Auto blog

Hyundai, BMW and Ford win Concept Vehicle of the Year awards

More than two dozen jurors started with a pool of 23 concept cars introduced at the most recent Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, Toronto and New York auto shows, then pared it down to three winners in three categories for the twelfth annual North American Concept Vehicle of the Year Awards. The trophy-bearers are said to be those "vehicles most likely to shape the future of the automobile industry," and lead their classes in the Concept Car, Concept Truck and Production Preview divisions.
Hyundai had two cars as finalists for the Concept Car category, the competition boiled down to the Hyundai HCD-14 Genesis concept, Veloster C3 Roll Top, Honda EV-STER and the Toyota Corolla Furia. It won with the HCD-14 Genesis that was introduced at the Detroit Auto Show, a sharp sedan that sharply divided opinion between those who thought it was too much, those who thought it was too much Audi A7, and those who thought it was perfect. The award panel's judges, however, thought so much of it that it's got two awards in one sitting, not only taking concept car honors, but because it earned the highest overall score in the competition it also takes the crown for Most Significant Concept Vehicle of 2013.
The final selection in the Concept Truck category was down to the Ford Atlas, Kia Cross GT, Nissan Resonance and Volkswagen Cross Blue. The Ford Atlas took the silverware, after also winning the Eyes on Design award - shared with the Nissan Resonance - at the Detroit Auto Show where it was introduced.

Hyundai recalls 305k Sonatas for brake lights that stay on

Hyundai will recall 304,900 examples of the 2011-2012 Sonata because a problem with a part of the brake pedal might not allow the brake lights to shut off. The campaign specifically affects units with build dates between Dec. 11, 2009, and June 30, 2011, but the company has no reports of accidents or injuries from this issue. The brake pedal stopper pad on these vehicles can potentially deteriorate and allow the brake light switch to remain active after a driver releases it. If this happened, the lights would stay on at the back, and a person could shift out of park without depressing the pedal. The recall campaign will begin Jan. 11, and dealers will fix the problem with an improved version of the stopper pad. RECALL Subject : Brake Pedal Stopper Pad Deterioration Report Receipt Date: NOV 16, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V759000 Component(s): SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Potential Number of Units Affected: 304,900 All Products Associated with this Recall Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) HYUNDAI SONATA 2011-2012 Details Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America SUMMARY: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009 to June 30, 2011. In the affected vehicles, the brake pedal stopper pad can deteriorate allowing the stop lamp switch plunger to remain extended when the brake pedal is released. CONSEQUENCE: If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to rearward following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash. REMEDY: Hyundai will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake pedal stopper pad with an improved part, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on January 11, 2016. Owners may contact Hyundai customer service at 1-855-671-3059. Hyundai's number for this recall is 136. NOTES: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo concept coming to Frankfurt

Hyundai will be using the Frankfurt Motor Show to tout its N Performance sub-brand and the future possibilities it could create. A purely conceptual extrapolation comes via the N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo, which joins the expanding list of carmaker-created superfast racers for Sony's Playstation game. The company's 2016 World Rally Championship entrant will grace the stand, previewing the car Hyundai will use to try to dethrone Volkswagen. It is a completely new racecar based on the next-generation five-door i20, still undergoing testing now but planned for competition at the 2016 Monte Carlo Rally. The RM15 concept shown at the Seoul Motor Show will be the third demonstration of Hyundai's enthusiast intentions. The carmaker says the mid-engined, Veloster-based coupe is about "suggesting how N driver-focused technologies could come into production," but we imagine that won't mean installing a 296-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbo-four where the rear seats are. All three cars are intended to rework perceptions of the South Korean company, which is working to "create striking and pioneering high performance cars" and make "real and emotional connections with customers." There's a press release below with more details, and a gallery of the N 2025 concept above that will be arriving in GT6 soon. Hyundai Motor's New High Performance Sub-brand 'N' Takes Center Stage at Frankfurt Motor Show - The sub-brand N will build new momentum for an exciting driving performance and provide emotional driving experience for customers - The latest motorsport challenger and two dynamic concepts will also be introduced at the Motor Show August 26, 2015 – Hyundai Motor will showcase its high performance sub-brand N at the Frankfurt International Motor Show 2015. The result of intensive testing and product development, the sub-brand N builds on Hyundai Motor's successful motorsport experiences and technology capability to drive future performance-oriented and race-track-capable models forward and bring 'the most thrilling winding road' fun to customers who truly love cars. The N builds on not just Hyundai Motor's continued advancement as a primary competitor in World Rally Championship (WRC) but also on the company's dedication and investment to create striking and pioneering high performance cars.