Hyundai Motor Company Australia is looking carefully at the possibilities for
a performance sub-brand under the SR badge to exist alongside its standard model
range.
With the launch of the Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo in Australia this week,
Hyundai is effectively using this high-performance version of the Veloster as a
test case for more SR model variants to be rolled out.
Hyundai has looked at the success of Mazda’s SP range (SP25 and SP20) and is
keen to get a similar model working in Australia with performance versions of
other Hyundai models a possibility if all goes well with the Veloster SR
Turbo.
Product planning manager for Hyundai Motor Company Australia, Andrew Tuitahi,
told CarAdvice that the Veloster SR Turbo “Could become the launch pad for a
range of high-performance Hyundai models similar to what Mazda have with their
SP cars”.
Although unwilling to give too much away, Tuitahi also said “Hyundai would
use the Veloster SR Turbo as a test case for a wider approach to the SR badge in
Australia including the possibility of further performance derivatives of ‘SR’
formula.”
That could mean that Hyundai may even consider a more powerful version still,
such as an ‘R’ edition, similar to the more powerful Mazda3 MPS.
When questioned about the likelihood of an SR version of the Hyundai’s i30,
itself related to the Veloster, he told CarAdvice that “The i30 would make the
most sense given its popularity, but that the earliest Hyundai could communicate
a clear direction for a performance sub-brand would be at the Sydney
International Motor Show, in October.”
Hyundai in Australia is currently the only country in the world to adopt the
SR badge for the Veloster Turbo, as it is known in all other markets including
the United States.
9:09 PM
2013, 25995, Announces, Energi, Ford, Ford C-Max Energi, Ford C-Max hybrid, Hybrid, PlugIn, pricing, Start, Updated
Ford has priced the C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid at $33,745, slightly higher
than the least-expensive Toyota Prius plug-in. The C-Max is eligible for a $3750
federal tax credit, which brings its overall cost just below the $30,000 mark.
Three option packages are available for between $1195 and $2495, and include
goodies like navigation and a Sony audio system, a power liftgate and a backup
camera, and active parking assist. The Energi plug-in’s electric-only range is
20 miles, or about half of Chevy’s 38-mile claim for the Volt, which costs
$32,495 after a federal tax break of up to $7500. To the Ford’s credit, you get
more space for your stuff and a fifth seat.
It has been a while since we last heard any news regarding Ford’s upcoming
C-Max twins—hybrid and plug-in Energi—but today the silence was broken. Ford has
announced the C-Max hybrid will start at $25,995 when it goes on sale in the
fall. (The company has not disclosed how much it will charge to deliver the
C-Max to a dealer near you.) Ford is quick to point out that the C-Max’s price
undercuts that of Toyota’s similarly sized Prius V tall hatchback/small van
thing by $550. (Again, not including applicable destination charges.) The C-Max
Energi plug-in hybrid will arrive towards the end of 2012 and its price tag
hasn’t been revealed.
As you can probably tell, Ford is sizing up Toyota’s Prius V as the C-Max
hybrid’s key competitor, with the V and the plug-in version of the regular Prius
falling into the C-Max Energi’s sights. Ford also took the opportunity to hype
the C-Max hybrid’s Toyota Prius V–beating efficiency, although the company did
not provide any numbers for comparison; the Prius V is EPA rated for 44 mpg in
the city and 40 mpg on the highway. Ford claims that the C-Max Energi will
better the Prius plug-in’s 95 MPGe electric-mode fuel economy, as well as that
car’s total driving range.
The C-Max hybrid will go on sale nationwide this
fall, but the C-Max Energi will initially be available only in select markets.
Ford will ship the Energi only to its electric vehicle–certified dealers—the
same ones trained up on the Focus Electric. That means the same 19 markets where
the Focus Electric is currently available will also get the C-Max Energi. The
Energi’s limited distribution pattern makes sense, as it’s built on the same
line as the Focus Electric. Expect more details on both C-Maxes in the coming
months. Tags: |
