Now though, on the occasion of the 2013 Los Angeles motor show, Hyundai has brought out the R-Spec model that not only promises to be sportier than the regular Veloster, but also be the cheapest Turbo that they offer.
There’s no extra power to boast about, however, the close-ratio six-speed manual gearbox does get a new sportier shift knob to play with, red exterior accents on the front bumper lip and sills, as well as red leatherette bolsters with red/black cloth insert on the standard-fit sport seats. An abundance of R-Spec logos also adorn it.
The only real performance enhancements that it does get is a suspension setup unique to this particular model. It should improve the lackluster driving dynamics accused by some reviewers, to a certain degree, with the help of electronic torque vectoring that like the one on the Ford Focus ST uses the stability and traction control systems to mimic the behavior of a limited-slip diff.
Finally, Hyundai will also offer Active Sound Design, which will artificially enrich the 1.6’s familiarly flat sound signature inside the cabin via the car’s audio system.
By Andrei Nedelea
Matthews told Al.com that there were some street dancers at the Hyundai dealership for a promotional event when Barzelay told one of the dancers, "Let me show you what I used to do in the day."
"At that point, I pulled out my phone, because I was expecting something bad," Matthews told the news site. "We had no idea he was going to break out and do what he did that day."
As of now, the original video has garnered some 267,000 views, but that number is expected to increase, along with Barzelay's fame, who we wouldn't be surprised if we saw him starring in an official Hyundai television spot in the very near future.
Consumer Watchdog (CW), a non-profit organization that advocates taxpayer and consumer interests, believes so and is making a fuss about it. The organization has urged the EPA to perform tests itself and has even threatened to employ “guerilla” tactics if its demands are not satisfied.
Leaner and longer than the current model with a styling that draws cues directly from the new Sonata, the next Elantra made its world debut at the Busan motorshow in Korea in April 2010 and is set to go on sale as the Avante MD in its home market before the end of the year. Hyundai's VW Jetta rival will be offered with a new 140-horsepower 1.6-liter foru cylinder petrol engine with direct injection technology.
Codenamed HG, the 2012 Grandeur is result of three-and-a-half years and 450 billion won (about US$415 million) of research, development and testing. Positioned between the Sonata and the Genesis sedan, the new Grandeur measures 4,910mm (193.3") long, 1,860mm (73.2") wide and 1,470mm (57.9") tall. It rides on a 2,845mm-long (112") wheelbase, which is 65mm (2.6") longer than the outgoing model.
It won't be long before we get to see the production version of the 2007 Veloster Concept as Hyundai has launched a mini site counting down the days and hours left before the small coupe makes its world premiere at the Detroit Motor Show in mid-January.
