Elantra GT & GT N Line Discontinued from US-market
It finally happened. Hyundai Motor America has announced some changes into their U.S line-up for 2021 model year and that will remove the Elantra GT hatchback also on its N-Line variant.
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First Drive: 2020 Kia Forte GT 2 with 7-Speed Dual Clutch Transmission
An impressive alternative to the Civic Si, but does the GT badge work on this car?
Kia rolled out an all-new third-generation Forte compact sedan in 2019, but waited one model year to introduce the more performance-oriented Forte GT. The GT variant is a direct competitor to the Honda Civic Si sedan, with a 201 horsepower, 195 lb-ft torque turbocharged inline four.
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Genesis Brand in Trouble, Global Head Abruptly Substituted
Hyundai Motor Company has appointed Jaehoon (Jay) Chang, Executive Vice President, as the new Global Head of the Genesis Brand starting on August 1, 2020, while former head of Genesis William Lee as moved to Innocean as a clear sign of shaking inside luxury brand.
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Genesis US Launches of 2021 G80 and GV80 Delayed to Fall 2020
After generating a lot of press earlier this year, we’ve just learned that both the all-new Genesis GV80 midsize luxury crossover and the next generation of the G80 midsize luxury sport sedan will be arriving later than expected in the US market.
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Kia Soul EV Will Not Come to US Market After All
Today we’ve heard reports that the Kia Soul EV will not be launched in the US market after all.
The new Soul EV has been shown at US auto shows for the past two years, was present at the national media introduction in early 2019, and was featured on the Kia website under the “Upcoming Vehicles” section. At first, it was set to launch a few months after the gas-powered 2020 Kia Soul. Then, Kia announced a delay of the EV version until the 2021 model year, citing a battery shortage and a decision to prioritize the Niro EV first and the Soul EV second. Now, it appears to have been cancelled for the US market altogether.
As of today, the Kia website no longer lists the 2021 Soul EV under “Upcoming Vehicles,” although Kia reps have not yet officially announced the cancellation.
Kia has committed to bring more electric vehicles to market, and we’ve seen spy shots of an upcoming electric crossover testing alongside a Tesla Model 3.
Perhaps Kia wants to focus all attention on this future EV, especially since the buzz around the new Soul has died down now and the launch of the Soul EV may be anticlimactic.
We’ve also heard that the Soul EV is much more expensive to build than the normal gas-powered Soul, which would reduce profit margins and market appeal for the vehicle.
In other world markets such as the UK, Kia ONLY offers the Soul in its EV form with 243 mile range, but it seems like the current-generation Soul EV will not see American shores after all. If you want a Kia electric crossover for now, you will unfortunately have to opt for the Niro EV, which is a more traditional style versus the unique looks of the Soul.
However, the Soul EV will live on in other markets around the world.
Sources: CNET
2021 Hyundai Veloster N Adds 8-speed DCT, Available in October
Hyundai today released product details for its 2021 Veloster N model, which now offers a high-performance N eight-speed wet dual-clutch transmission (N DCT), N Light Sport Seats, navigation and a full host of new driver-assistance features. The 2021 Veloster N, including models with the new N DCT, will arrive at US Hyundai dealers in October.
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