Car News from South Korea
News from South Korea's Hyundai Motor Group - Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.
Shown as the Avante at the Busan Motor Show, the new Elantra grows in every dimension and gains a sharply creased look. It keeps petrol and hybrid power - a 149 hp 2.0-litre and a 157 hp 1.6 hybrid, both front-wheel drive - with no EV version. Korean prices land in Q3 2026, preliminarily from about $15,000.
Genesis has given its first look inside the Magma GT, the concept that previews a future flagship supercar for Hyundai Motor Group, and unveiled a separate GT3 racing concept. The reveal came at the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans, where Genesis made its Hypercar-class debut. A petrol V8 is confirmed; road versions are expected in about two years.
Hyundai has revealed a new generation of the i20 hatchback, choosing Brazil as its launch market - a country where the car had not been sold before. It moves to the K3 platform shared with the Kona and Kia Seltos, adopts a rugged crossover look, and offers 1.0-litre petrol and turbo engines. Prices in Brazil run from 99,990 to 139,990 reais (about $18,000 to $25,200).
The seventh-generation Grandeur gets a mid-cycle update with a stronger hybrid (249 hp, up from 230), a new 17" Android Automotive infotainment screen, six-zone electrochromic panoramic roof, and a return to physical climate controls. The Grandeur has been sold since 1986 and marks its 40th anniversary with this update. Prices from ₩41,850,000.
The 2026 Niro refresh cuts the lineup to a single HEV variant. Kia is clearing the segment for next-generation electric models. European sales later in 2026, no pricing yet.
Hyundai Motor Group unveiled Pleos Connect, a new infotainment platform for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Wide horizontal display, physical controls retained, Gleo AI assistant, Android Automotive OS. Debuts on the Grandeur in Korea in May, then on the European Ioniq 3.
Kia announced a second facelift for the XCeed cross-hatch - more extensive than the 2022 update. New front and rear design, dual 12.3" screens. Powertrain details not yet published. Launch before end of 2026.