Motor Authority - blog Category: Azera

The affordable large car segment is starting to get just a little overcrowded, and in a time where customers all around the world are downsizing to smaller midsize models, performance, fuel-economy and overall value is now more important than ever. South Korea’s entrants in this field have been winning plenty of accolades lately, especially newcomers like the Hyundai Genesis, and Kia is working on another large car that by the looks of things will only continue this trend.

The replacement for the Amanti (Opirus) sedan is just around the corner, but an image of a concept version of the car has leaked ahead of its official unveiling at... The affordable large car segment is starting to get just a little overcrowded, and in a time where customers all around the world are downsizing to smaller midsize models, performance, fuel-economy and overall value is now more important than ever. South Korea’s entrants in this field have been winning plenty of accolades lately, especially newcomers like the Hyundai Genesis, and Kia is working on another large car that by the looks of things will only continue this trend. The replacement for the Amanti (Opirus) sedan is just around the corner, but an image of a concept version of the car has leaked ahead of its official unveiling at next month’s Seoul Motor Show. Comparing this show with previous spy images, it appears that the concept will closely mirror the upcoming production model due towards the end of the year. Hopefully the curvaceous and muscular body, LED tail-lamps and sporty profile will help to erase the boring whitegoods-on-wheels look of the current Amanti. Kia is yet to reveal any official details but the most likely engine options will be the new 2.4L Theta four-cylinder, 2.7L Mu V6, and the 3.3L and 3.8L Lambda V6s. Expect U.S. models to be fitted with the 3.8L unit, with power levels up around the 280hp (206kW) mark. According to a previously leaked document outlining Kia’s future product plans, the new Amanti is set to make its world debut in August next year with sales expected in the following month. Incidentally, the underpinnings of the new car will also be shared with Hyundai’s next-generation Azera (Grandeur), which is expected to be launched around the same time. The story doesn’t end there as TheCarBlogger is also reporting that Kia will launch two new large sedans, an entry-level model codenamed the VG and a more luxurious version codenamed CH.Kia VG spy shots Read More

Hyundai has developed its own 6-speed automatic transmission, which according to the company makes it just the third major carmaker in the world to have achieved this feat. Hyundai also claims that the new transmission boosts fuel economy by over 12%, while shedding 12kg and 62 parts compared to their 5-speed unit.

The transmission went into production this month and will first arrive in the new 2009 Hyundai Azera (Grandeur) equipped with the 3.3L V6 Lambda engine beginning next month. In this application, it delivers a 12.2% gain in fuel economy from 21.2mpg to a more economical 23.7mpg (10.1km/l versus 9.0km/l) over the 5-speed model. The... Hyundai has developed its own 6-speed automatic transmission, which according to the company makes it just the third major carmaker in the world to have achieved this feat. Hyundai also claims that the new transmission boosts fuel economy by over 12%, while shedding 12kg and 62 parts compared to their 5-speed unit. The transmission went into production this month and will first arrive in the new 2009 Hyundai Azera (Grandeur) equipped with the 3.3L V6 Lambda engine beginning next month. In this application, it delivers a 12.2% gain in fuel economy from 21.2mpg to a more economical 23.7mpg (10.1km/l versus 9.0km/l) over the 5-speed model. The new transmission is also 2.5% quicker in zero to 60mph (100km/h) acceleration times (7.8sec versus 8.0 sec), as well as delivering an 11% improvement in 37mph to 60mph (60km/h to 100km/h) passing performance (4.0 sec versus 4.5 sec). A total of five variants of the 6-speed transmission will be produced to accommodate a range of petrol and diesel engines, and a total of sixteen different Hyundai models will get this transmission including the redesigned Santa Fe, which is due to arrive in late in 2009. Toyota and a joint GM-Ford venture are the only other instances where carmakers have developed their own 6-speed automatic gearbox. Hyundai claims that its own design, however, is markedly superior to similar products from Toyota, GM and Ford due to a number of technical innovations. Additionally, the new 6-speed from Hyundai is maintenance-free - the gearbox is not equipped with a dipstick as it is filled with an automatic transmission fluid that is good for the life of the vehicle. The story doesn’t end there as Hyundai is reportedly working on a new 8-speed automatic gearbox that is rumored to debut next year in a brand new flagship saloon. Read More