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Hyundai to launch European performance sub-brand

Hyundai has quickly emerged from the sidelines as one of the biggest players in the industry, outselling rivals left, right and center. Still, a dedicated performance division is still something that separates it from the big boys. Now, according to the latest reports, that's just what it's getting.
After setting up its own Nürburgring test center and gearing up to launch its assault on the World Rally Championship, the next step in the ramping up of Hyundai's performance credentials - in Europe, especially - will reportedly be to set up its own performance division along the lines of what Nissan has done with Nismo.
The first product in Hyundai's new European performance portfolio is expected to be a version of the next i20 hatchback that's set to launch in 2015. That in turn will be used as the basis for the company's next WRC challenger, to replace the upcoming model, pictured above undergoing testing. After that it's anyone's guess, but performance versions of the Veloster, Genesis Coupe and Elantra could be in the cards.

2019 Hyundai Nexo First Drive Review | Promise for fuel cells

According to the Kardashev scale of measuring advanced civilizations, a Type I civilization is able to harness all the power available on its home planet, including solar, wind and geothermal. A Type II civilization harnesses all the power generated by its sun. A Type III civilization harnesses all the energy of its home galaxy. Humanity, as physicist Michio Kaku is fond of saying, is a Type 0: We derive all our energy from burning dead plants and animals. And humanity being what it is, we still prefer crossovers by a vast margin. Fine, says Hyundai. We'll give you what you want, but we're going to nudge you toward Type I in the process. For 2019, the Korean automaker is launching a double-pronged attack on the internal-combustion engine with a pair of crossovers — a pure-electric version of the Kona and the hydrogen-powered Nexo. Hyundai is taking this approach because it believes electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles actually serve two different purposes. According to Dr. BoKi Hong of the company's fuel cell R&D division, the future won't see a one-solution-fits-all revolution in post-internal-combustion-engine (ICE) propulsion. Smaller vehicles — cars, motorcycles, Bird scooters — will be able to run solely on electricity, but Dr. Hong says that larger vehicles — cargo trucks, buses — will be powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The reason? Scalability. The larger the vehicle, the less sense it makes to equip it with a battery pack. Weight, cost and refueling time all increase along with the size of the conveyance. The longer the distance they have to travel — think cargo haulers or cross-country buses — the less sense it makes to use a battery electric vehicle (BEV). Hydrogen, on the other hand, offers a much more efficient way of storing and transporting energy. A fuel cell drivetrain can be scaled up to fit larger vehicles, but it doesn't require the same proportion of material as a battery. Plus, filling up your hydrogen tanks is as quick as a gasoline top-off, an advantage for long-distance haulers. Hyundai believes there's room for fuel cell vehicle (FCV) passenger cars as well, and the Nexo is Hyundai's latest take on a hydrogen car. Its first was introduced in 2000, based on a Santa Fe. That was followed in 2013 by a Tucson-based FCV. Unlike those, the Nexo arrives on an all-new platform not shared with an existing ICE-powered car. As it did with the Kona EV, Hyundai is offering a crossover in a segment where one doesn't really exist.

Hyundai Blue Link Android smartwatch app will start your car

We knew Hyundai would be bringing its Blue Link smartwatch app to the Consumer Electronics Show, and now that CES is upon us, the app's workings have been revealed. Once you get the free Blue Link app on your smartphone and your Android smartwatch and pair them up with the app, it's all systems go. Through either touch or voice commands, you can remotely lock or unlock your car doors, start and stop your engine, flash the lights and honk the horn, or have your watch locate your car. It works on every Hyundai with first- or second-gen Blue Link (which is all of them in the case of first-gen and the 2015 Genesis, Sonata and Azera for second-gen). The watch app isn't quite ready yet, but the company says you'll be able to get it sometime in Q1. There's a video above showing Hyundai's offering at work, and a press release below with more information below. HYUNDAI BLUE LINK TO DEBUT SMARTWATCH APP WITH VOICE RECOGNITION AT 2015 CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW AND PEPCOM'S DIGITAL EXPERIENCE - Next Generation Blue Link System to Launch on 2016 Elantra GT and Veloster - The Blue Link smartwatch app works with first and second generation Blue Link equipped Hyundai models Fountain Valley, Calif., Jan. 2, 2015 – Smartwatch sales are skyrocketing and starting early in 2015 Hyundai owners will be able to connect with their cars using these wearable devices and the Hyundai Blue Link® smartwatch app. Hyundai will debut and demonstrate the Blue Link smartwatch app at Pepcom's Digital Experience and at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES®). Pepcom's Digital Experience takes place before CES on Jan. 5 and Hyundai's exhibit (North Hall, booth #2818) at CES will be open Jan. 6-9, 2015. Hyundai's cloud-based Blue Link platform allows features like remote start and service information to be quickly accessed through devices like smartwatches and smartphones. Hyundai partnered with Station Digital Media to develop the Blue Link smartwatch app. "This new app expands Hyundai's exploration into how wearable technology and Blue Link fit into a customer's lifestyle," said Barry Ratzlaff, executive director, customer connect and service business development, Hyundai Motor America. "Connecting to your car through a smartwatch and voice recognition was previously something seen only in science fiction movies. Now, we can provide this capability to owners of Hyundai vehicles equipped with Blue Link." The app is easy to use.