Car Blog

0 Consumers Will Test Drive Sonatas in Exchange for Their Unscripted, Unedited Commentary Through ‘Uncensored’ Facebook Promotion

Hyundai welcomes 25 new Sonata drivers and will add 25 more late this month as part of its “Uncensored” Facebook campaign. Twenty-five consumers were given the opportunity to test drive the all-new 2011 Sonata for the next 30 days in exchange for their uncensored opinions, which they will share via Hyundai’s social media channels, including the Hyundai Facebook page. Another 25 consumers will be selected on Aug. 30, resulting in a grand total of 50 new Sonata drivers, each of whom will be providing commentary about their experience. The chosen participants will be compensated with an HD Flip Cam to document their experience, a $250 gas card and $500 spending cash.

This promotion expands Hyundai’s “Uncensored” advertising campaign, which shows real-life consumers testing Hyundai vehicles and providing their feedback. The Sonata Uncensored experience takes the campaign one step further by allowing the 50 Sonata drivers to interact with car shoppers through a full range of social media channels. Read the rest of this entry »

Hyundai Recasts Intelligent Luxury with Two Equus Configurations

Hyundai revealed additional engineering and feature information for the all-new 2011 Equus today. The Equus will be offered in just two configurations, Equus Signature and Equus Ultimate, both lavishly contented.

Equus Signature features the award-winning 385-horsepower Tau® V8 engine, a 608-watt Lexicon® audio system with 17 speakers, electronically controlled air suspension with continuous damping control, Vehicle Stability Management with pre-collision warning, Smart Cruise Control, HID headlamps, front and rear parking assistance system with rearview camera, premium leather seating, Alcantara suede headliner, driver seat massage, heated and cooled front seats, heated wood and leather steering wheel, and numerous other premium technologies and features. The Equus Ultimate adds features typically found only in low-volume special-order luxury sedans with six-figure price tags, including a forward-view parking and cornering camera, power decklid, reclining rear seats with powered headrests, cooled rear seats, rear seat massage and leg support, rear seat refrigerator and a rear seat entertainment system.

“When you’re spending this much for a new car, you don’t want to feel like you’ve been shortchanged on engineering, technology or features,” said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America president and CEO. “Equus Signature has the technology and content of fully-optioned flagship models from Lexus and BMW, while Equus Ultimate delivers a specification approached only by our competitors’ low-volume, special-order models.”

This straightforward lineup of just two extremely well-equipped configurations enables a simple and elegant purchase experience, a key aspect of Hyundai’s innovative perspective on intelligent luxury, which also includes “Your Time, Your Place,” the industry’s first at-home vehicle demonstration program, the Valet Service program, which provides at-home pickup for Equus service and maintenance and the industry’s first iPad-based interactive owner’s manual. Read the rest of this entry »

Fresh off its inaugural year in which it thumped the likes of G37, Mustang, Camaro, and Challenger in various comparison test shoot-outs while leading all competitors in residual value, Hyundai’s Genesis Coupe is back for 2011 with interior updates, a revised lineup, and its hottest model ever, the 3.8 R-Spec.

2011 GENESIS COUPE HIGHLIGHTS
– Interior refinements
– New soft-touch, matte-finish surfaces on door panels, center speaker grille, glove box, and lower instrument panel
– New dark metalgrain accents on center stack, door handles, air vent register bezels and steering wheel trim
– Padded door armrests
– Softer, premium steering wheel leather
– Cloth-wrapped A-pillars
– Chrome finish for A/T shift gate bezel and center stack control knobs
– Chrome finish gauge cluster rings
– Rear coat hooks
– Trunk deck lid grab handle
– Enhanced multi-information display screen graphics
– 3.8 R-Spec model added
– Navigation with Fully Automatic Temperature Control now standard on Genesis Coupe 2.0T Premium
– Revised model lineup featuring six flavors of Genesis Coupe: 2.0T, 2.0T Premium, 2.0T R-Spec, 3.8 R-Spec, 3.8 Grand Touring, 3.8 Track

INTERIOR DESIGN

For 2011, Genesis Coupe features several interior upgrades that reflect Hyundai’s commitment to craftsmanship and high-quality materials. The instrument panel is crafted in a seamless, soft-touch skin fully encompassing new dark metalgrain trim. Softer leather now wraps the steering wheel and padding has been added to the door armrests for increased comfort. The A-pillars are now covered in a premium fabric to match the roof liner. New information screen graphics enhance appearance and readability and the finish of the controls has also been enhanced.

“The interior upgrades, our hot new 3.8 R-Spec model, and revised lineup of six focused models show that Hyundai is meeting the demands of our customers,” said Scott Margason, director, product planning, Hyundai Motor America. “The upgraded interior is a great illustration of how Hyundai continually raises its own high benchmarks for quality.”

2011 Genesis Coupe

The 2011 Genesis Coupe is a purpose-built rear-wheel drive sport coupe featuring two performance-focused engines – a 210-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a range-topping all-aluminum, 306-horsepower, DOHC 3.8-liter V6 engine.

GENESIS COUPE HIGHLIGHTS
– 306-horsepower from enhanced 3.8-liter V6 from Genesis sedan
– 210-horsepower turbocharged, intercooled inline four cylinder
– Platform-mate and sinister sibling of the Car of the Year-winning Genesis sedan

Genesis Coupe is Hyundai’s most dynamic performance car, appealing directly to the true driving enthusiast. Genesis Coupe uses the same flexible rear-wheel drive architecture developed for the Genesis sport sedan.

Equus will Showcase Hyundai’s Approach toward Intelligent Luxury

Hyundai aims to break down the barriers of owning a luxury car with the introduction of its all-new flagship, the 2011 Equus. Equus will compete with the best luxury sedans in the world on all levels including amenities, performance, advanced technologies, design and ownership experience when it arrives at select Hyundai dealerships late this summer.

“Equus takes Hyundai’s formula for intelligent luxury to a new level,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “We’ve applied the lessons in engineering excellence we’ve learned with Genesis to the Equus, while adding a new level of customer experience that will further differentiate our take on luxury from the traditional premium brands.”

Equus broadens Hyundai’s lineup of premium vehicles and like Genesis, is built on Hyundai’s world-class rear-wheel-drive architecture. It is powered by the award-winning 4.6-liter Tau® V8. The Tau inside the Equus will produce an estimated 385 horsepower using premium fuel and 378 horsepower using regular fuel. With technology rivaling more expensive luxury sedans, Equus showcases features such as a lane departure warning system, electronic air suspension, smart cruise control and a Lexicon® audio system.

PREMIUM REAR-WHEEL-DRIVE ARCHITECTURE

When Genesis was introduced, Hyundai promised that its rear-wheel-drive architecture would spawn more products in other segments. Equus is the third of those products, this time riding on a lengthened Genesis architecture. Equus is 7.2 inches longer (203.1 inches vs. 195.9 inches) than Genesis. Equus boasts an excellent 52/48 front-to-rear weight distribution for exceptional handling and more refined steering characteristics.

Equus reduces interior noise levels and improves ride and handling with a stiff, light weight body structure. The use of high-tensile steel in critical areas in the unibody provides Equus with significantly higher dynamic torsional rigidity and a lower body structure weight despite having a spacious interior cabin.

WORLD-CLASS TAU V8

Headlining the Equus’ performance capabilities is Hyundai’s Tau 4.6-liter V8 engine, a two-time Ward’s 10 Best Engine winner, mated to a ZF 6-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC® manual control. The Tau V8 delivers an estimated 385 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque (378 horsepower and 324 lb-ft using regular fuel) to fit the demands of luxury consumers. This powertrain combination will launch Equus to 60 miles per hour in less than 6.4 seconds. On premium fuel, the Tau V8 produces more horsepower than the powerplants found in the Lexus LS460, Mercedes-Benz S550, and Audi A8 and nearly the same power as these competitors on regular fuel.

LUXURY SEDAN STYLE WITH ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES

The design of the Equus is handsome and pleasing to the eye. The rear-end treatment is progressive with bold taillights, strong shoulders and an overall look of precision. This look is accomplished through fully-integrated asymmetrical exhaust tips and rear LED turn signal indicators. The side silhouette is refined, with character lines that accent the rear fenders. Up front is a subtle horizontal radiator grille and well-proportioned headlamps with jeweled detailing. LED turn signals are inside the HID headlamps along with an adaptive front lighting system with white LED position lamps. The lower air intakes are bold and add to the positive reaction of the overall design. To assist in parking, and navigating blind corners and alleys in urban driving, there is an optional forward-view cornering camera integrated into the grille.

CUTTING EDGE HUMAN TECHNOLOGY

The busy executive as well as the couple heading out on the town will feel right at home in the 2011 Equus due to abundant luxury touches and passenger comfort features. This ambience begins with superior quality of materials and design layout. The leather upholstery, Alcantara® headliner, natural wood trim and leather-wrapped French-stitched instrument panel showcase the richness of the Equus interior.

The seats are designed with adjustable driver thigh support, plenty of width, great range of adjustment, and heated and cooled functionality. Thermoelectric devices located in the seat backs and bottom cushions provide control for heating, cooling and humidity. There is ample leg and head room for drivers over six-feet tall and an optional massaging driver seat. In fact, Equus has more leg, head and shoulder room in the front and rear seats than the Lexus LS460.

The driver’s cockpit boasts an abundance of features and premium services. The Driver Information System (DIS) provides navigation, XM Satellite Radio, HD Radio technology, hands-free Bluetooth telephone system and much more.

ELECTRONICALLY-CONTROLLED AIR SUSPENSION

Driving dynamics are a critical element in every luxury sedan, and the Equus offers first-rate ride and handling characteristics without traditional compromises. Equus’ electronically controlled air suspension meets the challenge of the wide variety of road surfaces drivers face everyday. For drivers who enjoy a firm ride and more stability when cornering there is a sport setting with additional body control. For customers who wish their ride to be a little on the softer side there is a normal setting for more ride compliance.

In urban areas, the Equus is easy to maneuver and park, thanks to excellent steering and its electronic parking assist feature. While the Equus is large, it doesn’t feel over-sized or clumsy, that’s due to its 37.7 foot turning circle and variable-effort steering system.

On winding country and mountain roads, Equus benefits from the precise wheel control delivered by its five-link front and rear suspension geometry. This geometry is maximized through Continuous Damping Control (CDC) which continually monitors road and driving dynamics and adjusts damping force accordingly. The standard 19-inch chrome alloy wheel and tire package with staggered width (P245/45R19 front P275/40R19 rear) tires offers excellent gripping power and precise control.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES DELIVER UNCOMPROMISED SAFETY PERFORMANCE

Maintaining Hyundai’s emphasis on delivering leading safety technology, Equus boasts world-class active and passive safety features to help prevent accidents, and maximize the well-being of its occupants in the event of a collision. The Equus continues the Hyundai tradition of offering key safety technologies, with features such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC), nine airbags, electronic active head restraints, lane departure warning system and smart cruise control. Equus even has a Vehicle Stability Management system (VSM) that optimally manages ESC, the electronic parking brake, smart cruise control and the seatbelt tensioning system for optimal safety.

Equus’ total of nine airbags include advanced dual front airbags, front and rear seat-mounted side-impact airbags, roof-mounted side curtain airbags for both front and rear outboard seat occupants and a driver’s knee airbag.

Hyundai’s lane departure warning system offers a warning light and chime after a one-second lane departure, and adds a haptic warning via the seatbelt after a three second lane departure.

Smart cruise control automatically manages the Equus’ speed through the braking and throttle systems to maintain a specified following distance selected by the driver.

The electronic parking brake with automatic vehicle hold enables the parking brake to hold the vehicle automatically when the vehicle stops, and deactivates as soon as the gas pedal is pressed.

Equus has an optional camera located on the front grille and a standard camera on the rear decklid. These cameras help detect how close objects are when parking. Distance is indicated on the in-dash LCD monitor.

Equus is brought to a halt by large four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes with Brake Assist and Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD). The 13.6-inch front rotors have four-piston fixed calipers and the rear brakes feature 12.4-inch rotors with single floating piston calipers.

LEXICON® AUDIO SYSTEMS TEAM WITH XM, HD RADIO(TM), and APPLE TO OFFER UNRIVALED AUDIO PERFORMANCE AND CHOICE

Hyundai Genesis and Equus offer a Lexicon-branded state-of-the-art audio system featuring LOGIC 7® technology. The Lexicon surround sound audio system includes a 13-channel digital amplifier and 17 speakers producing 608 watts of sound in 7.1 discrete surround sound audio. Equus also offers the clarity of digital HD Radio technology, XM Satellite Radio and iPod®/USB integration.

PRICING
The Equus will launch with a starting price in the mid $50,000 range.

All-new Sonata Emerges on the Top 10 Most Researched New Vehicle List

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.

From Middle of the Pack to Front of the Line

NADAguides announced that the 2011 Hyundai Sonata has received the NADAguides.com “Car of the Month” award for March. The all-new Sonata is the most innovative and fun-to-drive sedan Hyundai has ever built. In its sixth generation, the Sonata delivers style, fuel economy, technology and safety at an affordable price and tops most of the other vehicles in this competitive segment.

“Just when you think the industry is out of good ideas, a car like the 2011 Sonata comes along and knocks you off your feet. From the beautiful design cues to the class-leading MPG and powertrain, the Sonata delivers. Other midsize sedans and entry-level luxury vehicles better watch out because this 2011 Sonata is truly the complete package when it comes to affordable luxury,” said Michael Caudill, NADAguides.com Auto Expert.

Designed right here in the U.S. at the Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, California, the Sonata is nearly as American as Ford, GM or Chrysler. Built at the assembly plant in Montgomery, Alabama, the entry level Sonata comes in three trim options – the GLS, SE and the Limited. The Fluidic Sculpture design gives the Sonata a Teutonic and pronounced look. Bluetooth is standard on all models and touch screen navigation is an option on the SE and Limited. Steering wheel-mounted controls are standard and the SE and Limited both come with proximity key/push start and fun-to-use paddle shifters. Heated seats can also be enjoyed in the Limited model.

The performance features of the Sonata also make the car a standout. With an efficient 2.4L Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) 4-cylinder engine, the Sonata produces a class-leading 198 horsepower. With a Dual Over Head Cam (DOHC) 16-valve with Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (DCVVT) motor, the combined MPG increases to 23 in the city and 35 MPG on the freeway (class-leading).

The safety features of the Sonata include Electronic Stability Control and six standard airbags. Hyundai expects the Sonata to receive a 5-Star Crash Rating by NHTSA as the materials used to protect the occupants of the Sonata consist of high-tensile materials and a steel hood inner frame to absorb collisions.

To compete in the ultra competitive segment, the starting price of the GLS is $19,195. The fully loaded Limited with Navigation starts at $27,395. If you enjoy a slightly more aggressive package, the Sonata SE starts at $22,595.

The NADAguides.com “Car of the Month” program is unique from any other review program in the automobile industry and provides consumers with expert commentary and practical information on the cars, trucks and SUVs they are shopping for.