Ssangyong Introduces New Korando Sports in South Korea

The South Korean maker known for building some of the ugliest production cars in recent times, Ssangyong, has launched the production version of the SUT 1 Concept model that premiered in Geneva last year in its home market.

The new Korando Sports, which replaces the Actyon Sports – one of Ssangyong's "lookers" we told you about, is a four-door SUV with a pickup truck bed described by the Korean company as a leisure utility vehicle (LUV).

While more conventional looking than both the 2002 Musso Sports and the 2006 Actyon Sports, the Korando Sports won't be winning any beauty contests anytime soon.

Power for the Korando Sports comes courtesy of a 2.0-liter e-XDi200 diesel engine that churns out 155-horses and 36.7kgm of peak torque returning a combined fuel economy of 15.6km/lt (36.7mpg US or 6.4lt/100km). It is available with both rear- and all-wheel drive.

Ssangyong, which was recently acquired by Indian industrial giant Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., said that the diesel engine meets the Euro5 norms.

Hat tip to Leopaul for the find!

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2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Photos on the Loose

There's no end to the automotive leaks today with the latest victim of "someone, somewhere did it, but it wasn't me" being the 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo, photos of which "somehow" made it online several hours ahead of its world premiere at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

We were the first to bring you the low down on Hyundai's 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline unit in the beginning of 2011, while the South Korean automaker officially revealed details on the engine last October.

We'll have to wait until tomorrow for the full details but in KDM form, the 1.6-liter unit that makes use of a twin-scroll turbocharger and a direct fuel injection system produces 204-horses at 6,000 rpm and a peak torque of 265Nm (195 lb-ft) at 1,750 rpm. Hyundai has said that the performance numbers will differ only slightly between markets (the U.S. version is rumored to be rated at 201HP and 196 lb-ft).

The Veloster Turbo will be available with both a six-speed manual and a 6-speed automatic transmission powering the front wheels.

The photos reveal that the Turbo model receives some styling changes to differentiate it from the 138HP base version, including a full face front grille, a redesigned front bumper with new fog lamp surrounds and protruding wings on both corners, widened front fenders, side skirts and a new rear bumper with oval tailpipes.

Interior goodies include a pair of body-hugging front seats and bespoke trim.

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Senner Tuning Extracts Some More Power from Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Not all German tuning firms are obsessed with insane power numbers and questionable cosmetic makeovers, as Senner Tuning's new package for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing sports car shows.

The Ingelheim am Rhein-based tuner starts with the SLS AMG's 6.2-liter V8 engine, which normally produces an output of 571-horsepower and a peak torque of 650Nm (479 lb-ft). A revised ECU along with a stainless steel sports exhaust system and a high-performance air filter boots these numbers 606HP and 690Nm (509 lb-ft).

Senner Tuning also upgrades the suspension and adds a new set of 20-inch Corniche Vegas alloy wheels shod in tires size 255/30R20 at the front and 285/30R20 at the rear.

The carbon fiber mirror caps round off the package, which carries a sticker price of €19,500 including VAT (about US$25,490) in Germany.

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Honda Launches 2012 CR-V Crossover in Japan

Japanese buyers will be the first to receive the new fourth-generation CR-V, Honda announced today that the 2012 CR-V goes on sale at dealerships across the country on December 2, about two weeks before its U.S. launch was convicted of December 15 and almost a year before it reaches European showrooms this fall.

The new CR-V, which we first saw at the Auto Show in Los Angeles earlier this month, Japan will be offered in two versions, the 20G and 24G.

The base, front-wheel drive only 20G comes with a 2.0 liter petrol engine 150 hp at 6200 rpm and 191Nm of peak torque at 4300 rpm, mated to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).

Returns fuel economy of 14.4 km / l (33.9 mpg U.S. or 6.9lt/100km) is the Japanese JC08 cycle and 15.4 km / l (35.2 mpg U.S. or 6.5 lt/100km ) 10-15 a highway.

The 24G is only available with four-wheel drive and the unity of the essence of the largest estimated at 2.4 liter 190HP at 7000 rpm and 222Nm at 4400 rpm, suitable for a five-speed automatic transmission. Honda claims that the 24G is a fuel economy of 11.6 km / l (27.3 MPG or 8.6 lt/100km US) on the JC08 test cycle and 12.2 km / l (28.7 MPG US or 8.2 lt / 100 km) at 10-15.

In 2012, the CR-V 20G comes with a sticker price of ¥ 2,480,000 (about U.S. $ 31 900), while the 24G-wheel drive costs 2,750,000 yen (about U.S. $ 35 350).

Honda said it expects to sell about 18,000 CR-V a year in Japan.

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