SEOUL, KOREA- Competition is showing signs of flaring up in the premium sedan market as major carmakers are set to release a string of new models. After the Chuseok holiday, a series of new premium models, including BMW 5 Series, Toyota Avalon, Mercedes-Benz S Class, and Hyundai Genesis, is set to be released.

The first to be launched is the BMW 5 Series facelift model. It is a facelift model of a 6G model marketed in late 2010. The new BMW 5 Series model features the addition of a line into front grilles, plus a change in air intake design. With an LED headlight and fog lamp, the facelift model is mounted with Korean-type navigation.

Toyota Korea will introduce a large sedan Avalon on October 1. The six-cylinder 3.5-liter gasoline model features a maximum output of 265 hp and a maximum torque of 34.3 kg.m, with its compound fuel efficiency estimated at 9.8 km per liter.

To fight against import cars, Hyundai Motor will unveil the 2G Genesis, a facelift model of a 1G model released in 2008. The new Genesis will come in eight-cylinder 5.0-liter, six-cylinder 3.8-liter, and 3.3-liter gasoline models.