Spy Shots: Hyundai "Terracan"
This large unibody SUV from Hyundai
could be a replacement for the Terracan sold
elsewhere around the world or it could be a new CUV developed specifically with the North American market in mind. The Car
Connection seems to believe the latter, and who are we to argue? Known internally as the “EN”, this
Ford Explorer-sized utility vehicle would occupy the territory above the Sante Fe in Hyundai’s line-up. The two
vehicles would share the same platform, except the EN would receive a stretched and widened version to go with its
unique interior and exterior. Motivation will most likely come from Hyundai’s flagship 3.8L V6 being used in the
Azera at the moment.[Source: The Car Connection]
UPDATE: Corrected availability of Terracan - it's also sold in Europe, as well as Asia.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Source1 4:39PM (4/10/2006)
This is coming to the US to rival the Tahoe, Pilot, etc. Previously, this vehicle was a body-on-frame set-up, but word on the street is that this is a massive upgrade as Hyundai guns to sell 1 million in US in next 3.5 years.
Hyundai desires to become a serious contender in the SUV game.
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matt 4:43PM (4/10/2006)
i was just on vacation in costa rica you can get it there. I actually rented one for 3 days its a pretty capable car.. i borrowed the turbo diesel model it was really slow but once you got the thing rolling it could hit 100km/h on pot hole ridden roads
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SaveGas 4:57PM (4/10/2006)
Does the US auto market really need another SUV? When is the insanity going to stop? Hopefully gasoline will go above $3.50 this summer, which should undoubtedly stall SUV sales and prompt consumers to look into more sensible vehicles. I predict major small car players like Toyota and Honda will have very profitable 3rd quarters due to the cost of gasoline.
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Source1 5:10PM (4/10/2006)
Yeah, I need one because I like them and since this is a free country with free enterprise, I'll buy one. It's not about need, it's about want. Since I worked to build my own company, I'll buy whatever the **** I want and you can buy what you want. You do your thing, I'll do mine. Works for me.
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mike 5:19PM (4/10/2006)
yeah actually its sold in central america too (maybe south america as well) since i know they have them in El Salvador (when i go for vacation) and apparently they're in Costa Rica too (#3).
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SaveGas 5:28PM (4/10/2006)
Source1,
Your poor choices will continue to contribute to Americas dependency on foreign and military engagements abroad. Enjoy your free enterprise while watching tonights newscast about the soldiers that died overseas while trying to secure oilfields for your SUV. If youre clever enough, maybe you can calculate how many soldiers per gallon your gluttonous vehicle gets?
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PJ 5:29PM (4/10/2006)
There's a problem with that argument. Unfortunately, neither the air nor the price of gas knows to only penalize those who choose to buy an SUV (or whatever sort of less-efficient vehicle). You can "do your own thing" as far as the buying decision goes, but after that, your choice affects everyone on one scale or another (higher gas prices, poorer air quality, et cetera). No one lives in a vacuum.
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Philip Dunlop 6:03PM (4/10/2006)
Yeah, the Terracan is sold in Europe, too. Asia-only? Where did you hear that?
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Lithous 6:34PM (4/10/2006)
Toyota is the most profitable car company on the planet and is near becoming the #1 selling (by unit sales) on the planet and their main division, the Toyota Division, in the U.S. sells 6 cars (Avalon,Camry,Corolla,Matrix,Prius,Yaris), 2 pickups (Tundra,Tacoma), 1 minivan (Sienna) and 6 SUVs (4Runner,FJ Cruiser,Highlander,Land Cruiser,RAV4,Sequoia). (My source was going to toyota.com and putting my cursor over each segment listed.)
My point is look how many SUVs they sell and Detroit is the bad ones? I gotta laugh. Oh, and Toyota's biggest beast SUV (which I think is smaller) gets less MPG than GM's biggest.
Hyundai is bringing a new SUV here. All I'm saying is the bashing of Detroit is so obviously bias that I gotta laugh.
Detroit = SUVs = bad = laugh my tail off
Toyota = small cars = good = you ever see a 1980 Camry compared to a new Camry? = You see all Japanese cars grow and grow over the years?
Everyone wants small cars now and here is the proof, look how much the Camry shrunk from 1989 until now...
Then: http://www.pbase.com/kluken/image/40300900
Now: http://www.toyota.com/camry/ext_large.html?page=page6 http://www.pbase.com/kluken/image/40300901 ($18K for a K-Car looking thing back in the 1980's). No wonder Toyota could afford to do some decent cars now, that price is a show.
Oh, what a feeling!!
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Hank 6:45PM (4/10/2006)
Asia only? My wife's grandparents rode all over Guatemala in one.
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Jason Pitsch 7:10PM (4/10/2006)
Correction: That is actually a Kia vehicle, which is basically a lowered version of the new Santa Fe. I know because they were testing them at the dealership I work at in Colorado a couple weeks ago.
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Chris 8:01PM (4/10/2006)
Hey SaveGas...you're an idiot. Stop trying to indoctrinate others on an online forum. You seem like a typical whiny liberal who cheers every time a soldier dies because it justifies their beliefs and would like nothing better than to see the USA lose its preeminence in the world. If you don't like it, get the hell out and move to North Korea where everyone drives tiny little cars. I'm sure it's because they want to, too.
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SaveGas 8:47PM (4/10/2006)
To Chris, the Right wing GOPer:
Dont insult my intelligence with weak belittling slurs. As an American Im entitled to my first amendment of free speech. I voice my opinion because Im concerned about the future of our great nation. The best way to counter obnoxious speech is with more speech. Persuasion, not coercion, is the solution.
I dont cheer the death of soldiers my friend, I weep in penitence for the death of service personnel caught in a senseless war. As to preeminence, I do in fact strongly disagree with the USAs unjustifiable military engagements of nations and genocide of humanity abroad.
In regard to my political affiliation, Im proud to say I support the progressive side of the political spectrum. GOPers like you are losing ground everyday; a Washington Post poll issued today shows that only 38% support Bush, the lowest in his 6 years in office. You should focus on enjoying the Republican policies while they last, as US politics are on path to take a sharp LEFT turn in 2008.
Love,
~Savegas
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Rastus 9:44PM (4/10/2006)
It's funny, when someone wants to berate, say a Toyota, they compare it to a K-car. Why, yes, that's quite apt...to call something a K-car is to call it a POS.
I agree with you Lithous, for once....the Chrysler K-cars, stretch K-cars, minivans, etc...every last one of them were utter sh*t.
And I'm glad to see you acknowledging the profitability aspect of a world-class automaker. You see, when you build quality vehicles which people demand, a funny thing happens...you generate profits!
If the cars/trucks are getting bigger, maybe you ought to look at the Fat-assed Americans who demand them.
Supersize ME...and pass the bacon while you are at it!
Americans in general are the most over-consuming swine on this planet. Give the slobs what they want and they will line up at the troughs.
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SaveGas 9:53PM (4/10/2006)
....Detroit = SUVs = bad = laugh my tail off...
Detroit's proliferation of the SUV market in the 1990's spurred many automakers to join the highly profitable SUV market.. Prior to 1995, Toyota only sold two SUVs in America, the archaic 4Runner and somewhat exclusive Landcruiser. In 1996, Toyota came out with the RAV4, a sensible car based Cute-Ute that offered gas mileage in the high twenties. For the next three years Toyotas SUV team sat quietly observing sales of Explore, Expedition, and F150 reach into the millions. Unfortunately, Toyota execs werent so tranquil, continuously voicing concern that Toyota needs new SUVs to compete with Ford.
Finally in early 1999 North American exec James E. Press convinced Global exec Katsuaki Wantanabe that America needs new SUVs. After much heated debate, Wantanabe agreed but only if the vehicles are to be made in the United States. Construction of Toyota Princeton, Indiana began in late 1999. In 2001, Toyota released the Highlander, Sequoia, and Tundra pickup to compete with the Explorer, Expedition and F150.
The Highlander and Sequoia sold well in their respective market. The Tundra never really took off because of the American truck buyers mentality that anything foreign is unpatriotic and evil. With exception of the greatly unpopular Tundra, Land Cruiser, Sequoia and 4Runner; Toyotas current SUV fleet is amongst the most fuel efficient in the industry. The FJ cruiser is just a novelty driven design exercise to celebrate the anniversary of the original FJ cruiser.
Today Toyota holds the auto industries 2nd highest fleet fuel economy average, ahead of Detroits big boys. Regardless of how inefficient Toyotas biggest SUV is, the marquee on average is 3-5 MPG more fuel efficient than Ford, GM and Chrysler. Toyota large SUV division has stagnated in the last couple years due to lack of interest, and will likely be axed in the next five years. While GM and Ford are focusing their attention on making their biggest SUVs more fuel efficient, Toyota is going back to its grass roots of producing economical automobiles like the 30MPG RAV4 and 34MPG Camry.
Thus, Detroit = SUVs = Bad, stands true.
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Lithous 9:53PM (4/10/2006)
"Correction: That is actually a Kia vehicle, which is basically a lowered version of the new Santa Fe. I know because they were testing them at the dealership I work at in Colorado a couple weeks ago."
I don't believe you, 'cause only GM badge engineers.
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I_Hate_Chinese 9:55PM (4/10/2006)
This is the second vehicle of Hyundai's luxury trio(BH sedan, EN SUV, and unnamed RWD sports coupe) originally intended for a new luxury brand which is now scrapped.
The current rumor in Korea is that Hyundai is brand-shopping, possibly Jaguar from Ford.
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Lithous 10:19PM (4/10/2006)
"It's funny, when someone wants to berate, say a Toyota, they compare it to a K-car. Why, yes, that's quite apt...to call something a K-car is to call it a POS.
I agree with you Lithous, for once....the Chrysler K-cars, stretch K-cars, minivans, etc...every last one of them were utter sh*t."
When Chrysler was American they had the poorest quality of any American company. So out of all the companies I'm glad Chrysler is not American now. Problem is that too many people act like they are American still and their cars still suck so that company still brings down American companies in the eyes of many.
"And I'm glad to see you acknowledging the profitability aspect of a world-class automaker. You see, when you build quality vehicles which people demand, a funny thing happens...you generate profits!"
Wait, didn't the K-Car generate enough profits such that Chrysler could pay back the gov't years in advance? There goes your theory about quality = profitability.
"If the cars/trucks are getting bigger, maybe you ought to look at the Fat-assed Americans who demand them."
No, but only the perfect Americans buy Toyota and Honda and yet their cars are getting bigger so there goes your theory there too. maybe someday I'll reach perfection enough to buy one of those perfect cars. Wait, I guess since I have had flaws that I shall forever be imperfect and undeserving of a Toyota. Oh, well.
"Americans in general are the most over-consuming swine on this planet. Give the slobs what they want and they will line up at the troughs."
Rastus, I'm convinced, you are either a Toyota exec or one in training. You have thoughts just like the superior Japanese. I guess Moving Forward is a reference to American's bellies?
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Lithous 10:56PM (4/10/2006)
"Detroit's proliferation of the SUV market in the 1990's spurred many automakers to join the highly profitable SUV market..."
Let me make sure I understand. Detroit has the power to force America to buy SUVs when Americans really don't want to buy them. But with all their power to force vehicles on people they lost the best selling car in America title? I mean, why didn't they take the same gun-to-Americans-heads they did with SUVs and do that with the Taurus or whatever?
"The Highlander and Sequoia sold well in their respective market. The Tundra never really took off because of the American truck buyers mentality that anything foreign is unpatriotic and evil."
Of course, most auto mags who will tell you that the Camry is better than the Taurus or Fusion didn't think the Tundra was as good a pickup as the American offerings. But we'll leave that out. It was 100% jingoism, if that will make you happy.
"With exception of the greatly unpopular Tundra, Land Cruiser, Sequoia and 4Runner; Toyotas current SUV fleet is amongst the most fuel efficient in the industry."
So you want to throw out half their SUVs (3 of 6) because they aren't "popular" and declare Toyota AMONGST (i.e. not the best but JUST amongst the best with their top 3 gas guzzlers thrown out and not counted) the best. Gee, sounds fair to me. Let's see, can I throw out 3 things of for me in a comparison... If you throw out my looks, my height and my cash, I am basically Brad Pitt. I like your thinking.
"Regardless of how inefficient Toyotas biggest SUV is, the marquee on average is 3-5 MPG more fuel efficient than Ford, GM and Chrysler."
Yes, that is going to save the world 3-5 MPG. If a Malibu owner drives slightly more conservative than a Camry owner (or makes sure the air pressure is correct all the time) then the MPG is basically a wash...
http://www.chevrolet.com/malibu/specifications
http://www.toyota.com/camry/specs.html
Oh, yeah, another thing the Japanese brands like to do is offer manual transmissions in a lot of models. This ups their MPG average by a couple per vehicle. Where I live 1 in a million buy those. But hey, it is worth it to them so people like you can still hate Detroit as it brings that average from 1-2 MPG difference to 3-5.
It's an interesting thing. Why would Toyota work with (i.e. waste their time with) such a crappy company with no real history in alternative fuels (other than the EV-1 which is still unmatched from a major auto company in mass production) like GM on developing hydrogen fuel cells? Are they crazy? A company as inept like GM would be giving nothing and taking everything (i.e. all taking and not giving), right? I guess lazy, dumb, environment killing GM had something to give. Nah, I don't believe it.
XOXO,
Lithous
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Lithous 11:07PM (4/10/2006)
Anyway, on the links to the Camry and Malibu there is a 24/33 automatic Camry V6 and a 22/32 automatic V6 Malibu. It is a trouncing, isn't it? My guess, knowing how Japan Inc. operates (like horsepower overstating, etc.) my guess is that Toyota knows the exact way the MPG is tested by the gov't and set the engine for the best MPG under those EXACT conditions. Just my opinion of course.
Thanks for the history of Toyota though. You give insight that only Wantanabe's geisha possibly could know and therefore we are fortunate.
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