2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0t R-spec Turbo 400whp Custom on 2040-cars

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Recharge Wrap-up: Chevy Volt's new, improved powertrain; Inabikari wants to build Tesla Model X fighter

We knew the 2016 Chevrolet Volt's new powertrain would provide more range, but we didn't know how much. According to GM's Executive Director Larry Nitz, it is about 12 percent more, overall. "I can't think of a powertrain we've re-engineered more extensively within a five-year period than this one," he said. The battery, electric drive system and gasoline generator have all been reworked to allow for an overall driving range of up to 425 miles, with electric range speculated to reach 42 miles or more. The new Volt will also benefit from 20 percent quicker low-end acceleration, weight reductions and improvements in NVH. Read more at Hybrid Cars and at the SAE website. Hyundai's FCEV research and development boss, Dr. Sae-Hoon Kim, is optimistic about the future of hydrogen mobility in Japan. With the Tucson Fuel Cell already in production ahead of Toyota's FCV, Hyundai has a foothold in the hydrogen car scene. Kim believes that since the Fukushima disaster, Japan's attitudes toward energy make it friendly to a growing hydrogen economy. He also says that hydrogen won't be limited to Hyundai, with Kia getting all the battery EVs. "Both types are for both companies," Kim says. "For the moment, volumes are small and it is not wise to have Hyundai and Kia competing." Read more at Just Auto. The Latvian/German startup Inabikari is using crowdfunding to build an electric crossover for Europe. The Rev.01 EV hopes to compete with Tesla's upcoming Model X with a range of over 400 miles and a five-second 0-60 time. The group currently is trying to raise initial funds through an Indiegogo campaign, with hopes of more investment in the future and sales beginning in 2017. See the video below, and read more at Hybrid Cars and at the Inabikari website. Fuel economy and emissions regulations could lead to some interesting design changes to automobiles. The World Light Duty Test Procedure, set to replace the New European Driving Cycle in 2017, will push automakers to find new ways to reduce drag on their vehicles. For better aerodynamics, we could see traditional side-view mirrors replaced by cameras that display what they see on screens inside the vehicle. Another likely change will be the introduction of smaller, narrower wheels. Improving the average drag coefficient from 0.32 to 0.20 could reduce CO2 emissions by as much as 20 percent. Read more at Automotive News Europe.

Recharge Wrap-up: Peugeot eF01 folding e-bike, Australia orders Hyundai FCEVs

Australia has ordered 20 hydrogen powered vehicles from Hyundai. The Australian Capital Territory Government in Canberra will take delivery of the fleet of Hyundai's next-generation fuel cell vehicles (set to replace the Tucson Fuel Cell in 2018) for its Renewable Transport Fuels Test Berth project. As part of the program, the vehicles will be powered by hydrogen made with a Siemens Silyzer System with electricity from Hornsdale Wind Farm in South Australia. The Siemens refueler is capable of powering over 1, 000 fuel cell vehicles each averaging 14,000 miles per year. Read more from Hyundai. Peugeot has unveiled its eF01 electrically assisted folding bike. Meant to facilitate multimodal travel, Peugeot's eF01 folds up quickly to be thrown in the trunk of a car, carried on public transport, or wheeled in its folded position while walking. It's a little hefty, at 37 pounds, but its compactness helps make up for that. It can be charged in the cargo area of any vehicle with a 12-volt outlet, so it's ready to provide 18 miles of electric assistance at speeds of up to 12 mph. It can also communicate with a smartphone via Bluetooth to show current charge and range. Read more from Peugeot. A123 Systems will collaborate with Argonne National Laboratory to create safe, better performing lithium-ion batteries. The partners will focus on cathode technology in order to increase energy density and durability in order to improve the driving range of electric vehicles. A123 expects to increase energy density and range by more than 60 percent over its current offerings. "Working with Argonne will further advance our already strong presence in plug-in vehicles and support the increasing market demand globally," says A123 Systems CEO Jason Forcier. "We look forward to expanding our customer base as we offer increasingly greater range to our plug-in vehicle programs without compromising on the life and safety performance that the market has come to expect from A123." Read more in A123's press release. Featured Gallery Peugeot eF01 Folding E-Bike Related Gallery 2015 Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell: LA 2013 View 19 Photos News Source: Hyundai, Peugeot, A123 Systems Green Hyundai Peugeot Alternative Fuels Bikes Electric Hydrogen Cars recharge wrapup

Hyundai Genesis sedan recall swells to 43,500

Hyundai is expanding a recall we reported on a few weeks back regarding some 2009 to 2012 Genesis Sedans. In our earlier post we mentioned some 40,000 units were affected, but that only 27,500 were covered under the original, voluntary recall.
Now, the recall has grown, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, with Hyundai asking the owners of 43,500 affected vehicles to report in for service. The issue relates to brake fluid that doesn't prevent corrosion of the hydraulic electronic control unit, a problem that has led to 23 complains, a documented crash for one owner and another owner losing control of their vehicle.
Owners of the affected sedans are being notified by Hyundai and asked to report to dealers to have the brake fluid replaced. Naturally, the work will be done free of charge. Take a look below for the official NHTSA bulletin.