2011 Kia GT Concept

One of the many highlights of the Frankfurt Motor Show was a concept car that could potentially lead to a new styling direction from the company that brought the car to Germany.

We’re talking about the Kia GT Concept, a rear-wheel four-door, four-seater sports sedan concept that bares a slight resemblance to the K9 sketch revealed back in 2009.

The GT Concept is a rear-wheel four-door, four-seater sports sedan that has been designed with a look that we haven’t seen before from the Korean manufacturer. The whole theme of the car is centered on aeronautics and the design features plenty of inspiration from the industry. There’s a low slung front air intake, jet-themed rear-view cameras, an aerodynamically efficient rear diffuser, winglets that curve in from the front flanks and flow into the headlamps, and multi-piece propeller-style alloy and carbon fiber wheels.

The car’s extended bonnet, powerful rear shoulders, and truncated rear end, together with the copper signature line that runs from the base of the A-pillar and along the roofline, exude seminal strength and authority never before seen in a Kia. The front profile of the GT Concept is also a far departure from what we’re used to. The alloy-framed central grille is flanked by complex headlamp units that feature LED illuminators. The doors are also a unique new quirk from Kia, opening outward at a slight upward angle, similar to how those classic luxury cars used to do it.

Hyundai Veloster

Inspired by a high-performance sport bike, the Veloster features distinctive black A-pillars that give the glass a motorcycle helmet visor appearance, an aggressive signature hexagonal front grille, hood scoop detailing, and unique Hyundai-signature LED position lights. The rear gets dual centered chrome exhaust tips and a black lower fascia that complements the assertive front fascia. The car sits on a set of standard 17" alloy wheels. Further customization of the car can be had with a chrome grille surround, piano black highlights, fog lights, a massive panoramic sunroof and 18-inch wheel with painted inserts.

The list of exterior colors include: Century White, Ironman Silver, Triathlon Gray, Ultra Black, Marathon Blue, Electrolyte Green, 26.2 Yellow, Vitamin C, and Boston Red.

Getting access to the rear seat in a coupe is sometimes a difficult task, but Hyundai has taken this into consideration as well with a conventionally hinged door on the passenger side that provides safe and ready access to the surprisingly spacious rear seats. This door’s handle is hidden to maintain the coupe design.

Kia Forte

The new Kia Forte has double 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine both equipped with six-speed manual and automatic transmission options. This element is one of the most noticeable upgrades manufacturers of the previous Forte models have incorporated. Reviewers have mixed reactions with its performance; some claims it has a zippy acceleration and others call it rather sluggish and sloppy.

Reviewers rave about the modern look the Kia Forte dons. It has a new front grille and a handsome fascia design that sets it apart from the typical Hyundai image Kia cars exude. The Forte sedan has been noted for its crisp, athletic stance and the Koup brings in a new style dimension to the Forte series.

Excellent ergonomics is the most outstanding definition of the Forte. With a roomy, expandable 14.7 cubic feet trunk space and comfortable seating options, the Forte is ready to compete with the high-end small cars. The back seats are a bit small and can confidently seat two adults on light travels. The carpeting and major parts of the car are indeed made of fine-grade materials made to withstand moderate wear and tear. The front section of the car features interesting extras like an iPod connector and Bluetooth option.

The Forte models may have the same safety ratings as with the 2010 models as little changes had only been made to its safety features. It comes with an advance air bag system, impressive anti-lock brakes, brake assist gear, tire pressure monitoring system, TCS or traction control, and ESC or stability control which makes it one of the most reliable small cars for 2011.

The 2011 Kia Forte is a dependable small car that comes with a good price tag. No fancy promises offered for too adventurous riders but it surely is a reliable car for an average user. This is one good pick.

Hyundai Blue2 Concept

Pronounced “blue square” (as if the 2 were an exponent), the Blue2 is Hyundai’s first foray into world of fuel-cell electric sedans—a mid-size one at that. The name comes from Hyundai’s eco efforts, which go by the name of “blue.” The number “2” is from H2, the molecular formula for hydrogen gas. How that translated to “blue square” and not “blue two” is beyond us, especially with the latter name rhyming.

 

The Nuts and Bolts
On to the hardware. The fuel-cell electric system in the Blue2 is rated at 90 kW, which is about 121 hp. With its flowing design, low rolling resistance tires and aerodynamically designed alloy wheels, the Blue2 has a claimed efficiency of 34.9 km per liter, or 82.09 mpg.
The exterior design features what Hyundai refers to as “Intersected Flow.” If that means the mouth of a Maserati, the headlights and stance of an Audi and a rear that resembles a Chevy Camaro/Hyundai Genesis Coupe mash-up, we’re in. Funky LED panels on the front and rear are used to display the vehicle’s condition, although we can think of a creative use or two for the highway tailgater.

Eco-friendly materials make their way into the interior, although the leaf design on the antibacterial leather-clad seatbacks might’ve told you that. The doors are automatic, and a welcome system recognizes the driver, which certainly would be helpful in a carjacking.
All that aside, the rear seat monitors, sleek interior design, starship-like driver’s instrumentation and Tron-esque blue light going every which way make the cabin about the coolest aspect of the Blue2. It appeals to the Sci-Fi nerd in me. I yearn for technology like the Transparent Organic Light Emitting Diode (TOLED) monitor in the dash or the Motion Sensor Moustick—a haptic wheel and motion sensor that uses your touch and hand movements to operate the infotainment system—to trickle their way into a production car and eventually into a future car of mine. Till then, I’ll have to settle with feeling a bit blue. Blue square, even.

Kia Sportage

Even though the 2011 Kia Sportage competes in one of the most crowded vehicle segments, its sleek and sporty styling has upped the ante in the compact crossover market when it comes to exterior design. The all-new Sportage design was inspired largely by the 2007 Kia Kue Concept with a healthy dose of the automaker’s current “tiger nose” design language incorporated into the front end. The face of the new Sportage is highlighted by the signature grille, the short, creased hood and the LED daytime running lights (DRL) integrated into the narrow, angular headlights. The lower grille opening and fog light designs incorporated into the front fascia help finish off the sporty front-end styling. While the front of the Sportage gives it a more aggressive look, the rear of the crossover has a more upscale, Audi-like appearance thanks to the horizontal taillights and the lower fascia reflectors.

In profile, the tall ride height combined with the raked roofline helps to give the Sportage its sporty stance which is accented by the lower grey, plastic cladding and the 18-inch alloy wheels exclusive to the Sportage EX trim level. In addition to the stylish, cheese-grater-like wheels and LED DRLs, the Sportage EX trim level is also distinguishable by the fog lights and chrome door handles. The Sportage also gets chrome trim on the front fascia and along the beltline – the latter of which is one of the Sportage’s most unique design elements. While rear quarter windows might have helped to improve rearward visibility, it would have taken away from this beltline design that helps distinguish the Sportage. As far as options go, the Sportage EX comes almost fully loaded, so exterior add-ons are very limited with this test model adding the only upgrades possible – the panoramic sunroof and the heated exterior mirrors.

Front View Kia Sportage

Rear view Kia Sportage

Hyundai Sonata

Feel free to judge it by the way it looks.
The first thing you’ll notice is the styling. Raked roofline, shark-fin antenna, sculpted grille—the Sonata has taken the lead in a new wave of Hyundai design called “Fluidic Sculpture”. The Sonata gets its inspiration from the fluid energy of all works of nature. It translates the strong yet sophisticated quality of the design of this car. The California influence is evident in its forward-thinking style, fusing beauty, performance and efficiency in one complete package.

SE and Limited.
The SE and Limited add a few touches to the already well-appointed GLS, like a chrome grille and door handles, front fog lights and chrome-tipped dual exhaust(disclaimer: dual exhaust not available on 2.4L Limited). The Limited takes it a step further with side mirror turn-signal indicators that increase visibility and safety.

Perfect Paint.

Using opposing electrical charges, the advanced rotational dip paint process pulls primer and paint onto every inch and corner of the Sonata’s chassis and body, sealing them away from the elements and the effects of salt, rust and corrosion. The result is one of the highest quality paint jobs in the industry.

 

High-tech Visibility.

Heated side mirrors ward off frost, while solar control windows block UV rays to protect the interior, and you, from the wrath of the sun. The intentionally large windows increase visibility, reduce blind spots and contribute to a feeling of spaciousness and ride comfort for you and your passengers.

 

 

 

Renault Alpine A110

An affordable, rear-wheel drive sports coupe from Renault bearing the historic Alpine moniker has been in the cards for years but the French carmaker has yet to launch a modern day successor to the last model to carry the Alpine name, the A610 from the mid 1990s.

Over the years, many independent designers creating concept studies for a new Alpine coupe, the most recent being the one you see pictured above, which is the work of David Cardoso.

A modern interpretation of the Renault Alpine A110. Like the original Alpine, this concept has a rear engine and a stretched silhouette. The rear is inspired by the Dezir Concept while the front has influences of the Nepta Concept. Could be a direct competitor (or ally since Nissan is in the Renault group) for the Nissan 370Z.”