Hyundai CEO Says Veloster Coupe Coming in 2011 with 140HP 1.6-liter Engine

Following the successful launch of the rear-wheel drive Genesis Coupe, Hyundai is now focusing on the development of a front-wheel drive replacement for the Tiburon sports coupe which is known simply as the Coupe in Europe and other markets. In an interview with Inside Line, Hyundai Motor America's CEO John Krafcik revealed some juicy new details on the forthcoming small coupe which he claimed will look 70-80 per cent like the Veloster Concept that was unwrapped at the 2007 L.A. Show.

Krafcik said that the production version of the Veloster, which by the way, is among the names being considered for the new model, will pack a surprise bodystyle feature never seen before in the category. "It might be doors or a unique roof or something with the hatch. But it won't be like anything out there before in the small car segment."

In terms of size, Krafcik mentioned that the Tiburon's successor will be quite compact. "It's Accent-sized. Think of it like a 4-passenger Honda CRX," he said. "It'll be a little car you can take out and ring its neck and still get good mileage. Fun and economical, with a great power to weight ratio."

In a previous interview back in March, the American CEO had revealed that the Veloster would be offered with a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder petrol engine. This time Krafcik went into more details. "It'll be powered by a 1.6-liter four cylinder with Direct Injection making 140 hp. And it'll get over 40 mpg US (5.8lt/100km or 48mpg UK)," he told IL.

We're guessing that in other markets such as Europe and South Korea Hyundai will most likely offer the Veloster with diesel engines also, maybe even with the Korean firm's new 184HP 2.0-liter oil-burner that is available on the 2010 facelifted Santa Fe.

"There's just nothing out there right now with that kind of Eco-sport positioning" said Krafcik adding that the Veloster will arrive at Hyundai's dealerships before the end of 2011.

Via: Inside Line

READ MORE - Hyundai CEO Says Veloster Coupe Coming in 2011 with 140HP 1.6-liter Engine

Hyundai Slashes Price of Coupe by Almost 30 Percent in the UK

Truth to be told, whenever we hear about automakers announcing huge discounts on new vehicles, we tend to think about their previous, huge profit margins... But anyways, Hyundai's UK division announced today that it is offering a massive £5,035 ($8,170 US or €5,800) or 28 percent deduction off the price of the 2.0-liter Coupe, bringing it down to just £12,995 ($21,100 or €15,000) on the road. That makes the 141HP two-door coupe £2,600 cheaper than the first generation model which was launched in 1996.

According to Hyundai, the Coupe is now more affordable than many superminis like the three-door, 1.4-liter Vauxhall Corsa Design.

Despite the massive discount, the basic 2.0-liter Coupe is well equipped packing leather upholstery, climate control, 17-inch alloy wheels, twin exhausts, cruise control and heated front seats as standard.

The range-topping Coupe TSIII version also comes with a discount of £5,220, making it available for just £14,295. Standard features include anthracite-finish alloys, quad exhaust tailpipes, a larger boot spoiler, quilted leather sports seats and Eibach sport springs.

In addition to these discounts, buyers can also receive a further £1,000 price cut under the government's scrappage scheme.

READ MORE - Hyundai Slashes Price of Coupe by Almost 30 Percent in the UK

Hyundai Santa Fe, Elantra and Tiburon Also Recalled over Rust Problems

No sooner than we told you about the new recall on the MY2001-2004 Sonata, XG300 and XG350 models over corrosion issues of the front subframe, we learnt that Hyundai has also just issued two more separate recalls for a total of three vehicles, again for rust-related problems. In particular, the Korean carmaker issued a recall on 170,610 MY2001-2003 Elantra and MY2003 Tiburon Coupe models for corrosion and thinning of the steel in the lower control arms of the front suspension and another recall on 85,036 MY2001-2003 Santa Fe SUVs, this time for rust problems in relation to the rear suspension trailing arm.

Hyundai said that in both cases, the recalls concern vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the 'salt-belt' states of Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia.

If you happen to own any of the affected vehicles and want to learn more about the recalls, we suggest you contact Hyundai directly at the firm's U.S. customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-800-633-5151 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

READ MORE - Hyundai Santa Fe, Elantra and Tiburon Also Recalled over Rust Problems

Hyundai CEO reveals Details on Tiburon Successor that's Planned for 2011

With the new, rear-wheel drive Genesis Coupe already available on the market, Hyundai is now concentrating on the successor of the Tiburon (called Hyundai Coupe in Europe and other markets) that is scheduled to be introduced in 2011. Speaking with Autoweek magazine, John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai Motor America, revealed that the firm's new coupe will be positioned below the current Tiburon in terms of size and more importantly, in price. If you're thinking in the likes of the long-gone Honda CRX, you're probably right.

"It will have a lower price point, kind of eco sport positioning, where it is not going to be all about performance," Krafcik said. "It is going to be very fuel efficient. It is going to be stylish, a real nice complement to the Genesis coupe," he added.

Krafcik also noted that the new coupe will share a front-wheel platform with the Hyundai Accent and Elantra and that it will be offered with an entry-level 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, adding that the car's styling will draw its inspiration from the Veloster 2+2 coupe concept that was revealed at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show.

We can't say that we're surprised with Krafcik's revelations as it was apparent that Hyundai would follow a different road with the Tiburon's successor after the introduction of the sportier and more powerful, RWD Genesis Coupe.

Via: Autoweek

READ MORE - Hyundai CEO reveals Details on Tiburon Successor that's Planned for 2011

Galatea's Hyundai Tiburon / Coupe brings Italy and Korea together, Results Questionable

"Long live the GK Tiburon!" has got to be the rallying cry of Galatea Automobiles, the company that's responsible for the creation of the Revision. Beneath the newly styled body - they're calling it a "kit car" - is a typical, everyday, underpowered second-gen Hyundai Tiburon coupe with leather, a V6 powerplant, and a sunroof.

The Revision is Galatea's masterpiece, showcasing its achievement of "designing a car that is both exclusive and beautiful, without the associated expenses of owning an exotic car."

The Revision was penned by Robert Fechtmann with the intent of emulating Italian style for a steal: $5,180. For the five g's, owners will get the new lights, hood, fenders, bumpers, and installation guide.All told, it should cost around $16,000 to build; in my opinion, that's about $16,000 too much to invest in an old Hyundai.

Regarding the car's hit-and-miss looks, Galatea says, "[The Revision] is more likely to be mistaken as an elegant and expensive factory car instead of being recognized as an inexpensive modified car."

So, how do we vote: fugly Hyundai or bottom-dollar exotic?

By Phil Alex

Link: Galatea

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READ MORE - Galatea's Hyundai Tiburon / Coupe brings Italy and Korea together, Results Questionable