2014 Hyundai Sonata Limited 2.0t on 2040-cars

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South Korea island of Jeju becoming an EV-incentive heaven

When it comes to providing some island EV love, we can point to Hawaii, which has been pushing hard for greater electric-vehicle adoption through subsidies and a broader charging network. Now, South Korea has Jeju. We're not sure if the surf is as good. Like Hawaii, Jeju is focusing on a "carbon-free" existence and lowered fossil-fuel dependency as a way to help the environment while addressing the extra expenses involved in providing fuel locally, Wards Auto says. Jeju, which is about 720 square miles, provides about $7,000 worth of EV incentives on top of those provided by the South Korean government. As a result, the cost of buying an EV can be cut in half. In the case of a Chevrolet Spark EV, going electric actually has a lower out-of-pocket price tag than buying a gas-powered counterpart on the island. South Korea's Ministry of Environment has earmarked about $14,000 in subsidies for each EV purchase, while 10 South Korean cities are adding on incentives anywhere from about $2,800 to $7,400 per vehicle. South Korean automaker Hyundai and affiliate Kia are just starting to do their part to boost the country's EV sales, which didn't even break the 800-unit mark last year. Kia recently said it will start making its 2015 model-year Soul EV in April, with sales debuting in South Korea by the end of the year. Hyundai is said to start selling its own EV starting in 2016. News Source: Wards AutoImage Credit: Korean Tourism Organization Government/Legal Green Hyundai Kia Electric incentives tax incentives island

NHTSA, IIHS, and 20 automakers to make auto braking standard by 2022

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and virtually every automaker in the US domestic market have announced a pact to make automatic emergency braking standard by 2022. Here's the full rundown of companies involved: BMW, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Tesla, Toyota, Volkswagen, and Volvo (not to mention the brands that fall under each automaker's respective umbrella). Like we reported yesterday, AEB will be as ubiquitous in the future as traction and stability control are today. But the thing to note here is that this is not a governmental mandate. It's truly an agreement between automakers and the government, a fact that NHTSA claims will lead to widespread adoption three years sooner than a formal rule. That fact in itself should prevent up to 28,000 crashes and 12,000 injuries. The agreement will come into effect in two waves. For the majority of vehicles on the road – those with gross vehicle weights below 8,500 pounds – AEB will need to be standard equipment by September 1, 2022. Vehicles between 8,501 and 10,000 pounds will have an extra three years to offer AEB. "It's an exciting time for vehicle safety. By proactively making emergency braking systems standard equipment on their vehicles, these 20 automakers will help prevent thousands of crashes and save lives," said Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx said in an official statement. "It's a win for safety and a win for consumers." Read on for the official press release from NHTSA. Related Video: U.S. DOT and IIHS announce historic commitment of 20 automakers to make automatic emergency braking standard on new vehicles McLEAN, Va. – The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety announced today a historic commitment by 20 automakers representing more than 99 percent of the U.S. auto market to make automatic emergency braking a standard feature on virtually all new cars no later than NHTSA's 2022 reporting year, which begins Sept 1, 2022. Automakers making the commitment are Audi, BMW, FCA US LLC, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Kia, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Tesla Motors Inc., Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo Car USA.

Meet Hyundai's new flagship, the Genesis G90

Hyundai just revealed the first vehicle for its new Genesis luxury brand. It'll be called the EQ900 back home in Korea, but to the rest of us, it will be known as the Genesis G90, effectively replacing the Hyundai Equus. The G90 is as big as a Mercedes S-Class, but like the outgoing Equus, will be priced closer to the E-Class. Exterior dimensions are incrementally larger than the outgoing Equus, and compare roughly to the Mercedes S-Class (in the long-wheelbase form we get in America). But if Hyundai keeps pricing in line with the Equus we currently know, the G90 will be priced closer to the smaller E-Class. Design was carried out under the watchful eye of Peter Schreyer at the company's new Prestige Design Division, headlining a new Athletic Elegance design language that will expand to the five new Genesis-branded models coming after the G90. The front end is characterized by a Crest-shaped grille with the Genesis brand's new winged emblem (also projected onto the pavement from the side mirrors), and flanked by LED headlamps. A chrome beltline bridges to the rear with its dual exhaust tips. While the interior of the Equus may not have been up to par with the competition, the G90's cabin looks poised to rival the best of them. Italian leather offsets real wood trim. The ergonomic seats are certified by German back specialists, with 22-way power adjustment for the driver and 14 ways for the other occupants. In Korea the EQ900 even features a Smart Posture Caring system that positions the seat, steering wheel, head-up display, and outside mirrors to the driver's optimal position. There's a 12.3-inch high-definition screen in the dashboard, a megapixel parking camera, 360-degree around-view monitor, Lexicon surround sound system, and wireless inductive phone charging – all of which adds up to what looks like a sumptuous environment in which to pass the miles. While the Equus is powered exclusively by a V8, the G90 offers three engine options. While the Equus is powered exclusively by a V8, the G90 offers three engine options: Least potent is the new 3.8-liter V6 launched in the Kia K900, rated at 311 horsepower. There's a 3.3-liter turbocharged V6 good for 365 hp. And the 5.0-liter V8 carries over at 419 hp (though the current version is quoted at 429 hp), propelling the sedan to 62 miles per hour in 5.7 seconds. Power in any case is transmitted through an eight-speed automatic transmission to either the rear wheels or all four.