[국산 신차 총정리] Eco-friendly vs high performance, choose according to your taste!

A variety of new domestic cars are expected to pour out this year in 2021. Hyundai-Kia Motors, Genesis and Ssangyong Motors focus on the eco-friendly car market. In the case of the existing internal combustion engine lineup, it plans to maintain freshness through the facelift model. Next, Chevrolet plans to increase its market share by increasing its imported car product line.

# Hyundai Motors Chasing Two Eco-friendly and High-Performance Rabbits

Hyundai Motor Company is strengthening its two lineups: high performance and eco-friendly.

The eco-friendly car lineup will be taken over by Ioniq, which has become an independent brand. In August of last year, the company reorganized Ioniq into a pure electric vehicle brand. With a new brand, it plans to provide not only electrification technology but also future mobility experiences.

The first step of the new brand is’Ioniq 5′. The new car is a semi-mid-sized CUV scheduled to be released at the beginning of this year, and was produced based on the concept car 45 that was unveiled at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. In particular, Ioniq 5 was the first to apply E-GMP, a platform exclusively for electric vehicles of Hyundai Motor Group. It can travel up to 450km or more with one charge, and it plans to support high-voltage rapid charging technology. The interior extends beyond a means of transportation into a living space where you can perform various activities.

Along with this, we are expanding the high-performance N lineup. The Avante N, which is expected to be released in the first half of the year, is likely to be equipped with the same 2.0-liter gasoline turbo engine as the Veloster N. The engine has a maximum output of 275 hp and a maximum torque of 36 kgf·m, and is expected to be paired with a six-speed manual transmission or an eight-speed wet DCT.

In addition, the new Tucson N line is scheduled to be introduced in the first half. Except for the exterior design, specific powertrain specifications were not disclosed. According to some foreign media, the Tucson N Line is equipped with the same 2.5-liter gasoline turbo engine as the Sonata N Line. The engine has a maximum output of 290 horsepower and a maximum torque of 43 kgf·m. In addition, the Tucson N plan, which has improved performance, was also disclosed, but it is unclear whether it will be released in Korea.

# Kia Motors changed everything from the emblem!

Kia Motors will reorganize the brand logo and apply it sequentially from new cars to be released. The company introduced a new emblem through the concept of’Imagine by KIA’ at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2019.

A Kia Motors official said, “As new industrial trends such as electrification and autonomous driving were presented, we needed a momentum to lead a new business area. We will pursue a more dynamic and refined image through the new emblem.”

Kia is launching a new semi-large sedan. It has a larger body size than the existing K7, and is expected to raise the car class to the next level with advanced convenience and safety specifications. In particular, the car name can also be changed from K7 to K8. In order to overcome the sluggish appearance by being pushed by Hyundai Motor Company’s Grandeur, it is actively considering replacing the car name. The new car is expected to be released in March.

In addition, the Sportage Full Change model, the No. 1 global sales of Kia Motors, will be released. The new car shares the powertrain and platform with the new Tucson such as 1.6T gasoline, 2.0 diesel, and 1.6T hybrid.

Kia Motors will also unveil its E-GMP-based pure electric vehicle CV (tentative name) in August. It shares the platform and powertrain with Hyundai Motor Company Ioniq 5, and GT, a high-performance lineup, is expected to be added. According to Kia Motors, the new electric vehicle reaches 100 km/h from standstill in just 3.5 seconds, and the maximum safe speed reaches 260 km/h. In terms of acceleration alone, it is more powerful than the Stinger 3.3 GT (0-100km/h 4.9 seconds).

In addition, the semi-mid-sized sedan K3, which has entered its fourth year of launch, is facing a facelift.

# Genesis, luxury electric vehicle market’knock’

Genesis releases the brand’s first electric car. The company has already registered the trademark of’eG80′, considering the electrification model of G80.

In addition, JW, an electric vehicle based on E-GMP, will be released in July. The new car is said to be inspired by the Genesis concept car Mint, which was unveiled in New York in 2019. The exterior reflects the understated aesthetics of the brand design identity and has an interior inspired by traditional Korean furniture.

Along with this, the G80 Sport is expected to be released in the first half of the year. It is expected to increase the 380 horsepower V6 3.5T gasoline engine currently installed in the G80 to 400 horsepower and install it. In addition, it is known that the brand’s flagship model, G90, has been fully changed and is preparing a G70 shooting brake (wagon) for targeting the European market.

# Chevrolet to strengthen its imported lineup… Is it a trick or a handshake?

GM Korea further strengthens its imported car lineup. It is known that it will release Chevrolet large SUV Tahoe, electric vehicle Volt EUV, and Traverse and Equinox facelift models.

The Tahoe boasts a huge body with a length of 5351mm, a width of 2057mm, a height of 1927mm, and a wheelbase of 3070mm. It is one weight larger than Hyundai’s Palisade. It is equipped with a 6.2-liter V8 engine with a maximum output of 420 horsepower and a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Volt EUV (Electric Utility Vehicle), a derivative model of Volt EV, is also scheduled to be released in Korea. The overall length is 128mm longer than the existing Bolt EV, and the wheelbase is 75mm longer. It has maximized space utilization and is known to be equipped with the brand’s first Super Cruise function. SuperCruise is GM’s latest driver assistance feature, enabling Level 3 level of autonomous driving in certain sections, such as highways, where the driver does not have to hold the steering wheel. In addition, through remote autonomous parking, the ultrasonic sensor can autonomously park in parallel or vertical parking spaces regardless of whether the driver is on board.

# Ssangyong in crisis, will the release of new cars be delayed?

Ssangyong Motor announced the launch of the Korando-based electric vehicle E100.

Ssangyong Motor is conducting the final quality test with the aim of launching a new car in February. The name of the E100 can be guessed as the Korando e-Motion. Ssangyong Motors applied for a trademark called Korando e-Motion in April of last year, and applied for a trademark designing vehicle logo in July.

However, the launch of a new car may be delayed as the company is experiencing management difficulties while applying for the company’s rehabilitation process recently.

In addition, unlike last year, Renault Samsung has an atmosphere of taking a break this year. Apart from adding a diesel powertrain to the QM6, which went through a minor change in November last year, there was no news of a new car.