Hyundai PassoCorto Mid-Engine Sports Car Concept by IED for an Alfa 4C Rival Looks the Tits

Italian design studios still have that magic wand when it comes to creating impressive-looking cars, no matter the ethnicity of the people they employ. I mean, just look at this new Hyundai concept for an Alfa Romeo 4C competitor from the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) of Turin and tell me you wouldn't want to take it for a spin…

The study is called the PassoCorto and it was commissioned by the Hyundai Design Center Europe "as a tribute to the Made in Italy design that is studied at the IED".

The two-seater sports car with the rear-mid-engine and rear drive layout will be presented in the flesh at the Geneva Motor Show next month. It's the tenth full scale model to be created by IED Turin and displayed at the Swiss auto event since it started doing so back in 2004.

The PassoCorto is not only similar in philosophy to the 4C, but in size as well, measuring 4,100mm long, 1,880mm wide and 1,160mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2,450mm.

The study is static, but it was designed to be built around a lightweight carbon fiber monocoque chassis and a target weight of just 840kg (1,852 pounds), with power coming from a Hyundai 1.6-liter bi-turbocharged four producing around 270-horsepower.

According to IED, the interior "was designed to have two cockpits with integrated instruments clearly divided by passenger and driver; the seat is optically connected to the dashboard and the backrest is cut directly out of special niches in the frame".

Thomas Bürkle, Chief Designer at the Hyundai Europe Design Center, commented:

"I would like to express my gratitude to the director Riccardo Balbo, the management of IED and especially to the students of the Master Course. The cooperation between our Design Center and IED was very inspiring and fruitful. The PassoCorto is a dream coming true and fulfills the high expectations we had at the beginning of the project. The result is of such a high standard that I can say that the Hyundai badge sits proudly on the bonnet of this exciting sports car!"

So, what do you think; should Hyundai at least ponder about bringing this car to production?

Hyundai Bringing New Addition to Veloster Range in Chicago – Will it Be Worthwhile?

It hasn't been that long since Hyundai last enhanced the range of its Veloster sports compact – that would be at the 2013 LA Auto Show in late November where it introduced the subtly tweaked Veloster Turbo R-Spec, and now we're told that it will do something similar at the Chicago Auto Show next week.

The Korean firm's telegraphic press blurb reads: "Reveal of the newest addition to the Veloster line-up by Brandon Ramirez, Senior Group Manager, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America".

Whether this means Hyundai will surprise us with something worthwhile reporting about. or if the presentation will pass by completely unnoticed, remains a mystery for now.

As you may have imagined, the brand will also bring along the new Genesis sedan to Chicago for a second encounter with the American public following its world premiere earlier this month in Detroit.

The Walking Dead to Meet Hyundai Elantra Coupe and GT at 2012 Comic-Con

While Chrysler was teaming up with the creators of The Dark Knight Rises, Hyundai formed a partnership of its own with another comic book-related project, The Walking Dead.

The players may be different but the goal in both cases is the same and that is to market products to a younger crowd.

Hyundai's collaboration celebrates the 100th issue of The Walking Dead comic series with the two partners having worked on the creation of two unique Elantra models that will make a special appearance at the Comic-Con International, which takes place in San Diego from July 12 to 15.

The first is model is a customized Elantra Coupe designed by The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman and fabricated by Design Craft.

Named the Hyundai Zombie Survival Machine, the study is said to sport the following features:

"A front-end custom zombie plow cow catcher with spikes, slatted armored window coverings, a roof hatch to allow passengers to shoot at walkers, an electric rear trunk to house weapons, all‐terrain/rally type tires, weapons storage compartments, a CB radio/PA system and more."

The second Hyundai one is a much more mundane Elantra GT hatchback wrapped in the cover of The Walking Dead 100th issue by artist Charlie Adlard, which will be given away to one lucky winner through the "Hyundai Undead" sweepstakes.

"The Hyundai Undead program allows us to interact with hundreds of thousands of film, comic, TV and video game fans during this summer’s ultimate pop culture event," said Steve Shannon, vice president of Marketing, Hyundai Motor America. "We can’t wait to unveil our custom Elantra Coupe Zombie Survival Machine, the ultimate car for The Walking Dead fans and anyone who wants to survive a zombie apocalypse."

Hyundai Elantra Coupe Priced from $17,445*, $1,695 More Than the Lesser Equipped Base Civic Coupe

With its sight firmly set on the Honda Civic Coupe, Hyundai has announced pricing for the all-new Elantra Coupe following its world premiere at the Chicago Auto Show this past February.

The 2013 Elantra Coupe starts at $17,445 for the base GS rising to $19,745 for the sportier-tuned Elantra Coupe SE, with both MSRPs excluding a $775 (*) freight charge.

By comparison, the base 2012 Civic Coupe with 140hp starts at $15,755, but as Hyundai points out several times in its press release (…), the Honda models lacks several standard features that are found on the GS such as alloy wheels and air-conditioning.

"The Elantra Coupe also has a remarkable content advantage over Civic Coupe," says Hyundai. "For example, Elantra comes standard with a six-speed transmission and four-wheel disc brakes, features not found on any Civic Coupe."

Aside from the air condition and 16-inch wheels, other standard features on the base GS include heated front seats, AM/FM/SiriusXM Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system, steering wheel audio controls, illuminated vanity mirrors, cruise control, Bluetooth, external temperature gauge, fog lights, power locks, power heated mirrors, remote keyless entry with alarm, 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback

The SE grade adds 17-inch alloys with P215/45R17 tires, a sportier tuned suspension, power sunroof, leather seats, steering wheel and shift knob, aluminum pedals and a rear spoiler.

Regardless of the trim level, all Elantra Coupe models are powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 148-horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque, linked to 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmissions.

The automatic model returns an EPA estimated 28 mpg city and 39 mpg highway, while the manual delivers 29 mpg city and 40 mpg highway