2018 Hyundai Elantra Sel on 2040-cars

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Hyundai spotted testing Prius-style hybrid

The Toyota Prius has become an automotive icon – maybe less so among actual automotive enthusiasts than with the public at large – to the extent that most anyone on the street would recognize its five-door hatchback form and immediately identify it as a hybrid. Little wonder that Honda tried to emulate it with the second-gen Insight, but while that didn't work out so well for Honda, it looks like Hyundai is preparing to go down the same road with a dedicated hybrid of its own. Our paparazzi on the ground in the Arctic Circle have spotted this protoytpe and tell us what we're looking at is a new Prius-fighter from the Korean automaker. Snapped up high on a transporter truck, you can see the orange high-voltage cables underneath and a label with the letters AE HEV – the latter standing, of course, for Hybrid Electric Vehicle. We wouldn't be surprised if the AE stood for Advanced Experimental or Alternative Energy or something of the sort. Tipped to be based on the same platform as the next-generation Elantra, the new Hyundai hybrid is said to pack a 1.6-liter inline-four working in parallel with an electric motor juiced by a lithium-ion battery pack. It's expected to begin production in the second half of 2016, with a plug-in and possibly other variants to follow a year to a year and a half after its initial launch.

2016 Hyundai Elantra GT gets refreshed with a big new face

Hyundai is taking the sheet off of a facelift for the 2016 Elantra GT at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, and if buyers spec the five-door hatchback right, they can also get the Korean brand's latest infotainment system. The biggest and most obvious change for the updated Elantra GT is its brand new front end. The grille now features wide, horizontal slats with chrome accents, which removes the previous design's somewhat smiling face. It also brings the styling more in line with the rest of the Hyundai lineup. In addition, vehicle rides on some redesigned 17-inch wheels. The interior is left basically the same for the update, except if buyers choose the optional Technology Package. It adds a new 7-inch touchscreen navigation system with a rearview camera, which is similar to the unit in some trims of the Sonata and Genesis. Hyundai's Blue Link telematics system and Apple Siri Eyes Free are included, as well. Choosing the pack also features dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, LED taillights and ventilated driver's and passenger's seats, which brand claims is a segment first. Mechanically, the steering is retuned for better feel in 2016 but everything else carries over. That gives buyers a direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 173 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque and the choice of a six-speed manual or automatic. Base pricing is the same as the 2015 model year at $18,800, plus an $825 destination charge on all models, for the manual or $19,800 with the auto. Although, with all of the extra kit, the Tech Package is now $3,950, rather than $2,900 last year, but the required Style Package for it is re-priced to $1,975, as opposed to $2,550 in 2015. Hyundai's Sporty and Versatile Hatchback Gets a More Affordable Style Package and a New Navigation System with Next-Generation Blue Link Telematics CHICAGO, Feb. 13, 2015 – Today at the Chicago Auto Show, Hyundai Motor America introduced a refreshed Elantra GT for the 2016 model year, offering updated styling with customer-focused technology and features. With a more distinctive front fascia and all-new 17" alloy wheels, Elantra GT's new look further enhances the vehicle's signature sporty styling. And when mated to a standard 2.0-liter Gasoline Direct Injection engine, the formula comes together to deliver a vehicle that both looks and feels dynamic.

2020 Virtual Geneva Motor Show Editors' Picks

There may not have been an actual Geneva Motor Show this year, but there were still loads of car reveals that happened the week that the show would have happened. So we still wanted to highlight what our favorites of the would-be show. Our list of cars seemed to match the theme of the reveals, too, highlighting over-the-top supercars and forward thinking electric vehicles. Scroll down to see our favorites. Fifth Place: Aston Martin V12 Speedster - 21 points Managing Editor, Greg Rasa: Astons are works of art, and this one's ready for the Louvre. The design nods to Aston history are nifty. It looks like a jet fighter, except those have canopies. Not sure what 186 mph would be like in this, but don't try it in summer when there are bugs. Contributing Editor, Joe Lorio: Admittedly, this one is a little silly. A $950,000 sports car with no roof? A 700-hp two-seater with no windshield? But the offerings at the Geneva auto show have always tilted toward absurdity, and Aston’s V12 Speedster is endearingly outrageous as a fighter plane for the street. Third Place (Tie): Volkswagen ID.4 - 26 points Senior Producer, Chris McGraw: I don't have much to say about this other than I am a huge fan of more EVs coming to the market, which is why two-thirds of my picks are electric, including the ID.4. Producer, Alex Malberg: Any new fully-electric crossover is a vote for me. The fact it doesn't look terrible and VW will be including AWD later are bonuses.  Third Place (Tie): Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio GTA - 26 points Road Test Editor, Zac Palmer: Hard to argue with the logic of this one. The Giulia Quadrifoglio is already the best driver in this class of hot sedans, so why not extend the lead with a special model. That wing is Type R levels of high, and I completely approve. Associate Editor, Byron Hurd: Love this car. Love it, love it, love it. It's beautiful, aggressive and fast. I'd take it over an M3 or C63 any day. As cool as the GTAm is, though, I'd rather stick to the four-seat GTA. Something about a four-door car with two seats just doesn't really work for me. I haven't alienated ALL of my friends quite yet. Second Place: Hyundai Prophecy - 35 points Senior Editor, Green, John Snyder: I get whiffs of the Genesis Coupe from this sleek concept. I like the focus on form, with interesting details to discover if you look for them. West Coast Editor, James Riswick: Does it look like a Porsche? Sure, but Porsches look neat.