S. Korean carmakers unveil new models at Geneva motor show

SEOUL, March 1 (Yonhap) -- South Korean carmakers will unveil new models at the upcoming Geneva International Motor Show, corporate sources said Thursday. The 88th iteration of the motor show, which officially kicks off on March 8 and runs through the 18th in the Swiss city, is seen as the ideal opportunity for local carmakers to showcase their latest vehicles to the world, and European consumers in particular. Event organizers said 180 automotive companies will be present with 110 vehicles debuting at the show. It said a total of 900 cars will be on display with upwards to 700,000 visitors per day. For this year, carmakers will focus on advances made in eco-friendly vehicles, such as electrified models. The latest technology for sport utility vehicles (SUV) and sedans will be shown, providing a glimpse of what is to come for the automobile sector going forward. Hyundai Motor Co., South Korea's No. 1 carmaker, said it will unveil the electrified Kona small SUV at the event. The car, to be seen for the first time by the general public, will come with two choices of powerpack paired to a 150 kilowatt motor that has been specifically designed for the car. The Kona electric vehicle (EV) will come with either a base 39.2 kilowatt hour battery pack or the more powerful 64 kilowatt hour unit, which is good for 470 kilometers of driving on a single charge. The smaller power unit has a rated range of 300 km. The carmaker will also show off its brand new Nexo fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) as well as the plug-in electric version of the Ioniq five-door liftback. The Nexo is the second fuel cell car to be produced commercially by Hyundai, and can travel 609 kilometers (378 miles) on a five-minute fill-up. Hyundai, in addition, will display its all-new Santa Fe midsize SUV. Hyundai corporate cousin Kia Motors Corp. said it will show its third generation Cee'd compact in Geneva. The carmaker will show the latest version of its Rio small car, its K5 GT as well as plug-in models of its Nero crossover and K5 estate car. Besides the two leading carmakers, SsangYong Motor Co. said it will reveal the Rexton SUV along with its e-SIV concept EV for the first time. The carmaker has used Geneva to show off its past concepts, with the SIV-1 being displayed in 2013 and the SIV-2 in 2016. yonngong@yna.co.kr (END)