Renault Koleos SUV Refreshed for the 2012 Model Year

It’s only three years old, but it’s apparently time for the Renault Koleos compact SUV to receive its first facelift. The changes include an exterior makeover and new interior trim, plus noticeable CO2 and fuel consumption savings in the case of the crossover model’s range of diesel powerplants.

The first thing you’ll notice on the updated model is the brand new fascia, evidently inspired by the newly launched Latitude sedan, which like the Koleos, is the product of Renault Samsung Motors in Busan, South Korea.

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Argentina Agrees to Allow Hyundai and Kia Imports for Peanuts – Literally…

Argentina’s exports for imports saga continues, with South Korean carmaker Hyundai agreeing to export peanuts, wine, biodiesel and soy flour to offset the US$91 million (€64 million) it added to Argentina’s growing trade deficit in 2010. Partner company / subsidiary Kia has agreed export white goods and plastics for their contribution.

The South American nation’s US$6 billion (€4.19 billion) trade deficit has already led to one Porsche distributor agreeing to export wine and olive products, while similar deals have been struck with carmakers Chery, GM, Peugeot-Citroen, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Fiat and Ford.

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Renault Samsung Debut New SM7 Saloon in South Korea

The Renault-Nissan alliance’s South Korean subsidiary Samsung has presented the production version of its SM7 sedan model, which was displayed as a thinly disguised concept car at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show this past April.

Putting aside some minor details such as the lower parts of the front and rear bumpers, and the less extravagant choice of alloy wheels, nothing else has changed from the concept model.

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Hyundai Set to Become Sixth Biggest Automaker in the U.S. In 2011

In the realm of U.S. automotive sales, 8% is a magic number. When an automaker hits 8%, they know they’ve become one of the big guns. Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Honda, Dodge and Nissan have all made it, and 2011 is expected to be Hyundai’s year.

So sayeth market research firm Polk, and I’m tempted to agree. Hyundai and its partner-brand / internal rival Kia have steadily been evolving into truly world-class carmakers. They’re keenly priced, inoffensive to look at and comprehensively covered quality-wise – everything the vast majority of new car buyers want in this day and age.

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2010 Kia Sorento SUV Officially Revealed in Korea - First Photos

These are the first official pictures of the second-generation Kia Sorento SUV that was revealed today in Korea ahead of its public debut at the 2009 Seoul Motor Show that runs from April 3 to 12. While Kia has yet to disclose information on the European or North American-spec model, the company did release initial details on the Korean-market Sorento that will be initially offered with Hyundai's new 2.2-liter turbo diesel engine that produces 200HP and returns 39.8mpg US (7.1 lt/100km) on the combined cycle (automatic transmission).

Depending on the market, the new Sorento will also be available with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder gasoline unit, a 2.7-liter LPI (Liquified Petroleum Gas ) engine as well as a V6 gasoline unit.

The 2010 Sorento is longer than its predecessor measuring at 4,685mm (+95mm) but has retained the same width at 1,885mm while the SUV's height has been reduced by 15mm to 1,710mm. In its official Korean market press release, Kia did reveal whether or not the new Sorento will be offered with the option of 7-seats.

2010 Hyundai Equus Luxury Sedan - New Interior Sketch

Hyundai has issued a new sketch depicting the interior of its BMW 7-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class killer (okay, we're being sarcastic now), the 2010 Equus that is scheduled for release this month. If this rendering is anything go by and with the exception of the fact that it sports more wood than a lumberyard, the luxury sedan's cabin is nothing out of the ordinary in terms of design. The Asian-market only 2010 Equus is based on a stretched version of the Genesis sedan platform and it will be offered with V6 and V8 powertrains.

Via: Hyundai-blog

Surprise: Hyundai Reports 14% Increase in January Sales, Kia up 3.5%

Whereas most -if not all- American, European and Japanese automakers were counting heavy losses for the month of January, both Hyundai and its affiliate KIA recorded gains. Hyundai announced U.S. sales of 24,512 units for the month of January, up 14 percent versus 2008 and 2 percent over December while Kia reported sales of 22,096 units, which not only represents an increase of 3.5 percent over January of 2008 but at the same time, it makes it the second best January in the company's history.

Spied: 2010 Hyundai Equus Luxury Sedan

In less than a month's time, Hyundai will perform the world debut of its top-of-the line luxury sedan codenamed VI that will serve as a successor to the Equus. In addition to the official sketches that were released earlier this month, the folks over at Hyundai Blog have published a set of scans providing us our first glimpse of the production model. The Asian-market only 2010 Equus will sit on top of the Genesis in Hyundai's range competing against the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Lexus LS.

Hyundai's flagship sedan will be based on a modified version of the Genesis' rear-wheel drive platform and it will be offered with a 3.8-liter V6 and a 4.6-liter V8 engine. The Korean firm's plans also include the introduction of a long-wheelbase version equipped with a more powerful 5.0-liter V8 unit. This range toppping variant is expected in the second half of 2009.

Thanks for the tip Miha! Via: Hyundai-Blog