Hyundai is replacing the Equus’ 4.6-liter 385 horsepower V8 with a 5.0-liter V8, also used in Genesis R-Spec sedan. Rated at 429 horsepower, 376 pound-feet of torque, this powerplant comes with a direct injection set up. An eight-speed automatic transmission will also take over for last year’s six-speed.

“The 5.0-liter Equus certainly feels more willing, and in both the flagship four-door and in the Genesis R-Spec we drove recently,” says Motor Authority. “The larger-displacement Tau V-8 sounds a bit richer, with a rounder exhaust note, than the 4.6-liter version.”

Last year’s Equus was able to deliver 0-60 mph times around 6.4 seconds. Though full performance specifications have yet to be divulged from the auto maker, we suspect this car will drop that starting time to under 6 seconds, thanks to the added 44 horsepower.

Hyundai seems to have quite the luxury competitor here, ready to take on models from prestigious car makers who have made leather and horsepower vehicles for decades. One of the hurdles Equus might have to jump is a green one. The car is rated at 15 mpg city, 23 highway. Not bad for a V8 (we’re assuming the direct injection helps) but still no major gas saver.

Hyundai has yet to release pricing information on 2012′s Equus, which should hit dealer lots by October.

Source | Motor Authority

Hyundai Motors is going from hybrid to all electric, and using fuel cells to do it. The auto maker unveiled its Blue2 fuel-cell electric sedan at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show. This further established the brand as a serious rival to major green-tech leaders Honda and Toyota.

According to Gas2 (and the Hyundai press release): The Blue2 concept itself is powered by a 120 hp electric motor that Hyundai promises will deliver fuel efficiency equivalent to more than 80 mpg. Seriously rakish sheet metal drapes the FCEV powertrain, while the car’s interior features a new Transparent Organic Light Emitting Diode (TOLED) monitor in place of a traditional instrument cluster. The canopy and moonroof are made from lightweight, tempered “Gorilla Glass”, and the infotainment system is manipulated through something called a “Motion Sensor Moustick”, which responds to the driver’s touch and hand movements.

Via: Gas2

The hybrid version of Hyundai Motor’s Sonata mid-size sedan will not reach U.S. dealerships until late this month or early April, the automaker’s U.S. branch announced on Saturday.

The Sonata Hybrid will be shipped to the U.S. from the automaker’s plant in Ulsan. After its debut in the U.S. it will roll out to other markets, including Korea in June.

Source: ChoSun

Hyundai is showing us a little more of the Curb Concept, before it debuts officially at 2011′s North American International Auto Show. This vehicle will fit nicely into the relatively new (yet quickly growing) compact crossover segment. In fact, almost every foreign auto maker is producing a “compact-CUV” – meaning next year all the domestics will join in.

Designed by Hyundai’s California Design Center, Curb is “an evolution of the company’s famed fluidic sculpture design language,” according to Motor Trend. Curb features “deep scallops on the front doors that stretch to the tail of the vehicle. The steeply-raked windshield, low stance, and short overhangs lend the crossover a sporty interior.”

This exterior design and its materials have potential to make it into production. However, inside is a whole other story. The “gadget-laden interior” will remind onlookers that this is a show car for now. Hyundai has yet to release any official details on their little Curb, but it looks as though it uses a translucent, wrap-around instrument panel – complete with touchscreen controls on the dash, doors and seatbacks. George Jetson would be envious.

Source – Motor Trend

In fact, all Hyundai is missing is a sensory controlled auto cleaning kitchen sink. The 100-mile-per charge Hyundai EV is powered by a 1.6L direct-injected 4-cylinder mated to 100kw electric-motor. Pretty snazzy for an electric ride.

After showing us the BLUE-WILL Concept at the Seoul Motor Show last year, Hyundai North America debuted Blue Will in Detroit and added it“explores future design direction of compact cars.”

What really catches out attention is their “3rd Generation” rechargeable batteries – which are constructed to fit into any shape/section of the car, unlike older gens where the car needs to be molded around the battery. Still, Blue Will looks like a Prius/Insight – hopefully its outer shell will transform before production.

For now, the Hyundai Blue Will concept is only making rounds at auto shows. Hyundai says that it “demonstrates to eco-conscious car buyers everywhere that Hyundai has practical hybrid solutions that will appear on the next generation of vehicles.” I guess we’ll see.

The Blue Will also comes with an interior compartment and instrument panel that’s puts the Jetsons hover cars to shame. An “organic” dash can be transformed to have clusters rearranged to your preference, it even has a touch screen shifter! A roof-mounted solar panel, which conforms to the glass panoramic dome, keeps an interior climate control system operational.

Rumors abound as to what Hyundai is looking to produce for a possible Jeep Wrangler fighter. Well, so far, it looks like they want to ripoff the popular Ford Bronco Concept. According to a lovely Jalopnik dinner interview with Hyundai US CEO John Krafcik, it seems like Hyundai wants to take on the small “rock-crawling” offroad segment. Krafcik added; “every time our designers get together and start looking at concepts and the future, the first thing that comes out of those meetings — what everyone gets excited about — is the prospect of a Bronco-like, highly-capable off-roader.”

Is this the perfect time for a new auto maker to take on a variant like 4WD rides? With Hummer down and out, Jeep not adding on any more new utility vehicles and Ford not picking up the Bronco concept, it sure seems to be.

picture via Jalopnik

The vessel in question, Asian Glory (which is also the name of our favorite Chinese Buffet), was transporting “about 2,400 cars, most of them Hyundai and Kia models, and was headed to a port in Saudi Arabia when it was captured by pirates.” Asian Glory was being operated by EUKOR Car Carriers Inc. and is owned by Zodiac Maritime Agencies Ltd. It holds a crew of 25, including 8 Bulgarians and 5 Indians, the South Korean Ministry stated.

Hyundai released a statement to the press via e-mail saying that the cars had been paid for and that the risk now belongs to the distributor. The cars are also insured. The Gulf of Aden is a tight shipping lane that leads into the Suez canal. About 30,000 ships pass through the region each year, amounting to about 1/10th of the world’s traded goods. Merchant ships traveling in the area have been the target of Somali pirates for some time now. The region is currently patroled by about 20 warships from the EU, NATO and other countries.

The Source: World Car Fans

This recent viral video shows a BMW SUV “accidentally” smashing into a parked Elantra up near Toronto. When Hyundai PR saw it, they decided it would be a fantastic marketing move nice idea to give the Hyundai owner a brand new Elantra for their troubles. How Sweet!

Katherine Michon of Arlington, Virginia, traded a 1995 Ford Explorer for a 2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring – that’s an upgrade from 15 mpg to average 26 mpg. Not a bad CARS upgrade. According to the program, consumers are eligible for up to $4500 in rebates through the CARS program. According to Hyundai, 13 of its models qualify for the CARS program, which mandates new cars achieve at least 22 mpg combined, while light trucks need to carry an average of 18 mpg.

She certainly seems to like the idea.

Why do people think this will be the next Accent front end? Because the Verna is a base for the Accent globally. This supposed new Accent grill is a lot beefier then previous model, with curved headlights and a fat Hyundai smirk. Internally, a new USB and Auxiliary inputs for music, standard PowerBass subwoofer, Bluetooth and new blue instrumentation lighting will add to your driving experience.

Currently, the Accent Base ranges from $11,200 – $14K so expect something similar to those figures once the new Accent drops in North American somewhere during 2010. We personally can’t wait to see them in the lots of Hertz & Enterprise Rent-A-Car.