The Veloster Turbo Video Tour - Hyundai Video

The 201HP Veloster Turbo features a bold 3-door design, LED headlight accents and tail lights and raking contour lines make this car instantly recognizable. Veloster Turbo is the sporty twin to the Veloster featuring aggressive styling and sport tuned suspension.The Turbo includes standard 18-inch alloy wheels, round chrome-tipped dual exhaust, and front fog lights and fascia that frame the special wide-mouthed grille.

Hyundai pits 2013 Genesis Coupe against... an archer?

In a surprise move, the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe has shaken up its segment by adding an arrow to its competitive set – that's right, as in "Bow and...". Trying to answer the question of whether the 348-horsepower two-door can go faster than a bow-powered arrow, the company put an archer and bulls-eye in one lane of a runway and a Genesis Coupe in the other.

We won't tell you which one wins. We will tell you that one of them gets a serious head start. And Hyundai will tell you that "This scene is 100% real. There are no computer graphics or digital tricks in the film." Scroll down to check it out.

Hyundai Aims to Build 350,000 Hybrids a Year

Hyundai Motor plans to boost its hybrid-car production capacity to go head to head with Japanese automakers Toyota and Honda in this burgeoning vehicle segment.

According to industry sources on Monday, Hyundai’s Chairman Chung Mong-koo said at a meeting that the company aims to produce and sell 350,000 hybrid cars annually, or more than 11 times the number it sold last year. It aims to achieve its target by 2015.

In terms of global sales of hybrids, Hyundai and its affiliate Kia Motors sold about 30,000 units of the Sonata and K5 mid-sized cars last year, or just fraction of the number sold by Toyota (630,000 units) and Honda (197,000 units).

Hyundai and Kia sold 16,000 hybrid cars in the first four months of this year, meaning sales would have to jump more than sevenfold to achieve the newly set annual target. Hyundai said it aims to achieve its goals by improving fuel-efficiency, strengthening domestic demand and targeting Europe.

The U.S. is the only overseas market for Hyundai's hybrid cars at present. This fall, it plans to release upgraded versions of the Sonata and K5 hybrid sedans there. It will start selling them in Korea around the end of this year. Hyundai aims to drastically enhance the fuel-efficiency of the two models (currently 21 km/l) to outperform the Toyota Camry hybrid (23.6 km/l).

Hyundai's Latest Sales Coupe

Hyundai continues to set sales records nearly every month, and last year the Elantra's sales beat those of the VW Jetta and Ford Focus, but lagged behind Toyota Corolla, Chevy Cruze, and Honda Civic, even though Japanese and Thai natural disasters caused parts shortages for the Toyota and Honda.

The Civic outsold the Elantra by 34,874 units last year, even with the inventory shortages, and Honda sold about 35,400 Civic coupes last year. In a normal year, coupe sales would account for 60,000 to 75,000 units.

To keep Elantra sales near the top of the compact segment, Hyundai is introducing additional body styles of the increasingly popular sedan. Soon, the Elantra will have a coupe variant plus a four-door hatchback called the Elantra GT to replace the old Elantra Touring wagon.

The Elantra coupe is 0.4 inch longer than the sedan, on the same 106.3-inch wheelbase. The sporty SE coupe trim level features five-spoke, 17-inch alloys; foglamps; and optional side mirror turn signal repeaters. Dual chrome exhausts poke out of a blacked-out rear diffuser. Hyundai claims a 0.28 drag coefficient.

The new GT is essentially the Euro-market i30, and rides on a wheelbase that's 2 inches shorter than that of the coupe/sedan. The GT is a full 9 inches shorter overall, 0.2-inch wider, and 1.4 inches taller compared with the Elantra sedan. Drag coefficient is 0.30, Hyundai says. The vehicle comes with a cooled glovebox and a 12-volt electrical outlet in the cargo area, for tailgaters.

The Elantra GT is the driver's car, with a three-stage Driver Selectable Steering Mode and a chassis tuned for "added feel, responsiveness and control," while the sedan's suspension is tuned for maximum comfort.

All North American Elantras come only with the 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and a choice of six-speed manual or automatic. The engine is rated 148 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque, or 145 hp and 130 lb-ft for the California PZEV version. The coupe goes on sale this spring, with the GT launching this summer.

Hyundai’s makeover continues to pay off

Fans of the film “Glenn Garry Glen Ross” will fondly recall Alec Baldwin’s ultimate put-down of Ed Harris’ ride, and Ed Harris.

“…you drove a Hyundai to get here tonight.  I drove an $80,000 BMW!”

Point being that in 1992, when “Garry” was released, Hyundai was synonymous with poor quality due to the company's plunging quality control in the late 80s.

Today, however, none of the cars in Hyundai’s fleet are anything but well-made, reliable and reasonably priced for what you get.  The quality improvement has paid off in sales, too. The Hyundai brand climbed 25 percent to achieve the second highest level of improvement in perception of quality over the last five years according to ALG, the industry benchmark for vehicle value.

“Improving perception is like turning a ship, and Hyundai is one of the few brands to make significant progress during the past five years,” said Eric Lyman, vice president, Residual Value Solutions, ALG. “Hyundai’s improved product and marketing are helping consumers understand Hyundai’s increased value in the marketplace.”

Now in its fifth year, ALG's Perceived Quality Study is a semi-annual consumer survey measuring the perceived quality of automotive brands. PQS is one of the ways ALG calculates industry benchmark residual values, helping companies and consumers understand the future value of their vehicles.

The PQS is a good thing in particular as it helps carowners determine resale or trade-in value of their rides when the time comes.

“This level of long-term improvement in perceived quality is proof of Hyundai’s all-around growth,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, Corporate and Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Car shoppers truly recognize Hyundai as a trusted brand and our recent record breaking May sales is a testament to that.”

Hyundai’s ongoing success is largely attributed to the continued positive reception of the 2012 North American Car of the Year Elantra and Sonata and Accent models, as well as the all-new Azera, all four of which have received significant consumer interest and positive reception since their respective launches. These vehicles, in addition to the rest of the Hyundai lineup, contributed to Hyundai’s success last month with an all-time May sales record of 67,019 units, the second best sales month in company history. Elantra also won a 2012 Residual Value Award from ALG.

Hyundai’s makeover continues to pay off

Fans of the film “Glenn Garry Glen Ross” will fondly recall Alec Baldwin’s ultimate put-down of Ed Harris’ ride, and Ed Harris.

“…you drove a Hyundai to get here tonight.  I drove an $80,000 BMW!”

Point being that in 1992, when “Garry” was released, Hyundai was synonymous with poor quality due to the company's plunging quality control in the late 80s.

Today, however, none of the cars in Hyundai’s fleet are anything but well-made, reliable and reasonably priced for what you get.  The quality improvement has paid off in sales, too. The Hyundai brand climbed 25 percent to achieve the second highest level of improvement in perception of quality over the last five years according to ALG, the industry benchmark for vehicle value.

“Improving perception is like turning a ship, and Hyundai is one of the few brands to make significant progress during the past five years,” said Eric Lyman, vice president, Residual Value Solutions, ALG. “Hyundai’s improved product and marketing are helping consumers understand Hyundai’s increased value in the marketplace.”

Now in its fifth year, ALG's Perceived Quality Study is a semi-annual consumer survey measuring the perceived quality of automotive brands. PQS is one of the ways ALG calculates industry benchmark residual values, helping companies and consumers understand the future value of their vehicles.

The PQS is a good thing in particular as it helps carowners determine resale or trade-in value of their rides when the time comes.

“This level of long-term improvement in perceived quality is proof of Hyundai’s all-around growth,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, Corporate and Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Car shoppers truly recognize Hyundai as a trusted brand and our recent record breaking May sales is a testament to that.”

Hyundai’s ongoing success is largely attributed to the continued positive reception of the 2012 North American Car of the Year Elantra and Sonata and Accent models, as well as the all-new Azera, all four of which have received significant consumer interest and positive reception since their respective launches. These vehicles, in addition to the rest of the Hyundai lineup, contributed to Hyundai’s success last month with an all-time May sales record of 67,019 units, the second best sales month in company history. Elantra also won a 2012 Residual Value Award from ALG.

2013 Hyundai Sonata "Radar"

When you drive a Sonata, a 2012 IIHS "Top Safety Pick," people may think you know something they don't. Learn more at hyundai.checkeredflag.com.

Thanks for the great 5-star reviews!

"I originally went to Checkered Flag to test drive the Elantra. I was met by Don Little at the door and he was very helpful during the test drive and followed up the next day. The car buying experience was easy and never at any point did I feel pressured. Everyone was friendly and my overall experience was excellent. I am very happy with my purchase" -rondagrad

Hyundai Invites Consumers to Petition for Fuel Efficiency Month

COSTA MESA, Calif., June 5, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- As Americans hit the road this summer, Hyundai Motor America aims to bring more attention to the environmental and economic benefits of driving more fuel efficiently, with the launch of its initiative to make August "National Fuel Efficiency Month." Hyundai plans to put a spotlight on fuel economy this summer with consumer tips and compelling content which inspire consumers to embrace more fuel-efficient driving, saving dollars and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Hyundai will petition Washington to deem August the official awareness month for fuel efficiency by encouraging fuel-conscious consumers to sign a petition at http://wh.gov/zAa .

 

"As America's most fuel-efficient car company, we want to inspire people and show them how fuel efficiency can help their wallets and the planet at the same time, no matter what kind of car they drive," said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. "There's a day, week or month for just about everything else, so we feel the time is right for a national Fuel Efficiency Month to help shine a spotlight on the ecological and economic benefits here."

Fuel Efficiency Month will focus national attention on the need for everyone to take simple measures to improve fuel efficiency such as keeping tires properly inflated, making sure the vehicle is well tuned, improving driving habits and using features like cruise control. The program also includes information about making wise decisions in the vehicle purchase process. These measures will help the U.S. reduce fuel consumption and emissions from fossil fuels.

The multi-faceted campaign kicks-off on June 5, World Environmental Day, with four simultaneous events in New York, Austin, Chicago and Las Vegas, where consumers can witness firsthand the benefits of driving a more fuel-efficient vehicle, while receiving real-world tips on improving fuel economy. To support the campaign, consumers are encouraged to visit Hyundai's Facebook page for updates on the petition progress, fuel efficiency driving tips and a chance to win free gas for a year.

Hyundai Motor America ranked number one in fuel economy and CO2 emissions in America, topping the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 2011 Light-Duty Automotive Technology and Fuel Economy Trends Report for the 2010 model year. This is the second time Hyundai has led in both categories, having achieved this distinction previously for the 2008 model year. The EPA 2011 Trends Report also indicates that preliminary 2011 model year values suggest that Hyundai will maintain its fuel economy leadership.

Hyundai's Fuel Economy Commitment

In 2010, Hyundai announced plans to maintain its fuel economy leadership and achieve a corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) rating of at least 50 miles per gallon (mpg) by 2025 for its lineup of passenger cars and light duty trucks. Current National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulations require automakers to achieve a CAFE rating of 35.5 mpg by 2016. Before those rules were enacted in 2009, Hyundai had already announced its own plan to reach 35 mpg by 2015. In fact, so far in 2012 Hyundai is achieving 37.3 mpg across its fleet through May. In 2011, Hyundai endorsed an even higher industry standard of 54.5 mpg for 2025.

Hyundai's plan to exceed fuel economy requirements encompasses a full line of products, from small cars to larger family haulers. It leverages Hyundai's global Blue Drive strategy, aligning R&D resources at its engineering centers in California, Michigan, Korea, India and Germany to develop more fuel-efficient vehicle technologies.

Fuel-Efficient Solutions

Hyundai is currently the only manufacturer with four models achieving 40 mpg EPA ratings on the highway - Accent, M/T Veloster, Sonata Hybrid and the 2012 North American Car of the Year, Elantra. Last year, Hyundai sold more 40 mpg highway vehicles than Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Ford and Chevrolet combined.

Powered by an all-new 1.8-liter Nu four-cylinder engine weighing 74 pounds less than the previous generation and an all-new six-speed transmission, Elantra achieves a 29 mpg city and a 40 mpg highway EPA fuel economy rating.

Thanks to advanced clean engine technology, most Elantras sold in California, Oregon and several Northeast states are certified as Partial Zero Emission Vehicles (PZEV) by the EPA. The PZEV Elantra is as clean as many hybrid electric vehicles. The PZEV Elantra helps Hyundai meet its environmental commitments, while in other states the Elantra is available as an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle.

In 2010, Hyundai launched its first gas-electric full hybrid, the Sonata Hybrid. The Sonata Hybrid features Hyundai's proprietary parallel hybrid drive system which pairs the already fuel-efficient 2.4-liter Theta II engine to a six-speed automatic transmission and a 30kW electric motor for maximum fuel economy. In addition, Sonata Hybrid uses the industry's first lithium polymer battery, leapfrogging in-market nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion applications.

2012 Hyundai Sonata Limited

The Hyundai Sonata really is a compelling option in its segment, because it is very stylish, comfortable, spacious, and reasonably priced. I can't get over just how composed and comfortable the ride was over a few hundred miles of highway driving over the weekend. Equally impressive was that the Sonata is very quiet inside, with only a little wind noise when you have the power sunshade open.

The midnight black exterior paint on our tester, especially when paired with the chrome trim of the Limited trim, make the Sonata look very sophisticated. By contrast, I don't like the "wine" leather on our car, which is a strange raspberry-purple color that looks totally out of place in this Sonata. Moreover, the two small wine-colored insert pieces clash with the rest of the black leather-wrapped steering wheel.

Jake Holmes, Associate Web Editor

With the Sonata, Hyundai has proven itself to be a legitimate player in the world of mainstream automakers. Hyundai had a few good cars before the Sonata, but their purchase always had to be explained with words like "bargain" or "warranty." When the current Sonata debuted in 2009, the reasons to buy one were design, fuel economy, infotainment, and value. This is the first Hyundai product that took on the established mid-size players on level ground and stole sales, lots of sales.

There is only one area where Hyundai is still significantly behind the top-tier brands: Suspension tuning. Hyundai continues to release vehicles that fall on their faces during spirited driving. No, a mid-size sedan doesn't need Nuerburgring track time during its development, but even driving the speed limit on curving roads with broken pavement can push the dampers to their limit. Hyundai would be wise to dissect a Ford Fusion's chassis and get a thorough understanding of how to dampen impact harshness without making the suspension too mushy. Right now the Koreans seem to set the dampers to pillow soft or rock hard, which means the ride is always compromised in one direction or the other.

Phil Floraday, Senior Web Editor

Every time I get behind the wheel of a Sonata I remember why it's one of my most-recommended cars. The exterior design is crisp and handsome - especially decked out in our tester's midnight black paint with chrome trim - and the interior is ergonomic bliss. (However, our tester loses points for its wine-colored leather and trim - that shade of red looks to be straight out of the late-1980s.)

As Phil says, however, Hyundai has yet to fully sort the suspension tuning of its cars. The Sonata manages to go from borderline floaty on well-paved roads to crashing and harsh over any road imperfections. Combined with steering that needs more feeling on-center, I warn potential buyers that this car does not cater to enthusiast drivers. But for most buyers, that's quite all right because the Sonata still remains at the top of its very competitive class.

Donny Nordlicht, Associate Web Editor

 

By my back-of-the-envelope computations, only eleven vehicles outsold the Sonata last year in the United States. And, if you exclude the three American full-size pickups plus a couple of crossovers (the Ford Escape and the Honda CR-V), the Sonata is the seventh-best selling car in the United States. Granted, the Sonata sits in the sweet part of the new car market -- mid-size family sedans - and four of the cars that sold better in 2011 (Ford Fusion, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Toyota Camry) are direct competitors to the Sonata. Still, it's a testament to Hyundai that the Sonata is now nipping at the heels, saleswise, of all them. And performance-wise, it's at least the equal of all of them. The Sonata might not be an enthusiast's car, but compared with the bland Sonata of a few years ago, it's a huge improvement.

It's easy to see why buyers are attracted to this car. For one thing, it looks good, especially in the midnight black paint of this Limited model. For another, it gets very good fuel economy (28 mpg combined) and, if our recently departed Four Seasons Sonata is typical, can go about 500 miles on a tank of gas. Sure, compromises have been made (yes, the suspension tuning is somewhat harsh, but really, it's much better than the floaty, marshmallow-soft suspensions we used to find in Korean vehicles), but in this segment, every manufacturer makes compromises in order to appeal to the greatest number of buyers. The interior design is clean and well put together, and the ergonomics are good, although the seats could be more supportive. There are lots of standard features, and even with the navigation option, this car comes in at less than $30,000.

Still, with new versions of the Fusion and Accord coming for 2013, Hyundai is going to have to stay at the top of the game to continue to compete well in this segment.

Amy Skogstrom, Managing Editor

I've never quite warmed up completely to the Sonata's styling but in Limited guise it's hard to resist. The dark chrome accents give the car a seriously upscale look that belies its sub-$30,000 price tag. Inside, it's just as attractive. I'm not sure I could commit to purchasing my Sonata with the wine leather that's in this car but its nice to see a color this wild in a Korean car. As always, fit and finish are excellent and the cabin has spot-on ergonomics. I still find it difficult to find a completely comfortable seating position but if the consensus after a year with our Four Season's Sonata is accurate, most people won't have the same problem.