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Hyundai Vision G Coupe Concept debuts ahead of Pebble Beach

This is the Hyundai HCD-16 Vision G Coupe Concept, and it previews the automaker's future upmarket offerings. At an intimate gathering at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Hyundai offered us an early sneak peek of its Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance concept car, one that takes a deliberately scaled-back approach to premium, luxurious design. Peter Schreyer, Hyundai-Kia design chief, says the Vision G reflects "a DNA that balances design and performance with the idea that you don't need to be over the top in terms of glitz and stereotypical luxury cues." The coupe sends a decidedly different message than the last luxury concept that came from Hyundai's California Design center, the HCD-14. While that model was striking – albeit a little gaudy with suicide rear doors and oversized carbon-fiber wheels – the Vision G aims to be understated, despite its grand size and dramatic lines. The end result is an attractive package, with an alluring, sleek style. The HCD-16's design is characterized by a long hood, high beltline, and cabin that presents a "slingshot-like" appearance. Christopher Chapman, head of Hyundai's US design center, says the styling is meant to speak to the owner, rather than "the spectators" that might see the car on the road. Hyundai says the idea of respectful luxury carries through to the interior, where elegant lines and finishes are meant to set the mood, rather than stand out as over-the-top elegance. At the heart of the Vision G Coupe Concept is Hyundai's 5.0-liter Tau V8 – the same engine found in the Equus and Genesis – with 420 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 383 pound-feet of torque at 5,000 rpm. That said, the Vision G solely represents Hyundai's upscale inspiration moving forward. It might seem like good inspiration for a next-generation Genesis Coupe, but that isn't necessarily the case. One particularly neat feature is the "valet door," that opens when the driver approaches, as if by a valet. Perhaps this is something that could work its way into the next-generation Equus as an upscale option? The HCD-16 derives its nomenclature from the studio in which it was designed, with "HCD" being an acronym for Hyundai California Design, and the number 16 representing the 16th concept to come out of that center.

Hyundai, Kia warn of $2.9B earnings hit over engine issues

SEOUL — Hyundai Motor and affiliate Kia Motors warned of another $2.9 billion of provisions related to engine issues, bringing their total hit from the years-long quality problem that has tarnished their credibility to nearly $5 billion. Hyundai Motor Group said on Monday their third-quarter earnings would reflect quality-related costs of a combined 3.36 trillion won ($2.94 billion), of which Hyundai accounted for 2.1 trillion won and Kia for 1.26 trillion. Hyundai and Kia, together the worldÂ’s No.5 automaker, recalled nearly 1.7 million vehicles in 2015 and 2017 in one of their biggest recalls in the United States, citing an engine failure that raises the risk of crashes. In 2017, U.S. safety regulators began to investigate if the recalls had covered enough vehicles and were done in a timely fashion. That followed concerns reported by a South Korean whistleblower, a former quality official at Hyundai, to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Hyundai was being investigated by U.S. prosecutors over whether vehicle recalls were conducted properly, Reuters reported in 2018. From 2017 to 2019, the two firms have earmarked a series of provisions mostly to address engine-related issues, which amounted to about 2.04 trillion won, according to Reuters' calculation. The latest provisions reflect higher-than-expected replacement rates for Theta II GDi engines of old vehicles subject to recalls, as well as growing consumer complaints over the same engine and other engines not subject to recalls, Hyundai said. The engine is in a wide variety of vehicles. "Hyundai has repeatedly said it does not see any more costs related to the Theta II engine issues, and the latest recall would deal a fatal blow to Hyundai's credibility," Sean Kim, an analyst at Dongbu Securities said. "I am worried." He expected Hyundai and Kia to swing to losses for the quarter from July to September, hit by the provisions. Hyundai Motor closed down 2.3% and Kia Motors ended down 1%. ($1=1,141.42 won)   Earnings/Financials Recalls Hyundai Kia

2015 Hyundai Tuscon Fuel Cell will lease for $499/month, comes with free hydrogen

If nothing else, Hyundai wants to make it as easy as pie for you to check out its upcoming hydrogen-powered 2015 Tucson Fuel Cell vehicle. Given that the Korean automaker will be the first to offer a mass-produced fuel cell vehicle in the US (sorry, Honda, the FCX Clarity just doesn't cut it for this category) and that the hydrogen-powered Tuscon is coming next spring, there's no time like the present to lower hurdles.
Here's how Hyundai is trying to remove your worries. First, if you want to have an extended test drive, you can go rent a fuel cell Tuscon at participating Enterprise locations, starting next spring. Nothing was said about buying one of these SUVs outright, but after putting $2,999 down, you will be able to lease the H2 Tuscon for $499 a month for 36 months, and that includes "unlimited free hydrogen refueling" and a hydrogen version of the "At Your Service Valet Maintenance." Since there are only ten public hydrogen refueling stations in the US, and nine of them are in California, it makes sense that the Tuscon will be available only in the Golden State, specifically at just four dealerships. Hyundai said in a statement that, "Availability of the Tucson Fuel Cell will expand to other regions of the country consistent with the accelerating deployment of hydrogen refueling stations." In other words, don't hold your breath.
Speaking at the unveiling, Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik praised the hydrogen work that Honda and Toyota are doing here at the show and said, "We think fuel cell technology will increase the adoption rate of zero-emission vehicles, and we'll all share the environmental benefits." In the Tuscon, that means an estimated 300-mile range and a refill time of under 10 minutes along with the instant torque of an electric motor. We'll be most interested to see how that plays out in the marketplace. Feel free to read more in the press release below.