An inside look at upcoming Hyundai models
As part of our Hyundai dealer-sponsored trip to Korea, we were given a quick tour of the Research and Development centre in Namyang, mostly to see the wind tunnel facility. The place was so secretive that cameras and phones were confiscated before entry, and even inside, all we saw were prototype cars in camouflage. Lots and lots of prototype cars in camo, all playing around their testing grounds.
We got a close look at the exterior of a Hyundai Veloster there. The three-door hatchback is set for debut in the UAE by the end of summer, although it remains to be seen what engine makes it here. Hyundai told us that they cannot offer their direct-injection “GDI” engines in the GCC due to the poor fuel quality in many GCC countries. More interestingly, there was a Veloster in camo being tested alongside a VW Golf GTI and a VW Scirocco. This one was most likely the turbo model.
We also got a close look at a new Hyundai Azera, known as the Grandeur there, inside and out. It is already on the streets of Korea and was good enough to make a Mercedes-Benz E-Class look bad when parked next to it. Interior material quality is about the same as, say, a Toyota Avalon or a Ford Taurus, except that the Hyundai’s spacious cabin design looks much cooler. The car is already available in some GCC countries.
As for future models, we saw the Kia K9, the K’s version of the Hyundai Genesis sedan. From what we saw, it borrows a lot of design cues from the Maserati Quattroporte, with a protruding nose and side vents, although this car might possibly end up looking better than the original, thanks to angrier headlights and sharper side-window design. Spy shots are already on the net.
There was also a small sedan running around in camo, with a distinct “H” grille and LED lamps hinting at the upcoming Kia Rio sedan. Imagine the Hyundai Accent with a Kia nose and you get the picture.
Another vehicle we saw from far away, with no camo, was what looked to be a midsize crossover SUV, so it could possibly be the next Hyundai Santa Fe. Think how a stretched Tucson will look like, because that’s what it looked like.
Yet another model we saw was a hatchback in full camo. From the swoopy front fenders, we can only speculate what car it was. Maybe it was a hatchback version of the Elantra, possibly a replacement for the aging Hyundai i30.
And then we even saw a compact coupe that had to be the Hyundai Elantra coupe. Later on, a Hyundai rep even confirmed that an Elantra coupe was on the way. It has also been mentioned by other media.
Yet another car undergoing tests was a blocky five-door mini-hatchback, made to look like a tall two-box van, similar to the Daihatsu Materia, but much more smaller and upright.
Other cars with minor frontal camo were the Hyundai Genesis sedan and the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, both likely to get facelifts soon. The coupe may even get the 5.0-litre V8 from the sedan, for all we know.
We also saw fields of countless cars, all of other brands, from Peugeot to Mercedes-Benz, all bought by Hyundai-Kia for benchmarking against their own cars. Looks like they are serious about going against the best in the business.
Comments
Fazl
now this is called R&D..
Rahul Jones
Veloster is a Hyundai still I don’t mind owning because of the good looks.
Abdullah
When is KIA going to establish a character and for themselves? … What is the need to copy expensive premium cars? … People are not going to buy KIA’s just because they can’t afford the expensive cars that have been copied … And the expensive ones are not that good looking too … !!!
They need a soul … A personality … Something that defines a KIA and lets you know from your rear view mirror that the car flashing behind is actually a KIA …
vivek
well..thats exactly what they are trying to do -> building something different and way better than everything that exists today – which explains the fact why they have almost every other car with them, from a Pug to a Merc!
vivek
and for sure you cannot say that the new Elantra, Accent and Sonata are all copied – coz I haven’t seen anything closer to these in terms of design and quality for the same kind of money.
Faisal Khatib
The same applies to the KIA Optima and Cerato…
Abdullah
Get a life kia fans … you all look great in you kias … enjoy …
Aditya
It looks like you just said that the meserati quattroporte is not ”that good looking too”. The quattroporte is one of the most sexiest cars on the planet and in all of automotive history my friend and is a obvious future classic. Nothing looks and can be as striking as an MQ. Please get ur eyes checked.
Abdullah
Where did you get all this humor … KIA man ???
Jamal
Dear Abdullah,
Please keep posting, you’re only making an even bigger joke out of yourself.
Sincerely,
Everyone else here…
On a more on-topic note, I’m getting more and more interested in Hyundais, if they can prove to be reliable over the next 4-5 years and they keep pushing the envelope of design (unlike Mercedes which is taking most cars in the wrong direction or BMW which is trying so hard un-Bangel-ise itself that it’s moving a decade back in terms of design), I might buy one or two.
royer
All i can say is wow…! The Veloster makes mouth water. Hope it gets a good punchy engine, otherwise will become a lost cause. Looks like it will win lots of fans.
ROJ
Id look forward for the veloster.. Looks like their cars have become the mainstream market leaders..
Umesh
Hi Mash,
I know this is a preview of the future models but can you do a full scale review of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 please.
marwan
When Japanese came into the scene in the 70’s they could compete and beat in most categories (4×4, Mid sized Sedans, compacts etc..)but not the upperscale cars they just had a slice of it with Lexus & Infinity..I have a feeling that Hyundai & Kia can do a breakthrough on ALL categories but they should not loose their price leadership like what Japanese Cars did..Now Prado is more expensive than Toureg and almost the price of an ML..:P
sarin
hyundai & kia have the best lineup of cars interms of design & value
Aditya
Any news when the new Azera will hit the market?
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
It will reach UAE in a couple of months.
Aditya
Did u have a chance to look at the Azera mash. any comments, Looks like a hell of a car in the videos ive seen. Any idea about the pricing?
lucid
Already saw an Azera V6 here in Riyadh just yesterday.
Aditya
Other than what you mentioned. I mean the driving aspect. Engine options.
Mashfique Hussain Chowdhury
Apparently Saudi got a 2.4L base model, don’t knwow more. A 3.0L exists in Korea, but I suspect we may get a bigger V6.
Samer
Hyundai and Kia need to do one thing for the GCC market to get high sale volume, they keep saying they are not bringing GDI engines here due to fuel quality issues, ok fine we understand that but they should not bring underpowered engines instead, I mean let them bring larger engines and more powerful, for example, instead of bringing 1.6 GDI producing 150-160 HP, let them offer 2.0 offering the same HP, or why dont they bring turbo instead of GDI if GDI needs high quality fuel, most of VW and Audi cars are turbocharged in GCC does that mean they are not working fine? regarding the next Santa Fe, I’m waiting for that car impatiently because I think it will be a very nice car.
Ramon
Any idea, how the new Sta Fe will look like? any links bro. thanks.
Samer
My friend Ramon;
Frankly nothing is published about the new Santa Fe, not even spyshots, But according to previous reports, the Veracruze will not continue as it didnt achieve high sales volume, so the next Santa Fe will grow in size (a little bit) and no more veracruze will be produced. so according to these reports, I’m expecting the next Snata fe to be a bombshell with its design considering the designs the company is offering now, and frankly, I owned the Santa fe before and it is a wonderful car in terms of quality and value, but I sold it for one reason, the old one (mine was 2009) had the 2.7 V6 engine producing 180 HP mated to 4 speed auto and that combination was not good frankly for me as I do much of highway driving. after 2010, the Santa fe comes with 3.5 V6 mated to 6 speed, so even the current Santa fe represents a good bargain and value for money.
Zeyad Bakri
I’ve actually seen several Azeras in Saudia
looks extremely similar to the Sonata…I guess Hyundai is trying to make a brand look to themselves
Muhammad
Is it smart to buy a sonata 2011 or an altima 2011? Im getting a second hand sonata run aroud 25k kms for about 70k. What do u say?
vivek
Read my review of Sonata here..
https://www.drivearabia.com/news/2010/05/13/first-drive-hyundai-sonata-2010-on-rental-run/
short comparo between sonata and altima:
-> Sonata is way too smoother, comfortable, silent and roomier than the Altima
-> Sonata has outstanding exterior design
-> Sonata offers better fuel efficiency
-> When it comes to interior quality, its more of a tie, though I personally lean more towards the Altima here
-> Altima has a stronger engine; though in specs Sonata has more horses, in reality, it is much slower.
-> Altima handles a wee bit better in twists and bends.
-> Altima has one of the best air conditioners in a vehicle; Sonata also has a strong a/c, but cannot match that of the Altima.
hope that helps..and for a 2011 Sonata which has run about 25,000 kms already, a tag of AED 70,000 is justifiable only if it is the top-of-the-range model..the mid-option Sonata brand new comes for only about 78,000 dhs and basic starts from 69k. if it is a mid-option car, a price of AED 60,000 – 63,000 would be a good bracket assuming the car is in pristine condition inside-out.
marwan
I will think immediately of the sonata..the Altima has already aged and about to get a redesign. While the Sonata styling is expected to remain few years going forward.
Shahzad Haider
I have been driving this car from Dec-2010 and Now millage is 36K plus.I can simply say i love this car like any thing. i have to give my car for service and during that period i used to drive Camry (well maintained by my friend) and Altima also. But Sonata…… Smooth, Faster, Outstanding Exterior and even more roomy from inside. Fuel Economy 8L/100 km, means nothing. in the end just want to say Wooooooooowwwwwwwwww what a car and good driving machine.
Musa
Muhammad, i would definitely pay less than 65k for a 2nd hand Sonata given that the base model is 68k only and 25k km is not exactly low mileage.
Altima and Sonata are very similar; Sonata will edge slightly in fuel economy and options, while Altima may feel a bit more upscale. The new Sonata definitely has a sfresher design unlike the Altima which is there since 2007 with only a grille refresh since then. The Altima may also sound a bit noisier so i suggest you test drive a Sonata and take it if you like it.
And also i feel its better to get a brand new version for 68k than a used higher options with 25k km.
nabeal malik
exited about veloster and 5.0 genesis coupe.. love a funky n a different car.. but isnt that 5.0 engine direct injection?
1 thing i wanted to know that is the bad fuel quality an issue also in uae?? how come ford is offering a DI in the lates Mustang?(i think they are)
bringing turbo engines would also be a nice idea! i just dont understand why hyundai is not offering them! the turbo genesis and sonata!! the terbo genesis is quite cheap and would definately work in this market!!
Murf
The UAE actually has better quality petrol. The other GCC countries are the problem and cars are made to GCC specs, not differently for each country. Only visual differences.
Adnan Khan
http://bestamericancars.blogspot.com/2011/04/toyota-mark-x-2011.html
Hyundai Sonata is a copy of Toyota Mark X.. Guys neva think Hyundai would eva have its own character they are copy cats !
LB
from which frikking angle does that toyota look like a sonata to you?
E-Mad
A little drunk are we now, tsk tsk.
RayanK
Are they getting the Veloster Turbo?
Rahul Jones
If not we will try putting one….. 😉
sevan
as a 2008 owner of santa fe , I’m satisfied ,hope to have a 2011 one , inshalla