the New Car Blue Book® Value, which reveals what people actually are paying for new cars. The company also reports vehicle pricing and values via products and services, including software products and the famous Blue Book® Official Guide. According to the C.A. Walker Research Solutions, Inc. - 2009 Spring Automotive Web Site Usefulness Study, kbb.com is the most useful automotive information Web site among new and used vehicle shoppers, and half of online vehicle shoppers visit kbb.com. Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com also is a W3 Gold Award winner, sanctioned by the International Academy of Visual Arts. Kbb.com is a leading provider of new car prices, used car Blue Book Values, car reviews, new cars for sale, used cars for sale, and car dealer locations.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through almost 800 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program which now includes the 5-year/60,000 mile fully transferable bumper-to-bumper warranty, Hyundai's 10-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty and 5-year complimentary Roadside Assistance in addition to the highly acclaimed vehicle return policy introduced in early 2009. For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.com.
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