2010 Hyundai R-spec on 2040-cars

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2014 Hyundai Elantra gets new 2.0L engine, Sport model, tweaked styling

Most of the attention at Hyundai has recently been focused on the next-gen Sonata and Genesis, but before we see either of those sedans, the automaker is giving its small car lineup a significant overhaul.
Just last week, Hyundai unveiled the refreshed 2014 Accent, and today at the LA Auto Show it's take the covers off of its updated 2014 Elantra. All three Elantra models - sedan, coupe and GT - will receive the same changes, but Hyundai has only released pictures for two of the sedan models: Limited (above) and Sport (inset).
The biggest news is that a new, more powerful 2.0-liter, direct-injected inline four-cylinder is now the standard engine in the GT and Coupe, as well as the Elantra sedan's all-new Sport trim level. This engine produces 173 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque, and while the 2014 Elantra GT can still be equipped with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, the 2014 Elantra Coupe drops the option for a manual transmission; it also appears that the Elantra Sport sedan will come solely with the automatic. With the larger engine, fuel economy numbers do drop a little: all models powered by this engine receive EPA estimated ratings of 24 miles per gallon in the city. Highway estimates for this engine include 33 mpg for the GT with automatic, 34 mpg for the GT with manual and Coupe, and 35 for the Sport sedan. Sedan buyers looking for better fuel economy still have the carry over 1.8-liter engine with 145 hp, 130 lb-ft and EPA ratings of 28 mpg city/38 mpg highway.

John Krafcik stepping down as Hyundai CEO, replaced by VP of sales

Hyundai Motor America has announced that its affable president and CEO, John Krafcik, will be stepping down from his post on January 1, at the completion of his contract. He'll be replaced by the current executive vice president of sales, David Zuchowski.
Krafcik has helmed Hyundai through a product renaissance that's seen the Korean automaker go from budget afterthought to household name in less than a decade, launching stylish new models and expanding into new markets. "On behalf of Hyundai Motor Company, we sincerely thank John for his visionary leadership and relentless pursuit of customer satisfaction, which has driven Hyundai's record growth over the past five years," said Im Tak Uk, the COO and executive vice president of HMA's parent company, Hyundai Motor Company.
"It's been a sincere privilege and honor to lead Hyundai Motor America over the past five years, and I am confident that with Dave's succession, our brand will continue to expand and thrive for years to come," said Krafcik in a Hyundai press release, available below. "We have many of the best and brightest employees in the business coupled with a committed and talented dealer network that will continue to pay dividends."

How the Blue Link Apple Watch app talks to Hyundai Sonata PHEV

Getting all of our electronic gadgets to talk to each other is the technologist utopia normally called the Internet of Things. Cars are no strangers to this new Internet and that means that your smartphone is getting more and more chatty with any number of vehicles, especially plug-in vehicles. The new 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid is the latest that can communicate with your phone, and it also has a new-found ability to talk to smart watches. We talked with Hyundai's manager of connected care publicity, Miles Johnson, about the new features in the Apple Watch app during out recent test drive of the Sonata PHEV. To be honest, there's nothing groundbreaking in the new Blue Link Apple Watch app except that it works on your wrist instead of your palm – you can see the state of charge and be guided to your car in a crowded parking lot – but we're still in favor of anything that makes electric vehicles seem one step ahead of your non-connected ride. You can get an up-close and personal look at the new app's capabilities in the video above and read our first drive of the PHEV and the standard hybrid here.