VIDEO: Bang, Bang, Bang it's the 2012 Hyundai Azera Sedan

Having wow'd us with teaser renderings at first followed shortly after by official real-life photographs, Hyundai continues to build hype around its all-new-2012 Azera before the full reveal by giving the car a promotional role in a South Korean TV drama called "The Fugitive Plan B".

While official information around the new Azera, which will be sold as the Grandeur in its home market, remains scarce, one of our South Korean readers, Jinhwan H. claims that word around local news sites is that the car will be offered locally with a choice of three engines. These include the Sonata's 2.4-liter GDI with 200hp and 184.4lb-ft torque, a 3.0-liter V6 GDI delivering 263hp and 225.7lb-ft torque plus a 3.0-liter LPI running on Liquefied Petroleum Gas with 230hp, 204.7lb-ft torque.

For the North American version there is talk about the 2012 Azera being offered with the 263HP 3.0-liter GDI V6 and a 3.3-liter GDI V6 producing 286HP and 254.6lb-ft torque, with power in both cases being transferred to the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

We'll update the story as soon as Hyundai releases official intel.

Thanks to Jinhwan.H for the tip!

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2012 Hyundai Azera - Grandeur: First Official Pictures

Shortly after releasing some teaser renderings of the all-new Azera or Grandeur in South Korea and other markets, Hyundai today dropped the first real life photos of its full size sedan that slots between the Sonata and the Genesis. The pictures were escorted by a South Korean-language press release, but aside from a recap of the car's design features, Hyundai did not reveal any other details on the Azera.

From now, all we know is that the car is based on a front wheel-drive platform and is expected to arrive stateside late next year as the 2012MY Azera. We'll have more information as it comes in.

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Hyundai Group Overtakes Toyota as the Biggest Asian Carmaker in Europe

Battled by a series of recalls and dipping sales, Toyota is slowly becoming a shadow of the company that dethroned General Motors in 2009. And with Volkswagen's mind clearly set on world domination, it can't be good news for the Japanese maker that it also lost its top position among Asian makers in Europe, to Hyundai Motor Co. and affiliate KIA Motors Corp.

The two Korean companies sold a combined 521,369 vehicles in the first ten months of 2010, a 4% improvement over the last year, earning them the title of the biggest Asian carmaker in Europe with a market share of 4.5%. Meanwhile, Toyota's figures, including Lexus sales, dropped by 17% to 511,754 units, which accounts for 4.4% of the European market.

To their advantage, Hyundai and KIA have a more diversified range with the likes of the ix35 SUV, i30 and cee'd compacts, and momentum on their side, as all those recalls and controversy is costing Toyota an arm and a leg, not to mention the bad publicity.

"Hyundai and Kia have clearly benefited from Toyota's massive recalls," said Ahn Sang Joon, an auto analyst at Tong Yang Securities Inc. in Seoul. "They have also expanded their model lineups in European markets giving more choices to consumers."

Furthermore, analysts think that Hyundai Motor Group's sales may climb even more in 2011, seeing that it'll launch models specifically tailored for European taste.

Excellent North American sales are the icing on the Koreans' cake: Hyundai grew by 21% in the U.S. this year, with the Sonata spearheading the success, having a 64 percent jump in demand. And there's more to come with the new Elantra sedan, Azera mid-sizer and Veloster small coupe, just to mention a few of the debuts planned for next year.

Toyota, on the other hand, is on a downward slope, with sales dropping 6.3 percent in the U.S. this year. Nevertheless, we wouldn't be so quick to write off the Japanese brand yet as you never know what the future may bring.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Bloomberg

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Hyundai CEO says New Azera Coming Soon, will be More Upscale

You probably have noticed that Hyundai is on a roll lately. Whereas the newly-wed Fiat and Chrysler couple are trying to tidy up the mess left by Daimler -for the most part- with makeovers and tweaks, the South Korean automaker, which also owns Kia, is churning out one new model after the other.

More recently and following a barrage of presentations such as the new Equus, Genesis Sedan and Coupe, Sonata, Tucson, Accent (South Korea and Russia for now) and Elantra, Hyundai gave out the first renderings of its next brand new offering, the 2012 Azera. The family sedan, which will be sold as the Grandeur in certain markets, will slot between the Sonata and the Genesis in Hyundai's NA lineup.

While the official release didn't reveal much, Hyundai's North American boss and always eager to share info on the firm's future plans with the press, John Krafcik, spoke with Autonews on the sidelines of the Los Angeles Auto Show.

"We have changed everything, it's a remarkable car. It will surprise a lot of people." said Krafcik. Even though Hyundai NA's boss wouldn't confirm a U.S. launch date, he said that the new Azera "is not that far away."

Krafcik also revealed that like the current Azera, the new model will be front wheel drive offering a less sporty experience than the Genesis.

"The Azera is a front wheel drive car whereas the Genesis is rear-wheel-drive and performance-focused, so (the Azera) will have greater appeal in northern, snow-states where front wheel drive is important, but there will be a very, very strong level of differentiation between the two cars," Krafcik said.

No word on powertrain options yet, but it is likely that Hyundai will offer the Azera only with V6 engines to further distance it from the Sonata which is available exclusively with four-cylinder units. Expect to see the new Azera making its world premiere in 2011 and going on sale before the end of the year.

Source: Autonews

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2011 Hyundai Elantra Pricing Released, Starts from $15,550

Hyundai revealed the US-spec version of its all-new 2011 Elantra in LA this week, and now the South Korean automaker has released figures and pricing for its fluidic compact sedan contender. Powered by a 1.8-liter Nu engine backed by a Hyundai-developed 6-speed transmission or a 6-speed manual, the Elantra boasts a 40 mpg highway, and 29 mpg city fuel ratings on any and every model. If you're inclined, scroll down for some comparison charts to see how the Elantra stacks up against the competition.

Hyundai's new Elantra, which began assembly this month down in Alabama, will be hitting lots before the end of 2010 with a starting MSRP of $14,830 (before a $730 delivery fee). That price includes standard stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, and a trunk-full of other electronic nannies.

The car's wheels will range from 15 to 17 inches, depending on the packages selected, while all models will get the 148-horse / 138 lb-ft engine that's cleaner than some hybrids. Elantras in some states will be rated at 145 horsepower and 130 lb-ft of torque while earning the right to be classified as PZEVs (Partial Zero Emission Vehicles).

Also available are a touchscreen nav system, iPod integration, segment-busting heated rear seats, and a 172-watt or 360-watt sound system, making the Elantra one potentially decked-out looker of a small car.

By Phil Alex

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