SCOOP: Kia Readying a Facelift for the 2012 Soul

It appears that the Soul is the next vehicle in Kia’s list to receive an update. Caught here in testing in Germany by our spy photographers, the bagged-up ends do their job to hide the Soul’s stylistic upgrades with the only visible change being the redesigned exterior mirrors that house the turning lights.

However, it is expected that the Soul will take some cues from the new Picanto and Rio hatchbacks (both of which were revealed at the Geneva Motor Show) such as the pulled back headlamps and more pronounced bumpers. An interior rework may also be in the cards.

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Categories: Kia, Kia Scoops, Kia Soul, Korea, Scoops

SCOOP: 2011 Hyundai Genesis Sedan Receives Minor Updates, Including BMW-Like Gearshifter

The Genesis sedan has only been out in the market for two years, but Hyundai is getting ready to present the 2011MY with some barely noticeable styling upgrades in its home market.

Scooped here in South Korea completely undisguised, the 2011 Genesis sedan appears to get a reworked front bumper with newly styled air ducts and trim, more prominent side skirts, a chunkier chrome strip above the license plate and a new rear bumper with reshaped exhaust tips.

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Categories: Hyundai, Hyundai Genesis, Hyundai Scoops, Korea, Scoops

SPY SHOTS: 2011 Chevrolet / Holden Captiva SUV with Aveo-esque Fascia

Chevrolet's European arm is moving along with the development of the facelifted Captiva that's due to go on sale on the other side of the Atlantic later this year. Judging by these spy photos, if not all, most changes appear to be concentrated on the SUV's redesigned front end that looks heavily influenced from the Aveo RS concept we saw at this year's Detroit show.

Details remain scarce for now, but it is possible that Chevy might also perform some upgrades to the 2011 Captiva's interior and mechanical hardware.

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Categories: Australia, Chevrolet, Chevrolet Captiva, Chevrolet Scoops, Daewoo, Holden, Korea, Scoops

2011 Hyundai Accent or Elantra Spied Completely Undisguised

Here we go again: as was the case with the spy photos we showed you back in February, this single picture of a small Hyundai sedan snagged without any camouflage somewhere in South Korea has us wondering if it's the next generation Accent (marketed as the Verna in Korea) or the Elantra.

Either way, the compact-size four-door saloon looks like a mini-Sonata sharing the same "Fluidic Sculpture" design with its larger brethren. Apparently, Hyundai has learned its German lessons well - and by that we mean the "one design fits all size mantra".

As always, you can have your say in the comments section below.

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Categories: Hyundai, Hyundai Accent - Verna, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Scoops, Hyundai Sonata, Korea, Scoops

2011 Kia Sportage Compact SUV Revealed in Official Patent Filings

The next generation of Kia's Sportage compact SUV has been given away through a series of designs that were made for the European Union's patent office. Note however that there's a small chance that the patent images could be depicting an almost production-ready study destined for either the Geneva Salon in March or the Seoul Motor Show in April.

The reason why we're saying this is the use of some specific styling features such as the chrome trim, the tail lamp arrangement, the alloy wheel designs and the styling of the lower part of the front bumper, all of which look suspiciously conceptual (see the spy shots here).

But even so, what you're looking at here is what you'll get more or less when the 2011 Sportage arrives at the Korean automakers dealers either towards the end of the year or early 2011.

Like all Kias penned under the guiding hand of former Audi designer Peter Schreyer, the new Sportage is a much more attractive proposition than the outgoing model.

Under the bodywork, the Sorento's smaller sibling shares its hardware with the new Hyundai Tucson (called iX35 in Europe and other markets).

That said, don't expect any surprises under the hood with the North American Sportage being offered with the same 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter four cylinder engines coupled to six-speed transmissions as the Tuscon.

Likewise, the European market Sportage will get three diesels including a 115HP 1.7-liter unit, and a 2.0-liter engine with 134HP and 184HP, and two gasoline units with a displacement of 1.6-liter and 2.0-liters producing 140HP and 166HP respectively.

Source: EU Patent Office , Via: RyanoKeefe

Categories: Kia, Kia Scoops, Kia Sportage, Korea, Scoops

2011 Kia VG Sedan: First Official Photos of Production Model Leaked

This past Aprli at the Seoul Motor Show, Kia gave us a foretaste of its upcoming flagship sedan with the KND-5 concept car. And even though we weren't supposed to see it yet in production form, the first official photos of the model that is currently known by its code name VG were leaked onto the internet today. The VG is set to replace the existing Opirus / Amanti in Korean, North American and European markets - with the exception of Britain as Kia said that it has no plans to import the model in the UK.

Oddly enough, and even though at a first glance it appears that the production model has kept all the distinct features we liked on the concept car, the end result -always judging by these photos- looks far less aggressive when compared to the KND-5.

Of course it's a stunner when put side to side with the current Amanti / Opirus, but then again, find a four-door saloon that isn't...

The 'VG', or whatever else Kia decides to call it will, most likely have similar dimensions to the concept that measured 194.5-in. (4,945mm) in length, 72.8-in. (1,850mm) in width and 57.9-in. (1,475mm) in height with a wheelbase of 111.8-in (2,845mm).

The mid-size saloon that will sit atop the Optima / Magentis in Kia's lineup will be offered with a choice of two engines, either the Hyundai Group's new 2.4-liter four-cylinder direct-injection petrol engine producing around 200 horsepower or a Lamba V6.

Sales will kick off in Korea before the end of the year and the U.S., Europe and other international markets sometime in the first half of 2010.

Via: fiatgroupforum

2011 KIA VG SEDAN PRODUCTION MODEL

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KIA KND-5 CONCEPT CAR

Categories: Kia, Kia Amanti, Kia Scoops, Korea, New Cars, Scoops

SCOOP: New Hyundai Accent Sedan Looks Like a Baby 2011 Sonata

Our friends over at 'Thecarblogger' and the 'Hyundaiblog' sent us these scoop photos of what appears to be a prototype model of the next generation Hyundai Accent that is penciled in for production by 2011. As you can see in more detail in the gallery after the jump, while the new model is still quite heavily disguised, those with a sharp eye will spot many design similarities with the rather well received 2011 Sonata YF that was officially unveiled in South Korea in mid September.

In fact, judging by these spy photos, we'd say that the Accent's replacement will most probably look like a mini-version of Hyundai's new mid-size sedan. And if anything else, that's a huge improvement over the rather dry styling of the current model. Design highlights include the lower roof line that stretches out to the back and the arched belt line.

Not much else is known about the new Accent, but aside from the sedan model, the range will also include a hatchback version offered in three- and five-door body styles.

Via: Thecarblogger & Hyundaiblog

Categories: Hyundai, Hyundai Accent - Verna, Hyundai Scoops, Korea, Scoops

2010 Daewoo Matiz aka the New Chevy Spark Scooped in Korea

What we will get to know as the new Chevrolet Spark in North America and Europe will be sold in South Korea and perhaps other Asian markets as the Daewoo Matiz. Spotted by the crew over at Noticias Automotivas somewhere in Korea without any sort of camouflage whatsoever, the 2010MY Matiz is a carbon-copy of its Spark sibling minus the Chevy grille, side skirts and large alloy wheels which seem to make a big difference in the city car's appearance.

Same goes for the interior which is identical to the Spark, although the Korean market version of the car does get its own unique trim options.

The 2010 Daewoo Matiz will most likely be offered in Korea with a similar engine lineup to the European Chevy Spark that is powered by a choice of 1.0 and 1.2-litre gasoline engines developing 66 and 78HP respectively. European sales of the new Chevy Spark will start towards the end of the year while North American customers will have to wait until the end of 2010 - beginning of 2011.

Via: Noticias Automotivas

Categories: Chevrolet, Chevrolet Spark, Daewoo, Daewoo Matiz, Korea, Scoops

2011 Hyundai Sonata Spied by Reader in South Korea

A prototype model of Hyundai's forthcoming 2011 Sonata sedan in plastic wraps has been spied parked on the road somewhere in South Korea by a member of the 'Hyundai-Blog' site. The new mid-size sedan that will be called 'i40' in Europe and other international markets, could be revealed in production form as early as this November at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show and go on sale sometime during the first half of 2010.

While Hyundai's people have done a pretty good job with the camouflage, some details like the more raked roofline suggest that the new Sonata will be much more adventurous in its design than the current car.

Built on a newly developed platform, the next-generation Sonata is said to be slightly larger than the outgoing model resulting to improved space for passengers and their luggage.

A four-cylinder and a V6 gasoline engine is sure to be in the mix while in Europe and other markets consumers will also be able to opt between the Korean firm's new 2.0-liter and 2.2-liter turbo diesels delivering an output of 185HP and 200HP respectively.

Via: Hyundai Blog

Categories: Hyundai, Hyundai Sonata, Korea, Scoops

New Kia Sportage Compact SUV: Spied - or Not?

Sometimes, unless you receive additional information from a reliable inside source, you can't be 100 percent sure of what's hiding under a heavily camouflaged prototype. This seems to be the case with Kia-World's latest spy photos that allegedly show the next generation Kia Sportage compact SUV, said to be officially unveiled in early 2010. By comparing the shape of the side-window line, we've eliminated the possibility of it being a 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe or a 2010 Kia Sorento (the most obvious alternatives), but whether or not it's actually the 2010 Kia Sportage, is something that we cannot answer with absolute certainty (talk about playing it safe...). Now that we've filled your mind with doubts, feel free to check the photos after the jump.

Source: Kia-World -Thanks for the pics Miha!

Categories: Kia, Kia Sportage, Korea, Scoops

New Photos of 2010 Kia Sorento SUV

In a few weeks time, Kia will officially perform the world premiere of its second-generation Sorento SUV at the Seoul Motor Show that runs from April 3 to 12. In addition to the official pictures released by Kia, the folks over at Kia-World have got their hands on a new set of images that were allegedly taken during a photo-shoot in Korea.

Rumored to make its North American debut at the New York Auto Show in April, the new Sorento is longer than its predecessor measuring in at 4,685mm (+95mm). However, we're still not aware if it will be available with the option of seven-seats.

The 2010 Sorento's engine line-up is said to include 4-cylinder and V6 gasoline units, a 200HP 2.2-liter diesel and a 2.7-liter unit that can run on LPI (Liquified Petroleum Gas).

Via: Kia-Forums

Categories: Kia, Kia Sorento, Korea, New Cars, Scoops