Archive for March, 2010
Spy Shots: Next-gen Hyundai Accent (or Elantra?) borrows several notes from Sonata
Filed under: Spy Photos, Budget, Sedan, Hyundai, South Korea
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is more stylish, more spacious, and flat out better than its predecessor. This seems to be the M.O. for Hyundai nowadays, as it rolls out a continual stream of new and/or revised cars that leave any old brand preconceptions in the dust. Automobiles like the new Sonata, Tucson, and the Genesis models are casting Hyundai in a completely different, much more positive light than ever before. It won’t end there, either. For instance, the 2011 Hyundai Equus will slot above the Genesis sedan and target bigger, pricier game.
But what about the folks with tighter budgets, shopping at an entry price point well below the Sonata? Well, as you see above, it looks like they won’t need to sacrifice style for value much longer. This pic, posted to a Korean forum, apparently reveals the next-generation Hyundai Accent, caught buck naked in its homeland. (Earlier spy photos call this same vehicle the Accent, and the forum where this shot came from is calling it the Verna – the Accent’s name in Korea.) At the same time, it appears to be almost identical to this vehicle, caught by spies in January and presumed to be the Elantra.
As you can plainly see, the new automobile, whether it be the Elantra or the Accent, shares the Sonata’s “fluidic sculpture” design language – no bad thing. In fact, it’s a really good thing, seeing as how the current Accent is about as generic-looking as automobiles get, and the current Elantra doesn’t exactly set hearts racing either. Hyundai doesn’t do generic anymore, and that now seems to apply to the lower-grade models, too. This looks quite promising, and we’re keen to see more. Thanks to Foo for the tip!
UPDATE: As it happens, there’s evidence to suggest this could instead perhaps be the next Elantra. The original post text has now been altered to reflect this possibility.
[Source: PPOMPPU.co.kr]
Spy Shots: Next-gen Hyundai Accent (or Elantra?) borrows several notes from Sonata originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 3.26.10
Quick Spin: Hennessey V700 is crazy, fast [w/video]
Silly. Insane. Brutal. Pick the descriptor and they all fail to describe the lunacy of Hennessey’s 700+ hp Cadillac CTS-V.
Five days to the Ford Focus RS500
500 is an interesting number and Ford’s released a teaser video of the Focus RS500 a few days ahead of its official release. But what is it?
Spy Shots: Ferrari 599 GTO spotted again, still looks awesome
With a leaked ordering guide and a never-ending string of spy shots, the debut of the Ferrari 599 GTO is obviously just a few weeks away.
Also of interest:
- Hyundai releases first teaser shot of the Sonata hybrid ahead of NY debut
- Video: Hennessey Venom GT spied out in the open
- Lewis Hamilton busted for doing burnouts in public?
- Bloomberg survey says Americans turning away from Toyota, liking Ford
- Speed Channel to bring “My car is better than yours” internet forum wars to the tube [w/video]
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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 3.26.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
White Beast: Senner Tuning AG takes on Audi S5
Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Audi
“White Beast” is quite a fitting name for this tuned-up version of the Audi S5 coupe. It isn’t just an aerodynamic package – oh, no – Germany-based Senner Tuning AG has given the S5 a bit more grunt from its 4.2-liter V8 mill, as well as slightly revised suspension geometry and a daub of upgraded interior refinement.
The tuning starts under the hood, where a performance air filter and exhaust system have been added, managing to churn out a claimed additional 25 horsepower and 25 pound-feet of torque, bringing the overall output numbers to 379 and 350, respectively. On top of that, Senner has raised the S5’s electronically limited top speed from the standard 155 miles-per-hour to an Autobahn-friendly 177 mph. What’s more, the four-pipe exhaust now include sport silencers, and we assume the aural grunt from this S5 is quite a treat for the ears. (White Beast, indeed.)
Visually, Senner has added a new front fascia, mimicking that of the Audi RS5, as well as a rear lip spoiler, LED taillamps and a new rear apron. Large 21-inch wheels better fill out the wells, and the suspension has been lowered (40 millimeters in front, 35 in back) to give the car a more aggressive road stance. Inside, a carbon fiber interior trim package has been added, as well as a new tachometer display screen.
The cost of the White Beast tuning kit? €18,990 (about $25,500 USD). Click through the post to read the full press release and have a look for yourself in the gallery below.
Gallery: Senner Tuning AG Audi S5
[Source: Senner Tuning]
Continue reading White Beast: Senner Tuning AG takes on Audi S5
White Beast: Senner Tuning AG takes on Audi S5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Report: Hyundai getting sued by former CA dealer for $30M
Filed under: Government/Legal, Marketing/Advertising, Hyundai
A California-based Hyundai dealership has filed a lawsuit against Hyundai Motor America claiming that the automaker did not provide help to the struggling dealership despite contractual agreements and assurances that Hyundai would do everything necessary to help out the dealership during the economic downturn.
Estes Automotive Group, owner of Merced Hyundai in California, claims that the company treated them unfairly and did not act in good faith. The suit, filed in early March by Estes, seeks $30 million in losses that the dealership endured under promises from Hyundai that the company would help them weather the economic storm.
Estes claims that Hyundai strung the dealership out for more than a year promising to provided assistance as long as the dealership continued to operate. The dealership was instructed to go about its business as usual and Hyundai would take care of the financial situation. With these words, Estes continued to operate the facility at a lost counting on support from Hyundai which never came.
Hyundai Motor America has not commented on the matter, but has until the beginning of April to respond to the lawsuit. The suit is demanding a jury trial against Hyundai on the grounds of the company “engaging in a calculated scheme to bleed assets and operating capital, and ultimately destroying the business.” Merced Hyundai closed its doors for good in January.
[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]
Report: Hyundai getting sued by former CA dealer for $30M originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Report: Top Gear blamed for motorsports’ environmentally unfriendly image
Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., UK
We realize that Americans have a bit of a reputation for blaming things on others and letting lawyers sort it out. But when it comes to the UK government, we’re starting to think that any negative car-related finding will be blamed on Top Gear. A new governmental report called “Full Speed Ahead: Maintaining UK Excellence in Motorsport and Aerospace” was drafted to show that two of Britain’s most lucrative industries are being sidelined by those in charge. Within that report, apparently, is the assertion that Top Gear has left the public with a bad taste concerning the environmental record of motorcars.
As reported by the Telegraph, “the committee blamed the ”Top Gear effect” for associating high-performance cars and planes with irresponsible drivers.” That means that not only is Top Gear at fault, but it now has a sickness named after it. Somewhere in the report (we’re guessing, since we haven’t read it), the dubious correlation is made between irresponsible drivers and a hatred of Earth.
We’re sure that Top Gear is the most watched auto show around the world. It’s a little more difficult to be sure that Clarkson, Hammond and May are keeping the non-petrolhead public (do non-petrolheads even watch Top Gear?) in the dark about the eco-mindedness of motorsports. Maybe auto racing just needs better PR…
[Source: Telegraph]
Report: Top Gear blamed for motorsports’ environmentally unfriendly image originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.