Hyundai Rolls Out 2012 Grandeur / Azera in Korea, Releases Video Showing the Car's Evolution from 1986

Hyundai has been advertising the all-new generation of its Grandeur for quite some time now, but today, the automaker officially launched the large sedan in its home market. The new Grandeur, which will be badged as the 2012 Azera in the States, arrives in the Korean market six years after its predecessor’s launch in May 2005.

Codenamed HG, the 2012 Grandeur is result of three-and-a-half years and 450 billion won (about US$415 million) of research, development and testing. Positioned between the Sonata and the Genesis sedan, the new Grandeur measures 4,910mm (193.3") long, 1,860mm (73.2") wide and 1,470mm (57.9") tall. It rides on a 2,845mm-long (112") wheelbase, which is 65mm (2.6") longer than the outgoing model.

The South Korean market model is offered with a choice of two gasoline engines, a 2.4-liter four-cylinder Theta II GDI with 201-horsepower and a new 3.0-liter V6 Lambda II GDI producing 270-horsepower. Both engines are linked to a standard six-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels.

The new Grandeur comes with a suite of safety systems including VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control), VSM (Vehicle Stability Management), TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) and ESS (Emergency Stop Signal), plus a standard nine-airbag system that includes a driver’s knee airbag.

Other notable features include Hyundai's Advanced Smart Cruise Control, which automatically keeps a safe distance from a car ahead and provides automatic stop and restart functions in response to traffic flow, and a Smart Parking Assist System that utilizes a sensor to measure parallel parking spaces, controlling the steering wheel to semi-automatically park the car.

Hyundai said it aims to sell 100,000 units of the Grandeur this year (80,000 in the domestic market and 20,000 outside of Korea) and 120,000 units in 2012 when the car arrives in more markets.

The South Korean automaker has not yet provided details on the North American market Azera.

Along with some new photos, Hyundai also released a video showing the evolution of the Grandeur / Azera from the presentation of the first generation in 1986 to the current fifth gen model.

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VIDEO: First Look at the 2012 Hyundai Veloster Coupe on the Road

On Monday, we got our first taste of the all-new 2012 Hyundai Veloster at the Detroit Auto Show. Now, we have the first video footage of Hyundai's unconventional small sports car, which is distinguished by its asymmetric body with a single door on the driver's side, two doors on the other and a rear hatch.

Power for the front-wheel drive Veloster comes from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 138-ponies, hooked up to either a six-speed manual or a double clutch transmission. Hit the break to watch the first video of the Veloster on the road with some bonus handbrake/slideways action towards the end of the clip.

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Hyundai Launches First 4-D Commercial for New Azera Sedan

Hyundai is banking on the latest film technologies to promote its new Azera sedan, at least on its home turf. The automaker released a new advertisement for the mid-size saloon, which is named Grandeur in its home market, in select 4-D and 3-D movie theaters in South Korea.

For the creation of the advertisement, Hyundai turned to the makers of the Avatar movie. Even though this is not evident in the 2-D version of the advert seen in the video below, the 4-D movie shown in theaters combined a 3-D film with special physical effects such as vibrating seats, wind and steam which occur in synchronization with the film.

We'll have to wait and see if Hyundai will make use of the 4-D commercial for the North American version of the car when it arrives in the market later this year.

Hat tip goes to Jinhwan!

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New Hyundai Veloster Coupe: First Official Teaser Photo and Video Released Ahead of Detroit Show

It won't be long before we get to see the production version of the 2007 Veloster Concept as Hyundai has launched a mini site counting down the days and hours left before the small coupe makes its world premiere at the Detroit Motor Show in mid-January.

The road-going model will keep the concept car's Veloster nameplate, while according to the official teaser video, it will be equipped with a modern direct-injection engine linked to a dual-clutch transmission with an estimated 40mpg fuel consumption (5.8 lt/100km).

That's about all Hyundai had to share with us for now, however, we do know from previous reports that the engine in question will most likely be a 1.6-liter unit producing around 140-horsepower, while spy shots (see here) suggest that Veloster will feature asymmetric body with two doors on the passenger side of the car and a single, longer door on the driver side.

The closest rival for the new Hyundai Veloster Coupe is the Honda CR-Z hybrid.

Source: Hyundai , Via: Jalopnik

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VIDEO: Crazy World... Hyundai Driver Rams Two Dozen Cars in Moscow

Earlier today, 44-year-old Moscow resident named Oleg N. went on a road rampage for reasons that have yet to be determined. Russian news sites reported that the driver of the silver-colored Hyundai Terracan crashed into some 20 or so cars. The incident was partially caught on video where we see the Moscow resident trying to escape a mob of angry drivers by getting into his SUV and ramming several cars in an attempt to flee the scene. He was eventually caught by the police and a number of drivers who showed him no mercy - guess the Christmas Spirit ain't as infectious as we hoped...

Thanks for the tip, Alex V.!

Source: LifeNews

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