Hyundai Moves Into Times Square With New Outdoor Campaign

PRESS RELEASE: HYUNDAI MOVES INTO TIMES SQUARE WITH NEW OUTDOOR AD CAMPAIGN

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, CALIF., 11/05/2009 - Hyundai Motor America moved into one of the world’s most high-profile advertising venues with a new Times Square billboard. The space at 2 Times Square in the heart of the famous “crossroads of the world” is a cubed shaped sign offering three display faces. The front display has two LED screens showing an updated stream of Hyundai video content, flanked on each side by two vinyl banners. The first Hyundai ads to be placed in Times Square feature Genesis Coupe. Hyundai is leasing the space through Sherwood Outdoor.

The video display enables Hyundai to develop new content that is both contextual and engaging. For example, the current videos feature the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe flying around the world-famous Road Atlanta racetrack, drifting through corners and accelerating down straightaways. A question is posed: “What’s your excuse?” Viewers are prompted with: “But officer. . .,” then given a series of fill-in-the-blank responses:

“I always drive fast when I hear opera!”
“I was trying to activate the flux capacitor.”
“I get muscle spasms in the leg.”

“As one of the world’s largest brands, Hyundai is actively looking for ways to integrate with the world’s biggest advertising venues, such as the Super Bowl, Academy Awards and World Cup,” said Chris Perry, director of Marketing Communications, Hyundai Motor America. “Times Square billboards draw 1.5 million impressions daily and it is one of the most iconic locations for outdoor advertising, so it aligns perfectly with our overall brand strategy.”

Kia Forte Koup to Join 2010 GRAND-AM KONI Sports Car Challenge

Kia Motors America (KMA) announced its official its U.S. motorsports program at the 2009 SEMA Show. KMA has teamed with the Kinetic Group to build and campaign two Forte Koups in the 2010 GRAND-AM KONI Sports Car Challenge Series in the Street Tuner (ST) class.

“The Forte Koup is the latest chapter in the dramatic Kia brand transformation story, and the decision to enter into the motorsports arena was an easy one to make,” said Michael Sprague, vice president of marketing, KMA. “The Forte Koup’s performance-inspired styling and outstanding driving dynamics make it a natural fit for road racing, and competing in GRAND-AM’s KONI Challenge Series enables us to reach an entirely new and passionate base of automotive enthusiasts.”

As part of its motorsports team development, KMA identified and partnered with the Kinetic Group to develop, build and campaign the two Forte Koup KONI Challenge spec cars. Based outside of Atlanta, Kinetic provides a comprehensive array of in-house services, including fabrication, composites, paint and body, engine, and electronics departments. Completing the team, decorated drivers Andy Lally and Nic Jönsson have been secured to drive the two Forte Koup entries in the GRAND-AM KONI Challenge Series in 2010.

The GRAND-AM KONI Challenge Street Tuner (ST) class utilizes production-based race cars and has a wide variety of vehicles from the U.S., Europe and Asia, using weight and intake restrictions to maintain a level playing field for all entrants.

[Source: Kia Motors America]

Korea: 2010 Kia Carens Adds New Features

Kia Motors has commenced sales of the 2010 Carens (Rondo in North America) multi-purpose vehicle in South Korea today. The 2010 model adds a myriad of appealing new features including new 17-inch "Black Luxury" alloy wheels, Supervision cluster, ETCS (Electronic Toll Collection System), and integrated Bluetooth hands-free system. Also new for 2010 is an available gasoline-powered model.

The exterior of the 2010 Carens is highlighted by a set of redesigned side mirrors with LED turn signals that adds both elegance and safety. The new 17-inch "Black Luxury" alloy wheels, standard in the top trim, pay homage to Kia's new penchant for high-gloss black in the brand's domestic line-up.

For 2010, Kia also introduced two new trim levels: GX Family and GLX Family. The GX Family adds a front passenger airbag, ABS, rear parking assist, and Carmel Beige seats. The GLX Family trim adds active headrests, VDC, rear parking assist, and Carmel Beige seats.

Under the hood, the 2010 Carens is now available in either gasoline or LPI configurations. The former is powered by a 2.0L Theta I 4-cylinder petrol that produces 151 horsepower and 19.8kg·m (143 lb.ft) of torque. The latter is propelled by a 2.0L 4-cylinder LPI that offers 141 horsepower and 19.0 kg·m (137 lb.ft) of torque.

Pricing remains the same for the 2010 model. The 2.0L LPI range is priced from 17.15 million Won to 22.08 million Won, while the 2.0L Gasoline range is priced from 16.35 million Won to 21.28 million Won.

[Source: Kia Motors]

2012 Hyundai Accent (RB): New Spy Shots Emerge

This time, rocking in an alluring tone of red. Truth be told, we have very little information on Hyundai's upcoming redesign for the subcompact Accent. The current generation Accent, sold as the Verna in South Korea and various other markets, has been on sale since 2005. Thus, within Hyundai's rapidly changing line-up, the soldiering Accent is becoming more and more out of place amongst its siblings and a complete overhaul seems to be of reason. And judging by the brand's recent wave of impressive rollouts, the all-new Accent will be another proof that the Hyundai of today should be a force to be reckoned with.

From the spy shots, it is very apparent that the redesigned Accent is essentially a miniaturized counterpart of the YF Sonata. Another embodiment of Hyundai's new "Fluidic Sculpture" design scheme, the RB Accent incorporates a steeper windshield rake, stretched headlamps, sleek side profile, short front & rear overhangs, and a short boot deck. The side window profile is a familiar sight from the current Elantra, YF Sonata, and the upcoming redesigned Elantra (MD), and side mirrors with turn signals add a touch of elegance.

With regards to the upcoming Accent's powertrain line-up, we have no information. The RB Accent is tentatively scheduled for release in early 2011 as a 2012 model. Stay tuned for more information and images as they become available to us

Hyundai Unveils Direct Injected 2.4L 4-cylinder Engine

Hyundai Motor Company has officially unveiled the long anticipated 2.4L Theta GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) 4-cylinder powertrain today at the Hyundai-Kia International Powertrain Conference in Korea. The direct-injected inline-4 is scheduled make its debut under the hood of the company's mid-size Sonata sedan early next year.

Producing an impressive 201 horsepower at 6,300rpm and 25.5 kgf.m (184 lb.ft) of torque at 4,250rpm, the GDI powerplant surpasses GM's rivalling 2.4L DI counterpart that produces 182 horsepower and 174 lb.ft of torque.

GDI has been applied to the second generation of Theta, the Theta II featuring numerous design enhancements over its predecessor including the application of a three-stage variable induction system (VIS) which improves engine ‘breathing’, automatically adjusting the volume of the air sucked into the combustion chamber to create the ‘optimal’ air-to-fuel mix under different engine load conditions.

Further performance gains were made possible by incorporating Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (DCVVT), which improves engine breathing on the intake and exhaust sides for better fuel economy and lower emissions. Depending on engine load and speed, DCVVT can extend or shorten the duration of the valve opening and closing for more power and lower emissions. The DCVVT system is governed by a new steel chain with an innovative roller and tooth designed for silent operation and durability.

According to Hyundai, the automaker spent over 170 billion Won (US$146.4 million) in research and development of the GDI powertrain over a span of 46 months. The new engine complies with ULEV-2 (ultra-low emission vehicle) and PZEV (partial zero emission vehicle) standards. GDI application will subsequently be expanded across the gasoline engine family and applied to other Hyundai models.

[Source: Yonhap News via Hyundai]

Kia Soul Awarded 2010 "Top Safety Pick"

he 2010 Kia Soul has been given a 2010 “Top Safety Pick” award for the second consecutive time this year in the Small Car category by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). On the heels of being given a “2010 Automotive Excellence Award” by Popular Mechanics, named to TIME.com’s “Most Exciting Cars of 2010” list and being named one of “10 Great and Safe Rides for Teens” by AutoWeek magazine, the spunky and youthful Kia five-door was one of only five small cars to earn the organization’s top honor for earning “Good” ratings – the highest achievable – in frontal, side, rear and rollover impact crash safety tests.

“Since its launch in March, Soul has lived up to its tagline of being Kia Motors’ affordable halo vehicle by winning numerous awards and consistently being a media and consumer favorite,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing of Kia Motors America (KMA). “Soul being honored with a ‘Top Safety Pick’ for a second time solidifies it as a top contender in its segment as a vehicle that offers consumers the entire package.”

All trim levels for the Soul come standard with many safety features including front seat active headrests, dual front advanced airbags, front seat-mounted and full-length side curtain airbags, an Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist System (BAS) and a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).