Hyundai renames their PYL brand.

Hyundai PREMIUM YOUNIQUE LIFESTYLE

Since March 2011, when the Hyundai Veloster was launched to the SoKor motoring public, the South Korean carmaker began the launch of its PREMIUM YOUTH LAB sub-brand, a sub-brand that caters the needs of the young adults with perks and privileges. Sadly though, this whole PREMIUM YOUTH LAB isn't quite enough for this, so Hyundai decided to give the PYL brand a major overhaul and rename this from PREMIUM YOUTH LAB to PREMIUM YOUNIQUE LIFESTYLE.

The new PREMIUM YOUNIQUE LIFESTYLE sub-brand caters owners of the Veloster, i40, and the new i30 with perks and privileges. For those Hyundai BLUmembers with PYL perks, they'll be enjoying great fun, great lifestyle, and everything that a PYL member would want to think of such as concerts, accommodations, dining, sports, and the list goes on.

You can never get too bored for this.

URL: http://pyl.hyundai.com/

More info: http://blu.hyundai.com/oc/hmnb/prmm_mbr/hmnb_prmm_mbr_index.jsp?screenNm=hmnb_prmm_mbr_index

PREMIUM YOUNIQUE LIFESTYLE Commercial:

Hyundai i40 Saloon

2012 Hyundai i40 Saloon

Last year, Hyundai released the i40 at South Korea, in station wagon form only. It is believed that the i40 serves as the wagon alternative to the Hyundai YF Sonata even though the i40 is essentially based on the YF Sonata. With two engines available such as the GDi 2.0L engine and the 1.7L CRDi-VGT diesel engine, it's hard to say that the Hyundai i40 is clearly not available in the Philippines because there are two reasons; the diesel engine is fit for Euro V countries and it's unfit for a Euro II country like the Philippines and the GDi 2.0L engine is unfit for the Philippines' dirty fuel.

To make matters worse or better, Hyundai Motor Company launched the sedan version of the Hyundai i40 dubbed as "Hyundai i40 Saloon" (한글: 현대 i40 살룬). Would that be possible for a country like South Korea to sell both the YF Sonata and the i40 Saloon? Don't worry though, while the YF Sonata is available only in Theta-II 2.0L MPi and GDi 2.0L turbo engine, the i40 Saloon is available only in GDi 2.0L engine and the 1.7L CRDi-VGT diesel engine, the same engines you'll get from the wagon version.

The i40 Saloon still features a 6-speed automatic transmission and based on Hyundai's observance, the GDi 2.0L engine produces 178PS of power, 21.6kg-m of torque, and 13.1km/L of fuel economy while the 1.7 VGT engine produces 140PS of power, 33kg-m of torque, and 18km/L of torque.

Like the wagon counterpart, the Hyundai i40 Saloon still comes with nine color variations such as White Crystal, Sleek Silver, Titanium Silver, Stone Gray, Red Merlot, Eco Beige, Blue Spirit, Blue Passion, and Total Black.

My comment:

The same features you'd get from the i40 wagon, now in a stylish and luxurious sedan look that will serve as an alternative arrangement to the YF Sonata. Because there is no such thing as a diesel Sonata in Korea, the i40 Saloon will bridge the gap to the lineup and yes, it's all about decisions. Sad to say, both the i40 wagon and the i40 Saloon are NOT AVAILABLE in the Philippines. Sorry, but it's the rule. No i40 in the Philippines. Gray market imports are truly annoying but not recommended. Sorry Filipinos, you can't get those.


Photo: Hyundai Motor Company

Eurasian Wagon Shootout - Avensis vs. Accord Tourer vs. i40

2012 Toyota Avensis

2012 Honda Accord Tourer

2012 Hyundai i40

Those three Eurasian sports wagons; the Toyota Avensis, the Honda Accord Tourer, and the Hyundai i40, truly have something in common. They are family wagons from Asian car manufacturers and they share the same European Elegance because of its design, quality, and performance. Most of these three have the European Premium but which of these three European Premium sports wagons is mostly a "suitable" type?

CASE ONE:

Slated to go on sale in Japan this month, with limited to 300 units available, the new Toyota Avensis returns with a new face and a whole new attitude. The only offering for the Euro Style Wagon is the entry-level 2.0 Xi variant but rumor has it that there will be a facelift next year and it will gain an additional variant. OK, let's not talk about it for now but let's examine what's up with the Avensis. Since it was designed and engineered in United Kingdom, the new Avensis comes with a stylish European design which is highly attractive in the eyes of Japanese consumers. The interior looks somewhat luxurious but a lack of audio system made Japanese customers have to make do with aftermarket audio systems or "Dealer Option" navigation systems offered from dealerships all over Japan.

The Avensis is powered with the 3ZR-FAE (2.0L DOHC Dual VVT-i Valvematic) engine that provides a power output of 152PS and 14.6km/L of fuel economy (10-15 Mode). The standard transmission is the Super CVT-i with a 7-speed Manual Mode which is highly essential on open roads. With Sport Mode on, the Avensis takes advantage of the Euro-tuned suspension for agile cornering on the touge. If you went for a city driving, you should be fine with the CVT but when you're out in the open and want to go for fun, you can switch it to Manual Mode to take control of the seven gears. The new Avensis is highly focused more on the driver's confidence.

CASE TWO:

Arrived in Japan in December 2008 and later received a minor change since February 2011, the Accord Tourer (CW1/CW2) is the wagon version of the Honda Accord (CU1/CU2) sedan. It might have the same prospects as the Toyota Avensis rival but based on my view, I think the Accord Tourer is much more attractive than the Avensis in terms of styling and interior. Today, there are two kinds of Accord Tourer models to choose from such as the entry-level 20TL and the flagship Type-S grade. The 20TL comes with a R20A (2.0L SOHC i-VTEC) engine that produces 156PS of power and 13.2km/L and the Type-S comes with a K24A (2.4L DOHC i-VTEC) engine that produces 206PS of power and 11.4km/L of fuel economy. These fuel economy numbers might not be as good as the Avensis but in power, the Accord Tourer Type S is our best bet. As noticed, the Accord Tourer comes with a 5-speed semi-auto transmission with Manual Mode but I think five gears can be somewhat a lacking to me.

CASE THREE:

This is a new entry from Hyundai and its slated to replace the i30CW although it has no direct successor after the upcoming i30 Full Model Change soon, the European Premium sports wagon, the Hyundai i40, was designed from Hyundai's R&D Center at Russelsheim, Germany, and manufactured at Hyundai's Ulsan plant at South Korean. It is believed that this is "Korea's Avensis Fighter" but can the Hyundai i40 keep up with the likes of its Eurasian rivals such as the Honda Accord Tourer and Toyota Avensis? What about Euro rivals such as the Renault Megane Estate, Volkswagen Passat Variant, and Peugeot 508 SW? Not sure but be patient. As for me, I don't like the front view of the Korean-spec Hyundai i40 but as for the side view and rear view, it really resembles like the Honda Accord Tourer and I really like it. The biggest impression for me is the interior. With such interior design, this beats the Toyota Avensis and the Honda Accord Tourer by a long shot! I am highly impressed about the interior design and there is a special feature that these two didn't have which is none other than the "Luggage Rail System", a first of its class feature for cargo stability.

Under the hood, the Hyundai i40 comes with two engine types such as a newly developed 1.7L CRDi-VGT engine and the newly-developed Nu 2.0 GDi engine. The new 1.7L CRDi-VGT produces 140PS of power and 18.0km/L while the new Nu 2.0 GDi engine creates 178PS of power and 13.1km/L of fuel economy. They are both come with a 6-speed semi-auto transmission with Paddle Shifters, making it on par against the Honda Accord Tourer.

The verdict: The Avensis, Accord Tourer, and the i40, really have impressive European design, European packaging, and European performance. Only one I will call it the best and I'll choose not just one but two Eurasian wagons; the Accord Tourer and the i40! Sorry Avensis, but see you on your next facelift....

Hyundai i40

Some say that a Korean car manufacturer created a vehicle that would take on the likes of other Eurasian cars such as the Toyota Avensis and the Honda Accord Tourer. Some say that this car was been designed at Russelsheim, Germany and manufactured at Ulsan, South Korea. All we know is that car is called the Hyundai i40.

2012 Hyundai i40

Hyundai Motor Company's European Premium sport wagon, the i40, is designed to take on the likes of other European designed sport wagons from Japan such as the Toyota Avensis and the Honda Accord Tourer. Originally that car would have been sold only to European countries but South Korea wants a slice of this station wagon. By demand, Hyundai began pre-orders of the European premium i40 since late August before the i40 officially went on sale at South Korea this September 1.

The Hyundai i40 is the wagon cousin of the Hyundai YF Sonata and according to Hyundai, the i40's design was penned from the Genus concept car as seen on 2006 Geneva Motor Show. Because wagons play an important role in Europe, the Hyundai i40 is designed to be more sophisticated and sporty to bring more "European Elegance" in the eyes. This design stays true to its "Fluidic Sculpture" design philosophy.

2012 Hyundai i40 interior

The i40 European Premium sport wagon features a European Premium interior that is beyond compare against the Honda Accord Tourer and the Toyota Avensis. Once you're sitting in the driver seat of the i40, you will experience a whole new romance this car company would like to know about. The Super Vision Cluster with 4.2-inch TFT LCD provides the driver a clear view of what's happening around the i40. A Dual Full-Auto Air Conditioner is added on the Hyundai i40 that makes it more essential to the passengers who wanted a cool interior at hot summer days and a warm interior at cold Autumn days at Seoul but this was just an option to replace the standard Manual Air Conditioner. An available DMB Navigation System with AM/FM radio and CD/MP3/DVD player gives a whole new meaning to the word "infotainment" and there is also a feature that allows you to slot inside your SD Memory Card for more. There is also a feature that brings more luggage convenience to the i40, something that its rivals failed to achieve, is called the Luggage Rail System. This rail system comes with the self-retracting adjustable straps for cargo stability.

 

2012 Hyundai i40

Despite being a sports wagon, the Hyundai i40 drives more European than being Korean thanks to its European-tuned suspension for agile cornering that is more likely to be beyond compare than the Toyota Avensis and the Honda Accord Tourer. A new Sports Mode System provides the driver three different modes to choose from depending on fuel economy, balance, and power. What's more that there are two different engines available for this sport wagon such as the newly-developed 1.7L VGT diesel engine and the newly developed Nu 2.0 GDi (Gasoline Direct Injection) engine. The 1.7L CRDi-VGT engine provides 140PS of power output and 18.0km/L of fuel economy while the Nu 2.0 GDi engine comes with 178PS of power and 13.1km/L. Both are equipped with the 6-speed semi-auto transmission with paddle shifters, necessary to bring more "fun" to this European Premium sport wagon.

European cars need to be more advanced with safety features and the Hyundai i40 gets the memo. First off, the Vehicle Stability Management takes advantage of the driving aids such as the Cornering Lamp, Vehicle Dynamics Control, Electronic Parking Brake and MDPS. The Full Adaptive HID Headlamps takes advantage of lighting on cornering for enhanced safety on nighttime driving. What's more interesting is the self-parking feature called SPAS (Smart Parking Assist System) that allows the car to park itself. We call it "cheats" but this system never cheats on the driver. The i40 has 7 airbags equipped outside and it will be triggered in an event of the crash scene. 

Four different variants are available on the i40 such as the 1.7 VGT Modern, 1.7 Smart, 2.0 GDi Modern, and 2.0 GDi Premium. There are nine color variations available on the Hyundai i40 such as White Crystal, Sleek Silver, Titanium Silver, Stone Gray, Red Merlot, Eco Beige, Blue Spirit, Blue Passion, and Total Black.

  

My comment: If you are relying on HARI, well sorry because HARI cannot bring you the Hyundai i40 because the diesel engine is unfit on the Euro 2 compliant country like the Philippines and the GDi engine is unfit for the Philippines' dirty fuel. But for some relying on Grey Market imports, is there a possibility that our friends from Pitstop Motors or Hancars got the memo about the Korean-spec Hyundai i40? Let's wait... Anyway, as I can see from this Euro Style Wagon, the Hyundai i40 will be served as the replacement to the slow-selling i30CW (Elantra Touring). While the i30 5-door hatchback will be receiving a Full Model Change soon, the i30CW will be replaced by the i40 although both have no resemblances from each other. A Korean sports wagon with European Elegance really brings envy to its rivals such as the Toyota Avensis, Honda Accord Tourer, Renault Megane Estate, Peugeot 508 SW and Volvo V60. This is European Premium at its best.

Photo: Hyundai Motor Company