The Spirra is almost here. South Korea is about to introduce its first supercar, nine years after the Proto Motors PS-II prototype was first revealed to the press. After navigating through rough seas, including being bought out by a company called the Oullim Group, Proto Motors (now Oullim Motors) is confident of a 2010 summer market introduction.

Maximum power will come from a V6 motor with four different outputs. At its meekest, it will produce 129kW (173 bhp/ 175 PS) and torque of 245 Nm (181 lb-ft) at 6,000rpm. The second configuration features a small turbo that helps it push 243 kW (325 bhp / 330 PS) and 471 Nm (347 lb-ft). At the third-highest level is a power output of between 294 kW (395 bhp/ 400 PS) and 309 kW (414 bhp/ 420 PS), assisted by a bigger turbo. Peak torque for this engine is 490 Nm (361 lb-ft).

The most powerful of them all is persuaded by two turbos encouraging between 331 kW (444 bhp/ 450 PS) and 368kW (493 bhp/ 500 PS). The maximum torque is 539 Nm (398 lb-ft). Drive is through the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual gearbox. At its quickest it goes from 0 - 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds. Top speeds range from 212 km/h to 310 km/h.

Road grip is provided by 225/40R 19 front and 275/40R 19 rear tyres. The Spirra has a mid-engine layout and is constructed by hand.

The body is made from carbon fibre, enclosing a tubular spaceframe. It is all lightweight but very stiff at the same time. The Korean auto industry does not yet have a well-developed supercar heritage and as such, these manufacturing technologies are not common for the general market.

In advance of Hyundai's eight world debuts at the Geneva Motor Show, the company has released another image of the Hyundai i-flow HED-7 hybrid concept - this time it's not a design sketch.  The car is meant to preview a new sedan that "redefines the perception of space" for D-segment vehicles.

Appearing alongside the concept, the company plans to debut the Hyundai i30u, the facelifted version of the i30.  The model will go into mass production just after its Geneva debut.

The i-flow is part of Hyundai's "fluidic sculpture" style theme.  As such, it has an impressive drag coefficient of 0.25, which helps the car run efficient.  The company used a 1.7-liter diesel engine with a two-stage turbo charger, six-speed dual-clutch gearbox, and an unspecified electric motor paired to a Lithium Ion-Polymer battery.  Combined with the low drag coefficient, the car produces a scant 85 grams of CO2 per kilometer, while using just 3 liters of fuel per 100km (78mpg US / 94mpg imp).

Inside, the cabin is centered "around an expansive, contoured screen, which recognizes not only touch but also gestural inputs along its fascia-wide display," according to a press release.  The exterior is finished in a "Liquid Metal" coating produced by BASF.

Meanwhile, the company says the i30u will show changes to design and performance.  Additionally, Hyundai will show off a hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicle of the ix35/Tucson, and five efficient Blue Drive versions of the i10, i20, i30, i30cw, and the ix35.

Amongst the massive display from Tata at the Auto Expo 2010 is the Tata Aria production vehicle. The MPV is one of 37 cars at the company's booth, which also includes Land Rover and Jaguar.Using a 2.2-liter direct-injection common-rail diesel engine, the Aria will work with 138 horsepower, and up to 320 Nm of torque. Although sprint times, weight and top speed have not yet been revealed, expect the car to use that torque to launch forward, getting a bit sluggish as speeds increase. Optionally available is an all-wheel drive unit that delivers torque variably to each wheel, depending on driving conditions.Tata intentionally designed the seven-seater with enough height so "passengers can simply walk into the Tata Aria, rather than climbing" into it. If the driver has less than six passengers, the rear seats may be folded flat to increase cargo room. Interior features include an infotainment unit with GPS, dual climate zones, and surround sound. Six airbags will help keep everyone safe.Reports from the vehicle's introduction in New Delhi claim pricing will range from 700,000 to 1,000,000 Indian Rupees, or €10,600 to €15,150. First shown five years ago in Geneva as a concept, domestic market launch of the 2011 Tata Aria could begin by this summer.

Somali pirates have hijacked a vessel carrying Hyundai and Kia vehicles some 1,000 kilometers off the Somali coast, the South Korean Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs has reported.

The ship, Asian Glory, was transporting about 2,400 cars, most of them Hyundai and Kia models, and was headed to a port in Saudi Arabia when it was captured by pirates. The ship was being operated by EUKOR Car Carriers Inc. and is owned by Zodiac Maritime Agencies Ltd.

Hyundai released a statement to the press via e-mail saying that the cars had been paid for and that the risk now belongs to the distributor. The cars are also insured.

The Gulf of Aden is a tight shipping lane that leads into the Suez canal. About 30,000 ships pass through the region each year, amounting to about 1/10th of the world's traded goods. Merchant ships traveling in the area have been the target of Somali pirates for some time now. The region is currently patroled by about 20 warships from the EU, NATO and other countries.

According to reports, Somali pirates now hold about 12 ships. The Asian Glory has a crew of 25, including 8 Bulgarians and 5 Indians, according to the South Korean Ministry.

[Via:bloomberg]