Hyundai, Kia to strut their stuff at Geneva

Hyundai Motor’s all new Tucson

By Park Jin-hai

Four models from Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors will make their global debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in a bid to boost sales in Europe.

The nation’s top automakers will unveil the all-new Tucson SUV, i20 coupe, cee’d GT hatchback and Sportspace concept wagon at International de l’Automobile Salon in Geneva on March 3.

Hyundai’s popular five-seat compact SUV Tucson is leading the pack. The first fully changed model in six years features a bold design, centered on a big hexagonal front grill and fluid bodyline.

It is one of the company’s first cars to show the touch of new design director Peter Schreyer, who created Kia’s famous K series look.

The Tucson was been Hyundai’s best-selling model in Europe last year, selling more than 94,000 units and surpassing sales of the i20 compact there.

Kia’s concept wagon Sportspace is a high-performance grand touring vehicle, ideal for long-distance travel.

The car, developed at the company’s design center in Europe, has a simple, dynamic shape with a grill that resembles a tiger's nose.

It features the design elements of the second generation K5 that will be launched here in the second quarter of this year.

Also waiting making their global debuts are two facelift models _ Hyundai’s i20 coupe and Kia’s cee’d GT. The former has adopted more dynamic design elements, while the latter, which is available only in Europe, has an upgraded grill, bumper and headlights.