• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Auto Trends Magazine

Car reviews, industry news, & advice.

HYUNDAI-KIA

Hyundai Kia to Launch a Performance Line?

February 9, 2015 by admin Leave a Comment

High profile BMW engineer beats feet to South Korea.

Hyundai Genesis

Imagine a performance-spec Hyundai Genesis.

If you mentioned 10 years ago that Hyundai would incorporate a line of premium vehicles astride its mainstream products, likely you would have been dismissed as an ignoramus. At the same time, had you had postulated that Kia would one day have a product line that was deeply admired, not a few people would have thought that you were delirious.

Fourth Place is Fine. For Now.

Today, both Hyundai and Kia have turned things around to where the Korean manufacturers — conjoined at the hip by business and engineering arrangement, but designed and marketed separately — are an industry juggernaut to be reckoned with. Of course, the larger Hyundai brand has taken the lead in supplying the platforms and powertrains for all Hyundai Kia models. Nevertheless, the Kia composition on the universal vehicle structure theme has succeeded, perhaps best exemplified in the Kia Soul urban utility vehicle.

The Hyundai Kia Automotive Group is now the fourth largest automotive manufacturer in the world, selling more cars than Renault-Nissan, the Ford Motor Company, and Honda. Although they are not quite primed to challenge the global triumvirate of Toyota, Volkswagen and GM, the Koreans have certainly made a name for themselves.

Performance Aspirations Courtesy of BMW?

One area where the two marques have lacked cachet is in performance. Certainly, stock Kia Optimas and track-ready Hyundai Genesis Coupes have raised the duo’s performance credibility. Yet, there is no high-performance luxury line to take on the likes of such venerable players as BMW’s M Series, Cadillac’s V-Series or Mercedes-AMG to battle these stalwarts.

However, change is in the air once again for Hyundai Kia as the company has lured Albert Biermann from BMW’s M performance group to the Hyundai Motor Group, as head of vehicle test and high­ performance development. Biermann begins his tenure on April 1, 2015. Mark Phelan, writing for the Detroit Free Press surmises that it is a new position, given that “high performance” was not previously part of any Hyundai employee’s job description.

The Biermann appointment has speculative tongues wagging, but who can blame them? The two brands have cast their respective proletarian dispositions to the side, in a successful effort to develop passenger vehicles that are stylish, efficient and offer excellent value. Moreover, the two brands routinely fare well in each of the important consumer surveys conducted under the auspices of J.D. Power and Consumer Reports, among a few others.

Better Performance to Luxury Performance

With the Biermann appointment, we may eventually see a side of the Hyundai Group emerge that goes beyond the ordinary to deliver the extraordinary.

For instance, just imagine a Hyundai Genesis or a Kia Cadenza outfitted with a European-spec sport suspension, twin turbochargers and a six-speed manual transmission. And include with that a stunning interior outfitted with Recaro bucket seats, carbon fiber trim and the most amazing instrument panel this side of a BMW M5.

While launching a separate performance line or lines seems possible, it isn’t logical. At least not in the interim.

Indeed, with several good models already in place, improving driving dynamics and handling within the existing lines is a priority. As Phelan noted these particular shortfalls are essentially the only reason why people don’t buy the Hyundai Genesis. Yet, in all other areas that sedan matches the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Cadillac CTS and BMW 5 Series in quality and clobbers them on price.

Moving Up the Pack

Hyundai Kia appears committed to elevating the Korean marques, thereby broadening its customer base. And if customers find them with the quality that matches Lexus along with performance that competes with BMW, the Hyundai Kia Automotive Group just may have a legitimate shot at eventually overtaking GM, Volkswagen and Toyota.

Filed Under: Special Tagged With: ALBERT BIERMANN, BMW M SERIES, GM, HYUNDAI-KIA, luxury, MARK PHELAN, PERFORMANCE, Toyota, Volkswagen

Hyundai Sonata Disturbs D-Segment

June 1, 2010 by admin 1 Comment

Hyundai continues to challenge the market.

The medium size sedan market, or D-segment, is a crowded field. The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are the two biggest sellers, but both Ford and Chevrolet have enjoyed success in recent years with their Fusion and Malibu models respectively.

Every automaker fields at least one midsize product, usually several when you add crossovers to the mix. Dominated by sedans with a sprinkling of coupes thrown in, the one body style lacking in this segment has been the station wagon.

2011 Hyundai Sonata
The current-generation Hyundai Sonata is highly disturbing to the midsize sedan segment.

Redesigned Sonata

But Hyundai is in the process of changing all of that with plans to introduce a wagon model in the next year or two. Hyundai is already enjoying success with its totally redesigned 2011 Sonata and will include a hybrid model before the wagon rolls out. Forget worrying about Ford or Chevy: Toyota and Honda may have a problem on their hands when Hyundai expands its Sonata line.

The Hyundai Sonata wagon will be sold in Europe and North America and it is in that former market where an Autoblog sleuth took pictures of a disguised Sonata prototype. Though Autoblog isn’t particularly certain the wagon will make it to the states, I’ve got a good source telling me that it will.

Hyundai Success

Don’t forget, the Toyota Venza and Honda Accord Crosstour are based on the Camry and Accord platforms respectively. Hyundai has made it known that they plan on putting up a challenge in every car segment out there. Following its success with the Genesis sedan and Genesis coupe, the Korean automaker will be bringing the big Equus to North America later this year. Yes, one or two pickup truck lines are next, so the disturbing Sonata wagon most certainly looks to be a good one.

Speaking about the Hyundai challenge to other automakers, the combined Hyundai Kia Automotive Groupis now the fourth largest automaker in the world, having passed Ford in 2009.  It was just a decade ago that the combined entity was in 11th place, well off the pace of the top car manufacturers and not much of a force to consider.

My, how things have changed!


See Also — Efficient Turbo: 2015 Hyundai Sonata Eco

Photo copyright Hyundai Motors.

Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: AUTO TRENDS, AUTO WRITER, HONDA, Hyundai Sonata, HYUNDAI WAGON, HYUNDAI-KIA, Toyota

Primary Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • The 14 Brands of Stellantis
  • Peugeot May Not Return to the U.S. Market After All
  • Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival
  • GM Launches BrightDrop, Its Commercial EV Brand
  • The Refreshed and Handsome
    Lexus IS 350 F Sport

Recent Comments

  • The 14 Brands of Stellantis — Auto Trends Magazine on Raptor Fighter: Ram 1500 TRX!
  • The 14 Brands of Stellantis — Auto Trends Magazine on 5 Retired American Car Brands
  • The 14 Brands of Stellantis — Auto Trends Magazine on Peugeot Prepares for its U.S. Return
  • The 14 Brands of Stellantis — Auto Trends Magazine on Sportback Performance: Buick Regal GS
  • On the Prowl With a 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody — Auto Trends Magazine on The 14 Brands of Stellantis

Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • February 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • October 2014
  • September 2014
  • August 2014
  • July 2014
  • June 2014
  • May 2014
  • April 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008

Categories

  • Auto Parts
  • Auto Shows
  • Automotive Career
  • Automotive News
  • Book Reviews
  • Car Tips
  • Classics & Discontinued Models
  • Commentary
  • Commercial Vehicles
  • Concept Vehicles
  • Dealers
  • Engineering & Technology
  • Fleet
  • Fun News
  • Maintenance & Repairs
  • Motorsport
  • New Car Reviews
  • New Models
  • Ownership Experience
  • Product Reviews
  • Special
  • Specifications
  • Uncategorized

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

New!
Check out our Jobs Board!

via GIPHY

Subscribe to Auto Trends

Subscribe in a reader

Social Media

Visit our social media pages:
Facebook
Twitter
Google+
Pinterest

Where is Matt Currently Published?

The Carolinian (new car reviews)
NAPA Know How Blog
On the Road Again

Pages

  • About
  • Authors List
  • Automotive Brochures
  • Contact
  • Industry Jobs
  • Write
    • Style Guide

Categories

Recent Posts

  • The 14 Brands of Stellantis
  • Peugeot May Not Return to the U.S. Market After All
  • Next-Generation Sedona Minivan Will Be Renamed the Kia Carnival
  • GM Launches BrightDrop, Its Commercial EV Brand
  • The Refreshed and Handsome
    Lexus IS 350 F Sport
  • What We Know About the All-New 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
  • The All-New and Formidable 2021 Nissan Rogue Crossover
  • Fuel-Efficiency and AWD Champion: 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid
  • Midsize Performance Master: 2021 Hyundai Sonata N-Line
  • Performance Hatchback: The All-New 2021 Mazda Mazda3 Turbo!
  • NACTOY Finalists For 2021 Offer Familiar and Futuristic Choices
  • Super Trooper: Nissan Titan Pickup
  • Behind the Wheel of the Popular 2021 Toyota Corolla Sedan
  • Lucid Motors Completes Arizona Factory
  • A Robust Turbodiesel Comes to the Chevrolet Silverado 1500
  • Mid-Engine Masterpiece: The Eighth-Generation Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
  • Compact Performance:
    2021 Cadillac CT4-V
  • All-Wheel Drive Supplies the Nissan Altima With a Competitive Edge
  • Return of the Toyota Venza!
  • Lexus Brings a Convertible to the Gorgeous LC 500 Line
  • Stellantis Logo Revealed by Peugeot, Fiat Chrysler Ahead of Spring Merger
  • Preview: 2021 Nissan Rogue Crossover
  • How to Fix a Broken Rivian Vehicle
  • Cadillac Gets Most Things Right
    With the XT6 Crossover
  • The High Potency Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Coupe
  • The All-New Chevrolet Trailblazer Forges Urban Paths
  • The Small Infiniti QX50 is Big on Tech and Engineering Features
  • Toyota Brings the TRD Treatment to the Midsize Camry Sedan
  • The Kia K5 Outclasses Most Competitors, Including the Departing Optima
  • Can the Toyota RAV4 TRD Off-Road Handle Tough Terrain?
  • Subaru WRX Showcases Its Performance Chops
  • Infiniti Overhauls QX80 Trims and Makes This Important Safety Feature Standard
  • Ford F-250 Super Duty and a Trail-Stomping Tremor Package
  • A Cut Above: Mazda’s Mazda3
  • The Highly Efficient Hyundai Ioniq
  • Volkswagen Atlas Revels in its Strengths
  • General Motors Deepens Partnership With Honda, Takes Stake in Nikola
  • Smart Concept: Jeep Grand Wagoneer
  • More Than an Encore: Buick Encore GX
  • Got a Recall? There’s an App for That.
  • Refreshed Nissan Titan Makes Its Case
  • BMW M235i: Not Your Typical Coupe
  • Hot Stuff: Lexus RC F Sport Coupe
  • Will the Electric Vehicle Boom Create New-Found Dependencies for Foreign Minerals?
  • Rumors? We Got Them!
  • About Bollinger Motors, EV Startup
  • Raptor Fighter: Ram 1500 TRX!
  • White Space Wonder: 2020 Nissan Rogue Sport
  • About the 2021 Genesis GV80
  • The Toyota Supra Gets a Four-Cylinder Engine and We’re Simply Gobsmacked!
January 2021
S M T W T F S
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31  
« Dec    

Copyright © 2021 · News Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in