2013 Hyundai Sonata Gls on 2040-cars

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Hyundai Veloster video lets us hear what's coming

A couple of weeks ago we rather enjoyed seeing the redesigned Hyundai Veloster in some jaunty camo, a look we'd actually enjoy having as an option to buy. And just yesterday we saw it nekkid in spy shots taken of a video shoot. Now Hyundai has released a video teaser to the new car, and what's interesting is not what we see — the car in the video is back in the multicolored camo again — but rather what we hear. Expect the Veloster Turbo to share the 201-horsepower turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four and transmissions from the Elantra GT Sport. And we expect, or at least hope, that the hopped-up Veloster N will get the 271-horsepower turbocharged inline-four from the i30 N, a car we won't get in the States. So what are we hearing here? Hard to know. It's more likely Hollywood (or rather Seoul) special effects than the sound of the 1.6 turbo. And spy shots of the Veloster N have shown it wearing a wing, which doesn't seem to be the case with the teased car. Maybe the wing's an option or won't be offered in production. But the grille shape of the video car also does not seem to conform to what we've seen on the Nurburgring. And the Veloster N isn't expected to be offered right off the bat, anyway. Whatever it is, it sounds pretty good. It'd be nice to think this is how the car will be. View 6 Photos 2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo View 5 Photos Image Credit: Hyundai Auto News Hyundai Hatchback Performance hyundai veloster n

Hyundai sketches Ioniq ahead of debut this month

Hyundai has an altogether new model coming soon. It's called the Ioniq, and it'll be a dedicated electrified vehicle with a choice of three powertrain options. The automaker is set to take the wraps off later this month in Korea, but before it does, it's giving us another advance look at the design. As we've seen from previous teasers and spy shots, the Ioniq is slated to blend elements from Hyundai's own design language with a form that ought to closely resemble, in abstract at least, those of rivals like the Chevy Volt and Toyota Prius. That means an aerodynamic shape ending with a high tail to get the most out of its powertrain. The interior promises to be both futuristic and comfortable. Underneath it all is a new platform developed specifically for the Ioniq and three levels of electrification. There'll be a gasoline-electric hybrid version, a plug-in hybrid, and a full EV. We should get out first look up close at the Ioniq at the Geneva Motor Show and New York Auto Show in March, following its reveal in Korea within weeks from now. But even before it's unveiled, Hyundai is already taking pre-orders in certain markets. HYUNDAI MOTOR REVEALS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR RENDERINGS OF NEW IONIQ - New renderings reveal further innovations for the alternatively fueled IONIQ - Cutting-edge technology delivers class-leading aerodynamics and fuel efficiency - IONIQ introduces unique new vehicle design with three responsive powertrains - Pre-orders now being accepted in domestic market for the IONIQ, released later in 2016 January 5, 2016 – Hyundai Motor has revealed further details of the new IONIQ ahead of its launch in Korea later this month. The innovative alternative-fuel compact vehicle, now available for pre-order in selected markets, is the first-ever car to offer a choice of three efficient and ultra-low emission powertrain options in one body type. The latest interior and exterior renderings reveal more of the IONIQ's eco-friendly credentials, with its advanced powertrain technology central to Hyundai Motor's aim for the world's best hybrid fuel-efficiency. The newly-developed platform, available with full electric, plug-in petrol / electric hybrid, or petrol / electric hybrid powertrains, also delivers a fun and responsive driving experience to match the emotional appeal of the car'seye-catching lines. The exterior of the IONIQ features a distinguished, cutting-edge aerodynamic design.

Are old airbags killers?

Takata airbags may not be the only ones with some very serious problems. A new report from TheDetroitBureau.com claims that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened its second investigation into bad airbag inflators, and this time, they aren't from Takata. The focus of this latest case is on the airbag inflators in some 500,000 older Chrysler Town and Country minivans and Kia Optima sedans, all of which come from ARC Automotive. While the Takata case looks at problems stemming from the engineering and production process, the ARC investigation focuses on the age of the inflators. As TDB explains, airbag inflators are essentially what the military refers to as shaped charges, sort of like Claymores (for fans of the Call of Duty series). In combat, they blow up in a specific direction, protecting those behind the explosion, although in the case of airbags, the explosion "[creates] a precise rush of hot gases" that inflate the bags. NHTSA's worry is that with the increased average age of today's vehicles, years and years of being bounced, jolted, and shaken about and exposed to often-radical temperature changes have altered the nature of the explosives in these vehicles, causing too big of an explosion. "It may be a reasonable assumption that as these things age they deteriorate." – Analyst George Peterson "It may be a reasonable assumption that as these things age they deteriorate," analyst George Peterson told TheDetroitBureau.com. NHTSA boss Mark Rosekind backed up aging angle. "Cars are lasting on the road a lot longer than ever before," Rosekind told TDB, adding that seals could start breaking down. "Is aging now an issue? That's part of the investigation going on." NHTSA has only identified two "incidents" so far, although according to Center for Auto Safety Director Clarence Ditlow, there's genuine concern that there could be additional unidentified cases. "Could we have missed more? That could be the case," Ditlow told TDB, citing the misidentified deaths in the Takata investigation. Ditlow was quick to point out that, even in older vehicles, airbags are much more likely to protect than harm. "No one is saying you should disable your airbags," the safety advocate told TDB. "You're far more likely to be helped than hurt by one if they go off." At least one automaker, meanwhile, has already been advised of the investigation by NHTSA and is checking its airbags.