Showing posts with label KOREA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label KOREA. Show all posts

3/23/13

Hyundai HND-9 Concept with V6 Turbo



What makes the ninth concept model developed by Hyundai Motor Group’s R&D Center in Namyang, Korea, particularly interesting is that according to the automaker, it's design and technical specifications hint at its "next-generation luxury sports coupe", by which Hyundai means the replacement to the Genessis Coupe.

In a press statement, Hyundai said that "the HND-9 with its dramatic long hood and wheelbase, is a modern reinterpretation of the elegant image of a classic premium sports coupe."

Some of the design highlights seen on the teaser renderings include the butterfly doors (which we doubt would ever make it to production), a wide hexagonal-shaped radiator grille on the aggressive looking nose and the pronounced rear fenders. Overall, we like what we see here, but let's not forget that renderings can be deceiving…

As for the HND-9's powertrain, Hyundai tells us that it's fitted with a 3.3-liter V6 gasoline engine that employs turbocharging and direct injection technologies to deliver a maximum output of 370PS (365hp), paired to an 8-speed auto transmission driving the rear wheels. A similar drivetrain was featured on Kia's 2011 GT sports saloon.

Hyundai said it will release more information on the HND-9 Concept closer to the Seoul Motor Show.







7/31/12

2014 Kia K3 Cerato Forte


The first thing you need to know about the K3 is that it is a global model with the alphanumeric moniker used only in Korea where it goes on sale this fall.

In the first quarter of 2013, the sedan will begin arriving in North American dealerships as the 2014 Forte and in other markets as the new Cerato, with coupe and hatchback variants to follow in due time. We still do not know if Kia has plans to sell the compact saloon model in Europe.

"Longer, lower and wider than the current car, with an extended wheelbase, the next generation Forte / Cerato will be manufactured with an all-new bodyshell structure," Kia said in a short statement leaving many details up to our imagination.








2/28/12

Kia K9 RWD Flagship Sedan




The first thing we noticed about the K9 and that has to do with its design. What started out as a hunch when Kia showed us a handfulm of teaser sketches of its first ever rear-wheel drive saloon has now became more of a certainty. And yes, as many of you also noticed, the K9 appears to borrow one too many styling elements from BMW and especially its 7-Series flagship.
We could go on and on, but some of the things that stand out are the headlamp "eyebrow" accents, the low forward bend in the C-pillar and the rear end design as a whole – notice for example, the reverse lights incorporated into the chrome trim on the boot.

That doesn't mean the K9 isn't a good looking car, in fact, we wouldn't be surprised if some may find it more handsome than the 7-Series.

Soon-Nam Lee, Kia's Director of the Overseas Marketing Group, commented on presentation of the firm's new flagship : "K9 is our first rear-wheel drive large sedan, created without compromise in its design, driving performance and new technologies. K9 sets a whole new level of standards and values in the large sedan segment, and its design will be another Kia demonstration of our brand's power to surprise the world."

Kia did not release any additional information on the K9, but as we previously noted, it most likely shares its platform and engine range with the Hyundai Genesis, meaning it could be offered with the same 2,8-liter V6 and 4,6-liter, 5.0-liter V8 units.