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Hyundai reveals all-new Sonata in South Korea

We've seen the spy shots. We've seen the teasers. We've even seen the finished product uncovered in its home market. But now Hyundai has officially taken the wraps off its new Sonata, consistently one of its top sellers in North America that was surpassed only recently in the sales charts by the smaller, cheaper and slightly newer Elantra. It's Hyundai's challenger to the likes of the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Ford Fusion et al, which makes it a vital debut not only for Hyundai but for anyone in the market for a mid-size family sedan - and that's one of the biggest markets of all.
Set to be revealed at the New York Auto Show in a matter of mere weeks, the all-new 2015 Hyundai Sonata you see here is the latest representation of a more toned-down family design language which Hyundai calls Fluidic Sculpture 2.0, following the lead set by the new Genesis and away from the swoopy and sharply creased styling of the successful but stylistically divisive model it replaces. A good inch longer and wider than the outgoing Sonata, the new model is also over a third more rigid, thanks in no small part to the use of high-strength steel that now composes over half of the body's construction.
The all-new 2015 Hyundai Sonata follows the lead set by the new Genesis and away from the swoopy and sharply creased styling of the model it replaces.

Hyundai will launch Genesis brand in December

Hyundai is about to go global with a new, high-end sub-brand called Genesis. Rumors of this spinoff have been swirling for years, but an announcement Tuesday confirms that the Genesis brand will launch in December of this year. "To elevate and differentiate the Genesis brand from Hyundai, a distinct design identity, emblem, naming structure, and customer service offering is being established," the automaker said in a statement. A Korean report states that Genesis will kick off with a new version of the Equus, set to launch next month, called G90. The rest of the lineup will follow suit with that naming structure (Infiniti isn't using it anymore, after all). The Genesis sedan as we know it will be called G80, and a new midsize model will be G70. A luxury SUV and sport coupe will round out the range, and all six models will launch by 2020. The rear-wheel-drive, midsize sedan is expected to debut in the second half of 2017. In order to properly create an identity of its own, Hyundai is creating the Prestige Design Division. Beginning in mid-2016, this group will be lead by Luc Donckerwolke, who was formerly responsible for design at several Volkswagen Group brands, including Audi, Bentley, Lamborghini, Seat, and Skoda. Hyundai Motor Group's chief design officer, Peter Schreyer, will oversee the work of Donckerwolke's new division. Genesis will initially launch in North America, China, Korea, and the Middle East. Hyundai says it will expand to Europe and other parts of Asia as Genesis grows. "The Genesis models will provide technological innovation, excellent driving performance and luxury to customers. Every Genesis model will be created with the needs of our customers in mind, so the resulting car will perfectly meet their needs without any unnecessary burden or excess," said Woong-Chul Yang, vice chairman of Hyundai Motor. Hyundai's full announcement can be found here, or in the press release below.

Hyundai announces upcoming Creta sub-compact crossover

The market for subcompact SUVs is booming, and the next automaker to get in on the action will be Hyundai. The Korean automaker has not only announced the imminent arrival of its first subcompact crossover, but has given it a name, as well. Like some of its other crossovers, Hyundai's forthcoming baby high-rider takes its name from a geographical place – but unlike the Tucson and Santa Fe, the discontinued Veracruz, or the conceptual Santa Cruz, that place isn't in North America. The name Creta is derived from the Greek isle of Crete, and is meant to evoke the notion of creativity, says Hyundai. (The marketing team is evidently hoping people don't associate it with the term "cretin" in the process.) The model is slated to launch in India sometime in the second half of this year, but whether it makes its little way to US showrooms remains to be seen. Wherever it is sold, however, the Hyundai Creta will ostensibly take on the likes of the Chevy Trax, Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade, Mazda CX-3, Nissan Juke and Honda HR-V/Vezel in this burgeoning segment. Hyundai Motor Reveals Name Of New Global Sub-compact SUV: 'Creta' - Creta is the first sub-compact SUV model to be developed by Hyundai Motor - Global launch will start in India, in second half of 2015 June 2, 2015 - Hyundai Motor Company has today announced the name of its first sub-compact SUV: 'Creta'. The global roll-out of this all-new model will start in the second half of 2015 in India. The name 'Creta' derives primarily from the name for Crete, the largest of the Greek islands. Situated in the Mediterranean Sea, Crete was the focal point for Greece's global prowess in trade and culture, in its heyday connecting Europe, Asia and Africa. Creta will be an influential global model for the Hyundai Motor brand in one of the fastest-growing vehicle segments, helping the company to reach out to many more consumers in new and established international markets. Consistent with the core concepts underpinning Hyundai Motor's Modern Premium brand direction – SIMPLE, CREATIVE, CARING – the 'Creta' name is simple and easy to remember. Pronunciation of Creta deliberately evokes welcome similarities with the term 'creative', and draws on positive associations with the Mediterranean island of Crete, which is famed for combining a relaxed and tranquil environment with a vibrant, energetic approach to outdoor activities.