As said, this is a video to find the champion among the cheapest cars in Europe. The cars involves are Proton Savvy, Hyundai Atos and a French manufacturer of microcar (name MC2). Take a look and see who will win the race to the top of the hill.

Few years ago, some said the Koreans were coming. They were right, because the Hyundais and Kias of one generation ago weren’t good enough to have arrived – coming yes, arrived no. But if you haven’t noticed, things have changed over the past few years – Hyundai-Kia is now the fourth largest carmaker in the world, ahead of all Japanese rivals except for Toyota, and is clearly on the up.

Products like this sixth-generation Hyundai Sonata (codenamed YF) reflect the brand’s current standing. Still good value, still has that long warranty, but now with attributes that appeal not only to the value conscious. Things like quality, class leading figures and design flair were almost never spoken in the same sentence as “Hyundai”, but the YF changes this. We drive Hyundai’s eye opener in Muscat, Oman.

I just got back from the special preview of the sixth generation Hyundai Sonata, where the media and soon to be owners of the YF got to have a closer look at the latest D-segment car to hit our market. At the event, Hyundai-Sime Darby revealed the only figure yet to be announced about the new Sonata – the price.

Much speculation has been made about the price, with some claiming that the range will start at RM148K. No such thing of course, and the 2.0 Standard is priced closer to RM130K than RM150K. Here you go:

2.0 Standard – RM135,888
2.0 High Spec – RM143,888
2.4 High Spec – RM163,888

The Sonata uses the new Theta II family of engines paired with a self-developed 6-speed auto ‘box. The 2.0 pushes out 164 bhp and 197 Nm of torque while the 2.4 has 175 bhp/227 Nm – figures that match (or better) those of its rivals. Combined fuel economy is rated at 13.2 km/l for the 2.0 and 12.5 km/l for the 2.4.

Spec wise, the High Spec cars get the panoramic roof, ESP with Hill Assist, leather seats and keyless entry with push start. The difference between the 2.4 HS and the 2.0 HS is that the bigger engined car gets a front passenger powered seat (as opposed to driver only), HID headlamps and climate control. Standard equipment across the range include ABS, dual airbags, 17-inch alloys, cruise control, factory stereo with iPod/AUX in and rear air-con vents. Five colours are available, which are white, silver, black, red and blue.

The car will have its official launch on the 2nd of July. But from tomorrow till next Tuesday (25-29 June) everyone is invited to Hyundai’s showroom at Glenmarie to view the car from 2pm to 7pm. From the 30th, the Sonata will be displayed at One Utama.

The Hyundai i10 now has an additional variant in Malaysia equipped with the more modern and powerful twin cam 1.25 liter Kappa family engine, which supplements the 1.1 liter SOHC and does not replace it in the Malaysian line-up.

This engine complies with Euro 4 emissions regulations and produces 80 PS and 112Nm of torque compared to the 1.1 liter Epsilon single cam engine’s 66 PS.

There are actually two versions of the new aluminum alloy Kappa engine. One is a lower powered 1,197cc with a shorter stroke, but we are getting the European spec 1,248cc version, hence the 1.25 liter displacement instead of just 1.2 liter.

All Kappa engines are twin cam, 16 valve, use distributorless ignition, lightweight ECOFORM pistons, and feature an EPS power steering system. The engine is mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission.

The i10 (1.25l Kappa) is CKD assembled and is priced at RM49,688 (OTR) for the standard spec and RM52,688 (OTR) for the high spec (adds 2 airbags and ABS brakes) in West Malaysia and comes with a 5 years warranty or 300,000km extended warranty.

The Kappa model also has two exclusive colours not available on the 1.1 liter – Oyster Grey and Deepsea Blue.