New Hyundai Genesis Flaunts its Lotus-Tuned Chassis on the Nürburgring

The Nürburgring Nordschleife has become an obsession for carmakers from around the world, and nowadays, few vehicles end their development cycle without being pitilessly subjected to the wild succession of corners of the 20.8-km long “Green Hell”.

Last year, Hyundai inaugurated a testing facilityat the Nürburgring, and guess which car they tested on the track? Yep, that's right; the 2015 Hyundai Genesis executive sedan.

The Korean carmaker uploaded a video of the Genesis tackling the Nürburgring, with the commentary placing an emphasis on the car’s handling capabilities, enhanced by the HTRAC All Wheel Drive system (a first for the Genesis) and the Lotust-tweaked chassis.

The message Hyundai wants to convey is that, performance is no longer “reserved solely for the Germans”. However, it will be interesting to see whether the ride of the 2015 Genesis will suffer from the “Nürburgring syndrome” - i.e., will its ride quality be affected by the obsession for sharp handlin?. One thing is for sure: Top Gear’s James May will hate it.

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Hyundai Bringing New Addition to Veloster Range in Chicago

It hasn't been that long since Hyundai last enhanced the range of its Veloster sports compact – that would be at the 2013 LA Auto Show in late November where it introduced the subtly tweaked Veloster Turbo R-Spec, and now we're told that it will do something similar at the Chicago Auto Show next week.

The Korean firm's telegraphic press blurb reads:"Reveal of the newest addition to the Veloster line-up by Brandon Ramirez, Senior Group Manager, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America".

Whether this means Hyundai will surprise us with something worthwhile reporting about. or if it the presentation will pass by completely unnoticed, remains a mystery for now.

As you may have imagined, the brand will also bring along the new Genesis sedan to Chicago for a second encounter with the American public following its world premiere earlier this month in Detroit.

Note: Current 2014 Hyundai Veloster R-Spec pictured

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Hyundai Officially Reveals Bigger 2014 i10 City Car

The current Hyundai i10 is as close as you’re ever going to get to get to an Asian kei car in Europe, with its tall yet narrow body and slightly awkward dimensions. It’s also quite frugal, not bad to drive and surprisingly spacious – most reviews you’ll get to read/watch really put the little Korean in a very positive light.

Now, though, the wraps have come off an all-new model, which is considerably bigger and looks much more grown and has a bit of Ford design imprinted somewhere in its DNA – looks a bit like the B-Max from the front, I think. Still, with the extra length, there’s more space inside and reportedly one of the biggest trunk/boot spaces in its class.

There’s also extra room for passengers to move about in the cabin, and while the model is 80 mm longer than before overall, the wheelbase only grows by 5 mm. This means the overhangs are noticeably more overhang, and I frankly like the wheel-at-each-corner design of the current car much better – at least it’s more distinctive than this 2014 model. It’s also wider (+65mm) and lower (-50mm) than its predecessor, while boot capacity has been boosted by more than 10 percent to 252 liters with all seats in place.

It's worth mentioning that Hyundai revealed a slightly longer version of the i10 with the Grand moniker in India on Tuesday.

Allan Rushforth, Senior Vice President and COO of Hyundai Motor Europe, commented: "New Generation i10 is another significant step forward for Hyundai Motor.  Every aspect of the car has been designed and rigorously developed to meet the demands and needs of European consumers.”

This car won’t be bought on style alone, though, and its range of efficient low-displacement engines, comprehensive warranty packs and the oodles of interior space for its class will be the clinchers, I think. Granted, they have given it LED DRLs to spice up the look of the front, but they will probably be reserved for higher trim levels, so not all cars will get them.

The new European market i10, which will enter production in September at Hyundai’s factory in Ízmit, Turkey, will make its official in-the-metal debut at the Frankfurt motor show, which is just around the corner.

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Hyundai Tosses the Wraps Off Redesigned 2014 Tucson ix in Korea

Hyundai has followed a slightly different path with the redesign of its South Korea-market Tucson ix compared to the European version of its compact SUV that is named ix35 and which we saw in facelift form at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show in March.

Whereas the European ix35 features the same grille (re-trimmed) as the pre-facelift model, and which is similar to the one used on the current North American Tucson, the South Korean model gains a flashier nosepiece with chromed slats inspired by the new Santa Fe series.

The new front look doesn't come as a surprise as Hyundai had previewed it on the ix35 Fuel Cell production car back in September of 2012.

Other than that, the cosmetic updates between the European and Korean market models are the same and include a new set of headlamps with LED daytime running lights, redesigned front bumper featuring re-shaped fog lights, new alloy wheel designs and revised LED-equipped tail lamps.

Hyundai says it has improved the materials and build inside, while adding a new FLEX STEER driving system that allows drivers to choose from Normal, Comfort and Sport modes.

Just like its European counterpart, the updated Tucson ix features Hyundai's ‘Nu’ 2.0-litre GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) that produces 164hp (166PS) up from 161hp (163PS). Korean buyers can also opt for a 182hp (184PS) 2.0-liter turbo diesel unit.

We tip our hats to Leopaul Del R.!

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