Welly 1:43 Hyundai Genesis II Coupe, Hyundai Grandeur, and 2010 Hyundai Tucson



When a diecast company gets permission from an auto manufacturer to create replica's of their vehicles there's a lot of activity between the two as the diecast manufacturer has permission to create all sorts of models from the most recent to past classics.  Most of the time the reason for the dedicated license is to create replica's of vehicles now on sale at dealerships (and sold through parts departments as a promotional item).  Another example here is Welly and the Hyundai and Kia product models in which Welly picked the perfect time to do Hyundai models just as Hyundai finally makes some stylish and credible vehicles.









Hyundai Genesis II coupe

One of the first was the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, which I reviewed in blue and loved it.  The details are accurate and it looks just like the real car, compared to the Hot Wheels version with a slight tuner look that can get lost in the backdrop of Hot Wheels cars.  For 2013 Hyundai upgraded the Genesis and created the Genesis II coupe.  The changes now include a more aggressive front-end with angled headlights and a larger black grille that resembles the Veloster, revised LED taillights, and slight interior tweaks.  The powertrains are still the same rear-wheel drive layout with six-speed manual or a new eight-speed automatic transmission to either a 2.0L DOHC turbo I-4 or a 3.6L DOHC V6 that now makes 348 horsepower and 295 Ib-ft of torque.  The Genesis coupe is a rather odd duck in the Hyundai lineup that has not had much success even with the mid-cycle update.  To make manners worse the Genesis coupe has nothing to do with the Genesis luxury brand, now for 2017 a separate brand in the Hyundai line.  The next Genesis coupe either will have a different name or become a more luxurious four-door coupe under the new Genesis brand.









This dark blue tester has much to differentiate itself from the 2010 model.  The front has larger headlights with the inner-signal lights, larger lower foglights and separate side scoops, and a new grille that has silver horizontal bar below the Hyundai logo and a larger lower grille similar to Audi models.  The hood has more creases in them and adds two air vents, while the sides still show that split side crease and lower side quarter windows.  The wheels are still double 5-spoke wheels but with more distance between the spokes.  The rear does not look much different from the 2010 with a slightly different rear spoiler and the taillights are now clear LED units (I had to add that detail because without them it's hard to tell the difference between the two.)  The base still shows off excellent detailing from the 2010 model from the detailed engine, transmission, drivetrain, exhaust, and suspension components with one noticeable difference: a different transmission pan design for the new eight-speed automatic.  The interior's layout is still the same with the three-spoke steering wheel, dual pod gauges, shifter and center console design, door panel details, and seating for four with supportive front seats.  The biggest change is a slight difference in steering wheel design and additional auxiliary gauges in the center stack.  This is not the only one of two mid-cycle differences between models as Welly expands with more this year including a new Kia K5 (Optima), Hyundai Tucson 2017, and some more Hyundai and Kia castings.












Welly Hyundai Grandeur

Before the Genesis brand was created the only way to get a luxury car at Hyundai was the Azera, or Grandeur in some markets.  Now that difference is so thin that the Grandeur is being phased out of the U.S. market in 2018.  I did get this casting because it has the same overall shape as the Sonata.  The Grandeur goes for a more streamline look with a more upscale look over the Sonata, more features inside than the Sonata, while still retaining the Sonata platform and looks.  The first one arrived in 1988 in Korea to compete against other Asian imports, but in 1998 it finally makes an appearance stateside as the top-of-the-line Hyundai model.  Until recently the styling was much different from the Sonata, but that all changed with the current-generation.  The powertrains range from a four-cylinder to a 3.3L DOHC V6 that produces 293 hp. and 255 Ib-ft. of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission.










In black this Grandeur looks like a proper luxury car with smooth surfaces and nice chrome trim touches.  The front has larger headlights than the Sonata that dip down into a large chrome vertical waterfall grille and down to foglights and a lower grille.  The sides show a clean beltline with supporting chrome trim and rear fenders that are slightly higher.  The multi-spoke wheels look like ones that belong on the Kia Optima Hybrid for some reason.  The rear has taillights that connect through a bar across the trunk area and silver exhaust tips that highlight an otherwise flat rear bumper area.  The panoramic sunroof design is nice if only it was see-through.  As usual the base does not show much thanks to modern car undercarriage covering.  The interior has that same Sonata look with the twin pod dashboard, 4-spoke steering wheel, round gauge dials, center stack design with screen on top, and seating for five passenger's.  While this car is a nice and unique one it does not really stand out as anything special, hence the car's demise in the U.S.










2010 Hyundai Tucson

One of Hyundai's first SUV's was the Santa Fe that debut in 2001.  It was based on the Sonata platform and had all the right stuff to compete in the ever-growing SUV craze.  Since then more SUV's have spawn and as the Santa Fe moves up in size the Tucson takes its place.  It was first created in 2004 based on the Elanta and also serving in the Kia line as the replacement for the rear-drive Sportage.  For 2010 it gets the new Hyundai fluid sculpture look that makes the SUV more rounded in appearance.  The front is more aggressive and lower side trim in black make the SUV look higher.  The interior is more roomier and still practical, while front or all-wheel drive can be had to a 2.4L DOHC I-4 that replaces the V6 motor in the last generation and produces 276 horsepower through a 6-speed automatic transmission.











In dark blue this SUV looks pretty good even if I had to add additional detailing including that lower blacked-out trim on the sides of the vehicle.  The front has larger headlights that flow back into the hood, larger grille with hyundai logo, and foglights to the sides.  The roof has roof rails and a nice panoramic sunroof that like the Grandeur would be nice if it was see-through.  Double 5-spoke wheels sit on a vehicle that has enough ground clearance to go off-road but this is no mud bogger or rock crawler.  Like the headlights the taillights at the rear are larger and flare off  into the rear fenders, while the lower bumper has blacked out trim that I did not add to the vehicle.  The base shows off just the exhaust system and no sign of the optional all-wheel drive system.  The interior has seating for five in a rather dark layout.  The shifter for the transmission now sits lower and along the center console in normal fashion, while the dashboard has a 4-spoke steering wheel, center stack with radio and HVAC controls, and detailed door panels.  With the new 2017 model arriving soon the styling will be even more expressive and also have a slight increase in power from the engine.









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