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Hyundai Ioniq model lineup shown ahead of Geneva debut

Hyundai released information on all three versions of the Ioniq ahead of their debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week. We've already taken a close look at the Toyota Prius-fighting hybrid model but now we have new information on the electric and plug-in hybrid variants. While the two hybrid models are nearly identical, the battery-electric Ioniq has an enclosed nose for better aerodynamics. The plug-in comes with an upgraded electric motor making 60 hp, compared to 43 in the hybrid. It uses the same 1.6-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder, but Hyundai has to yet to divulge if the total system power in the plug-in is higher than the 139 horsepower figure for the hybrid. Using an 8.9 kWh battery, the plug-in is said to offer 31 miles of electric range. The larger, heavier Ford Fusion Energi plug-in uses as 7.6 kWh battery and is rated at 20 miles of electric range. On a loose estimate we'd guess the Ioniq plug-in will be rated around 25 miles of electric driving. As for the electric Ioniq, Hyundai is only giving us the numbers: 28 kWh battery, 118 horsepower, 103-mph top speed. Range is a quoted 155 miles, but again we're not sure what cycle that's on. The 110-hp, 30 kWh Nissan leaf manages 107 miles on the EPA sticker, so we expect similar (possibly lower) numbers from the Hyundai. We still don't know when any version of the Ioniq will go on sale in the United States, but with confirmation that the related Kia Niro is still 11 months away we don't expect the Hyundai to be in showrooms before the end of the year. View 7 Photos Green Geneva Motor Show Hyundai Electric Hybrid hyundai ioniq

Europe to get next Hyundai Genesis

Hyundai is preparing to make a rather bold move with its Genesis, as reports are now stating that the next-generation rear-drive sedan, which we showed you earlier this week, will be sold in Europe. The first-generation of the Genesis sedan never crossed the pond.
The 2015 Genesis will enter the traditional stomping grounds of BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi armed with the same 3.8-liter V6 and 5.0-liter V8 found in the current model. All-wheel drive, a first for the model, will also be available in Europe. "We have to overcome the challenge of competing with established European brands. We expect the Genesis to play a crucial role in improving our brand recognition," Hyundai said in a statement.
Hyundai has done a fair job of changing its image in the US from a budget-minded brand into a legitimate, mainstream competitor that covers a broad swath of the American market, offering cars from the $14,545 Accent to the $61,000 Equus. That movement started in earnest with the Genesis, and it looks like Hyundai is determined to repeat that models success in Europe.

We visit Hyundai's Nurburgring test center

Understanding the achievement and the message of Hyundai Motor Group having a European Technical Center at the Nurburgring might be easier if we look at what Hyundai has done in the US. In 1985 Hyundai Motor America set up shop in California. The first car sold here was the 1986 Excel, a rebodied Mitsubishi Mirage with a Hyundai interior treatment. This was the first Mirage, which also served as the Chrysler Colt in hatchback form and circled back as the Mitsubishi Precis so Mitsu could get around Japanese automakers' voluntary export quotas of the time. The Excel made such an impression on reviewers and buyers that in Car and Driver's 1986 review they wrote that "'astounding' is not too strong word" to describe the company's progress, and said, "Our guess is that Hyundai will be a major force in the US car market almost from the moment it opens its doors." Hyundai sold 168,882 Excels in the US in its first year, back when the Ford F-Series led all comers with 544,969 sales. That's what happened. The company sold 168,882 Excels in the US in its first year, back when the Ford F-Series led all comers with 544,969 sales, the Chevrolet Celebrity came second of all vehicles with 408,946 sales, the Honda Accord seventh with 325,004 sales. The Excel sold even better the following year, and the year after that. Three years on, buyers began to discover that one of the things the Excel did best was disintegrate. It's been called "fantastically crappy," Popular Mechanics would later say the Excel "deserved to fail," and they decomposed so thoroughly that you'll have a hard time finding one in any junkyard. Buyers got so allergic to the Flying H badge that sales declined for ten consecutive years. By 1999, when Hyundai's model range was four times larger than it had been in 1986 – Accent, Elantra, Sonata, Tiburon – the brand sold just 90,217 cars in the US. Two important things happened around that nadir. In 1998, as a way of reassuring potential customers, Hyundai became the first automaker to introduce a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty. In 1999, Mong-Koo Chung became the CEO of Hyundai Motor Company, promoted from 11 years as CEO of Hyundai Motor Service, a role that put him in charge of global warranty claims. Having spent all those years of his life wading through that carnage, he swore when he took the top spot that he'd get the situation fixed. In 2014 the JD Power Initial Quality Survey ranked Hyundai the leading non-premium brand.