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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Hyundai - Kia Group Targeting a 10-Percent Increase in Sales for 2011

For the Hyundai Motor Group and its affiliate Kia Motors, the New Year brings a new sales target as the South Korea's largest automaker said on Monday it aims to sell 6.33 million cars in 2011, which represents a 10 percent increase over 2010 when the company sold a combined total of 5.75 million units. More specifically, Hyundai delivered 3.6 million cars (up 16 percent from 2009), while sold Kia 2.1 million vehicles (+40 percent over 2009) worldwide last year.

"Hyundai Motor Group's 2011 target appears to be conservative and fully achievable," Tong Yang Securities analyst Ahn Sang-jun told Reuters.

"Sales growth will be slowing because of a high base effect during the 2009 downturn, but Hyundai will still gain a share in the market, which is expected to grow 7 percent this year led by China and the United States," Ahn Sang-jun added.

In order to achieve its goal, the South Korean automaker is planning to roll out a variety if new or refreshed products in 2011 including the Hyundai Veloster small coupe, Azera sedan (Grandeur in South Korea), the European-market i40 SW and Saloon, as well as the Kia Picanto and pro_cee'd facelift. Last year the two companies overhauled their vehicle lineups with an array of new products such as the 2011 Hyundai Sonata and Elantra, and Kia Sportage CUV and Optima saloon.

Source: Reuters

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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Saudi Arabia Signs $500 Million Deal with Korean Company to Build Cars

The King Saud University (KSU) on Sunday announced a $500 million deal with South Korea's Digm Automotive Technology to set up Saudi Arabia's first car manufacturing company. The Saudi university recently made headlines with the Mercedes G-Class-based 'Gazal 1' (pictured above) after announcing that the SUV is heading for production.

The Saudi Press Agency reported that the university's investment arm, Wadi al-Riyadh Technology, will contribute 10 to 15 per cent of the financing for the new venture, with the South Korean firm providing 30 per cent, while the rest will be covered by investors.

“The move comes as part of the university’s efforts to transfer technology and establish a knowledge-based economy,” said KSU President Abdullah Al-Othman after signing the deal with Y.K. Jeon, president of Digm Automotive Technologies.

Al-Othman said the joint-venture's first vehicle will be an economical five-passenger model. “Our aim is to market a low-cost car of high quality priced at between SR35,000 and SR45,000, [US$9,300 to US$12,000]” Al-Othman told reporters.

He added the car will be ready within the next two years and that he hoped to export the country's first automobile to other Gulf states as well as North African countries.

Source: Arabnews , Reuters , SPA

Photo: Gazal 1

Korean Designer Mixes Science and Nature in a Saab Sports Sedan Concept for 2025

Earlier this year, Swedish automaker Saab was saved from the scrapheap by Spyker and a loan from the European Investment Bank. In spite of this, nothing much has changed. The stylish new 9-5 has gone on sale overseas, with the 9-4X crossover following in Q2 2011. And the aging 9-3 trundles on, blissfully unaware that anything has happened.

Korean design student Youngho Jong is looking towards Saab’s future with his 2025 Advanced Warning System Vehicle concept: a rakish, four-door saloon with coupe-like styling. And no headroom, by the looks of it, but that’s a forgivable oversight. More interesting to us, however, is how he used his knowledge of nature and human psychology to come up with a vehicle that isn’t just smart, it’s downright sinister.

Jong’s goal was to design a vehicle that would warn other drivers of impending danger. With his research showing that 50% of vehicles accidents are caused by carelessness, excessive speed and tailgating, Jong wanted to create a car that would warn other drivers to back off and drive with care.

If you are following the 2025 concept too closely, for instance, slits open up in its rear panels revealing amber hazard lights. Patches of the car’s skin also darken, warning you that you are too close. The same amber slips are found on the front and sides of the vehicle. Jong took his inspiration from nature’s Fire Salamander, which uses its bright, menacing colours to ward off potential predators.

Jong also incorporate sharp edges and the colours red and yellow to further emphasises the possible danger. He also mentions that the vehicle’s skin is constructed of a soft, impact absorbing material that reduces pedestrian injuries and vehicle damage in collisions.

All in all, it’s a very clever, if far-fetched solution to a very real problem we face in the world today. The technology isn’t quite there yet, but it’s not too hard to believe that cars twenty years hence will use a system like this. As for the design, I leave the final verdict up to you, the readers.

By Tristan Hankins

Sources: Umea Institute & Cardesign

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