Hyundai Motor Company will take the stage at CES 2022, to present its future vision for robotics and the metaverse under the main theme of ‘Expanding Human Reach’. The company’s CES press event to be held from 3:00-3:45 p.m. PST on Jan. 4, 2022, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, 2F Oceanside D. The press event will also be livestreamed.
At CES 2022, Hyundai Motor will communicate how the company’s robotics business will drive the paradigm shift towards future mobility, going beyond the traditional means of transportation and fulfilling mankind’s aspiration for unlimited freedom of movement.
Under the main theme of ‘Expanding Human Reach’, Hyundai Motor will share its vision of how robotics will complete the metaverse by connecting the virtual world with reality as a medium, and eventually overcome the physical limitations of movement regarding time and space.
Hyundai Motor will also showcase its new PnD (Plug & Drive) robotic module platform under the new concept of Mobility of Things (MoT), which aims for the provision of mobility in everything — from traditionally inanimate objects to even community spaces.
CES 2022 visitors will be able to experience the company’s exhibition booth that will show how mobility in the real world can be advanced with robots and offer a glimpse of the future robotics society, which will enable transportation between the virtual and real world.
The company will also exhibit its robot product lineup, including the recently revealed Mobile Eccentric Droid (MobED) as well as Boston Dynamics’ Spot and Atlas. Robotics demonstrations and dance performance programs will also be presented at Hyundai Motor’s exhibition booth at the Las Vegas Convention Center, West Hall #5818, from Jan. 5-8.
Today, Motional, a global leader in driverless technology, and Hyundai Motor Group unveil the IONIQ 5 robotaxi, Motional’s next-generation robotaxi.
Based on the all-electric Hyundai IONIQ 5, which launched to worldwide acclaim earlier this year, the IONIQ 5 robotaxi is an SAE Level 4 autonomous vehicle that can safely operate without a driver. It’s a zero tailpipe-emissions robotaxi and represents the convergence of the two most transformative technologies in mobility: electrification and autonomy. The fusion of these technologies can make transportation smarter, safer, and more sustainable.
The IONIQ 5 robotaxi is also Motional’s first commercial vehicle and signals a pivotal milestone in the company’s roadmap. Motional will begin transporting public passengers in the IONIQ 5 robotaxi in 2023 through a landmark partnership with Lyft.
Introducing the IONIQ 5 Robotaxi
The IONIQ 5 robotaxi features a technology-driven design that celebrates the innovation behind the autonomous operation. The vehicle’s sensor suite is prominently displayed across the exterior, easily distinguishing the robotaxi from human piloted vehicles. The robotaxi has more than 30 sensors – a combination of cameras, radars, and lidar – that provide robust 360-degree perception, high-resolution images, and ultra-long range detection of objects for safe autonomous operation in diverse driving environments. The robotaxi will be outfitted with Motional’s proven driverless technology, which includes advanced machine learning systems — trained on decades of real world data — that enables the vehicle to safely navigate challenging and complex driving situations.
Based on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), Hyundai Motor Group’s dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform, the IONIQ 5 robotaxi’s interior provides passengers with a spacious, comfortable place to work, relax, or socialize during their driverless ride. The interior will also feature a suite of rider-focused interfaces to allow passengers to intuitively interact with the vehicle during their ride, such as directing the robotaxi to make an extra stop. The resulting passenger experience will set a new standard for driverless ride-hailing.
The Vehicle’s Development
Built from the ground-up to be fully driverless, the IONIQ 5 robotaxi was created through partnership between Motional and Hyundai Motor Group. The two companies worked hand-in-hand throughout the development, with each providing critical expertise: Motional in driverless technology and Hyundai in R&D capabilities and global vehicle manufacturing.
The end result is a seamless integration between the vehicle’s brain and body, with the hardware and autonomy working in sync for highly advanced, safe, and capable driverless operation. The IONIQ 5 robotaxi is built on the Group’s E-GMP, for ultra-fast charging and long-range driving, enabling the maximum utilization of Motional’s robotaxi fleet. The IONIQ 5 robotaxi also comes with the Group’s advanced safety and reliability, and is globally scalable, uniquely positioning the robotaxi for cost effective commercialization.
“This robotaxi represents Motional’s vision of a driverless future becoming a reality,” said Motional President and CEO Karl Iagnemma. “Through our strategic partnership with Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv, we have unparalleled automotive and software expertise across our entire vehicle development process. This deep collaboration enables us to manufacture a robotaxi that’s both highly safe and reliable, and is cost-optimized for global production. We’re focused on mass commercialization, and the IONIQ 5 robotaxi is built for that purpose.”
Motional and the Group’s emphasis on passenger safety and comfort is evident throughout the vehicle. There are safety redundancies across every function, such as the navigation, steering, braking, and power, for a safe and smooth ride every time. Motional will also be able to provide Remote Vehicle Assistance (RVA) to the IONIQ 5 robotaxis should they encounter an unusual road scenario, such as road construction or flooding. In such an event, a remote Motional operator could instantly connect to the vehicle and direct it to a new path.
“Hyundai Motor has evolved its IONIQ 5, a battery electric vehicle built on its EV-dedicated platform, into a platform for fully autonomous vehicles,” said Woongjun Jang, Head of the Autonomous Driving Center at Hyundai Motor Group. “For the IONIQ 5-based robotaxi, we have applied various redundancy systems, in addition to a suite of essential technologies to ensure safety and convenience of the passengers. By successfully integrating the Group’s IONIQ 5 robotaxi with Motional’s autonomous driving technology, we are proud to announce that we have achieved another important milestone on the road to the commercialization of our robotaxi.”
Today we want to share with you that the very first prototype of the Hyundai IONIQ 6 has been spotted in the U.S for the first time. Thanks to our colleagues at Motor1.com, we noticed that KindelAuto Youtube Channel spotted Hyundai’s second dedicated EV.
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According to the latest information from South Korea, the IONIQ 6 (internal codename CE) is going to be delayed around 3 months from the original time schedule of mass production (March 2022). The reason is Hyundai will improve some internal/external parts of the vehicle that were not to the taste of Mr. Eui-sun Chung.
The external changes are related to the front and rear bumpers, according to the source, the design was changed and now the car is 20mm longer, this design changes will give extra mileage.
Also Hyundai plans to introduce world’s first intelligent lightning grille (we talked about this here). Inside Hyundai will use a bigger battery pack, reaching 77,4 kWh, again looking for additional range.
The IONIQ 6 will also sits on the Electric Global Modular Platform known as E-GMP that offers fast charging and a rich driving range. If the IONIQ 5/Kia EV6 already can drive 550 km, we expect that the IONIQ 6 could arrive to 650 or even 700km of range. (As the wheelbase will be longer, more cells could be added).
The dedicated EV platform will enable Hyundai to reimagine the vehicle interior as a “smart living space”, with unique features such as highly adjustable seats, wireless connectivity and drawers. The platform paradigm shift will be extended to the user interface. The user interface is simple, intuitive and ergonomically designed to help passengers feel comfortable.
So we can’t wait to see more about IONIQ’s sedan proposal, sure with the first prototypes hitting the road soon (if they expected to be launched during next year).
When Kia America unveiled the refreshed 2022 Stinger it teased something special: The Stinger Scorpion Special Edition. But little information about this vehicle was provided at the time.
Now, just weeks later, the Scorpion is arriving in dealers. Offered in limited batches of just 250 units per month and built exclusively for the U.S. market. It is expected to sell out quickly and is available on the GT2 RWD and AWD variants in three colors – Snow White Pearl, Aurora Black, and Ceramic Silver.
“Stinger was a wake-up call to a segment long populated by European sport sedans when it debuted in 2017 (as a 2018 model). It redefined what enthusiast drivers thought about Kia and proved we could compete against the best vehicles in a hotly contested space,” said Sean Yoon, president & CEO, Kia North America and Kia America. “Since then, Stinger has built a loyal following of those looking for something unique and the Scorpion is set to continue that approach.”
The Scorpion Special Edition features exclusive blacked out fender garnish, side mirror caps, and darkened exhaust tips
Unique body-colored rear spoiler
Distinctive 19-inch black wheels
Exclusive carbon fiber-pattern trim inside the cockpit
Available with a Red Nappa Leather or Black Nappa Leather interior
Pricing for the Scorpion Special Edition is $52,585 for RWD and $54,785 for AWD, excluding $1,045 in destination charges.
Kia’s European manufacturing plant in Slovakia has marked an important milestone in the brand’s history after the facility produced its four millionth vehicle with a Kia Sportage rolling off the production line today.
Kia’s European base near Žilina, Slovakia, began mass production in 2006 and acted as the springboard for Kia’s expansion across Europe. The first vehicles to be produced at Kia Slovakia were members of the Kia Ceed family – a model line-up that continues to be designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe specifically to appeal to European customers. The Ceed range was introduced at the same time as Kia’s industry-leading seven-year warranty, and this winning combination catapulted Kia into the European mainstream.
Kia Slovakia produced its one-millionth vehicle in 2012 and every three years since has added another million vehicles to the manufacturing tally. Now, nine years later, four million cars have rolled off the 7.5-kilometre production line capable of simultaneously producing eight different models. It currently oversees the manufacture of all members of the Ceed family, comprised of Ceed, Ceed GT, Ceed Sportswagon, ProCeed, XCeed and the last three generations of the Sportage.
From left to right (1st Gen Kia cee’d (ED) – 1st Gen Kia cee’d facelift (ED PE) – 4th Gen Kia Sportage (QL) – 2nd Gen Kia Pro_cee’d (JD) – 3rd Gen Kia CEED (CD) ).
Suk-Bong Kim, President of Kia Slovakia, delivered a message of appreciation to the team: “It is due to the efforts of all our employees, especially the production operators, that we have achieved this incredible milestone in our history. Kia Slovakia has long been recognised for outstanding quality, efficiency, safety and technology, and the success of our models in Europe reflects these high standards.”
The plant is now one of Slovakia’s major producers and exporters employing a 3,700 strong workforce assisted by high-tech robots. A recent investment of €70 million allows the plant to produce and assemble new petrol engines in response to changing market demands. Kia will now build small-capacity, high-efficiency, hybrid-compatible petrol engines on three engine production lines, with the fourth dedicated to the brand’s latest ‘Smartstream’ 1.6-litre diesel engine.
Kia’s Žilina plant also oversees and facilitates the production of the Sportage model range, proving ever popular with the UK market. In the first half of 2021 alone, the Sportage has repeatedly retained its place as one of the top 10 best-selling vehicles on the road, and is regularly the UK’s bestselling Kia model, alongside the Niro family.
Hyundai Motor Company already announced that will unveil the all-new Kona N at its first-ever Hyundai N Day, a digital showcase for its high-performance N Brand, on April 27, 2021, but, we can’t wait to that date so we want to share with you new pictures leaked courtesy of AutoSpy.
What we know so far?
KONA N is not only the latest addition to Hyundai’s growing high-performance N lineup but is also the first N model with an SUV body type.
With a powerful combination of versatility, spirited acceleration, agility and racetrack capability, KONA N stands to change what people expect from an SUV. The all-new KONA N will be presented by Albert Biermann, President and Head of R&D Division at Hyundai Motor Group.
The company will use N Day as a platform for sharing the N brand high-performance philosophy, introduce the new brand claim, make news about upcoming N models, and talk about its future e-performance direction. This part will be presented by Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President and Head of Customer Experience Division.
“We are very excited to unveil the KONA N, a true Hot SUV with all the driving fun N offers,” Till Wartenberg, Vice President and Head of N Brand Management & Motorsport Sub-Division at Hyundai Motor Company said.
“With our first ever N Day, we aim to continue the story of N and share our vision with this digital format to further engage with our enthusiasts.”
The all-new KONA N featuring N DCT will be the latest addition to the Hyundai N family, Hyundai’s high-performance, motorsport-inspired line-up. It combines the uncompromising performance of an N model with the comfort and convenience of an SUV. Performance lovers will appreciate the 2.0T GDI engine with approximately 276 horsepower. It features flat power characteristic that provides more torque and power at mid and high-range RPM’s.
Dongfeng Yueda Kia Motors Co. (DYK) is welcoming the start of a new era for the brand with the Chinese-market debut of the new Kia K5 and Kia Carnival at Auto China 2020 in Beijing and for the first time in a while, a motorshow event with people attending it.
Kia’s presence at the show highlights the wealth of research and development that has gone into the brand’s products, which aim to attract a young, trend-setting audience. This is matched by a highly experiential Auto China exhibition, allowing visitors to interact and engage with Kia’s latest vehicles and technologies.
“At Auto China 2020 we are revealing more about our mid- to long-term strategic vision, and showing the direction in which we are taking the Kia brand,” said Li Feng, General Manager for DYK. “Our latest models such as the K5 and Carnival will spearhead this evolution, with each providing stylish and high-tech mobility to trend-setting drivers. These are revealed alongside our high-performance China Touring Car Championship competitor, as well as unique displays designed to engage users with our cutting-edge ‘connected car’ and production technologies.”
Under its TECH (Turbo, Electrification, Connectivity, Hybrid) strategy, DYK plans to offer competitive new technologies and vehicles for the next 10 years. The strategy will also see DYK become a leader in the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) sector by 2030, with NEV sales set to account for 30 percent of DYK’s entire sales volume.
All-new Kia K5 signifies new brand direction
To demonstrate the ongoing transformation of Kia’s design and brand, the company is giving the made-in-China Kia K5 its Chinese debut at the show. The brand’s global best-selling sedan combines a striking new design with a driver-focused interior, cutting-edge technologies, and all-new powertrain options – illustrating the premium qualities that the Kia brand now offers Chinese customers.
The K5 also boasts a suite of advanced safety, connectivity and infotainment technologies, placing it among the most high-tech and comprehensively-equipped cars in its class.
Further demonstrating the technological prowess of the new Kia K5, the new model debuts alongside a pair of exhibits developed exclusively for the Beijing auto show. Illustrating Kia’s leading research and development processes, each display explores Kia’s commitment to developing vehicles and technologies based on the demands and desires of Chinese buyers.
The ‘i-GMP’ (innovative-Global Modular Platform) display shows off the advanced modular platform that underpins every China-built Kia K5. This exhibit features four robot arms, each ‘dancing’ in time to a carefully choreographed light show for visitor enjoyment. The three-minute display helps audiences understand the cutting-edge production processes employed by Kia to build a car for one of the most dynamic markets in the world, as well as how its advanced CVVD engine technology works.
“The Kia brand is back again. We in R&D have worked so hard to bring the Kia brand where it belongs: on the way to become China’s new trendsetter,” said Sven Patuschka, Head of Hyundai Motor Technology & Engineering Center in China (HMTC). “With a growing focus on software development, we will foster the power of Chinese innovation with one common goal: using our passion to develop products and services that meet the needs of our customers.”
Unrivalled style, space and comfort from the new-generation Kia Carnival
The second vehicle in the spotlight at Auto China 2020 is the fourth-generation Kia Carnival. Dubbed a ‘Grand Utility Vehicle’, the new Carnival offers a leading combination of innovation, space, flexibility and style. The most advanced MPV that Kia has ever created, the new Carnival is another strong indicator of Kia’s intentions to produce stylish and modern cars for China.
Its SUV-inspired design is matched with innovative in-car technology and class-leading cargo capacity over three or even four rows of seats. Its range of powerful and advanced gasoline engines and eight-speed automatic transmission contribute to a confidence-inspiring driving experience, offering smooth and swift progress and an unruffled dynamic character.
The new Kia Carnival features Kia’s evolved ‘tiger-nose’ design across the front. This integrates LED daytime running lights and headlamps into the grille to give it a confident, futuristic new look and a unique light signature.
Kia’s motorsport performer – an interactive exhibit with Kia’s CTCC competitor
Kia has also brought its China Touring Car Championship (CTCC) race car to the show, expressing another important element of the Kia brand and how it is evolving to meet the interests of buyers in the region.
This high-octane display features Kia’s K3 CTCC racer, alongside a bank of spinning bikes. Gamers select a vehicle, then start pedalling, allowing up to four people to compete for victory by controlling the car’s speed as they cycle. The end of the game sees visitors’ times added to an overall ranking, with awards for the fastest and most powerful participants. As well as giving visitors an experience designed to make their hearts beat faster, the game also helps to communicate information on the technology and performance Kia brings to the CTCC.
Kia at Auto China 2020
These exhibits are featured alongside a range of Kia’s models developed and produced exclusively for China by DYK. Models on-show at the event include the brand’s bestselling crossovers and SUVs, such as the KX3, KX5 and Sportage, as well as the popular K3 sedan.
Here we have the very first glimpse of the refreshed Hyundai Kona and the first official teaser image of the Kona N-line to be added to Kona family later this year. Hyundai Motor Company is also working on a high-performance Kona N to be released next year.
The upcoming new KONA and KONA N Line SUVs express Hyundai Motor Company’s Sensuous Sportiness new global design identity we already have seen on Santa Fe, Sonata or Elantra. The front of the Kona facelift reminds a lot if you compared to the recently released Santa Fe facelift (look at the grille and the below part of the front bumper).
Wider stance & Sleeker look The new KONA gets a wider stance and a shark-inspired nose that gives the model a sleeker look. Upgraded daytime running lamps (DRL) give it a high-tech, sophisticated style. Front skid plate and bumper add to its armored appearance.
The first KONA N Line
The new KONA N Line gets a more aerodynamic design with low-set air intake and more aggressive front bumper, complemented by corner fins and lean crease lines. The N Line model offers an attractive entry point to the N Brand and expands Kona’s appeal to a broader range of customers.
While the engine line-up is still unkown, we have managed to get some info and according to our sources in South Korea, while the Kona N will have the 2.0 T-GDi engine, with 275 hp and 8-speed DCT wet transmission, the N-line will have the new Smartstream 1.6 Turbo GDi delivering 215 hp and matted to a 8-speed DCT.
In the mean time, the regular Kona should receive the same engine as Sonata DN8, the CVVD 1.6 Turbo GDi, 180 hp and 8 speed Automatic Transmission. In some parts of the world the latest is the most powerful engine available, while in South Korea is the base gasoline engine.
More design details on the new Kona and Kona N Line will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Deep Chroma Blue, unique wheel design, all-brown interior, and drift mode combine to make this the rarest Stinger yet. Kia Motors America just quietly delivered the first batch of a new special edition run of the Kia Stinger GT.
Called the Indigo Edition, this latest configuration of the Stinger brings a unique flavor of the Stinger we haven’t seen before for the US market, despite being available overseas in the past.
Based loosely on the basic Stinger GT AWD and capped at 500 units, The Indigo Edition has unique exterior and interior features to help it stand out in the crowd. All Indigo Edition Stingers boast an exterior paint color called Deep Chroma Blue which hasn’t been available in the US market until now. It’s a subtle dark blue that almost looks black, but in direct sunlight the highly metallic paint offers striking highlights.
The Indigo Edition also introduces an alternate style painted and machined 19 inch wheel that has previously only been offered in international markets. On the inside, Kia has graced the Stinger GT Indigo Edition with a unique all-brown colored interior. And this is not just a few pieces here and there finished in a brown color that’s not too dark and not too light – it is every piece of the interior.
For example, in addition to brown leather seats, you get a brown dashboard, brown carpeting on the floors, a brown steering wheel, brown door panels, and brown shift knob (the Indigo Edition does not get the drive-by- wire system but features a traditional shift knob). That’s a lot of brown, so you better like brown if you’re going to buy this special edition.
The Indigo Edition does have a couple of other options that you normally wouldn’t see in a base Stinger GT, such as the wide-style power moonroof with power shade, wireless phone charger, the better 8” infotainment display with navigation, and the 720-watt Harman Kardon 15- speaker audio system which provides two under-seat subwoofers to rock the house. Those features are usually limited to the more expensive GT1 or GT2 trims.
The car even features the same plush Chamude headliner that we’ve seen before in the GTS special edition, which isn’t even offered in the top-of-the-line GT2. However, notable features that you don’t get in this version include the larger full-color display in the gauge cluster, adaptive cruise control (you do get standard cruise control), nappa leather, power telescoping steering wheel, or power liftgate.
The Stinger GT Indigo Edition enjoys the same twin-turbocharged 3.3 liter V6 engine as other Stinger GTs, mated to the same in-house 8-speed automatic transmission (albeit with improved logic over the “normal” Stinger GT), so this car’s performance will not disappoint. Additionally, the Indigo Edition has the same D-AWD system that debuted in the Stinger GTS.
KMA’s Director of Corporate Communications, James Bell, told us the Indigo Editions comes “with capability of sending up to 100 percent of power to the rear wheels, mechanical limited slip differential, Revised transmission control logic, and torque vectoring and stability control.”
The Indigo Edition is already on sale, so if you want one of the 500 examples that will be offered in the United States, make your move soon. According to James Bell, the MSRP of this special edition is $45,000, but we’ve already seen some dealers offering significant discounts, even with this special edition.
