NAMYANG, South Korea: Hyundai Motor Co, whose former growth was driven by value-for-money vehicles, is developing sports cars in its latest attempt to spruce up its brand image while it tries to stem a slide in mainstream sales and profits.
At the Frankfurt Motor Show on Tuesday, Hyundai presented concept and rally cars using technology from its new "N" sub-brand -- named for German race track
Nurburgring and its own Namyang research and development centre.
The cars are meant to give a glimpse of features like new powertrains and slick handling devised in a high-performance push led by a 30-year veteran engineer hired away from Germany's BMW AG.