News flash from the hub of the automotive universe, while cruising about recently, I came across a trio of cars with manufacturer plates on the back, and presumably Hyundai/Kia Tech Center stickers in the front windshields of all. There was a smallish sedan still going heavy on the body camouflage make-up, so much of the car was still hidden, but I don't think it's too far from the truth to presume that this might be the next generation of Hyundai Accent. About the size and shape of a Mazda 3, the level of refinement I could discern from what I saw was what most people would categorize as "decidedly un-Korean." Being a relative proponent of Korean culture, it must be noted that their level of refinement as a culture is definitely improving; as demonstrated by the two larger vehicles I saw. Neither of these was wearing the cardboard-and-cloth camouflage of their smaller sibling, suggesting that this vehicle is closer to production than the other. There was still some of the camouflage paintwork evident, used to disguise the car in desert and other extreme-weather testing. I was able to faintly discern a Hyundai badge on the nose of one of these, and obviously, I wasn't able to look under the hood, but from everything I saw, cars like the V-6 Nissan Altima and Lexus GS-series should avoid the rush and start shaking now. Yeah, it's that slick. As Hyundais go, I don't foresee ones of this ilk being used as taxis in Seoul, or anywhere else in Korea. As you might have guessed by my comparisons, the larger car is a midsize sedan, whose evident finery and overall look put it squarely in the middle of the entry-to-medium-level luxury category. By all indications, it could take a strong run at the Lexus GS 350, and unless Hyundai/Kia blows the pricing structure on this one, (although they haven't been known to yet,) steal some of the Lex' thunder. Like I said, yeah, it's that good. But this is pre-production, and curbside. I guess we'll just hafta wait and see.