The Busan International Motor Show in South Korea this year features four world-debut vehicles, with 25 manufacturers, and 171 automotive related companies from 10 countries represented. The show press days were on April 27 and the public show runs from April 28 to May 7.

Located on the southeast of the Korean peninsula, Busan is the second largest city in South Korea. Busan is holding the show for the third time, and organizers are planning to hold a full-fledged motor show every two years, in alternation with the Seoul Motor Show.

SsangYong Actyon Sports

Ssangyong, Korea’s sports vehicle specialist, have released the Actyon Sports (Project code Q-100), a pickup derivative of the Actyon Compact SUV. While Actyon Sports shares multiple body panels with its SUV sibling, due to its different profile, it displays a distinctive personality.

With a fast roof profile, the SUV generates a much sleeker and lighter visual presence, while the pickup derivative displays a heavier, more workmen-like character. The payload area has interchangeable inserts, with choices ranging from a wagon, vinyl, and conventional pickup truck lid. As expected with many of the derivative type of vehicles, overall aesthetic harmony of the passenger area to the payload is left wanting, with details such as the rear fender character line which makes a sharp 90 degree nosedive.

The compact-pickup has a long history in Korean automotive culture, ever since the iconic Hyundai Pony Pickup almost 30 years ago.

SsangYong Rexton II

SSangYong unveiled the Rexton II, a facelifted version of their luxury SUV originally penned by ItalDesign. The front end styling has changed dramatically, sharing many of the design themes from the SsangYong flagship luxury sedan, The Chairman. While there are questions about incorporating a limousine sedan's styling cues to an SUV, the Rexton II overall styling is well resolved. The first generation Rexton front end had a unique ‘mono-surface’ design, where the front details are differentiated only by the parting lines, not by the surface forms. The facelifted version features a more protuding grille and steps under the headlamps. The fresh use of two-tone colour breakup is another well resolved detail aspect of the design.

Rexton will be offered with two engines, a 176bhp, 2.7litre DI diesel, and a 191bhp XVT Diesel

Kia Carens

In a rather subdued mood, Kia unveiled a compact CUV, the ‘New Carens’. Now in its third generation, Carens has an interesting layout, a three row-eight seater with an overall length of only 4545mm. The first-generation Carens had a huge success in Korea when it was first released in 1999. At that time, a three-row seven-seater was categorized as a commercial vehicle, which allowed the owners the ride of a passenger car combined with low running costs and a commercial vehicle tax break.

Wider and showing off much more volume than its predecessor, the New Carens has a ‘bottom heavy’ feel. Much like the Hyundai HD, the side body volume is virtually uninterrupted until it reaches the belt line. An aggressive front lower grille, interesting rear surface detail and a sporty interior give the car a distinctive character.

Carens is one of the main new releases for Kia this year, with the production version of the Kia Cee’d concept scheduled for its world premiere in Paris. Key dimensions: length 4545mm, width 1820mm, height 1720mm, wheelbase 2700mm.

Hyundai Avante HD

Possibly the most anticipated debuts of the Busan Motor Show was the new fourth-generation Avante HD (sold as Elantra/Lantra overseas).

While the Elantra made its debut at the New York Auto Show, Korean motorists were eager for the premiere at Busan. The HD’s popularity in the domestic market is so intense, the outgoing Avante XD will have the distinction of being phased out while still the second best selling car in Korea. With ‘High touch, dynamic sedan’ as its main concept, HD will seek to maintain its dominance in Korea, and it competes with the likes of Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla in the US market.

The HD’s overall styling is defined by its ‘double-wave’ beltline, and wraparound headlamps. Gentle, flowing curvature surrounding the wheels gives the vehicle a softer, feminine feel, and the side surfaces are left untouched, with only a small sill surface break controlling overall character. The HD will make its official debut in the US at the end of the year.

Hyundai Accent 3 Door

Following last years’ release of Accent at the New York Auto Show, Accent range now has a three-door version. Sportier than the four-door sibling, the Accent 3-door is trying to attract younger generation first-car buyers. And with the Accent now having to face stiff competition from Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, who are reentering the US entry level compact sedan segment, this three-door version is vital in helping Hyundai to remain the market leader in this category.

As with the the four-door version, the overall proportion of the Accent 3-door overall proportion of the car is solid, but other than the still visually uncomfortable high belt-line, the overall styling is comfortable and safe. And while it only shares the front third of the car, at a quick glace it is difficult to tell any difference between the two.

Key dimensions: length 4046mm, width 1694mm, height 1470mm, width 2499mm.


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