Tag Archives: fastback
Hyundai Readies Release of i30 Fastback N
Hyundai has been teasing us with the launch of its newest i30 Fastback N for quite some time now. Whether it is the South Korean automaker that’s truly excited about it, we do not know. What we do know is that the model is finally in its final stages of development, and it will soon join the i30 N and the Veloster N when it debuts later this year.
Hyundai took the Fastback testing around different terrains and road surfaces in Europe. Of course, the prime location to test any vehicle is on the Nurburgring Nordschleife, where the company has its own technical center. There, the model is currently undergoing rigid testing and evaluations for performance and durability before it is announced and launched to the public.
The prototype showed that the fastback will have a sloped roofline, a bold rear lip, strong character lines, and the automaker’s signature Cascading grille. Under the hood, it should have the same engine as the i30 N hatch. This means the Fastback would be powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 246 horsepower. A Performance package, which we are not sure yet will be offered, can take that output to 271 horses.
The problem is that if you’re living in the United States, you probably won’t see the i30 Fastback N. That makes sense considering Hyundai never brought the i30 N here.
Maybe a petition is in order? Don’t fret. The standard i30 hatch is very similar and probably closely related to the Elantra GT, which we have here. The Fastback body style might be introduced to the US audience through the Elantra lineup. That will happen, of course, if Hyundai North America sees the demand for it.
If it’s any consolation, we are getting the Veloster N, which received positive reviews during its first run.
3 Things We Noticed In The 2019 Kia Proceed GT
The five-door 2019 Kia Proceed GT was just spotted in the open, and we now have a pretty clear idea of how the fastback is going to look like once it’s revealed at the 2018 Paris Motor Show in October.
To be clear, Kia hasn’t exactly confirmed when the release will be, but all signals point to the Paris Auto Show.
Exterior
The spy shots of Motor1 show the upcoming Proceed GT with a covered front section, doors, and rear section. But thanks to a bit of wild imagining, we got a pretty good idea of how the auto is going to look like without all that wrap.
The front grille will be the traditional Kia grille, though with the “GT” badge on it. The headlamps are the same as the regular Ceed, and the side air intakes, huge alloy wheels, and red brake calipers all point to a car with serious sporting credentials.
The Proceed is very much a fastback, thanks to the sweeping roof that extends to the rear section. There are large taillights at the rear, including a pair of exhaust tips on opposite ends of the sedan.
Interior
We didn’t get many snaps of the Proceed’s interior, but let’s just say that it will be similar to the concept, which had a 50s-inspired, retro-style cabin. The concept had Kia changing the color of the instrument cluster depending on the driving mode. It also had a carbon fiber spine that runs up to the front seat. We don’t know if these are exactly what we’d come to expect from Kia, but this or a more traditional cabin will be more than enough for fans.
Powertrain
Kia said that the Proceed GT will get a 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo engine that can deliver around 200 horsepower.
This figure could change as production day nears, but it’s doubtful that the South Korean automaker would bring more power to the Proceed GT. If it will, the five-door fastback will officially step on the Stinger’s toes. The Stinger has a 2.0-liter engine that produces 255 ponies.
5 Quick Facts About the Volkswagen Arteon
Another car that will be gracing the 2017 Geneva Motor Show in March is the Volkswagen Arteon. More than a week before the big event, Volkswagen released the teaser images of the car through a sketch as well as closeup look at its front grille and taillights.
1. About the Car’s Name
The Volkswagen Arteon’s name is derived from the words “art” and “eon”. “Art” points out to the stylish lines and curves of the car. On the other hand, “eon” refers to its status as a premium model.
2. Arteon in the Volkswagen Hierarchy
According to a report, the Volkswagen Arteon is referred to by its maker as a fastback. The auto is the successor of the CC sedan and a notch above the Passat midsize sedan. The car is based on the Sport Coupe GTE Concept shown in the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.
3. Design of the Arteon
As seen in the spy photos, the Volkswagen Arteon sports a futuristic design. The headlamps appear to be integrated in both ends of the car’s radiator grille. VW claimed that the Arteon will possess their latest generation of driver assistance systems while the front and back lighting system come in LED.
Despite the compact styling of the fastback, VW said that the vehicle offers a spacious interior. That is thanks to the MQB platform of the auto, which was adapted from the Passat. Expect the same level of interior elements and tech from the Passat to be carried over to the Arteon too.
4. Engine
The US market-bound Arteon might be equipped with a 2.0-liter TSI engine with an output of more than 270 bhp. It should be noted though that the test mules of the car that we have seen so far in a series of spy shots were using a watered down version of the engine with 190 bhp. All that power is distributed via a 7-speed DSG dual clutch automatic gearbox.
5. Competition
The Arteon aims to rival the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe when it comes out of the market.
Pitting the Kia Stinger GT vs Audi A5 Sportback
Comparing the Kia Stinger GT and Audi A5 Sportback is monumental because up until Kia threw its own in the ring, there are only a few competitors in the four-door fastback category.
Kia Stinger
Although it was a latecomer, Kia was bold in its move, designing the four-door Stinger fastback with hood vents, tiger-nose grille, unique LED headlamps, and a throng of other athletic elements.
The Stinger also has a “jazzed up” wheels, a beautifully sloping roof, and a silver trim that runs along the windows to the rear of the vehicle. Turning to the rear, you’ll find that Kia fitted the Stinger with dual exhaust tailpipes, thin taillights, and angular vents.
Inside, you can expect a more premium feel for the Stinger GT. There’s Nappa leather seat covers, large touchscreen on top of the dash, and circular air vents reminiscent of a Mercedes.
Audi A5 Sportback
The Audi A5 Sportback, on the other hand, boasts of its spacious cargo area, which owners can access through a liftgate at the rear of the car. The rear seats can be folded down to further expand the already spacious cargo area.
On the outside, the Stinger GT trumps out the A5 Sportback’s reservations to be bold and more alluring that the A4. It shares the Stinger GT’s side vent near the front door, and the Sportback’s character lines aren’t as tamed as the ones on the Kia.
The interior is where the actual competition happens. Audi carved out more space for the cabin. It has better cargo space, leg room, and even shoulder room. The only element where Kia won over is the ample headroom, which is lacking in the A5 Sportback.
The dashboard is based on the MLB Evo platform. It includes the sat-nav as standard, though you can opt for the Virtual Cockpit. If only based on the dashboard, we have to choose the Sportback over the Stinger. There is no competition when it comes to Audi’s cockpit. It’s still the best in the market today.