Hyundai unveils the Venue in simultaneous events held in New York and India

South-Korean car-maker Hyundai took the wraps off it's much-awaited compact crossover - the Venue - yesterday. Slotting in below the Kona as the smallest crossover in the lineup, the weirdly-named Venue marks a departure from Hyundai's traditional naming convention for SUVs. For those that do not know, the Kona, Tucson, Santa Fe and Palisade are all named after popular American east coast holiday destinations! 

While the global unveiling took place amidst the glitz and grandeur of the New York Auto Show, the Venue for India was uncovered on-board a cruise ship from Mumbai to Goa. It just goes to show how important the Indian market is for Hyundai in general and the Venue in particular. 

How can it not be? Compact SUVs and crossovers are all the rage these days and every model - from the Ford EcoSport that pioneered the segment to the newest challenger Mahindra XUV3OO - has been successful so far. Of course, Maruti-Suzuki's Vitara Brezza is the runaway sales leader in the pack and the model Hyundai is aiming for with the Venue.

Featuring Hyundai's signature design language first seen on the current Santa Fe, the Venue's fascia is rather striking. The eyeball-grabber, without a doubt, is the Cascading Grille with a checkered chrome mesh. To keep it short, all we can say is it's going to divide opinions. Split light clusters - the latest fad in SUV design circles - give the Venue a strong character that's hard to ignore. From the sides, the Venue looks pretty much like a Creta, albeit a size smaller. At the rear, things are simple and elegant with LED-equipped square-shaped taillights and bold 'VENUE' badging spread across the sculpted tailgate stealing the limelight. 

While the pictures in this post are of the American Venue, the design remains unchanged for India apart from minor detailing differences. It's dimunitive size apart, we got to admit that the Venue is quite a looker!

The interiors - going by the images released - look impressive. A sporty-looking multi-function steering wheel greets the driver while a well-designed and neatly laid-out dashboard look classy. A high-set 8.0-inch touchscreen system, equipped with Hyundai's latest 'Blue Link' connectivity technology that's making it's India debut, occupies prime place in the center. With a total of 33 features - of which 10 are unique for India - spanning safety, vehicle control, location-based services, remote access and voice recognition, the Venue will keep the tech geeks amongst us happy. 

Being a Hyundai, expect the Venue to boast class-leading fit and finish and an extensive feature list.

A 1.2-liter petrol engine generating 83 horsepower and 115 Nm of torque and a 1.4-liter diesel engine churning out 90 horsepower and 220 Nm of torque are the main engine options for India. Both these engines are shared with the popular i20. The petrol comes mated to a 5-speed manual transmission while the diesel gets a 6-speed manual gearbox. For enthusiasts yearning for more, Hyundai is also bringing along a 1.0-liter turbo petrol with 120 horsepower and 172 Nm of torque paired with a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission! 

Globally, a 1.6-liter petrol engine is likely to be Venue's mainstay fitted with a 6-speed manual or an Intelligent Variable transmission.

With the recently-unveiled Palisade expanding Hyundai's SUV lineup at the top, the pint-sized Venue is all set to do the same at the other end. The car goes on sale in India later this month and globally towards the end of the year. Should the Vitara Brezza be concerned? Probably not. Should the EcoSport, Nexon and XUV3OO be worried? Hell, yeah!

2019 New York - Lincoln Corsair debuts as the smallest crossover in the range

To say Lincoln is on a roll would be an understatement of mega proportions. It all started in 2015 when the brand previewed it's new design direction inside and out at the New York Auto Show with the Continental Concept. Since then, Ford's luxury arm has been the cynosure of many an eye in the Big Apple with the Navigator, Nautilus and Aviator making their debuts in subsequent editions of the show. It's the same in 2019 too with Lincoln previewing it's compact luxury crossover, the Corsair.

Lincoln's smallest crossover - based on the new Ford Escape - would replace the MKC, slotting in below the Aviator in the brand's increasingly-impressive lineup. 

The folks at Lincoln struck gold with the Navigator with critics as well as customers loving the way the behemoth SUV looked and pampered the occupants. It's not surprising then to see many of those elements being driven down the order. If the Aviator looked like a mini-Navigator, the Corsair looks like a mini-Aviator. We aren't complaining!

Head-on, high-set swept-back headlights sit on either side of a large chrome-embellished grille with the repeater lamps placed in their own recessed spots below the main light clusters. The grille, like all recent Lincoln models, features exquisite detailing with the mesh mimicking the brand's logo. In profile, you will notice the same sloping roofline, the prominent shoulder line and blacked-out pillars that are seen in the Aviator and the Nautilus. The Corsair moniker sits proudly beneath the rear view mirrors on either side. Taillights that run the width of the car, a muscular boot lid and dual-tone bumper with metallic inserts complete the rear. 

If Corsair's exteriors failed to excite you, chances are it's interiors will. The compact Lincoln's interiors are amongst the nicest ones in the segment without a doubt. The dashboard adopts a horizontal layout with unique full-width air-conditioning vents and a center stack that hangs unsupported. The mandatory touchscreen pops out on the other side, featuring Lincoln's SYNC 3.0 infotainment system. While the layout is classy and has a sort of retro-modern feel to it, the center stack - with a host of buttons and knobs - appear cluttered. 

A full suite of creature comforts and safety features are part of the standard kit offered with Lincoln's party trick - the 24-way power-adjustable front seats - available as an option. Other Lincoln goodies including extensive sound-proofing and Detroit Symphony Orchestra-recorded chimes for alerts are there too. What's more, the Corsair scores on practicality too with the rear passengers getting a manually-sliding and reclining split seat like the new Escape. 

Under the hood lurks a turbocharged 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine that churns out 250 horsepower and 373 Nm of torque. It's the same engine that powers Escape's higher variants. For those looking for more power, a 2.3-liter mill with 30 additional horses and a torque rating of 420 Nm will be on offer. Both engines are mated to a 8-speed automatic transmission. With it's platform-mate Escape announced with conventional and plug-in hybrid powertrain options, the Corsair is expected to get one eventually as well, sitting atop the lineup as the flagship.

With Lincoln still struggling to make enough Navigators to meet demand and interest levels on the Aviator hitting a peak, Lincoln is on an ascent. The Corsair, in all probability, is going to make the climb a bit steeper!

2019 Geneva - Tata Motors shines with an array of new models

The 2019 Geneva Motor Show closed curtains last week. As always, flying the Indian flag proudly there was Tata Motors with no less than four world debuts. Before you brush them off thinking them as just a bunch of new outworldy concepts that might never hit production, let us tell you two of those are launching right here in India this year. Yes, that's true. With the recently-launched Harrier also joining the party, Tatas sure had a good outing.

Altroz

When Tata Motors unveiled the 45X Concept at the 2018 Auto Expo in New Delhi, we heard there was not one onlooker that wasn't stunned with what they saw. This then, ladies and gentlemen, is the production version of the very same car. Of course, the car is now much toned down and there are certain elements that would take time to grow on us. Crucially, the Altroz would plug a gaping hole in Tata's domestic portfolio that lacks a premium hatchback to rival the Maruti-Suzuki Baleno, Hyundai i20 and the likes.

The first in a series of new models to be built on Tata's ALFA platform, the Altroz features the car-maker's "Impact 2.0" design philosophy. Those of you familiar with that term would immediately recognize the smiling mesh grille that merges with the wraparound headlights and the split light clusters up front. The profile is trendy and features prominent cuts and creases. The piano black inserts along the steeply-rising windows and the boot-lid, while adding a touch of character, looks polarizing. That said, the Nexon did split opinions when it first debuted but looks funky and acceptable now. The Altroz might do the same a year down the line!

The interiors feature a mutli-layered dashboard with a freestanding touchscreen sitting atop the center console. Also visible is the part-digital instrument cluster and the chunky steering wheel, both of which could have been designed with a bit more flair. Being a Tata, expect the Altroz to offer abundant space for the occupants and their luggage. The Altroz is expected to be powered by two petrol and one diesel engines. The base variants might get the 1.2-liter Revotron petrol engine from the Tiago while the higher variants are expected to have the turbocharged mill from the Nexon in a lower state of tune. A 1.5-liter diesel is also on the cards, we hear.

With the Tiago, Nexon and the Harrier receiving thumbs up from the demanding Indian customers, the Altroz is treading the right path to success. We can't wait to drive one and see if the Baleno and i20 should be worried. 

Altroz EV

Also on display at Geneva was the full-electric version of the upcoming Altroz. While this car is not expected to launch in India anytime soon, what's clear is that Tata's new ALFA architecture is EV ready and this car might make it to production once the Indian market starts warming up to electric cars and charging infrastructure is established. In terms of looks, the Altroz EV features unique bumpers and wheels while the interiors also look a bit more upmarket with a Jaguar-style rotary gear selector.

While Tata did not release specifications of the car's electric motor, they did highlight the expected range of 250 - 300 kilometers and fast-charging capabilities of the Altroz EV with upto 80% charge reached in just an hour. How excited are you to see the Altroz EV making it to production?

Buzzard

One of the two premieres at the Tata stand that's launching shortly in India is the Buzzard. Before you dismiss the car for it's bizzare name, note that Tata would be rechristening the car before it launches here. And rumors are it could be called the Cassini. Sounds cool, no?

Viewed head-on, the Buzzard looks very familiar. That's because this is essentially the 7-seater version of the Harrier that was launched in India a few weeks back. To be priced and positioned as the brand's flagship, the Buzzard features the same "Impact 2.0" design language that's turning heads everywhere. At the front, the split headlight clusters and the smiling grille that fuses with the thin LED Daytime Running Lights give the Buzzard tons of character. The profile gets accentuated wheel arches and a powerful waistline for that big and butch look. Interesting elements include a raised window line for the third row and the roof rail bracket that drops down the sides like the original Tata Safari. Together with the rear roof spoiler and the sculpted tailgate, the Buzzard smartly manages to hide its bulk.

Based on the same OMEGA architecture that also underpins the Harrier, the Buzzard's cabin is also shared for the most part with it's smaller sibling. From the pictures released, the third row doesn't appear that spacious but we will reserve the judgement until we see and get into one in person. Under the hood of the Buzzard will be the same 2.0-liter Kryotec diesel engine in a possibly higher state of tune. Generating 170 horsepower compared to the Harrier's 140, the Buzzard will have a 6-speed manual or a Hyundai-sourced 6-speed automatic transmission options.

Slated for launch soon after the Altroz, the Buzzard will go head-to-head with arch-rival Mahindra's XUV5OO. Keep your fingers crossed!

H2X Concept

That brings us to the last - and possibly the most interesting - model on Tata's stands. Previewing a micro SUV codenamed 'Hornbill', the H2X Concept is likely to get into production within the next couple of years, we hear.

The "Impact 2.0" design language has worked wonders for Tata and the H2X Concept follows in the same footsteps. Be it the grille, the split lights with the striking tri-arrow pattern, the powerful surfacing or the flared wheel arches, the H2X Concept features elements that look very similar to the H5X Concept that previewed the Harrier. What makes the H2X Concept more attractive though is it's upright stance and boxy proportions that gives it a proper SUV look and feel. 

Being a concept, Tata has taken the liberty to play around with the colours and appointments in the cabin. Bright 'turquoise' highlights on the air-conditioning vents, seatback panels and center console, a steering shaped like an aircraft yoke and a single large screen with two 10.2-inch displays  and a massive glass roof look trendy but might not make it to production. 

To be built on the ALFA platform that the Altroz also uses, the H2X Concept is likely to lock horns with the Mahindra KUV1OO and upcoming micro SUVs from Maruti-Suzuki and Hyundai. 

If Tata manages to "deliver exemplary performance, future-ready connectivity and outstanding interior room" as their press release states with looks and proportions that aren't far off this concept, we are in for a treat. Come on Tata, bring this on!

Joining these models was the Harrier that made it's European premiere, badged the Buzzard Sport. As the post title says, Tata indeed shone bright in the Geneva spotlight!

2019 Geneva - Pininfarina stuns with the Battista electric hypercar

When Pininfarina SpA, the legendary Italian design house that penned several iconic Ferrari cars over the years, decided to form it's own vehicle division under the ownership of Mahindra, not much was expected of them. While a series of teasers leading up to the 2019 Geneva Motor Show did raise hopes, not many still saw this coming. 

But, Automobili Pininfarina stunned the gathered audience when it lifted the curtains off the Battista. Named after the firm's founder Battista Pininfarina, the full electric hypercar is slated to go on sale in limited numbers starting 2020 when Pininfarina celebrates 90 years of existence.

 

The best part about the Battista is it's stunning design with just the right amount of aero elements all around. It has none of that busy look supercars these days seem to carry. Of course, the Battista doesn't have an internal combustion engine fed by a series of turbochargers to direct air to and from. But, that doesn't take away the fact this is yet another home run for the design house known for cars that stood the test of time like the Ferrari 275 GTB, Testarossa and F40.

The front end is characterized by a thin LED strip that runs the width of the car, connecting the headlights. The roof - along with the cabin that's located more to the front of the car - are shaped aerodynamically and features contrasting paint job. At the rear, distinct split tail fins with thin 'floating' taillight elements look striking with a carbon-fiber panel joining them to form a pop-up spoiler that aids downforce. This is a car that will turn heads wherever you go. Period!

Powering the Battista is a 120 kWh battery pack and four electric motors - one at each wheel - sourced from Rimac. Together, the powerpack delivers an astounding 1,900 horsepower and 2,300 Nm of torque. That's ridiculous, yes, but we aren't kidding!

Riding on 21-inch alloys shod with race-derived Pirelli P Zero tires, the Battista can zoom from 0 to 100 km/h in under 2 seconds. Top speed is claimed to be 350 km/h. For a car capable of such speeds, braking is of paramount importance. In the Battista, that's taken care of by specially-developed six-piston carbon-ceramic brakes from Brembo. 

Pininfarina claims a 450 km range on a full charge but expect that to drop drastically under full acceleration.

The cabin is driver-centric with two screens placed on either side of the steering wheel facing the person behind the wheel. While the one on the left controls the dynamics and performance, the screen on the right side controls media and navigation. There is another central screen right in between that keeps the driver updated with the vital stats on the go.

With a price tag expected to top USD 2 Million each and just 150 units planned, this car will be a rarity on the roads. And that's what makes the Pininfarina Battista all the more special, it's crazy power and torque outputs not withstanding!

Thank you Mahindra, the funds infused are being put to good use by your new Italian colleagues.

2019 Geneva - Alfa-Romeo Tonale Concept previews the brand's first compact crossover

At a time when it's main rivals from Germany and the UK are flooding the market with crossovers and SUVs to satisfy the exploding demands, Alfa-Romeo is waging a lone battle with the Stelvio. It's not hard to guess then the Italian luxury brand is struggling to grow and meet sales targets. 

But the scenario could change very soon. All the Italian car-maker has to do is to put the Tonale Concept you see in this post to production with minimal changes. 

Having debuted at the ongoing 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the Tonale - just like it's sibling, the Stelvio - is named after an Italian mountain pass. At 1,883 m elevation, the Tonale pass is not as high as the Stelvio pass, which indicates the Tonale's positioning in the Alfa-Romeo lineup.

Sporting attractive Italian design cues that Alfa-Romeo does to perfection so often, the Tonale Concept impresses at first sight. The fascia, with it's thin lights and the long vertical grille, is seemingly inspired by the Brera while the gorgeous 21-inch alloys decorating the wheels are an ode to the 33 Stradale. Things you would normally see on a concept - thin LED lights, exaggerated wheel arches, ultra-thin mirrors and flush-fitted door handles - are very much there. Remove them all and you'll realize this baby Alfa is a butch-looking crossover with spot-on proportions.

Inside, the Tonale Concept features back-lit panels, generous use of leather and Alcantara and a dashboard with a 12.3-inch display screen and a 10.25-inch touchscreen with a new version of Alfa's infotainment screen to keep the show-goers engrossed. Expect all of these to be toned down when the production model debuts.

Though Alfa-Romeo has been mum on the details, they have been generous enough to say the Tonale would have a hybrid powertrain under it's hood when it gets to production. Underpinnings are expected to be shared with the Jeep Renegade and the Jeep Compass with the Tonale likely to prioritize driving dynamics and luxury to meet the requirements of it's target clientele.

Whatever it is, we can't wait to see this in production. Even if it looks half as good as it does now, the folks at Alfa sure have a winner on their hands!

2019 North American Car, Utility Vehicle & Truck of the Year announced

For one last time, Detroit, the erstwhile Motor City, got to kick-start the year’s automotive calendar when the show floors at the Cobo Center opened earlier this week to host the 2019 Detroit Auto Show. For those won don’t know yet, the North American International Auto Show - as the event is officially called - is moving from being an annual winter event to a summer event starting 2020. 

And as has always been the tradition, the winners of the 2019 North American Car, Utility Vehicle and Truck of the Year were announced on the inaugural day of the event. Currently in its 26th year, the trio of awards are amongst the most coveted and respected in the industry as they are handed out collectively by a panel of 54 jurors representing various print, online, radio and television publications from the United States of America and Canada.

To be eligible for the award, a car, utility vehicle or truck should be all-new or significantly redesigned and have gone on sale in the United States or Canada before the last week of the prior year. From the full list of eligible candidates, jurors shortlist three finalists for each of the three award categories before rating them on several parameters including segment leadership, innovation, design, safety, handling and value for money. 

2019 North American Car of the Year

From the original list of potential contenders that ran into several tens of models, the jurors brought the number of entries down to 23 cars before narrowing down the selection further to the three finalists - Genesis G70, Honda Insight and Volvo S60 / V40 twins. While one would have expected this to be a closely-fought contest considering the might of the three entries, the Genesis G70 had the other two contenders beaten quite comfortably in the end. 

Jurors were particularly impressed with the fact Hyundai’s luxury upstart is no longer fighting the segment playing the value card. The G70, the brand’s first all-new development, had its work cut out going against segment stalwarts like the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A4. But the car appears to have surpassed all expectations, is plush, genuinely fun-to-drive and comes loaded with features all while playing the value card.

Volvo’s stunning duo finished distant runners up with Honda’s fuel-cell flag-bearer Insight coming home third. 

Results 

1. Genesis G70 – 318 points
2. Volvo S60 / V60 – 120 points
3. Honda Insight – 102 points

Previous Winners

• 2018 – Honda Accord
• 2017 – Chevrolet Bolt
• 2016 – Honda Civic
• 2015 – Volkswagen Golf / GTI
• 2014 – Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year

Despite being a recent addition, the idea of crowning the best new Utility Vehicle out there couldn’t assume more significance. With crossovers and SUVs on the rise globally, this has become the single most-important, hard-fought and, crucially, very-profitable segment for car-makers with many of them channeling millions of investment dollars this way.

Similar to cars, the jurors narrowed down the list to 20 models that joined this booming segment in 2018. Upon further evaluation, three models – Acura RDX, Hyundai Kona / Kona Electric and Jaguar I-Pace – made the cut to the final round. In the end, Hyundai’s subcompact crossover twins prevailed in what appears to be a close contest all the way to the end. Of the two, the Kona Electric has been receiving rave reviews since launch and it’s respectable range, funky styling, lively dynamics and, above all, affordable price tag appear to have won the panel over as well.

Trailing the Hyundai twins close was Jaguar’s full-electric I-Pace with the Acura RDX finishing third.     

Results

1. Hyundai Kona / Kona Electric – 203 points
2. Jaguar I-Pace – 181 points
3. Acura RDX – 156 points

Previous Winners

• 2018 – Volvo XC60
• 2017 – Chrysler Pacifica

2019 North American Truck of the Year

The third and final category of award honours the best in America’s perennial favourite body style - trucks. 2018 saw three trucks being launched with all of them making it to the final round directly. Ram had its completely-redesigned, new-generation 1500 Pick-up while GM countered with two entries, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra.  

In what turned out to be one of the most one-sided contests ever, Ram’s brilliant new half-ton Pick-up decimated the GM duo with a crushing victory. FCA’s focused efforts in making Ram’s volume-puller stand out by equipping it with a plush cabin, a large infotainment screen and standard 48-volt mild hybrid system has been winning hearts since launch and the jury were no different. Is Chevrolet’s long-held second spot on the sales charts under threat from Ram? Hell, yeah!

Results

1. Ram 1500 – 540 points
2. Chevrolet Silverado 1500 – 69 points
3. GMC Sierra 1500 – 64 points

Previous Winners

• 2018 – Lincoln Navigator
• 2017 – Honda Ridgeline
• 2016 – Volvo XC90
• 2015 – Ford F150
• 2014 – Chevrolet Silverado

In the history of the awards, there have only been five instances when a manufacturer has been crowned two titles in the same year and Hyundai has achieved that this year. For its part, Ram put on a stellar show too en-route to victory. Kudos to the two car-makers.

2018 Los Angeles - Jeep Gladiator, the brand's first pick-up in 26 years, makes its debut

Americans love Jeeps. And they are obsessed with pick-up trucks. Ironically though, Jeep has not had a pick-up in it's portfolio for the last 26 years. Having missed out on ever-growing sales and ever-soaring profits from pick-ups for more than two decades, Jeep has decided they have had enough. In comes the Gladiator, making it's much-awaited global debut at the ongoing 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. 

As soon as the officials at Jeep wanted to make a pick-up, it was clear that it would be based on the Wrangler. The spy-shots that came in later was more proof that the pick-up bearing the Jeep name is an extension - quite literally - of the Wrangler. Now that the curtains are off, that's exactly what the Gladiator is. And we're glad at that, given Wrangler's iconic looks, rich legacy and crazy fan-following. 

As Jeep proudly claims, the Gladiator is a modern take on authentic Jeep design cues that we have seen and grown in love with. Those familiar seven slats that form the grille, the circular headlights, that clam-shell hood with side opening levers, the foldable windshield, the detachable doors with external hinges, those massive wheel arches that protrude from the body, you name them and the Gladiator has them. What's new though is the bed aft of the rear doors. Like the facelifted Wrangler that made its debut earlier this year, the Gladiator also gets LED lighting signatures that look super cool.

Jeeps have always had the go to match their show and the Gladiator is no different. Armed with Command-Trac and Rock-Trac 4x4 systems, third-gen Dana 44 axles, Tru-Lock front- and rear-axle lockers, Trac-Lok limited-slip differential, a segment-exclusive electronic sway-bar disconnect and 33-inch off-road tires, the Gladiator can take you to places only a Jeep can. If you think all those off-roading credentials come at the expense of practicality, you're wrong. This Jeep pick-up has best-in-class towing and payload capacities amongst all mid-size trucks. Yes, it can tow upto 7,650 pounds and carry upto 1,600 pounds, more than what a Ford Ranger or a Chevrolet Colorado could.

Jeep is well aware of the fact that Gladiator customers are likely to buy it as a lifestyle choice rather than a workhorse truck. That explains why this truck comes with open-air motoring ability - sans windshield and doors - that's unique to the Jeep and a long list of official accessories for taking along your ATV, dirt bikes, skateboards and even speed boats. Mopar, Jeep's official customizing arm, is likely to have it's own list of goodies for the Gladiator right from launch too.

The cabin features an upright design and stance that's pretty much the same as that in the Wrangler. Unique metal-plated accents abound as do bolts on the shifter, grab handles and the infotainment screen's frame. Instrument cluster features a standard 3.5-inch screen or an optional 7.0-inch TFT LED screen that allows the driver to configure information in more than 100 ways. Depending on the variant, the UConnect infotainment system gets a 5.0-, 7.0- or a 8.4-inch touchscreen seated atop the center stack. Safety is taken care of as well with features like Blind-spot Monitoring, Rear Cross Path detection, Adaptive Cruise Control and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Electronic Roll Mitigation being part of the kit.

Powering the Gladiator is a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 gasoline engine that churns out 285 horsepower and 352 Nm of torque and comes mated to either a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. Come 2020, a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 joins the lineup too generating 260 horsepower and 599 Nm of torque. The diesel is exclusively paired to the 8-speed automatic gearbox that's tuned to handle the massive torque rating of this engine. 

Production of the Jeep Gladiator would being in the first half of 2019 with the truck expected to go on sale shortly afterwards. With Jeep posting impressive gains on the sales charts and demand for pick-ups continuing unabated, the Gladiator is all set for a homerun in the United States of America. The mid-size pick-up truck slug fest just got a whole lot tougher!

2018 Los Angeles - Hyundai Palisade debuts as the brand's new flagship

The 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show that's currently on at the popular California city might be the last big automotive event of the year but it appears to be packing quite a punch with several high-profile global premieres. One such potential big-hitter is the Hyundai Palisade, the marque's newest flagship. With three rows of seats that could accommodate eight people and measuring close to five meters in length, this all-new mid-size SUV is Hyundai's biggest and most spacious model till date.

Yes, the Palisade is late to the party that has quite a few popular models like the Ford Explorer, Toyota Highlander and Honda Pilot. But, has it got what it takes to do the role of a flagship, attract footfalls and bring in profits? Hyundai certainly thinks so!

For starters, the Palisade looks bold and fresh. Featuring the brand's latest design language first seen on the Kona and later adopted by the Santa Fe, the Palisade features split light clusters up front on either side of the now-familiar 'Cascading Grille'. If distinct styling is what Hyundai's designers were after, that goal has been achieved, albeit in a bit "in-your-face" manner. Move over to the silhouette and the car's size makes its presence felt. While the long hood, the generous wheelbase and flared fenders look intimidating, the profile itself is generic save for the tasteful application of chrome over the window-line and the wraparound effect given by the D-pillars. The rear, in Hyundai's own words, recalls Cadillac's design language with vertical taillight elements accompanied by metallic garnishes.

Being the flagship of a brand comes with it's own set of benefits and the Palisade gets them in abundance too. The interiors, with quilted Nappa leather and smooth wood-grain finishes, are tastefully done with the Palisade aiming to impress the occupants with a sense of space and plushness unseen in a Hyundai thus far. The second row gets two captain's chairs or a bench for three depending on the seating configuration chosen. The dashboard, like in most cars these days, gets two screens - a 12.3-inch digital TFT cluster behind the steering wheel and a 10.25-inch widescreen display in the center console for audio and navigation display. 

Standard safety features include a class-exclusive Blind Spot Monitor that provides the driver with an easy-to-see body-side views whenever the turn signals are activated in addition to Forward Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Blind Spot Collision Avoidance, Driver Attention Warning, Lane Following Assist, High Beam Assist, Smart Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Rear Cross-Traffic Collision Avoidance Assist, Safe Exit Assist that uses radar to detect cars approaching from the rear and warn occupants accordingly and seven Airbags. 

Creature comforts are in abundance too, keeping in mind the Palisade's target group of large families. Yes, the Palisade gets seven USB outlets, sixteen cup holders, option to connect two BlueTooth devices at once, a "Rear Sleep Mode" that adjusts the audio output to the front speakers alone to enable easier sleeping for those seated at the back and an intercom system that allows the front occupants to communicate independently to the second and third row or to both rows together. The parents seated at the front as well as the kids at the back are going to have fun in the Palisade, it seems!   

  

Under the long hood of the Palisade is a 3.8-liter V6 engine that works on the Atkinson Cycle for better fuel efficiency. Generating 291 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 355 Nm of torque, the Palisade's power and torque figures are amongst the best in the segment. Mated to this engine is a 8-speed automatic transmission that delivers power to the two front wheels or all four wheels depending on the configuration chosen. The HTRAC all-wheel drive system comes with selectable driving modes that changes the torque distribution to the wheels at the touch of a button.

The Palisade goes on sale late 2019 as a 2020 model. Yes, that's a rather delayed entry given SUV sales are booming worldwide 'right now' and Hyundai needs something bigger than the Santa Fe 'right now'. But as they always say, it's better late than never.

2018 New York - Genesis steals the show with the Essentia Concept

It's that time of the year when the expensive and glamorous show-floors of the Big Apple deck up and host car-makers from around the world. Amidst a slew of cars that made their debuts at the 2018 New York Auto Show, Genesis has turned out to be a star. A flashy new Grand Tourer that goes fast and is powered by electric motors, the Essentia Concept is just what Hyundai's luxury brand needs to raise it's stakes in the upper echelons of the automotive industry.

Eschewing conservatism and embracing GT principles that are loved universally, the Essentia is a stunner any which way you look at it!

A light-weight carbon-fibre monocoque forms the crux on which the car is based. Classic GT cues - the long hood, the swept-back cabin and the fastback silhouette - combine with contemporary conceptual elements like the transparent hood, the bubble-shaped greenhouse, the exposed push-rod suspension and the formula car-style nose cone to create a strong visual impact. The butterfly doors and the parabolic character line running along the shoulders are the other highlights of this design that's expected to filter down to future Genesis models. The now-familiar Crest Grille and Quad LED illumination signature, like the ones we saw in the GV80 Concept previously, have been nicely incorporated as well.

Magnificent copper-coloured alloy wheels shod with thin Pirellis hint at the performance on store. Speaking of which, the car runs on multiple electric motors that store power in a high-density battery pack housed in the center tunnel in an I-shaped structure. Specifications aren't out yet but Genesis hints at sports car-like performance from this luxury Grand Tourer.

Interiors are pure concept stuff and are brilliant for the role they're supposed to play. Featuring Cognac leather seats with chevron quilting, center console finished in Oxford Blue leather, seat belt slots made of glass pearl-finished aluminium and layered carbon fiber decor, the Essentia Concept's cabin is a rich play of imagination at work. Ahead of the driver is a 8.0-inch widescreen display that looks fantastic and is operated by a central controller. The entire cockpit wraps itself around the occupants with an arc that connects the dashboard and the doors. 

As you would expect from a luxury brand playing catch-up, a lot of technological innovations are promised with Genesis claiming the Essentia surpasses the industry standard, focusing on the connection between the vehicle and its environment. There is so much happening on this space these days and its better we don't talk about any of it until it actually happens and the car launches. 

Having killed the Genesis Coupe that was sold with a Hyundai badge, Genesis needs a luxury GT coupe in its portfolio and the Essential fit the bill perfectly. Now, can you make it as it is, please?