It’s the 2010 New York Auto Show and while it’s not jampacked with the more interesting cars that we fantasize about, it’s still filled with cars that are due to hit the US in the near future.

Like this one – the Hyundai Equus. It’s Hyundai’s take on the luxury sedan market. Yes, Hyundai wants you to think of them with the likes of Lexus, the Audi A8 and the Mercedes S-class.

The car is powered by a 4.6L Tau V8 that dishes out 385 hp and 333 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic ‘box. This configuration gives the car a sprint time of 6.4 seconds to negotiate 0-60 mph.

As for the tech, the car is equipped with heated and cooled seats, GPS, and a Lexicon audio system. The car’s also packing Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a Vehicle Stability Management system (VSM), active head restraints, a lane departure warning system, smart cruise control, and nine air bags.

The car also packs bits of leather and wood to give it a posh feel despite its “cheap” $50,000 price tag.

Source: Hyundai

Hyundai has shown that it can beat almost everyone when it comes to marketing especially with what it has accomplished in the United States despite the auto sales crash. Its brilliant use of anxiety marketing is one case study for the marketing books.

While not everyone (including myself) is convinced that Hyundai (including sister company Kia) cars have reached the quality of most of the Japanese automakers, Hyundai is surely getting there.

“Hyundai is awesome,” said Takanobu. “They are undoubtedly a threat because their products are cheap, and the quality is improving.”

Source: Autocar

Since cars are marketed based on area, there are several versions of the car. The Korean-spec will be powered by a 2.0L four banger dishing out 165 hp and getting 30 mpg.

The one of North America will get larger engines. Choices include a 2.4L engine dishing out a not-at-all shabby 200 horses and a larger 3.5L V6 that would deliver 250 hp. The US-spec models are expected to be showcased either in LA or Detroit.

I hate to say it but, Hyundai seems to be really in a quest to rival the giants. The new styling makes it look more interesting. Too bad, the grille looks like it’s a knock-off of the Honda City/ Fit Aria.

Source: Leftlane

The car is powered by a wee 1.0L 3-cylinder engine but it’s turbocharged to give it a little more oomph. This gas engine is paired with a 5kw electric motor. The powertrain dishes out a decent 123bhp and 116 lb-ft of max torque. The engine’s mated to a six-speed dual clutch transmission.

On the outside, the ix-Metro sports quite a futuristic design language compared to Hyundai’s current fleet. It features an aggressive fascia. The car also rides high on 20-inch alloy wheels.

The ix-Metro basically their take on a 2+2 hybrid that might be the basis for their sub B-segment sized car under development to be marketed as their CUV. Hyundai seems keen on developing the car.

Hyundai is keen on diversifying its fleet and this here’s the new ix35 that will replace the Tucson. The car was first seen as the ix-onic concept earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show. This production version is set to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

Powering the car is a roster of engines. The concept was powered by a 1.6L turbocharged direct-injection gasoline engine that churns out 168 bhp – a pretty decent power output for the engine’s size. And since this is Hyundai, its 149 g/km CO2 emissions would qualify for a tax break. A 2.0L diesel is also reported to be an option.

The car is poised to take on rivals such as the Ford Kuga and the Nissan Qashqai. Pretty much like their strategy with the Hyundai Genesis, the company intends to sell the ix35 cheaper and better equipped than its rivals and given the prices and luxuries found in the Kuga and Qashqai, the ix35 would probably offer quite the value.

Source: Autocar

Hyundai, however, is really to take on the plug-in hybrid market come 2012. Hyundai R&D head Yan Woong-chul announced that the hybrid will be unlike the soon-to-be phased out Sonata. Instead, it will be designed to take on the Toyota Prius and the Chevrolet Volt.

“We’re going after Prius and the Volt with the plug-in,” he told Automotive News.

The hybrid will most likely be based on the Blue-Will concept which features a 1.6L gasoline engine paired with a 100kW electric motor to generate a combined 152 ponies. The hybrid powerhouses will be mated to a standard CVT. Efficiency is estimated to be at 50-55 mpg.

Source: Leftlane

However, while the Big Three struggle to get back on track, their shares of the market are slowly being eaten away by smaller and more agile automakers – primarily those from Korea like Hyundai and Kia. Both brands are owned by Hyundai which now hold 7.3% of the US market. That figure places them neck-and-neck with Nissan.

Their gains appear to be a replay of what occurred four decades ago, when upstart automakers from Japan started selling cars in the United States. At the time, American carmakers dismissed them, but today they control nearly 40 percent of the American car market.

The cash-for-clunkers program might just help boost car sales, but given the price off the new car, the best buck per bang can be had purchasing small Korean cars. The same possibility has been observed by Top Gear with UK’s cash-for-clunkers program. The government should definitely factor this into their efforts to save the US auto industry.

Source: NY Times

The two-door crossover concept sports a pair of gullwing doors, along with 22-inch alloy wheels, bodywork creases, and the echo styling reminiscent of that in the Genesis saloon and coupe as well as in the Equus.

The Nuvis concept crossover runs on Hyundai’s BlueHybrid drivetrain, previewed at last year’s Los Angeles motor show and will debut in the next Sonata. The BlueHybrid system uses lithium polymer batteries instead of the more conventional lithium ion batteries, to allow more flexibility when it comes to packaging.

While the gullwing doors and 22-inchers might not be seen on the production model, it’s nice seeing the elements on a crossover. They allow for an interesting concept CUV, the sort of design language that turn heads in shows.

Source: Autocar

“We are applying everything we know about fabricating into building this car,” said Rhys Millen himself. The car makes extensive use of carbon fiber. You’ll find the material on the hood, roof, fenders, doors, and side skirts. This helps the Genesis shed weight and achieve the high levels of performance it was intended for.

It has a 4.1-liter engine equipped with a Turbonetics turbocharger and an engine management system from AEM. The transmission is by HKS. All of these help the RMR Genesis Coupe reach 550 horsepower with 520 lb.-ft. of torque. There are also rocker panels on the side skirts, a rear diffuser, Aerocatch hood scoops, and an APR rear wing.

The paint scheme is, of course, in Red Bull racing colors: blue, silver, the yellow-and-red charging bull, and the black of the carbon fiber panels. Millen will be using the RMR Red Bull Hyundai Genesis Coupe in various competitions, including the Formula Drift Professional Drifting Championship.

Source: Edmunds

The Hyundai Genesis Prada comes with customized interiors featuring special saffiano leather upholstery. The car also has a new Prada-designed body work, along with a set of 20-inch alloy wheels.

The car also sports a unique metallic blue color scheme. This paint job, along with titanium and dark matte plated gold trim for the grille, exterior door handles, and the emblem, helps bring out the Prada’s lines and curves. Inside, the car also gets some gold-plated detailing along with wood grain paneling.

The Hyundai Genesis sedan is already becoming quite popular, and this ultra-luxury version helps spice things up further. The addition of a high-end interior and enhanced exteriors really complement the already-sleek sedan. The collaboration is also a great boost for Hyundai’s bid to extend its products into the luxury segment.

Source: Motor Authority