Australia’s newly seated Prime Minister – Julia Gillard, announced stricter compulsory pollution standards for new cars from 2015, adding new elements as part of Labor’s climate policy.

This program has been funded with AUD 394 millions and runs from January 1, 2011 until December 31, 2014. The main objective is to help take some 200,000 pre-1995 vehicles off the road over 4 years that guzzle a lot of petrol and spew out a lot of pollution.

Australians who trade in older cars for more fuel-efficient vehicles will be eligible for a $2000 rebate under a new initiative unveiled by Australian Labor Party.

However, the rebate would only apply when motorists purchased extra-efficient vehicles, such as the Toyota Camry Hybrid, Holden (Chevrolet) Cruze or Hyundai Getz. This program not only helps to save the earth, but it also able to stimulate the car sales in Australia too.

The next generation of Hyundai Elantra or in our case Hyundai Avante, was reveal few months ago in South Korea’s Busan Motor Show as we reported earlier. Since then, more and more details has surfaced in the Web. Earlier this week the first official interior shot was leaked. If you’ve been following our earlier review on the new Hyundai Sonata, you will notice that the current design approach by Hyundai for their vehicles.

While the Hyundai Sonata targets a more executive/business class buyers, the Hyundai Avante 2011 targets the younger generation thus, the design and curves are more daring. The center console curves with shapes of the “fluidic sculpture” concept from the automaker. As understand with complexity of curves and design higher cost will occur, we hope Hyundai does not sacrifice the quality of material used in the interior of the upcoming Avante as we notice in the Hyundai Sonata 2011.

Also, a video of Hyundai Avante  in action was recorded and posted online. The Hyundai Avante was spotted doing some parking practice (not sure if they are testing their reverse camera and  etc). From the video we can see the Hyundai Avante has grown in size and more aerodynamically looking, again following their “fluidic” design cues.

In our opinion, the Hyundai Avante looks better than it’s elder brother – Hyundai Sonata. With the new Hyundai 1.6 liter produces a 138hp, this could mean that it will give it’s Korean cousin – Kia Forte and the Japanese rivals such as Honda Civic, Mazda 3 Sport, Toyota Corolla Altis some tough competition. The current Hyundai Avante 2.0L is selling for RM95,301.80 without insurance.  Following an increase of the Hyundai Sonata, with a similar spec ( meaning a new 2.0L Avante) we would expect an increase of the price.

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If you were a fans of rear-wheel-drive, large cars or V8, probably you had already know that Hyundai have recently release the newest flagship – Hyundai Equus, built on world-class rear-wheel-drive architecture and powered by the award-winning 4.6-liter Tau® V8. This car designed to competes with the best luxury sedans in the world on all levels including amenities, performance, advanced technologies, design and ownership experience.

Not long ago, Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com named the 2011 Equus to its Top 10 Summer Sizzlers list, a compilation of all-new early arrivals from the automotive class of 2011. 

“With its cutting-edge technologies, bold style and unparalleled combination of luxury and value, Equus will attract a new type of buyer to the Hyundai brand,” said Scott Margason, director of Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America.  “Equus will help translate Hyundai’s successful formula for intelligent luxury into the retail and service environment so that owners get a high-end experience at a more affordable price point.”

 
The Top 10 Summer Sizzlers list profiles the 10 new vehicles that are most likely to excite consumers as the new 2011 model year begins.  This summer, automotive manufacturers from around the world have opened one of the most diverse and intensive product launch schedules in their collective history. Intent on jump-starting sales to accelerate the nascent auto industry recovery, they have begun filling U.S. showrooms with 2011 model-year rides.

 
“From redesigned longtime success-stories to all-new entrants to the marketplace, many hot 2011 model-year cars are coming through the product pipeline this summer,” said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com.  “It’s never been a better time to be in the market for a new car, because auto manufacturers have stepped up their game to offer more choices than ever.”

 
“A daring move by Hyundai to step up in class, the new Equus sedan seeks to directly confront luxury cruisers like the Lexus LS460 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class,” said kbb.com editors.  “Based on a stretched Genesis platform, this high-minded Hyundai matches tasteful exterior styling with a megaload of premium interior appointments. Mechanically, the Equus offers a 385-horsepower/4.6-liter V8, six-speed Shiftronic automatic transmission, variable air suspension and comprehensive vehicle dynamics package.”

 
Joining the Equus on the kbb.com Summer Sizzler list are the BMW 5 Series Sedan, Cadillac CTS/CTS-V Coupe, Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Fiesta, Honda CR-Z, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Mazda MAZDA2, Saab 9-5c, and Subaru Impreza WRX/STI.  For more information about the Top 10 Summer Sizzlers list from Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com, visit http://kbb.us/2010sizzlers.

Hyundai as a car brand name isn’t that strong as the Japanese’s Toyota & Honda. This applies strongly to Malaysians, but not the rest of the World. Many will be reluctant to buy Korean cars brand such as Hyundai and Kia but once you view those car personally and have a look and feel to it, your impression will changed  - especially in these recent years. Hyundai Malaysia ( Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors ) , is set to launch the 6th Generation All-New Fully Imported from Korea – Hyundai Sonata on July 2nd and they did a preview of the Sonata from last Friday until Tuesday (June 29) in their Glenmarie Showroom. We went to review the new Hyundai Sonata and did a test drive on a 2.0 liter model as well as a 2.4 liter model.

Normally with the same car name we should be able to see some inheritance from the car’s previous version. However, the new Hyundai Sonata is completely redesigned when compare to it’s predecessor.  Designed in California , the all-new Hyundai Sonata is to take on it’s competitor such as Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. With inspiration by an Orchid , we agree that the Hyundai designer team did put quite a few more daring design cue on the car’s front. As i was referring the Hyundai Sonata as the Korean CLS , aside from it’s similar bodyline and low back roof, the headlights too looks inspired by the Mercedes Benz CLS too. With projector headlight for all 3 variants available in Malaysia, which is the 2.0 low spec, the 2.0 high spec and the 2.4 high spec. Only the 2.4L model Hyundai Sonata comes with HID with auto-leveling.

From the side view, the Hyundai Sonata is sculpted with 2 body lines, one chromed, from the head lights to the rear door windows. The other body line, drews from the rear lights back to the front across the door handles. Focus on the Sonata’s rear, the sleek rear curves give the sedan a coupe-ish like the VW Passat CC and of course the Mercedes Benz CLS. With the black top by the panaroma roof, it improves the sportiness look of the new Hyundai Sonata. As the rear lights turned on, immediately the uniquely designed rear lights of this new Sonata shines. We are a big fan of the Audi A4 or R8, and a big part of it is due to it’s front headlights. Looking at the Hyundai Sonata rear lights, i can’t help to relate it as a reversed version of the Audi A4 /R8 head lights but in red.  The volcanic lava colour line surrounding main rear lights portraying the “rear eyes of the Sonata” stares at you with anger when you’re tailgating one.v

The interior of the Hyundai Sonata continues the sweepy lines of exterior of the vehicle. The centre console builds together with simplicity and futuristic looking. The humanoid icon act as a guide line to see your air condition directions, an idea which ripped from Volvo. Only the 2.4 Liter Sonata gets the auto climate air conditioning system. As the interior lights turn on, the blue illuminance is everywhere giving you a futuristic ambiance. The controls are easy to use and understand, unlike the huge buttons with wordings on the latest Honda Accord. Although with great designs, the Hyundai Sonata central dash feel lacking of built quality. The air-con dials and controls does not feels that solid as compare to it’s competitors.  Audio systems are standard with cd player and mp3 capabilities. There’s a also ipod integration with USB and AUX-in too.  There’s holes on both sides of the audio inputs, one for cigarette lighter, and amother bluish one mainly for in car changers. The steering is integrate with standard audio controls too.

More Details On Hyundai Sonata Malaysia Test Drive with Detail Review Here !

Update 2nd July 2010 : Hyundai Sonata Launched, and we test drive and review it ! Read it there !

It’s confirmed now, Hyundai Malaysia has announced that the Hyundai Sonata YF Malaysia will be launch on 2nd of July.

As our sources reported earlier it will be launching in June. There were some slight delay – but however Hyundai Malaysia is organizing Hyundai Sonata YF Preview to Public from 25 and 29 of June 2010 in Hyundai Glemarie Showroom. The Preview of the all-new Hyundai Sonata it’s Open to Public and for those who are eager to see the Hyundai Sonata YF – the preview will be from 2pm until 9pm on All Days and 2pm to 7pm on Sunday.

Else, you will be able to view the Korean CLS from 2nd July onwards in Hyundai Showrooms.

Update 2nd July 2010 : Hyundai Sonata Launched, and we test drive and review it ! Read it there !

Click here to read our Article earlier for some overview of Hyundai Sonata YF Malaysia ( Tons of Photos too!!).

The FIFA World Cup 2010 starts 11th June 2010 to 11th July 2010. Hyundai as a official vehicle sponsor of FIFA world cup this year, it’s making this opportunity to promote their cars.

What Hyundai did was they took 2 Hyundai i10, or know as Inokom i10 here in Malaysia and put it with as much as football theme to it. The body of the World Cup i10 is covered up with artificial  grass like material which symbolized  a football field, the rims cover is done using half of a the football. The top of the car is attached with a Hyundai Logo huge football and a goal just enough to fit the Hyundai Football if you were to kick in.

Both interior of the 2 Hyundai World Cup Cars are different. One is decorated with Hyundai blue theme with World Cup spirit, where as the other one is just plain grass theme. The headrest of the car seats has been replaced with Footballs as headrest.Would you as a crazy football fan like one of these World Cup cars?

The side mirror is design with a pair of football boots. Even the wipers are fitted with Football goal keeper’s gloves.These World Cup i10 cars are built by Hyundai UK. Hyundai will use  Hyundai i10 World Cup football cars to promote the World Cup activities throughout the United Kingdom. One interesting fact, that these 2 cars are the same cars that Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear UK that he damaged previously. If you want to know more about the standard version of Hyundai i10 or Inokom i10, we will be talking about in few days time.

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You probably have seen some spied shots about Hyundai Sonata in Malaysia. Hyundai Sonata rumored to launch earlier in Malaysia has no news until now.  We have the latest update for you. We’ve check with personnel from Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors Sdn Bhd, they only indicated the Hyundai Sonata Malaysia will be launch somewhere in June. However the actual dates are not announced by their management yet.

Some of you might heard how good is the Hyundai Sonata as compare to the Honda Accord & Mazda 6. However we would like to share our thoughts with you along with some photos no Hyundai Sonata which is already launch in other countries. We look any many photos of the Hyundai Sonata and only come to a conclusion. Black. Yes, what i meant is, if you are planning to get the Hyundai Sonata 2011, get a black one.

If you’ve been following my post, you might already know that most of the time, the car colour that i favour would be white. But in this case, the Hyundai Sonata 2011 looks nicest in black – in my opinion. What do you think? leave your comment below.

The all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata give us some of the Mercedes Benz CLS  curve line on the top part of the car. They even market the Hyundai Sonata as a 4-door coupe’.

Click here to read-more the upcoming Hyundai Sonata 2011 in Malaysia

Hyundai Motor Co. had its world-premier of the all-new Avante compact sedan, the company’s best-selling model worldwide, at the Busan International Motor Show 2010. The Hyundai Avante badged as Elantra in markets outside Korea – continues Hyundai’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ design philosophy. Like the smaller Accent, the Elantra has picked up the new styling from its big brother – Sonata.

Hyundai has applied its latest 1.6L Gamma Gasoline Direct Injection engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission to the front-wheel drive compact, the first time GDI and six-speed automatic have been featured on a compact sedan by the Korean. This car delivers a peak output of 140ps and maximum torque of 17.0kg·m. The car should get about 10 percent better fuel economy.

Click here to Read More about 2011 Hyundai Elantra / Avante with Video & Photos!

We found a very first images from Hyundai Blog of a completely undisguised new 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The prototype looks fabulous! Sexy from interior and exterior. If this is true, a real good night for Toyota Camry. Nicely done. Check out our gallery.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Gallery

Ahh, The new upcoming Hyundai Tucson. First looks, i thought it was a Santa Fe, however this is actually the next version of the Hyundai’s Compact SUV – Hyundai Tucson. Compare it with the image below the Hyundai Tuscon is totally a brand new car. The old one however reminds me of the first generation of Honda CRV era.

The old car however looks like a it can be crafted from a few boxes and fitted in with a few wheels. The new car however looks much convincing through the artist impression. Something tells me the Koreans are coming fast and coming strong. The teasers sketches shows that the new Hyundai Tucson is with sporty, aggresive lines and curve of the new Hyundai Compact SUV, at some point we feel it as some Mazda CX-7 feel it in. By looking at the sketches we think is going to be a great looking Compact SUV.

[more: Click here to view more teasers shots of 2010 Hyundai Tucson]

 Also known as the the Hunydai ix35 in the European market, the Hyundai Tucson will be launched at Frankfurt motorshow in September. This all Hyundai Compact SUV, will be launch end of the year in the Europe and the US early next year. I won’t be suprise it will be coming to our shores pretty soon.

If you’re the one considering this current version Hyundai Tuscon. I suggest you to be patience, and you will be paid off pretty well.We will be expect more teasers shots or spyshot before the Frankfurt motorshow in September, till then we’ll keep you posted.