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Hyundai shutters engine development in shift to electric and hydrogen vehicles

Hyundai is quickly pivoting into an era of electric vehicles. Shortly after announcing it would halve the number of internal combustion models, it launched its first EV on its dedicated Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the supremely enjoyable Ioniq 5. Now, as The Korea Economic Daily reports, Hyundai Motor Group, which includes sister brand Kia and luxury brand Genesis, has closed its engine development division at its research and development center in South Korea to put those resources into electric powertrain development. According to the report, researchers from engine design are moving to its electrification design center, but a few remain behind to continue to refine existing internal combustion engines. The powertrain system development center will become an electrification test center, and the performance division will focus on electric performance. The group has also established a battery development center, and the R&D Center will also focus on raw materials for batteries and semiconductors. In an email, R&D boss Park Chung-Kook told employees, “Now, it is inevitable to convert into electrification. Our own engine development is a great achievement, but we must change the system to create future innovation based on the great asset from the past.” Hyundai Motor Group is targeting one million EVs a year by 2025, and full electrification by the year 2040. In addition to the newly launched Ioniq 5, Hyundai is planning to launch the Ioniq 6 EV, based on the stunning Prophecy concept, in 2022, and weÂ’ve already seen spy shots of that prototype in testing. That will be followed by the full-size Ioniq 7 SUV in 2024, which was recently previewed by the Seven Concept at the 2021 L.A. Auto Show. Kia is set to launch the EV6 in 2022, and Genesis recently revealed the GV60 electric crossover, both of which will use HyundaiÂ’s E-GMP architecture. Genesis also recently revealed an electric version of the GV70 crossover in China. Of course, Hyundai is also invested in hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, both commercial vehicles like its Xcient trucks, and passenger cars like the Nexo and the recently revealed Vision FK concept. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Albert Biermann, the man behind some of Hyundai's sportiest cars, retires

Hyundai Motor Group, which includes Kia and Genesis, made big news by announcing at the end of 2014 that it was bringing on Albert Biermann to its research and development division. He had spent just over 30 years at BMW and was in charge of the M division before he left. His time at Hyundai led to some of the company's best driving cars, which meet or beat the global competition. But now, the company has announced Biermann is retiring. At 65 years old, it's not entirely surprising that Biermann would be looking at retirement, and he seems to be leaving on good terms. "Korea will remain as my second home, and all of my colleagues at Hyundai Motor Group will always be considered part of my family. I would like to recognize that our success has always been based on the strong collective spirit of the many talented people at Hyundai, and I will value our unique achievements wherever I live," he said in a release from Hyundai. Fortunately, Biermann will still be an Executive Technical Advisor for the company. Specifically, he'll be advising on electrified performance cars. We say fortunately, because Biermann has been so involved in some of the company's best cars. He helped make the company's rear-drive-based cars such as the Kia Stinger and Genesis models so fun to drive. He also helped setup Hyundai's N sub-brand, and the N models are among the best sport compacts in the world. Assuming Hyundai has taken to heart many things from Biermann, and with his continued advising, the company should still be in a good position. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. 2022 Hyundai Kona N Short Cut

New Genesis G90 interior is bold, colorful and packed with decadence

The all-new Genesis G90 flagship sedan was revealed a couple weeks ago, but all that was shown was the outside. Now the company has revealed not only the interior, but a bunch of the car's features. Among those details is what will power the G90. It will use a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 coupled to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The company didn't provide any additional details, but it will likely make 375 horsepower, as the engine does in the G80 sedan. Rear-wheel and all-wheel drive will probably be available, too. As for the interior, it has many of the same motifs as its Genesis brethren: one long air vent, a low dash and plenty of rich leather, metal and wood trim. But it has a number of unique twists on the formula. Parts of the dash swing up and border the instrument display screen. The two-spoke steering wheel has a unique design, and the climate control panel isn't shared with any other Genesis models. The new G90 is packed with high-end features, too. The G90 is the first Genesis with an interior perfume system, not unlike some of the German flagships. Ambient lighting and a 23-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system can be enjoyed by everyone in the car, along with the active noise cancellation. Front occupants get massaging seats, and rear passengers get reclining ones. The right rear seat is called the "VIP" seat, as it also gets a power leg rest that even has heating and ventilation like the rest of the seat.  Driving-wise, it's available with rear-wheel steering, like other large luxury sedans such as the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. It has adaptive air suspension that uses a camera to watch the road and adjust stiffness for ride quality (again, like an S-Class). It adjusts ride height for different situations, too, and can even automatically rise on steep hills to prevent scraping at the end of a hill. Even the braking is adjustable, with different response settings such as a gentle "Chauffeur" mode. We suspect the car may have braking-by-wire. There are fancy features for accessing parts of the car. In addition to being able to use your phone as a key, there's a fingerprint scanner in the center console to grant access for starting the car. It will automatically load your driver settings with it, too. The doors have a power-closing functionality accessible via buttons in the interior, or pressing the exterior door handle when exiting. The front doors can close when the driver presses the brake pedal.

Genesis GV80 fastback and possibly GV90 leaked in design video

There have been long-circulating rumors that Genesis is developing a large, fastback luxury SUV based on the GV80. Slightly sportier and presumably more expensive, it would be Genesis' answer to vehicles like the BMW X6, Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupe, and Audi Q8. However, we haven't seen any teasers to suggest that these rumors are true. Well, until an otherwise unremarkable design video released last week revealed, perhaps accidentally, its existence. The video focuses on the Genesis design team, especially the background of Chief Creative Officer Luc Donckerwolke. Design Operations Director Hans Lapine and Senior Exterior Designer Samir Sadikhov also make appearances, but it's a shelf behind Sadikhov that is of most interest. As Motor1 noticed, the display appears to reveal the fastback GV80 (we stubbornly refuse to call it a coupe unless it's part of the name) in the rightmost column of the third row from the top. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. The design model looks similar to the GV80, which sits behind it on the same row, but is noticeably different from the A-pillars back. The rear profile drops down far earlier in the roofline, creating that cargo area-slicing angle luxury SUV customer apparently love so much. There also seems to be a small spoiler on both the trailing edge of the roof and beneath the rear glass. While that looks like the most production-ready offering, another never-before seen SUV appears in the bottom left corner of the shelf. Larger and boxier than the existing models, it could be the range-topping GV90. Genesis has already trademarked the name with both standard and electric variants, and rumors say it could be a Genesis-badged variant of the Hyundai Ioniq 7. One car whose reveal certainly wasn't accidental is a stunning shooting brake version of the equally breathtaking Genesis Concept X. Though it only appears as a design model, we desperately hope Genesis does build it — even if it's just a one-off concept or a model that never makes it to U.S. shores. Such beauty deserves to exist in the world. Throughout the video you'll see diecast versions of non-Genesis cars, from Bentleys to Lamborghinis. This is because Luc Donckerwolke led design at those brands before moving to Genesis. If the GV80 fastback and GV90 leaks weren't accidental, they were at least clever. Sadly, the video doesn't do much to describe the actual decisions behind Genesis design.

Genesis GV80 Prestige Signature will max out the luxury

Depending on the market, the Genesis GV80 midsize crossover can be had with seating for five, six, or seven people. The six-seater option launched late this summer in the automaker's home market of South Korea, the second-row bench in that model replaced by two captain's chairs ahead of a two-person third row. Genesis has confirmed to Roadshow that we're going to get a similar take, a luxurious GV80 flagship trim called Prestige Signature headed our way next year. Unlike the one on sale in South Korea, ours will omit the third row to max out at four occupants. Genesis wouldn't be drawn on any more details about the model, so we'll have to take the overseas version as our initial guide. In that one, a second-row center console with its own ambient lighting and wood trim that matches the instrument panel separates the second-row seating. The quilted-leather thrones are heated and ventilated, with passengers enjoying amenities like separate rear-seat entertainment systems, wireless device chargers, and separate HVAC controls. Based on the current trim steps, Genesis could start with the 3.5T AWD Prestige Advanced+ version for this new beast, and swap in a few features from the next trim down. According to the Genesis configurator, the Advanced+ has features like rear privacy glass and Smart Posture, but gets the third row, manual rear window shades, and sits on 20-inch wheels as standard fit. The trim below that, the 3.5T AWD Prestige, doesn't fit the third row, comes with power window shades, and sits on 22-inch wheels as standard. Mix it all up and the Prestige Signature is sure to bundle all the frills Genesis has to offer. Barring any new engines between now and launch, the model will be powered by the top-dog 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Since the 2022 GV80 Prestige starts at $73,245 after destination but before options like an exterior color other than white, it doesn't seem outrageous to think a chauffeur's special trim could trip the alarms at $80,000. If reports are true, it will hold the premier place for just one year; the battery-electric GV90 is anticipated to debut in 2023 at the head of the Genesis pack. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Next-gen Genesis G90 looks like the sleek, elegant flagship the brand needs

The Genesis G90 flagship sedan underwent a pretty major refresh only a few years ago, and now it's getting what seems to be a completely new generation. For now, Genesis is only showing the outside, but it looks very promising, especially in the context of the brand's other impressive offerings. On the whole, the car looks much lower and wider than the somewhat tall and stately current model. The nose looks longer, too. And speaking of the nose, it actually has a smaller (at least proportionally) main grille, which has two layers of mesh patterns. The headlights are truly split units and line up with the fender-mounted turn signals. Also noteworthy is the fact that the hood is a clamshell that stretches all the way to the grille, lights and wheels, minimizing cut lines. Down the sides, there's a significant amount of tumblehome, which further emphasizes the car's width, as do the pronounced wheel arches. The panels are very clean with subtle trim and lines that stretch from stem to stern. This look is complemented by the flush-fitting door handles. The tail has split taillights with large sections for additional lighting needs, and they meet up nicely with the cut lines for the fender. We sadly don't get to see inside the G90 yet, but it should be gorgeous based on other recent Genesis models. It will likely continue to use a twin-turbo V6 like the current one. It's possible the 5.0-liter V8 could still be offered, but that seems unlikely. Rear- and all-wheel drive should be on offer along with an eight-speed automatic transmission. More information on specs and interior design will come later. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Genesis GV70 EV debuts with AWD, gas version's good looks

The Guanghzou Auto Show in China is serving as the debut spot for the new electric Genesis GV70. Of course, we’ve already seen and driven the standard, gasoline-powered GV70 here in America, but now thereÂ’s a version with a battery pack and pair of electric motors. Fully electrifying the GV70 led to a few design changes, but nothing too drastic. Genesis is calling this version of its grille the “aerodynamic crest,” as it features an inverted G-matrix pattern and also incorporates a hidden charging port. Most of the regular GV70Â’s design carries over from the gas car, but the electric version gains a new rear bumper, since it doesnÂ’t have any exhaust pipes that need to exit through it. And thatÂ’s it for big changes. We adored the GV70Â’s design before, so this is fantastic to see that itÂ’s retaining nearly all of the attractive design elements. As for vital specs, Genesis is being cagey for now. It says none of the specs for North America-bound cars are final, but we do get a few numbers to ponder. For one, the electric GV70 is slated to be all-wheel-drive-only and will do the 0-60 mph sprint in 4.5 seconds when you use its “Boost Mode.” Charging will also be super quick, as itÂ’ll be capable of 350 kW fast charging. This will enable you to get from 10% to an 80% charge in under 20 minutes, assuming you can find a charger capable of those speeds. Genesis provided one interior photo for us, and it appears to be a carbon copy of the gas GV70 — once again, thatÂ’s a good thing. It supposedly includes a number of eco-friendly material finishes, but Genesis does not detail what those are in its release. At any rate, you should be ensconced in luxury, as the electric GV70 features active noise-canceling tech and the Preview Electronic Control Suspension that uses a camera to collect information about the road ahead, then automatically adjusts the dampers to provide the smoothest ride possible. Similar to other Hyundai Group electric vehicles, this one features a 3.6 kW vehicle-to-load feature that allows you to plug in a wide variety of household appliances and items and power them via the car. Final specs and more information will have to wait for a U.S. debut of the electric GV70. However, Genesis doesnÂ’t say when that will be, so we donÂ’t yet have eyes on when this GV70 will go on sale here, nor do we know how much it will cost when it does. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences.

Best sport sedans for 2022 and 2023

SUVs dominate the car industry at every size and price level, but some people still prefer the looks, and more importantly, the performance and comfort, of the traditional sedan. With a lower ride height, lighter weight and generally smaller size, they often are much more fun to drive, and can even be more comfortable. Sport sedans of course lean harder on the performance side of things, and are among the best options for sheer speed and fun, thanks to those inherent characteristics. We've rounded up the ones in the segment that do the sporty dance better than any others in 2024 to give you a handy guide when you're shopping for one of your own. You'll find a wide array of cars here including gas, electric and hybrid powertrains. They'll have manual and automatic transmissions and drive the front, rear or all four wheels. Technically a few hatchbacks have slipped in, but they're close enough in look and feel that we wanted to include them. And excluding them means you might miss out on some of the best-driving options available. You wouldn't want that, would you? Alfa Romeo Giulia Why it stands out: Punchy four-cylinder; astounding power from Quadrifoglio; light and nimble character; awesome shift paddlesCould be better: Clunky infotainment; sub-par switchgear Read our Alfa Romeo Giulia review We start this list with one of the most predictable inclusions: the Alfa Romeo Giulia. Yes, it's a stereotype that the Italian sport sedan is fun to drive, but the fact is, well, it is. The Giulia comes standard with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 280 horsepower, making it one of the most powerful four-cylinders in the segment. It's paired with a snappy and smooth eight-speed transmission and either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.  The engine is lively and torquey, if a little short of revs, and the chassis feels super-light. The steering is eager and the car jumps into corners. We also highly recommend getting a version with the enormous and superb aluminum paddle shifters that make clicking through gears much more entertaining. And on the topic of the interior, it's attractive, but the various switches and knobs feels a little cheap, and the infotainment system is clunky. Of course there's also the incredible Giulia Quadrifoglio at the high end. It gets a Ferrari-derived twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6 making 505 hp, and it's rear-wheel drive only.

10 best new car deals of November 2021

Sales of new cars, trucks and SUVs were drastically affected in 2020 due to the (still) ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The market started to show signs of recovery toward the end of last year before really coming on strong in the early months of 2021. Of course, then pandemic-related parts and worker shortages along with global shipping constraints started running amok and causing a great deal of pricing fluctuation and a limited supply of certain vehicles. Those problems (among other things) have led to record-high new-car transaction prices in the United States. The good news is that there are still plenty of great deals on new cars. Using data provided by TrueCar, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best automotive deals for November 2021. WeÂ’ve noted the original MSRP, the average transaction price, and the total savings in both dollars and as a percentage of the original sticker price. Basically, weÂ’ve done all the hard work for you! So now, all you need to do is compare deals, go on a few test drives, and maybe drive away in a great car (and an even better bargain).

Merecedes-Benz EQS, Ford Mustang Mach-E GT and Subaru Forester Wilderness | Autoblog Podcast #702

In this episode of the Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Senior Editor James Riswick. They've been driving some exciting new EVs, like the Ford Mustang Mach-E GT and the Mercedes-Benz EQS. They also discuss driving the new Subaru Forester Wilderness, as well as the perfectly agreeable Toyota Camry XSE Hybrid. James compares four big-name off-roaders — the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner and Land Rover Defender — based on their ability to accommodate a big load of luggage. Next they reach into the mailbag for comments on the Genesis GV70, as well as a Spend My Money question about replacing a wrecked Subaru Ascent with another three-row SUV. Send us your questions for the Mailbag and Spend My Money at: Podcast@Autoblog.com. Autoblog Podcast #702 Get The Podcast Apple Podcasts – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes Spotify – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast on Spotify RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown What we're driving: 2022 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT 2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS 2022 Subaru Forester Wilderness 2022 Toyota Camry XSE Hybrid Luggage testing the off-roaders: Ford Bronco vs. Jeep Wrangler vs. Land Rover Defender vs. Toyota 4Runner  Mailbag: Thoughts on the Genesis GV70 Spend My Money: Three-row SUV to replace Subaru Ascent Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts Autoblog is now live on your smart speakers and voice assistants with the audio Autoblog Daily Digest. Say “Hey Google, play the news from Autoblog” or "Alexa, open Autoblog" to get your favorite car website in audio form every day. A narrator will take you through the biggest stories or break down one of our comprehensive test drives. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.