Hyundai is on a roll here in the UK and in Europe with the Korean marque launching 13 new or revised models in the next 18 months, by which time the ix35 will be the oldest car in its line-up and that was only introduced in April last year.
I’ve just been driving the latest addition to the European line-up, the i40 wagon – the saloon arrives later – in both diesel and gasoline formats and have come away deeply impressed by the way in which this once derided brand has upped its game.
The car’s stylish, a sort of blend between Ford’s Iosis theme and the GM Insignia, that’s sold in your neck of the woods as the Buick Regal. The 1.6 GDi with 133 bhp and 121 lb.-ft. of torque needed to be worked a little, but it sat quietly and happily at a steady 80 mph and with suspension tuned specifically for our lumpy road surfaces, rode and handled with aplomb. There’s a stiffer setting for European spec cars that’s tuned for more high speed autobahn cruising.
It’s well-built and finished and with a five year triple care package that includes unlimited mileage, manufacturer backed warranty, road side assistance and annual health checks – for the car not the driver – it makes a compelling argument against some more established European brands, think PSA Peugeot-Citroen and, even GM’s Vauxhall/Opel.
But it’s the ambitions harbored by the Koreans that must be giving many automotive CEO’s sleepless nights. Hyundai has already sold 200,000 units in Europe in the first six months of the year and is targeting half a million annual sales by 2016. Globally, the Kia-Hyundai axis is chasing down Ford and is serious about overtaking them and heading, if not for the number one spot, certainly top in terms of quality and customer care.
On the product development side small and medium platforms will be developed in Russelsheim, Germany and Asan, India with large and 4×4 platforms coming from the USA and Korea.
There’s also the strong possibility that the next generation Genesis coupe could find its way to the UK and Europe as a halo model for the brand – a job that will, some extent, be done in the interim by the Veloster that we get later this year.
With hybrids and electric vehicles under development and a hydrogen fuel cell expected to be available in 2012 Hyundai, and by implication Kia, shows no signs of slowing down.
Related posts:
- Quick Review: 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon – My Monterey Weekend “Wheels”
- Quick Review: 2012 Lincoln MKT Town Car
- Quick Review: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Limited
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