Hyundai

Hyundai Genesis Hurricane SC Supercharged SEMA Bound

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:28:18 GMT

Hyundai Genesis Hurricane SC Supercharged SEMA Bound

The 2012 Veloster may be Hyundai's new hotness, but the Genesis Coupe is still its flagship performance car. And with this year's SEMA show right around the corner, Hyundai is quickly readying a full fleet of tuner cars to debut in Las Vegas. Here, we see the Genesis Hurricane SC – a collaboration between the Hyundai America Technical Center (HATCI) located near Ann Arbor, Michigan, and companies like Magnuson Products, Rhys Millen Racing, Harman International and Torvec Inc.

As its name suggests, the swan song of this tuned Genesis Coupe is its engine – a supercharged version of Hyundai's 3.8-liter V6. Adding this supercharger means the Hurricane is good for more than 450 horsepower, and Torvec Inc. has fitted its IsoTorque differential to allow for improved handling and traction. Hyundai says that the Hurricane is a full second quicker around its proving ground road course than the stock Genesis Coupe.

Rhys Millen Racing provided the new front bumper, grille, side skirts, hood, diffuser and rear deck, and the company's partners – Enkei and Hankook – are responsible for the 19-inch wheel and tire package. Inside, there's a high-level Lexicon audio system and custom Katzkin leather upholstery with blue suede inserts on the seats. After all, it wouldn't be SEMA without heaps of suede.

Hyundai has only released this one teaser image as of this writing, but we'll be sure to bring you a full gallery live from SEMA next month.

PRESS REALEASE

GENESIS HURRICANE SC TO CREATE A STORM AT 2011 SEMA SHOW

HATCI and Magnuson Supercharge Hyundai Genesis Coupe

COSTA MESA, Calif., Oct.13, 2011 – To showcase the extreme power of Hyundai's most popular performance car, Hyundai America Technical Center Inc. (HATCI) teamed up with Magnuson Products, Rhys Millen Racing, Harman International and Torvec Inc. to develop and build a special edition prototype Genesis Coupe, the Genesis Hurricane SC. HATCI, Hyundai's design, technology and engineering branch, will display the high-performance Genesis Coupe in Hyundai's 2011 SEMA Show booth from November 1-4, 2011 in Las Vegas.

The Genesis Hurricane SC represents a two year development effort by HATCI, as its engineers worked to enhance all aspects of the vehicle including power, traction, braking, exterior and interior design and audio system. Highlighting the performance modifications, HATCI teamed up with Magnuson Products to supercharge Genesis Coupe's 3.8L V-6 engine with a liquid to air intercooler, producing more than 450 horsepower.

"The HATCI and Magnuson supercharger demonstrates the high-performance potential of Genesis Coupe's V-6 engine – the car was engineered to handle this kind of extra power," said David Dutko, senior engineer, HATCI. "Our HATCI engineers have been working for years with Magnuson to ensure high engine output is available on future Hyundai vehicles."

"The supercharger creates a modest six to seven pounds of boost which generates a 35-45 percent increase in horsepower and torque and can be easily modified to deliver even higher boost levels," said Terry Peddicord, director, sales, Magnuson Products. "One of the many exciting aspects of this project is that the Genesis Hurricane SC is not just another pretty face for the show circuit, but rather it is a hard working lab-rat that will push the bounds of this car and the whole vehicle segment."

In addition to the supercharged V-6, Torvec Inc. has been developing its IsoTorque differential with improved handling and traction capability with HATCI engineers at the Hyundai Proving Grounds in California. The IsoTorque differential delivers nearly a one second per lap improvement in the Genesis Coupe on the Hyundai road course.

Beyond the engine, Genesis Hurricane SC has a long and impressive list of both interior and exterior specialty modifications. Hyundai's long-standing racing partner Rhys Millen Racing (RMR) provided exterior enhancements including a front bumper, grille, hood, side skirts, diffuser and rear deck with spoiler. RMR partners Enkei and Hankook provided the high performance 19-inch wheel and tire assemblies, a RMR free flowing exhaust system and air intake was utilized to free up more engine power. The vehicle also sports upgraded LED headlights and taillights provided by FlyRyde.

The Hurricane's interior also received some state of the art enhancements including a Harman International high level Lexicon audio system that was tuned in house by HATCI engineers and Katzkin custom premium leather and suede seats accented with blue inserts.

Mechanically, the Hurricane SC has Bilstein monotube shock absorbers and springs with adjustable ride height tuned on the Nurburgring in Germany and a Brembo six piston brake kit with cross drilled front and rear rotors. The engine also received a SPEC lightweight single mass aluminum flywheel and stage two clutch, DeatschWerks high flow fuel pump and 600cc injectors, Perma-Cool oil, differential and steering coolers and a custom CPR Fabrication billet aluminum oil filter adapter.

Additionally, on the SEMA Show floor the numerous parts of the Genesis Hurricane SC will be displayed, providing show-goers the opportunity to experience and interact with the vehicle's actual hard parts and future developments.

LEASETRADER.COM POLL SHOWS HYUNDAI BEST POSITIONED FOR CAFE STANDARDS

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 14:10:55 GMT

LEASETRADER.COM POLL SHOWS Hyundai BEST POSITIONED FOR CAFE STANDARDS

Customers Believe Hyundai Vehicle Technology Capable of Meeting Standards Ahead of Time.

MIAMI – (July 27, 2011) – The federal government proposed a new plan for a corporate average fuel economy standard (CAFE) for the years 2017 through 2025. Under the plan, the government is recommending a CAFE standard of 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025 for vehicles. In a poll conducted by LeaseTrader.com, the most recognized name in car leasing, 63.6 percent of respondents believe Hyundai is best positioned to meet these standards even before the proposed date.

LeaseTrader.com conducted an online poll during the week of July 18 – 22, and received responses from 1,138 drivers across the country. Highlights from the poll:

--72.4% overall say they are in favor of higher fuel standards

--Percentage drops to just 34.5% approval if it means vehicle prices will rise more than $2,000

--69.8% feel automakers already have the technology to significantly improve the fuel standard technology

--63.6% believe Hyundai could meet these fuel standards before the government deadline

--47.2% believe the domestic carmakers can be profitable under these fuel standards

Demand for Hyundai vehicle leases is at the highest it’s ever been at any point in the history of LeaseTrader.com. Hyundai vehicle leases represented 8.3 percent of total searches in the LeaseTrader.com online marketplace during the month of June (compared with 6.9% in June of 2010). Customers polled feel Kia (57.2%) is next best-positioned carmaker to meet new fuel standards before proposed date, followed by Honda (55.6%). Ford was the top domestic automaker in this category getting 47.3 percent of customers polled.

“A lot of Hyundai’s success has more to do with the way it builds cars than anything Mother Nature has done recently to the automotive industry,” said Sergio Stiberman, CEO and Founder of LeaseTrader.com. “Our demand for Hyundai leases has risen considerably over the years and we only see that demand going higher in the future.”

Kia earnings up 91 percent

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 21:03:14 GMT

Kia earnings up 91 percent

Automaker earnings have been mostly impressive so far, and Kia is no different. Reuters reports that the Korean automaker has posted earnings of $890 million for the first quarter of 2011, up 91 percent compared to the $466 million profit from Q1 2010. Overall revenue for the quarter was $10 billion, up 37 percent year over year. Kia's healthy earnings come as sales rose 30 percent to 619,089 units. The automaker fared especially well in South Korea, China and the United States, where new models like the Optima and Sportage have really taken off.

Kia's profit surge comes one day after Hyundai announced earnings of $1.7 billion. Hyundai shares are up 44 percent on the year, while Kia shares are up 16 percent.

Source: [ Autoblog.com ]

Hyundai launches Guarantee Assurance Trade-in Value

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 22:23:13 GMT

Hyundai launches Guarantee Assurance Trade-in Value

Hyundai is making a grab for more customer loyalty than it already enjoys with its newly launched Assurance Trade-in Value Guarantee, which, as its name suggests, guarantees future trade-in values on new car purchases. The move falls under Hyundai's wide-spanning Assurance marketing scheme, and will give buyers a solid number to determine what their car will be worth two to four years down the line.

The new initiative will be go into effect starting in May, and affects all Hyundai models. The actual value of Hyundai's models will be determined by the Automotive Lease Specials Guide forecast of future value. Hyundai is quick to point out that the residual value for its models is now among the highest in the industry and it's saying that this new program offers one of the major benefits of a Lease Specials program, but with all the benefits of actual vehicle ownership.

To qualify, the vehicle must be purchased at an authorized Hyundai dealership and then traded in within 24 to 48 months on a new Hyundai vehicle. See all the details in the official press release after the break.

Recall Alert: 2011 Hyundai Sonata - Hyundai recalling 139,500 Sonatas for over steering issues

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 17:07:43 GMT

Recall Alert: 2011 Hyundai Sonata - Hyundai recalling 139,500 Sonatas for over steering issues

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has just issued a recall for the 2011 Hyundai Sonata for over steering issues.

"the steering column intermediate shaft universal joint connections may have been either improperly assembled or insufficiently tightened." The consequence could be "a complete separation or compromised attachment of the connections, such that the driver could experience a loss of, or reduction in, steering capability increasing the risk of a crash.

The Recall effects 2011 Hyundai Sonata sedans built between December 11, 2009 and September 10, 2010. Dealers should begin sending out recall notices in October .

Owners can contact Hyundai Customer Assistance Center at 1-800-633-5151, or the NHTSA vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153)

Source: NHTSA

RECALL

Make: Hyundai
Model: SONATA

Model Year: 2011

Manufacturer: Hyundai MOTOR COMPANY
Mfr's Report Date: SEP 23, 2010

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 10V426000
NHTSA Action Number: PE10035

Component: STEERING:GEAR BOX:SHAFT SECTOR

Potential Number of Units Affected: 139500

Summary:
Hyundai IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 SONATA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM DECEMBER 11, 2009, THROUGH SEPTEMBER 10, 2010. ON SOME OF THESE VEHICLES THE STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT CONNECTIONS MAY HAVE BEEN EITHER IMPROPERLY ASSEMBLED OR INSUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED.

Consequence:
IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OR INSUFFICIENT TIGHTENING OF THE CONNECTIONS COULD RESULT IN A COMPLETE SEPARATION OR COMPROMISED ATTACHMENT OF THE CONNECTIONS, SUCH THAT THE DRIVER COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF, OR REDUCTION IN, STEERING CAPABILITY INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE STEERING COLUMN INTERMEDIATE SHAFT UNIVERSAL JOINT CONNECTIONS FOR PROPER ASSEMBLY AND TORQUE. IN ADDITION DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE POWER STEERING SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING OCTOBER 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT Hyundai CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE CENTER AT 1-800-633-5151.

Notes:
Hyundai'S SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER IS 097. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TOHTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV .

2011 Hyundai Elantra, photo’s

David Walker, LeaseTrader.com — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:15:28 GMT

2011 Hyundai Elantra, photo’s

Hyundai is working on a brand new generation of its Elantra sedan that’s due to go on sale later this year as a 2011 model, but we can already get a look at the new car thanks to the unveiling of its South Korean cousin, the Avante, at the 2010 Busan Auto Show this week.

With sportier and even more elegant lines than its predecessor, the new Elantra features a design shared with the 2011 Hyundai Sonata and dominated by a coupe-like profile with tapered back headlights.
Premium features fitted on the Avante model include HID headlights, heated seats and a color LCD nestled in the instrument cluster. Here in the U.S. the current generation Elantra is priced from less than $15,000 and competes with the likes of the Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus, so expect many of these luxury amenities to be absent when the car arrives in local showrooms.

Hyundai is yet to confirm which powertrain options will be available on the 2011 Elantra but in South Korea the Avante is debuting with a new 1.6-liter GDI (gasoline direct injection) engine rated at 140 horsepower and matched to a six-speed automatic gearbox. This combination is said to be 10 percent more fuel efficient than the powertrain setup in the current 2010 model.

The Elantra is Hyundai’s most popular model, with sales of more than six million units worldwide since the car’s launch back in 1990. The new 2011 Hyundai Elantra will go on sale in the second half of the year and is only set to build on that past success.

[GreenCarReports.com , Hyundai]