Though it represents perhaps the best opportunity in North America for the public to get up close to all the newest models, the Chicago Auto Show can feel anticlimactic for those tasked with covering it as journalists. Manufacturers tend to uncork their biggest debuts at the Los Angeles and Detroit shows, held a few weeks earlier. This can leave the Chicago event feeling a bit stale and picked-over, like a store's clearance bin in the final hours of a big sale.
Continue reading...
Categories: Acura,Hyundai,Kia
"Now why would anyone buy a Honda Civic Coupe instead of that?" a voice over my shoulder said after the 2013 Hyundai Elantra Coupe was unveiled here in Chicago. When it comes to styling, I'm inclined to agree, as this two-door version of Hyundai's popular compact sedan looks excellent. Maybe it's a tad bulky in the rear quarter, but that's normal for coupes (see Mercedes-Benz C-Class) and the Elantra's many creases and character lines hide it reasonably well.
Inside, the dash design is the same as that of the Elantra sedan. However, you'll note that it features an automatic climate control system available for 2013. You would probably expect that the coupe loses backseat room compared to the sedan and you'd be absolutely correct. However, it's not as bad as you think. I set the driver seat for myself (6-foot-3) and there was still usable legroom behind me. Surprisingly, there was even a decent amount of headroom back there as well for a tall guy such as I. Getting the added style of a coupe while still maintaining some functionality is a huge plus.
The sedan's 148-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder is the only engine presently available, but don't be surprised if a turbocharged mill ends up there eventually.
Continue reading...
Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Hyundai
Last night during a pre-auto show dinner hosted by Hyundai, the company's CEO for North America John Krafcik hinted that they would be showing a surprise new model today at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. He continued that it would be borrowing a name from its past.
"Oh please be the Scoupe, oh please be the Scoupe," I thought to myself. Before I had a chance to ponder "Excel" and "Pony," Krafcik continued that it was last used for 2006. That's right, Hyundai devotees. The Hyundai Elantra GT is back.
Continue reading...
Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Hyundai
Hyundai appears hell-bent on hitting Honda and Toyota in every segment possible. The latest entry from Korea is the 2013 Hyundai Elantra coupe, a two-door version of the hot-selling Elantra sedan that recently won the North American Car of the Year award.
There are no big surprises here. The Elantra coupe has all the same hardware as the sedan, but it's packed into a sleeker, two-door package. That includes a 148-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and a choice of either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. When equipped with the manual, Hyundai says the Elantra coupe will return 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway.
When it goes on sale this spring, the Elantra coupe will be available in GS and SE trim levels. Hyundai says the sportier SE trim will feature suspension tuning that is more aggressive compared to the Elantra sedan, along with 17-inch wheels and tires. Good thing, too, as the Elantra is far from sporty, even as compact sedans go.
Continue reading...
Categories: Hyundai
It must be a bummer, being underappreciated. You shine and excel, and still you remain hidden in the shadows.
Just ask any of the six models listed after the jump. It's a story they know all too well.
Continue reading...
Categories: Audi,Ford,Hyundai,Nissan,Suzuki,Volkswagen
With an average cost of $3.5 Million per, Hyundai will be spending approximately $17.5 Million on advertising during this year's Super Bowl. That works out to be the coast of, give or take, 1,165 2012 Hyundai Accents.
But none of these spots are for the Accent. Instead we've got Veloster Turbo, Genesis R-Spec, Elantra, Genesis Coupe R-Spec and a general Hyundai ad. The Veloster Turbo ad titled "Cheetah" is the best of them and the only one that may drive people to YouTube to watch it again.
Continue reading...
Categories: Hyundai,Videos
Once again the kids over at Hyundai blog have gotten hold of photos of a new Hyundai before anyone else. This time it's the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe they've nabbed before its official debut at the 2012 New York Auto Show.
As you can see in this photo (there's a rear shot at Hyundai Blog), Hyundai has Velostered-up the Santa Fe this time around with a hexagonal grille with big, chunky cross bars. There's also a hint of skid plate and LED foglights.
It's certainly a step up, but from what we can gather from this photo, it's still got a ways to go to catch up visually to the new Ford Escape. (Who thought anyone would ever seriously use that phrase?)
Categories: Crossovers,Hyundai,New York Auto Show
By all accounts, I should like golf. Unfortunately the idea of hitting a ball with a stick every few minutes and hanging out with my buddies all day is vastly different than the tiresome, frustrating exercise in pointlessness that is real golf. The game needs to be two hours shorter and sixteen times more frantic. Maybe have live bees at random tees? Or a guy trying to tackle you? That'd be fun.
Rhys Millen seems to have found a different way to spice it up. The trick appears to be using a Hyundai Veloster Rally car instead of those wimpy carts. And to tear up some unreasonably expensive landscaping instead of using those silly paths.
Continue reading...
Categories: Hyundai,Motorsports,Videos
At the 2012 LA Auto Show, Hyundai took home award for the 2012 North American Car of the year with the 2012 Hyundai Elantra.
At the Chicago Auto Show next month, Hyundai isn't simply going to sit around showing off trophies. Instead, they'll be lopping two doors off of the Elantra and debuting this, the 2012 Elantra Coupe.
Visually, it's very similar (surprise) the the Elatra sedan. The main difference is the side detail which morphs into the rear wheel arch -- that doesn't exist on the sedan. The crease looks sharper here, but that's likely a visual trick cause by it not being broken by the rear door handle. We're anticipating the powertrain to be the same with a 148-horsepower 1.8-liter I4 hooked to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. (California cars which are SULEV/PZEV only make 145 horsepower.)
Continue reading...
Categories: Coupes,Hyundai,Spy Photos
In what amounts to one of the worst-kept secrets of 2011, Hyundai finally unwrapped the Veloster Turbo in Detroit. The more powerful Veloster receives a much-needed 63-horsepower upgrade for a total of 201 hp, and yes, it will be available in this tasty matte gray paint finish.
Check out the details after the jump, and see how James works in the phrase, "week-old hot dogs," into the video.
Continue reading...
Categories: Detroit Auto Show,Hyundai,Videos
Equipped with a dual-clutch automatic, a 2012 Veloster we tested got to 60 in 9.8 seconds.The 2,813-pound, 138-horsepower car crossed the quarter-mile in 17.4 seconds at a speed of 81.2 mph. While this number is acceptable, it's fairly underwhelming for those of us looking for something fun and funky.
Hyundai apparently agrees, as it has just (officially) announced the 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo to run against the likes of the Mini Cooper S, Honda Civic Si and Volkswagen GTI.
Continue reading...
Categories: Detroit Auto Show,Hatchbacks,Hyundai,Sports Cars
The Range Rover Evoque beat out such notable trucks as the BMW X3, Honda CR-V and Mini Countryman to win the coveted North American Truck of the Year award announced today at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show.
There was real competition this year in the car category, however, where the Audi A6/A7, Buick Verano, Chevy Sonic, Chrysler 300, Fiat 500, Hyundai Accent, Scion iQ, Subaru Impreza, Toyota Camry, VW Passat and more all fought for the top spot.
When the dust cleared it was the Hyundai Elantra that walked away with the win. Previously on Inside Line the Elantra won a comparison against the Cruze and Civic, but was handily bested by the 2012 Ford Focus Titanium in another test.
Categories: Chicago Auto Show,Hyundai,Land Rover
We're just a few hours away from the Hyundai press conference here at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show where the company will unveil the new 2013 Genesis Coupe. We've already seen the new facelifted, 350-horsepower (in V6 trim, 275 from the 2.0-liter I4) coupe so this video isn't a huge revelation, but it's a good primer for what we'll be bringing you in a few hours.
Continue reading...
Categories: Coupes,Detroit Auto Show,Hyundai,Sports Cars
Heading to New York this weekend for the big night? Got an iPhone? Want to race a Veloster while thousands of people judge your driving skill? If so, Hyundai has the game for you.
HYUNDAI RACE will be live on the Times Square billboard until the end of the year and those with an iPhone (and Hyundai Race downloaded from the iTunes store) will get the opportunity to toss around a Veloster in super size. There will be a high score board and, likely, an incredibly long line.
Practice in advance by downloading the racing app from iTunes or just for something to do if you aren't going to NYC.
Continue reading...
Categories: Hyundai,Videos
The 2012 North American Car and Truck of the Year finalists have just been announced and there are few surprises.
A group of 50 automotive journalists have voted on cars which are "all new or substantially changed" and have narrowed it down to three cars and three "trucks." The finalists are...
Continue reading...
Categories: BMW,Detroit Auto Show,Ford,Honda,Hyundai,Land Rover,Volkswagen
Let's say you had a large office space here in Southern California but, due to growth, you were demolishing it to put up something bigger and better. Let's say you also had the talented Mr. Rhys Millen on your payroll and lawyers willing to turn a blind eye. Then what?
Gymkhana-style drifting around the busted facility? You betcha. And unlike some other guys doing this sort of thing, Rhys does it with rear wheel drive. Just sayin'.
Continue reading...
Categories: Hyundai,Videos
Wards auto has released its official list of the 10 Best Engines for 2012. A record seven feature direct injection and five engines feature turbo or supercharging. Wards made the decision after driving 36 different vehicles with 34 new or redesigned motors over 2 months. Scores are based on power, technology (think that slightly skews this towards DI/Turbo motors instead off something like, oh, the LS1?), observed fuel economy, noise, vibration and harshness. Vehicles must be priced below $55,000.
Full list after the jump. (Pretend you didn't see the spoiler photo above.)
Continue reading...
Categories: Audi,BMW,Buick,Car Tech,Chrysler,Ford,Hyundai,Infiniti,Jeep
Hard times can be a bummer, but in the best of circumstances, they can be a catalyst for growth and improvement.
It's certainly worked out that way for some manufacturers in the automotive industry, and many of the cars that graced the floor at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show are proof.
Continue reading...
Categories: Chevrolet,Fiat,Honda,Hyundai,Porsche
The 2012 Hyundai Azera makes a major play for premium territory with a dramatic redesign and engine improvement -- and a much bigger price tag.
Continue reading...
Categories: Hyundai,LA Auto Show,Videos
Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik rolled out the 2012 Hyundai Azera to a packed house at the Hyundai booth this morning. The car, besides offering best-in-class combined fuel economy of 23 mpg and 293 hp, looks good.
Continue reading...
Categories: Hyundai
