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(from Hyundai Press Release) HYUNDAI REVOLUTIONIZES THE COUPE WITH THE ALL-NEW VELOSTER AT THE DETROIT INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

Advanced Technology Three Door-Coupe Features Hyundai Blue Link® and Up to 40 MPG

Hyundai today introduced its cutting-edge Veloster three-door coupe in a world debut at the North American International Auto Show. The 2012 Veloster delivers innovation to the compact coupe segment with a unique third door for easy rear-seat access, Hyundai’s Blue Link telematics system, Pandora internet radio with seven-inch touch-screen display, and a new 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine mated to Hyundai’s first dual-clutch transmission.

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2012 VELOSTER

• All-new three-door coupe design
• Coupe design with the functionality of a hatch and a passenger-side forward-hinged rear door
• All-new 1.6-liter GDI Gamma engine paired with proprietary Hyundai six-speed manual transmission and Hyundai’s first dual-clutch transmission
• Up to 40 mpg highway (estimated)
• Better highway fuel efficiency than Honda CR-Z Hybrid
• Standard multi-function seven-inch touch-screen display
• Pandora® internet radio capability
• Gracenote® display technology with voice recognition
• Virtual CD downloading
• AVI and mpeg video playback via USB
• Video game console connectivity with 115-volt power outlet
• Bluetooth® hands-free phone system with voice recognition
• Standard Blue Link telematics platform
• Blue Link Assurance provides a free introductory period of complementary core safety services including Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) and Assistance, SOS Emergency Assistance, and Enhanced Roadside Assistance.
• Blue Link Essentials provides Voice Text Messaging, Remote Door Unlock / Lock, Remote Horn & Lights, Panic Notification, Remote Vehicle Start, Alarm Notification, Quick Tips, Location Sharing, Automated Diagnostic Trouble Code Notification, Maintenance Alert, Monthly Vehicle Report, Recall Advisor, Web Vehicle Diagnostics, Stolen Vehicle Recovery, Stolen Vehicle Slowdown, Vehicle Immobilization, Valet Alert, Geofence, Speed Alert, Curfew
• Blue Link Guidance provides Turn-by-Turn Navigation, POI Search by advanced voice recognition system, POI Web Search & Download, Daily Route Guidance with Traffic Condition, Traffic, Gas Station Locations & Gas Prices, Eco-Coach, Restaurant Ratings, Weather

Veloster is the sixth vehicle in Hyundai’s 24/7 version 2.0 product initiative (seven new models in 24 months), on the heels of the all-new Tucson, Sonata, Equus, Elantra and the soon-to-be released all-new Accent. The 2012 Veloster poses some intriguing questions:

Why can’t a sporty coupe get 40 miles per gallon?
Why can’t a car have the same connectivity as portable electronic devices?
Why does coupe design dictate only two doors?
Why can’t an affordable coupe offer premium features?
Why can’t Hyundai have two coupes – a playful front-wheel drive model targeting the likes of Mini Cooper and Scion tC to complement the sport-focused, rear wheel drive Genesis Coupe?

MOTORCYCLE INSPIRATION

Veloster’s unique design takes inspiration from a high-performance sport bike. Veloster has distinctive black A-pillars that give the glass a motorcycle helmet visor appearance. In the front is an aggressive form of Hyundai’s signature hexagonal front grille, hood scoop detailing, and unique Hyundai-signature LED position lights. Optional packages add a chrome grille surround, piano black highlights, fog lights, and a massive panoramic sunroof.

In profile the Veloster features “Fluidic Sculpture” character lines, muscular wheel arches, bodycolor door handles and mirrors, and wraparound headlights and taillights. Veloster comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels and offers two types of 18-inch wheels. The top-of-the-line 18-inch wheel comes with painted inserts, a segment first.

Veloster’s dynamic rear design has a distinctive glass hatch, dual centered chrome exhaust tips and black lower fascia that complements the assertive front fascia.

Inside, the center stack and controls resemble a sport bike fuel tank and incorporate an available push-button starter. The air vents are inspired by motorcycle tailpipes, while the floor console mirrors the seat of a bike. Metallic accents abound throughout the interior. Alloy pedals and a leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob are also available.

THE THIRD DOOR

Veloster combines the style of a coupe and the functionality of a hatchback, while also incorporating an additional passenger-side door. In the past, some coupes have used smaller rear-hinged access doors. These coupes have always been compromised by having to open the driver-side door before the rear door could be opened, proving to be inconvenient for both the driver and passenger, and extremely difficult to operate in tight parking lot situations. Hyundai’s fresh take here implements a conventionally hinged door on the passenger side of the Veloster, providing safe and ready access to the surprisingly spacious rear seats. The passenger-side rear door handle is hidden to maintain the coupe design.

GAMMA 1.6-LITER GDI ENGINE

The all-new Gamma 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine is the smallest Hyundai engine to use Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI). GDI technology helps deliver estimated highway fuel economy of up to 40 mpg, lower emissions and higher reliability.

“Gasoline-direct-injection technology allowed Hyundai engineers to create an engine that is powerful, fuel-efficient, and has fewer emissions,” said Hyundai American Technical Center Inc. (HATCI) powertrain director, John Juriga. “Despite its small size, it generates some big numbers, with both impressive horsepower output and up to 40 mpg on the highway.”

Through the use of GDI, the Gamma 1.6-liter engine delivers an estimated peak output of 138 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and maximum torque of 123 lb.-ft. at 4,850 rpm. But GDI is only part of the story as the new Gamma also features Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing, an electronic throttle control, a roller timing chain, variable induction and innovative anti-friction coatings such as CrN Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) coating and Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating.

Gamma highlights include:

• Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT)
• D-CVVT (intake and exhaust camshaft phaser) camshafts and hydraulic engine mounts provide optimum power, efficiency and refinement. Using CVVT on both camshafts has several advantages when compared to using it only on the intake camshaft including an improvement in performanc (increased volumetric efficiency) and fuel economy (reduced pumping loss), and a reduction in hydrocarbon emissions.
• Roller Timing Chain
• Helps increase the reliability of the Gamma 1.6-liter engine.
• Electronic Throttle Control
• This system accurately controls air intake and engine torque, improving drivability, response and fuel economy.
• Innovative Anti-Friction Coatings
• A Diamond Like Coating (DLC) was added to the tappets to help reduce friction in the valvetrain.

Working together, the complete range of engine technologies produce an engine that offers:

• Best-in-class specific output at 86.3 horsepower per liter
• Excellent fuel economy
• Lower emissions with ULEV certification
• High reliability backed by a 10-year / 100,000-mile powertrain warranty

NEW SIX-SPEED DUAL-CLUTCH TRANSMISSION

Hyundai’s commitment to making the Gamma engine extremely fuel efficient continues by pairing it with a standard six-speed manual transmission or an all-new, six-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) developed by Hyundai.

Hyundai’s new DCT takes the benefits of a manual transmission, including low fuel consumption and sporty driving, and blends them with automatic transmission benefits, such as high comfort levels and smooth shift quality. In addition, the DCT enables direct connection for high efficiency and uninterrupted torque transfer during shifts. Automatic transmissions lose power and fuel economy in the torque converter.

Other improvements of a DCT over a traditional automatic include a five to six percent improvement in fuel efficiency as well as a three to seven percent improvement in acceleration performance.

Veloster’s DCT can be thought of as two traditional manual transmissions, each with its own clutch operating in parallel and alternating shifts. Veloster is a six-speed with one clutch acting on gears one, three and five and the other used for two, four, six and reverse. This shifting process results in quick smooth transitions with none of the efficiency loss normally associated with torque convertors. The clutch actuator assembly features electric motors for actuation, and an external damper improves NVH.

This powertrain also has an Active Eco mode which modifies engine and transmission control for improved fuel economy that translates into more than a seven percent improvement in real-world fuel economy.

Kia Motors will be retiring the young Borrego SUV for 2011.  Though the model may return thereafter, high fuel prices and a sharp shift away from sport-utes have forced the Korean automaker to pull out of the SUV wars in America.  The Borrego was released for ’09 as a luxury SUV, offering a spiffy interior, four-wheel-drive, a 6-spd. AT, and a 337 hp 4.6 L V-8.  The Borrego’s starting price was nearly $27,000, with full-spec models hitting up to $42,000.  High fuel prices have contributed to the Borrego’s poor sales performance: it was intended to sell 20,000 units in the US, but has failed to hit half that number.

The article was done by someone going under the creative name of “the Mechanic.”  Rumor has it he was a former Detroit exotic dancer, sometime salesman, and later editor for The Advocate.  Actually, we’re not really sure.  Nor do we care.

So here is a summary of Inside Line‘s predictions:

The BMW 5 Series GT and Honda Accord Crosstour will be colossal failures.

The Chevy Volt will be a sales flop.

Bob Lutz will abandon GM and move to Chrysler.

The feds will find out that Tesla and Fisker investment is a waste.

The Camaro will burn out.

The Toyota Tundra will be axed.

Michael Schumacher’s F1 comeback will go nowhere.

Subaru will emerge as the hottest Japanese brand.

Mercury will be dropped.

Korea will dominate.

The real shame here is that this guy’ll get two or three of these things right, the rest wrong, and still have a job.  At least he’s giving us something to whine about.

Hyundai’s new Sonata clearly looks more creative than the old.  The radical styling takes many cues from the Mercedes CLS-class–and we’re not complaining.  No V-6 will be available for the Sonata; instead, Hyundai will be pushing ahead with improved safety, interior amenities, and fuel economy.  Weight is down to a total range between 3,100 and 3,400 lbs.–an astonishing figure for the growing mid-size range.

The standard engine will hover around variations of a 2.4 L direct-injection unit averaging just under 30 mpg and achieving 190+ hp.  Engines will be linked to either a 6-spd. manual or automatic transmission.  Interior space and luggage capacity are both greater than their top competitors from Honda and Toyota.  Hyundai will be making a “Blue Drive” gas-electric hybrid system available for preview soon after the regular sedan’s release.  A more powerful turbo-charged 2.4 will be offered for drivers seeking output in a V-6 range.

We’ve grown used to hearing good news about Hyundai prospering during these sour times, but not everything’s bright for the Korean giant.  The company will be fleeing the Japanese market after struggling there since its launch in ’01.  Hyundai failed to get past its “cheap” stigma in the Land of the Rising Sun, selling just fifteen thousand vehicles there in eight years.

Official pricing and specs for the Kia Forte sedan have been released.  The Forte will have a starting price of $13,700; a total of two engines, four transmissions, and three trim levels will be offered, with a coupe bodystyle soon to follow.  The Forte replaces the Spectra as Kia’s primary compact vehicle.  The Forte is the second model of a new generation of Kias to reach North America.  Kia management is hoping to recondition the brand to appeal to young buyers as an alternative to Toyota’s Scion.  Borrowing a Scion cue with the tC, the new Kia line will drop innovation and instead offer stylish designs inspired from existing products.  (The tC was formulated from research that found young buyers wanting something akin to a BMW in aesthetics.)

The whole plan is part of a broader Hyundai effort to break into Japanese market share in the West.  Hyundai vehicles have improved in overall quality, but suffer from a stale image.  Rather than take a risk, designers are reworking popular forms seen on the road today.  The Genesis sedan borrows from the Mercedes S-class and Lexus LS-series, the coupe takes from the Infiniti G37, and the Soul from the Honda Element and Scion xB.

It’s easy to see the Forte is visually derived from the Honda Civic.  The Hyundai plan hopes to attract enough buyers away from competitors through pricing advantages.   Kia Motors is seeking to drop its reputation for cheap economy for one of affordable style–the Old Navy of automobiles, if you will.  Kia aims to have a sport package for the Forte sedan and coupe in the near-future.