Hyundai Archives

Genesis recognized for its designs

The Genesis GV80 Concept SUV and G80 Sport mid-luxury sedan both picked up accolades at the 2017 GOOD DESIGN® awards. Organised by The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, this recognition lends credence to the notion that the automaker is fully able to produce some spectacular looking vehicles.

Genesis joins other transportation, electronic, consumer and lifestyle product brands at this year’s award ceremony. The GV80 Concept is the automaker’s interpretation of a luxury yet versatile SUV. It combines suave looks with cutting edge technology and performance. The G80 however is an improvement over its predecessor both in terms of power and styling.

“We believe in the power of design to seduce and inspire the human spirit,” said Erwin Raphael, General Manager of Genesis Motor America. “We’re pleased that GOOD DESIGN® is a mainstay recognition going well into its seventh decade and couldn’t be happier to accept their acknowledgement of our dedication to design.”

The GOOD DESIGN® awards is the oldest of its kind, founded in 1950 by designers, Eero Saarinen, Charles and Ray Eames, and by architecture historian and philanthropist, Edgar Kaufmann, Jr. Each year, a panel of experts get together in San Francisco and New York to review award-worthy products from 46 different countries then decides the winners.

Genesis opens Connected Store

Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury sub-brand has collaborated with WIRED to open a store that showcases the connected capabilities of the G80 Sport. Located in Manhattan, New York, the store will remain open till the 22nd of December where, visitors will be able to enjoy demonstrations of the G80 model line’s connected technology and other connected products.

The store has two activation areas, each having a Google Home or an iPad Pro, which guests may use to interact with the G80’s standard Genesis Connected Services technology. Users will be able to use these devices to experience various features of the car. Travel destinations via GPS can be beamed straight to the infotainment system.

Other more sophisticated tasks such as remote engine starting, adjusting the climate control, can be can be executed just as easily. That said, these features won’t be on display at the indoor store, but they exemplify Genesis’ experience in developing the latest tech for customers.

Speaking of the new store, WIRED’s Jason Tanz, and Genesis’ brand ambassador, Wesley Chan, Managing Director at Felicis Ventures, and previously a General Partner at Google Ventures, hosted an invitation-only event, discussing “The Future of Our Connected World” and a tour of the store on Wednesday, December 13.

The launch of the WIRED Store marks Genesis’ second such partnership following a store that was opened in California. Through such efforts, the automaker wants the general public to be well versed with it’s range of tech and the roles they play in making customers lives more convenient.

Hyundai Kona earns 5-Star rating

Hyundai’s newest vehicle, the Kona has received high marks in the latest round of Euro NCAP crash safety tests. The independent European body determined that the Kona deserved a 5 star rating, the highest distinction possible in all four categories: Adult Occupant, Child Occupant, Pedestrian and Safety Assist.

“The five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP for the All-New KONA proves that our newest SUV fulfills the highest standards for the safety of our customers,” says Thomas A. Schmid, Chief Operating Officer at Hyundai Motor Europe. “The top result demonstrates that Hyundai Motor not only offers technology-driven and innovative solutions, but also makes them easily accessible to everyone.”

The compact SUV completed the required tests with more than satisfactory results thanks to it’s slew of safety tech. Most notable of the lot have to be Lane Keep Assist and Autonomous Emergency Braking. The former monitors vehicle movements, prompting drivers to keep within the white lines when they stray off course. It does give off audible and visual warnings before stepping in to steer it back on track.

The latter, which is becoming commonplace on many new vehicles, monitors the road ahead via radar and camera sensors. If the system senses an impending collision, it warns drivers both visually and audibly. If the driver continues to ignore the warnings, the system will step in and apply the appropriate braking pressure to avoid or lesson the severity of an impact.

Apart from these, the Kona also benefits from having High-Beam Assist (HBA) with Static Low Beam Assist, Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Blind-Spot Detection (BSD) and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCCA). Together, these safety features makes up Hyundai’s SmartSense system. Adding to this, the car also offers SUV capabilities, allowing drivers to traverse tricky terrain in a safe manner.

Hyundai N 2025 Vision included in Gran Turismo Sport vehicle pack

The highly anticipated PlayStation 4 racing game, Gran Turismo Sport, has now been made available for purchase worldwide. The game features some of the best graphics and gameplay ever seen on the gaming platform.

Like previous installments of Gran Turismo, the game has a whole host of amazing real world and concept vehicles that are bound to enthrall gamers and spectators alike. One of the main attractions of the game is the inclusion of a slew of concept vehicles designed by mainstream automakers especially for the game.

Manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Hyundai have their own respective Gran Turismo vehicles that will be featured in Gran Turismo Sport. Hyundai’s N 2025 Vision GT, which was introduced last year will be especially intriguing to try out in the game.

It incorporates styling from the prototype racing series as well as other open wheel competitions to form a body that looks both menacing and functional. It has been placed in the game’s Group 1 Category where it will join other manufacturers’ own virtual racers that bear the Vision Gran Turismo nomenclature.

These vehicles will also join other well-known real-world prototype racing cars from different manufacturers including Aston Martin, Bugatti and McLaren. Besides this, the game also features a plethora of real world sports cars and supercars made by mainstream automakers.

Speaking of the N 2025 Vision GT, Chris Chapman, Chief Designer at the Hyundai Design Center in Irvine, CA, said, “The N 2025 Vision GT is our ambitious take on what we think prototype racing could look like in the not-too-distant future. We’re thrilled to see it presented anew in one of the most visually stunning racing simulations ever created.”

He then added, “This concept is a point of pride for Hyundai on so many fronts. It effortlessly combines beauty and function as a racing car, and it boasts a fuel-cell powertrain that is as progressive as the bodywork wrapped around it.”

The car will be joined by other Hyundai racers that are based on the Genesis Coupe platform that include racing and Group B rally cars. Check out the videos and picture galley below and let us know what you think of Hyundai’s virtual product portfolio.

Modified Hyundai Elantra Concept heading to SEMA 2017

Hyundai will be showcasing another concept vehicle at the upcoming SEMA show. The concept is a modified version of its ever popular C-segment sedan called the BTR Edition Elantra Sport concept. The BTR in the nomenclature stands for Blood Type Racing, the company that has been responsible for turning the humble Elantra into a racer.

The car’s grille has been blacked out, and features more aggressive bumpers and spoilers that wouldn’t look out of place on a WTCC racing car. Building upon the basic recipe of the Elantra Sport, this SEMA concept features methanol injection, new intake and exhausts, as well as new intercooler technologies, tuned suspension and full aero kit.

Speaking of the car, Sam Lee, product manager, Blood Type Racing, said, “The BTR Edition Elantra Sport takes the Elantra beyond its capable OEM-development roots without sacrificing daily drivability. We’ve given enthusiasts a new vision of where this affordable sport compact wants to go.”

The following is the full list of modifications that were carried out on the Elantra:

Torcon CAI intake and Pierce Motorsports exhaust system
Engine management custom ECU Tuning by BTR
Devil’s Own water/methanol injection system
Re-stitched OEM-style sport interior
Diamond-stitched floor mats
SoCalGarageWorks carbon-fiber steering wheel
SSR GTX01 19 x 9.5 +35 wheels
Toyo T1 Sport tires
HSD coilover suspension
Pierce Motorsports sway bars, strut tower brace and chassis brace
Fella Big Brake kit
Diode Dynamics custom headlights and LED interior lighting
Aerotek custom front, side and rear track-ready lip kit
APR GTC-200 GT wing
AutoArt body and paint work
BASF Glasurit Arancio Borealis paint
BTR custom Trunk Track Tool Set and custom full-size spare tire

Unlike most concepts, this Hyundai is meant to be a performance vehicle that can function as a daily driver. Since no major work has been carried out on the engine, Elantra owners in the USA could probably be able to install the kit without voiding their factory warranty.

Hyundai unveil monstrous Sante Fe for SEMA

Hyundai has released a teaser image of a highly modified version of its ever popular Santa Fe, called the The Rockstar Energy Moab Extreme Concept that will be on display at SEMA 2017. The vehicle has been kitted out with some high performance upgrades which include massive oversize tyres.

“The Rockstar Energy Moab Extreme Concept was specifically designed to withstand the extraordinary demands of Moab off-road terrain,” said Nic Ashby, Rockstar Marketing. “Leveraging the outstanding Santa Fe Sport platform and powertrain, we definitely pushed its capabilities to new limits to conquer the pinnacle of challenges at Moab.”

Though the vehicle sports a similar overall look compared to its base model sibling, this Moab edition features a modified off-road suspension kit to accommodate the massive tyres and superior ground clearance.

There’s also an array of lighting equipment fitted to the front bumper guard as well as on the vehicle’s roof to help with visibility especially during excursions at night. The bodywork features a subtle grayed camouflage-like paint scheme that blends well with the theme of the vehicle.

The following is the extensive list of modifications that have been carried out on the Rockstar liveried Sante Fe:

R1 Concepts, 6-piston front and 4-piston rear big brake kit
KING, Coil-over Suspension and 2.5” Internal Bypass shocks with reservoirs
KMC 17-inch Machete off-road bead-lock wheels
Mickey Thompson 35×12.50R17 Baja MTZ off-road tires
HID Projectors OEM upgraded headlights and taillights
Mishimoto Intercooler, Downpipe, Rockstar Energy Catch Can, Coolant Overflow Reservoir
Yukon Gear and Axle Drive train Accessories
AEM Intake
KICKER audio sound system
Roadwire custom leather interior
Odyssey battery Dry Cell
Rockstar Performance Garage Skid plates, Bumpers with Warn® winch & Factor 55 Link
Rockstar Performance Garage Custom roof rack with Bulldog LED lighting
Heatshield for heat protection
MagnaFlow exhaust
Scosche Magic Mounts, Bluetooth Speakers and Lifestyle Accessories
Nitrous Express wet system
Bulletliner Bedliner protection
Casacadia Tents
Tintman, Thermal Heat protection
Powertank Portable Tank for refilling tires on the trail

This mean Hyundai will be on display at this year’s SEMA show for attendees to view and admire. The SEMA or Specialty Equipment Market Association show, is a trade exhibition in the US, that brings together aftermarket manufacturers, original equipment suppliers (OEM), specialty equipment distributors, installers, retailers and restoration specialists under one roof.

It also serves as a platform for the aforementioned entities to showcase their finest work and network with other companies or customers to increase their brand presence and grow their businesses.

It’s the ‘go to’ destination for anything that relates to aftermarket parts or modifications of the automotive industry. And this year, Hyundai will put on display, a vehicle that will certainly turn a lot of heads.

Hyundai elect new leader for USA division

Hyundai has elected to promote one of its most trusted senior executives of global operations to the position of president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America. Kyung Soo (Kenny) Lee, will be responsible for Hyundai’s U.S. sales and marketing.

The Korean automaker has tabled September 18th as the day Lee will take over president and CEO duties. He will occupy the position left vacant by Jerry Flannery who has now returned as the company’s executive vice president, chief legal and safety officer.

Speaking of the new appointment, Won-hee (Wayne) Lee, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor Company, said “Lee has an in-depth understanding of Hyundai Motor’s global operation, following nearly two decades in diverse markets around the world, including the U.S., Europe and Latin America.”

He was later quoted as saying, “I would like to personally thank Jerry Flannery for his leadership and the stability he brought the organization while serving as interim president and CEO.”

Lee, now 61 years of age, has had a long an illustrious carrier at Hyundai that began in 1982 The most recent position that hed held before being appointed as head honcho of Hyundai USA was, president and CEO of Hyundai Translead, a manufacturer of dry and refrigerated van trailers, container chassis and converter dollies.

According to Hyundai, here Lee played vital roles for more than 10 years adding to his expertise in overseas markets. These credentials, the company says, made him the favoured candidate to take on the top job. That said, he has a heavy weight on his shoulders.

Now, he will be tasked with leading Hyundai’s charge against domestic brands such as Ford, GM and Chrysler while still ensuring that it remains competitive enough to fend off the upstart Chinese makers who have managed to undercut it at its own game.

Hyundai i30 N, the Korean version of a hot hatch

The performance hatchback market has heated up these past few years. So much so that even Hyundai has decided to get in on the action. It’s setup its own performance tuning arm called the N. Vehicles that bare this letter are more performance oriented than the base models that they are based on.

If this sounds very familiar to you, that’s because it is. BMW has its M division, Mercedes-Benz has AMG and Ford has SVT. According to Hyundai, there are two reasons why the letter N was chosen to denote performance of its model naming system.

The first, N stands for Namyang, the place in South Korea that the automaker calls home and is where the idea of the creation of a performance arm came was conceptualized. The second reason is, the letter N resembles a sequence of corners of a racing track that is referred to as a chicane.

“The Hyundai i30 N has been developed for no other purpose than to deliver maximum driving fun to our customers in an accessible high-performance package,” says Albert Biermann, Executive Vice President Performance Development and High Performance Vehicle Division.”

He went on to say, “With the high-performance N models we will enhance our brand’s appeal with emotional products that cater to the needs of people who love to have a smile on their face when they drive their car on a winding road and listen to the sound of the engine.”

https://youtu.be/UUfVBi-igUQ

Whatever the case maybe, the first Hyundai to come with the N nomenclature is the i30. The humble yet striking family hatchback has been reworked from the ground up to be a performance vehicle that is able to go toe-to-toe with cars from the likes of Ford and Renault.

The front fascia has been tweaked to offer a more sporting appeal, but has been left largely untouched. The subtle bodykit provide the car with a more aggressive stance yet being tasteful enough not to seem tacky.

Behind the grille, special air curtains help limit air flow to reduce turbulence in the wheel housing and allow for more efficient cooling of the engine.

There are also special channels in the front bumper that direct air to the brakes for cooling. The rear features more angular contours than that on the standard car, too.

There’s a large rear spoiler mounted on the roof to improve downforce and to maintain stability at high speed. In fact, the entire car’s body panels have been tweaked to increase aerodynamic efficiency for maximum traction.

That coupled with an electronic limited slip differential help increase grip especially during high speed cornering. The dual sports exhaust, rear diffuser and trim pieces add to the sporty appeal that complement the 18/19 inch alloy sports rims.

Under the hood is a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine that produces nearly 275bhp and 353Nm of torque. the turbo is designed to offer boost at the lower end of the rev range allowing the engine to output linear power delivery. Power is sent to the front wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox, which should appeal to the purist fraternity.

As for the interior, the N version of the i30 receives a more sporty look which is evident by the addition of sports seats and an N exclusive, steering wheel.

This steering wheel has unique blue stitching and an N logo at the bottom. On the left of it, there’s drive selection options (Normal, Sport and Eco) that alter the drive behaviour.

On the right side of the steering wheel, there’s an N button that readies the car to match the optimum designated setting. There’s also a rev-matching feature that allow for better engine control during shifting, which should offer better acceleration and shorter sprint times.

The i30 N comes with a slew of tech that include Electronic Controlled Suspension (adjusts suspension behaviour), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Electronic Limited Slip Differential and a Variable Exhaust Valve System.

Despite the performance credentials, the car gets safety features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Driver Attention Alert (DAA), Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), Speed Limit Information Function (SLIF) and High Beam Assist (HBA).

Hyundai’s i30 N has gone through extensive testing at the Nurburgring to ensure that they got the hot hatch recipe just right. That said, its a relatively new car, and we shall have to wait and see how well it stacks up against the VW Golf GTI and Ford Focus ST as well as other established models.

Hyundai Santa Fe makes history by crossing Antarctica

A standard Hyundai Santa Fe has made history by becoming the first passenger vehicle to travel across the continent of Antartica from Union Camp to McMurdo, then turn around and head back. The vehicle was driven by Patrick Bergel who is the grandson of polar explorer, Sir Enest Shackleton. The point of the trip was to commemorate Shackleton’s heroic Trans-Antarctic expedition of 1914-1916.

The grueling expedition has been turned into a short film by the Korean automaker and will be televised for the first time at the Hospital Club in London on 25th April 2017. The modest Patrick Bergel, was reluctant to compare his trip across Antarctica to that made by his grandfather about 100 years ago. But he did mention that it was quite an accomplishment to be the first to make the trip in a wheeled vehicle.

Regarding this feat, Patrick Bergel said, “The journey was incredible and the car was a pleasure to drive. Sometimes it felt less like driving and more like sailing across the snow. It was a proper expedition with a challenge to accomplish that nobody else had done before. It was about endurance not speed – we only averaged only 27km/h.

During the 30-day exhibition, the Santa Fe had to deal with almost 5,800km of icy terrain in treacherous conditions. Besides having to bear the sub-zero temperatures, the vehicle had to make it its own path by driving on the floating ice caps – something that no other wheeled vehicle has done before.

Scott Noh, Head of Overseas Marketing Group, Hyundai Motor Company said, “We were aware of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s story and as a Company felt a resonance with his courage and pioneering spirit. Our film celebrates this spirit and through Patrick, his Great Grandson, completes his dream to cross Antarctica – just a hundred years later. We hope that it showcases Hyundai as brand that that is more than just a means of transportation.”

Despite the unforgiving terrain, the Santa Fe that was used for the trip wasn’t that far off from the 2.2-litre one you can buy from your local Hyundai dealership. The only changes that were made were the fitment of much larger tyres, increasing the fuel tank capacity and converting the vehicles to run on Jet A-1 fuel, which is the only available fuel on the continent.

In order to fit the massive tyres, the Santa Fe’s body had to be raised with new sub-frames, suspension and gears which were fitted inside the wheel hubs to deal with higher forces and to allow the vehicle to turn more slowly to run at the required speeds.

Many were skeptical with the idea of the Santa Fe completing the journey then returning to the starting point, but Bergel and well prepared Santa Fe proved the them wrong and as a result have made it into the record books.

Genesis GV80 Concept SUV unveiled at New York

Genesis, Hyundai’s luxury sub-brand has unveiled a new SUV Fuel Cell concept vehicle at the New York International Motorshow. Meant to be a futuristic SUV powered by hydrogen, the vehicle, called the GV80 Concept SUV, features a design that conforms to the current design language used by the contemporary crop of Genesis vehicles.

It incorporates the signature Genesis crest grille that stretches to over most of the front fascia. The vehicle has quad headlamps that encase jewel-like graphics, which lends a certain luxury appeal to its appearance. The futuristic rear tail lights feature laser fiber optic technology that is said to offer a unique Genesis lighting effect. The lower rear fascia is designed to channel air efficiently out of the vehicle to help cool the the fuel cell vehicle’s powertrain. Areas around the front wheels and side rocker panels feature cut-outs that help channel air cleanly through to aid better aero flow.

Hyundai has fitted 23-inch mesh alloy wheels which are designed to reduce weight and cool the large brake system. Electronic door handles sit flush inside the body work that help airflow and provide the car with a cleaner and more elegant look. The side pillars are constructed with structural trusses which provide the cabin with an airy feel.

Inside the GV80 features modern futuristic design thanks to a multi-function interactive controller with capacitive touch. Dominating the centre console is the 22-inch curved OLED infinity display which provides different information to the front driver and passenger. The top of the interactive multi-function controller features a concave gorilla glass touchpad and knurled metal wheel with handwriting recognition. Through the use of the touch control system, each if its metal strings allows direct access to the most commonly used functions including Navigation, Entertainment, Communication, and Environment.

The GV80 features a spacious cabin which is complemented by the ash wood centre console and floor boards. The GV80 features exquisite semi-aniline leather interior, with quilted diamond stitching on the interior door panels, seat inserts and center console side. The use of suede, dark gray leather and slate ash wood provide the vehicle with a luxury business appeal.

No word yet on whether the GV80 will actually make it on the showroom floor, but the vehicle that it eventually turns out to be will feature the Korean automaker’s latest Fuel Cell technology that will definitely appeal to the alternative fuel community. Unfortunately, there are very few places that have sufficient infrastructure to support hydrogen fuel cell technology for now. Unless more countries embrace the technology, it will take a long time for hydrogen power to make its mark in the automotive industry.