Argentina Agrees to Allow Hyundai and Kia Imports for Peanuts – Literally…

Argentina’s exports for imports saga continues, with South Korean carmaker Hyundai agreeing to export peanuts, wine, biodiesel and soy flour to offset the US$91 million (€64 million) it added to Argentina’s growing trade deficit in 2010. Partner company / subsidiary Kia has agreed export white goods and plastics for their contribution.

The South American nation’s US$6 billion (€4.19 billion) trade deficit has already led to one Porsche distributor agreeing to export wine and olive products, while similar deals have been struck with carmakers Chery, GM, Peugeot-Citroen, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Fiat and Ford.

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VIDEO: Top Gear Russia Takes Hyundai Coupe 3.8 V6 to the Nurburgring

The team behind the Russian edition of BBC’s Top Gear magazine recently headed over to the Nurburgring racetrack to try out Hyundai’s rear-wheel drive Genesis Coupe. The model of choice was fitted with a 3.8-liter V6 engine delivering 306-horsepower, coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission.

If you don’t want to hear or see the antics of the presenters in the beginning of the clip, fast-forward the video a minute or two to go straight to the part where the magazine’s test driver Dmitry Sokolov laps the Nurburgring. And yes, that's a Porsche 911 -possibly from the GT series- that Sokolov is about to attack. Watch the video directly on Youtube by clicking this link as Sokolov's page does not allow embedding on external sites.

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Hyundai to Become a Member of ACEA in 2012

Hyundai Motor Europe’s application for membership in the ACEA has been accepted by the General Assembly of the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, and will begin in January 2012.

ACEA was established in 1991, is based in Brussels and its members include BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler, FIAT S.p.A., Ford of Europe, General Motors Europe, MAN Truck & Bus, Porsche, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Renault Group, Scania, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, Volvo Cars and Volvo Group.

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Hyundai Rumored to Debut New Elantra Coupe at 2011 LA Auto Show

We are a long way from the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show and many things may change in the meantime, but for now, the word from the team over at Insideline is that Hyundai will head to California this fall to unveil a new coupe version of its freshly launched Elantra model. The two-door model will offer Hyundai a direct rival to the 2012 Honda Civic Coupe in the U.S. market. Read more »

Toyota Sales Plunge More than 33% in May, Chrysler Group up by 10%

The numbers for U.S. auto sales for the month of May are out and as expected, Japanese automakers continue to be hit hard by the ongoing production disruptions caused by the March 11 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disaster in their home market. As a result, Toyota’s sales plunged 33.4% over the year-ago month to 108,387 units, while rivaling Honda saw its sales fall 22.5% to 90,773 vehicles, Nissan recorded a 9.1% drop to 76,148 units and Mazda 17,875 vehicles, down 20.9%.

General Motors dealers in the United States delivered 221,192 vehicles in May posting a decline of 1%, while the Ford Motor Co. said its sales decreased by 0.1% to 192,253 cars, trucks and SUVs.

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Hyundai Reaches 5 Million Sales in Europe

South Korean carmaker Hyundai announced it has sold five million vehicles in Europe since the first Hyundai Pony was imported in 1977. The five millionth vehicle was an i30, which was launched in 2007 and has sold a little over 320,000 units on the continent. From the five million sales, the last million was achieved in just three years, a proof of Hyundai's accelerated growth in Europe. Read more »

All-New Hyundai i40 Tourer Priced from £18,395 OTR in the UK

Hyundai has priced its entry into the medium family estate car market, the new i40 Tourer, announcing that it will take from £18,395 (equal to US$30,340 or €21,100) for UK buyers to park one under their house. In comparison, the Ford Mondeo Estate starts from £18,955 for the 1.6i 120HP model, while the Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer from £19,350 with the 1.8-liter engine.

The estate version of the i40 will arrive in British showrooms this September followed shortly after by the sedan model, which was unveiled at the Barcelona International Motor Show in May.

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Hyundai Prices Refreshed 2012 Genesis Sedan, 429HP 5.0 R-Spec Model Starts from $47,350

We had our first motor show look at the facelifted 2012 Hyundai Genesis sedan earlier this winter in Chicago, but now, as it reaches dealers across the country, the South Korean automaker is ready to talk about pricing. In the U.S., buyers can choose from three models, the entry-level 3.8 V6 starting at $34,200, the 4.6 V8 priced at $44,500 and the all-new 5.0 R-Spec with a starting price at $46,500. None of the above prices include an $850 freight charge. Read more »

Hyundai Set to Become Sixth Biggest Automaker in the U.S. In 2011

In the realm of U.S. automotive sales, 8% is a magic number. When an automaker hits 8%, they know they’ve become one of the big guns. Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, Dodge and Nissan have all made it, and 2011 is expected to be Hyundai’s year.

So sayeth market research firm Polk, and I’m tempted to agree. Hyundai and its partner-brand / internal rival Kia have steadily been evolving into truly world-class carmakers. They’re keenly priced, inoffensive to look at and comprehensively covered quality-wise – everything the vast majority of new car buyers want in this day and age.

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Hundai Accent 2012 2/2

Hyundai Accent 2012 1/2

Hyundai unveils i40 saloon

Hyundai has taken the wraps off its i40 mid-size saloon. The new model’s debut, at the Barcelona Motor Show, follows the unveiling of the i40 estate at Geneva back in March.

Hyundai i40. Scroll down for more images.

Styled and engineered by Hyundai at its facility in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the i40 develops the ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language first seen on the ix-onic concept car. This is meant to endow the car with ‘flowing lines inspired by nature which combine to create a dynamic exterior’, although the result has ended up bearing more than a passing resemblance to the Ford Mondeo.



There’ll be a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines, with the latter unsurprisingly expected to account for around two-thirds of sales in Europe. As per normal nowadays, they come with various devices designed to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions such as stop-start, an intelligent alternator and low rolling resistance tyres.

Hyundai i40 saloon engine specifications
1.6 litre 135 PS Petrol
Type	Gamma GDI, four-cylinder, 16-valve with MLA
Capacity	1,591 cc
Power	133 bhp (99 kW / 135 PS) @ 6,300 rpm
Torque	164 Nm (120 lb/ft) @ 4,850 rpm
Emissions	149 g/km (140 g/km with stop-start)
Fuel consumption	47.0 mpg (6.0 l/100km)
0-100 km/h (62 mph)	11.6 secs
Top speed	121 mph (195 km/h)
2.0 litre 177 PS Petrol
Type	Nu GDI, four-cylinder, 16-valve with HLA & Swing ARM
Capacity	1,999 cc
Power	174 bhp (130 kW / 177 PS) @ 6,500 rpm
Torque	208 Nm (153 lb/ft) @ 4,700 rpm
Emissions	156 g/km
Fuel consumption	41.5 mpg (6.8 l/100km)
0-100 km/h (62 mph)	9.7 secs
Top speed	130 mph (210 km/h)
1.7 litre 115 PS Diesel
Type	U-II, DOHC, four-cylinder, 16-valve with HLA
Capacity	1,685 cc
Power	113 bhp (85 kW / 115 PS) @ 4,000 rpm
Torque	260 Nm (191 lb/ft) @ 1,250-2,750 rpm
Emissions	122 g/km (113 g/km with stop-start)
Fuel consumption	65.6 mpg (4.3 l/100km)
0-100 km/h (62 mph)	12.9 secs
Top speed	118 mph (190 km/h)
1.7 litre 136 PS Diesel
Type	U-II, DOHC, four-cylinder, 16-valve with HLA
Capacity	1,685 cc
Power	134 bhp (100 kW / 136 PS) @ 4,000 rpm
Torque	325 Nm (239 lb/ft) @ 2,000-2,500 rpm
Emissions	124 g/km (119 g/km with stop-start)
Fuel consumption	62.7 mpg (4.5 l/100km)
0-100 km/h (62 mph)	10.6 secs
Top speed	123 mph (198 km/h)
All figures are manufacturer’s estimates; final figures to be confirmed at launch.

With sales not due to begin until the fourth quarter of 2011, exact specifications and prices have yet to be confirmed. However, Hyundai is promising that plenty of kit will be available including Bluetooth, parking assistance, a rear view camera, full-screen navigation and a lane departure warning system.



One inescapable issue for the UK market is that the i40 is a saloon, rather than a hatchback. Whether Hyundai’s decision to opt for that body style hurts sales remains to be seen.

Hyundai unveils i40 saloon

Hyundai has taken the wraps off its i40 mid-size saloon. The new model’s debut, at the Barcelona Motor Show, follows the unveiling of the i40 estate at Geneva back in March.

Hyundai i40. Scroll down for more images.

Styled and engineered by Hyundai at its facility in Rüsselsheim, Germany, the i40 develops the ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language first seen on the ix-onic concept car. This is meant to endow the car with ‘flowing lines inspired by nature which combine to create a dynamic exterior’, although the result has ended up bearing more than a passing resemblance to the Ford Mondeo.



There’ll be a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines, with the latter unsurprisingly expected to account for around two-thirds of sales in Europe. As per normal nowadays, they come with various devices designed to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions such as stop-start, an intelligent alternator and low rolling resistance tyres.

Hyundai i40 saloon engine specifications
1.6 litre 135 PS Petrol
Type	Gamma GDI, four-cylinder, 16-valve with MLA
Capacity	1,591 cc
Power	133 bhp (99 kW / 135 PS) @ 6,300 rpm
Torque	164 Nm (120 lb/ft) @ 4,850 rpm
Emissions	149 g/km (140 g/km with stop-start)
Fuel consumption	47.0 mpg (6.0 l/100km)
0-100 km/h (62 mph)	11.6 secs
Top speed	121 mph (195 km/h)
2.0 litre 177 PS Petrol
Type	Nu GDI, four-cylinder, 16-valve with HLA & Swing ARM
Capacity	1,999 cc
Power	174 bhp (130 kW / 177 PS) @ 6,500 rpm
Torque	208 Nm (153 lb/ft) @ 4,700 rpm
Emissions	156 g/km
Fuel consumption	41.5 mpg (6.8 l/100km)
0-100 km/h (62 mph)	9.7 secs
Top speed	130 mph (210 km/h)
1.7 litre 115 PS Diesel
Type	U-II, DOHC, four-cylinder, 16-valve with HLA
Capacity	1,685 cc
Power	113 bhp (85 kW / 115 PS) @ 4,000 rpm
Torque	260 Nm (191 lb/ft) @ 1,250-2,750 rpm
Emissions	122 g/km (113 g/km with stop-start)
Fuel consumption	65.6 mpg (4.3 l/100km)
0-100 km/h (62 mph)	12.9 secs
Top speed	118 mph (190 km/h)
1.7 litre 136 PS Diesel
Type	U-II, DOHC, four-cylinder, 16-valve with HLA
Capacity	1,685 cc
Power	134 bhp (100 kW / 136 PS) @ 4,000 rpm
Torque	325 Nm (239 lb/ft) @ 2,000-2,500 rpm
Emissions	124 g/km (119 g/km with stop-start)
Fuel consumption	62.7 mpg (4.5 l/100km)
0-100 km/h (62 mph)	10.6 secs
Top speed	123 mph (198 km/h)
All figures are manufacturer’s estimates; final figures to be confirmed at launch.

With sales not due to begin until the fourth quarter of 2011, exact specifications and prices have yet to be confirmed. However, Hyundai is promising that plenty of kit will be available including Bluetooth, parking assistance, a rear view camera, full-screen navigation and a lane departure warning system.



One inescapable issue for the UK market is that the i40 is a saloon, rather than a hatchback. Whether Hyundai’s decision to opt for that body style hurts sales remains to be seen.

New Hyundai i40 Sedan Bows at Barcelona Motor Show, gets 177HP 2.0-liter Engine

This is Hyundai’s all-new i40 sedan and it was unwrapped today at the 2011 Barcelona Motor Show. It follows the presentation of the i40 station wagon showcased at the 2011 Geneva Salon in March, and it’s Hyundai’s submission in the highly competitive D-segment in Europe with rivals such as the Citroen C5 and the Volkswagen Passat.

In terms of design, Hyundai’s newcomer may look very similar to the latest Elantra sold in North America and other parts of the world. However, measuring 4.74 meters (186.6-in.) in length, the i40 approximately 380 mm or 15-inches longer than the compact sedan. Europe’s equivalent of the Sonata rides on a wheelbase of 2.77-meters, with Hyundai claiming it offers best-in-class room for front head, shoulder and leg. The Korean carmaker also boasts that the i40 will provide passengers with "the most comfortable ride available in the D-segment".

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