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2017 Hyundai Elantra arrives with a host of upgrades [w/video]

We got a great idea of the 2017 Hyundai Elantra's styling when the company revealed it for the South Korean market a few months ago. Now, the US-spec car arrives at the LA Auto Show. The shape is just as expected, but Hyundai has new powertrains and tech in store, too. Hyundai designers simplified the Elantra's look for the latest generation. The sedan's nose now flows down to a hexagonal grille with horizontal slats, and squinting headlights flank it on each side with vertical LED running lights underneath. The new lower air dam leads air to wheel curtains that help lower wind resistance. The profile lacks the heavy sculpting of the current model, but a subtle character line sweeps up across the side for some visual interest. Narrow taillights stretch horizontally across the trunk. Even with the aesthetic changes, the overall size only expands slightly: length grows 0.8 inches to 179.9 inches, width increases an inch to 70.9 inches, and the wheelbase remains 106.3 inches. The interior features a more horizontal layout with metallic trim that runs across the dashboard. There are two infotainment choices beyond the base stereo. A seven-inch Display Audio system includes a rearview camera, and an eight-inch setup also has navigation. Both support Android Auto. Most trims of the 2017 Elantra feature a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that runs on the Atkinson cycle, and it produces an estimated 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. Hyundai expects fuel economy ratings of 29 miles per gallon city, 38 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined with the six-speed automatic. The company also offers a six-speed manual only on the SE trim. The Elantra Eco arrives in spring 2016 with a 1.4-liter turbocharged four cylinder with 128 hp and 156 lb-ft and a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The brand estimates 35 mpg combined with that combo. A much stronger platform is beneath the upgraded design. The Elantra now uses 53 percent advanced high strength steel compared to 21 percent before, and the change allows torsional rigidity to increase 29.5 percent. The engineers also work to improve NVH wherever possible with improvements like a hood insulator, thicker glass, sound-absorbing material, and plastic and rubber bushings for the front subframe. Drivers can order a plethora of driver assistance and safety tech for the 2017 Elantra including Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, adaptive cruise control and Blind Spot Detection.

No N performance models for Genesis, but Hyundai might get a Tucson N

Although Hyundai still hasn't fully revealed its first N product, the i30 N that we will see with an Elantra badge, the company is apparently hard at work at various N-branded follow-ups. The head of the N performance division, Albert Biermann, spoke with Australia's Drive, and revealed some unexpected details about the future of the division. Among the surprises was the revelation that there are no plans for Genesis N models. This is a bit of a shock considering that just last year, Biermann told us that there was a five-year plan in place for N products, and that Genesis vehicles were part of that plan. Among the vehicles that are coming, Biermann said the division is developing a B-segment vehicle and an SUV. The B-segment car is likely the European i20 hatchback. Hyundai uses the i20 for World Rally Championship, so it would only make sense to capitalize on that association. As for the SUV, Drive believes it is the Tucson, since Biermann mentioned the little crossover quite a bit when speaking to the publication. The Tucson would also be the most logical candidate for an N variant, since it's currently the smallest crossover in the Hyundai line-up. As such, it should be the easiest to make sporty, since it's inherently lighter and more maneuverable than other crossovers in the lineup. Biermann also seemingly revealed that the next N-badged car after the i30 N hatchback will be a "fastback" version of the same car, which Drive describes as a coupe. We don't expect this to be a traditional compact coupe, though. Last year, AutoEvolution reported that Hyundai would release a coupe-like five-door version of the i30 in the vein of the Audi A7 and A5 Sportbacks. This also seems more likely than a traditional coupe since Hyundai ceded the segment to the Civic with the death of the previous Elantra coupe in 2015, and its Kia Forte Koup cousin this year. Related Video:

Hyundai, Porsche top J.D. Power APEAL study

Just as they did in the Initial Quality Study, Porsche and Hyundai have taken the premium and non-premium crown, respectively, for the 2014 J.D. Power APEAL study. This is the tenth consecutive year for that Porsche has been rated the best premium make in the APEAL study, which attempts to figure out how pleased owners are with their purchases. For 2014, it asked 86,000 owners of MY2014 cars to rate their vehicles in 77 different categories 90 days after their initial purchase. The resulting figures were plugged in deliver the APEAL score, which is rated on a 1,000-point scale. The industry average sits at 794 points for 2014, although that's a one-percent decline over last year's rating. In this year's study, premium brands averaged 840 out of 1,000, while non-premium makes average 785. For their part, Porsche netted an impressive 882 points, while Hyundai earned an 804. Interestingly, only four non-premium brands (Hyundai, Ram, Volkswagen and Mini) finished above the industry average for 2014. It's also interesting to see the clear delineation between premium and non-premium brands, with an eight-point gap between the non-premium champ, Hyundai, and the lowest-rated premium brand, Volvo. Porsche and Hyundai weren't the only automakers to take home recognition. Dodge managed to tie Porsche for the most segment awards, with three. The Challenger, Charger and Dart all topped their market. There were a number of two-segment winners, as well, with Audi, Ford, Mercedes-Benz and Nissan capturing a pair of segments each. Scroll down for the full press release from JD Power on this year's winners. Automakers Struggle to Impress Owners with Increased Usefulness of In-Vehicle Technologies And Features on All-New and Redesigned Models Dodge and Porsche Each Receive Three Segment-Level Awards; Audi, Ford, Mercedes-Benz and Nissan Each Receive Two WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.: 23 July 2014 - Although manufacturers are putting more and more technologies and functionality in their new and redesigned models, satisfaction with these features is not significantly higher among owners of those models than among owners of carryover models, according to the J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) StudySM released today. The APEAL Study, now in its 19th year, serves as the industry benchmark for new-vehicle appeal. Owners evaluate their vehicle across 77 attributes, which combine into an overall APEAL score that is measured on a 1,000-point scale.