2014 Hyundai Accent on 2040-cars

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Buick Regal, Hyundai Sonata

Toyota is ramping up production of an all-new 2018 Camry and spending over $1 billion – with a "b" – at its Georgetown, Ky., plant. That investment speaks to the popularity of midsize sedans, despite sales inroads made by crossovers. While Accord and Camry are givens in the segment, less attention is paid to Buick's Regal and Hyundai's Sonata. And if shopping for a midsize sedan with a $30,000 budget, you should pay attention. Both offer a compelling combination of attributes and can be well equipped for that price point. Finally, both are due for either a major redesign (Regal) or aggressive freshening (Sonata) in the 2018 model year. Both Buick and Hyundai will be offering incentives 2017s, but Hyundai's program is more aggressive, with up to $6,000 in savings (as this is written). BUICK REGAL: For those seeking exclusivity at well below an "exclusive" price, there is the Regal. Designed by GM's Opel as the Insignia, the version sold stateside keeps most of its Eurocentric nature. It doesn't pretend to be an Audi or BMW, but it provides something more German than Volkswagen's Germany-by-way-of-Tennessee Passat. A Regal, in all-wheel-drive 'Regal' trim, supplies you with a turbocharged 2.0 liter and 6-speed automatic transmission. Its 259 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque propel the 3,600-pound Regal with authority and respectable efficiency. Despite its relatively low curb weight, the Regal feels substantial, with a heavy feel behind the wheel and a quiet authority going down the road. Inside, you'll find an interesting mix of Old World and New Detroit, with informative gauges, a center stack that dominates the instrument panel, supportive buckets up front and a reasonably spacious rear seat. The Regal's interior volume is respectable (97 cubic feet inside, while the trunk has 14 cubic feet), but this remains a better environment for young families or empty nesters. Those with a lot of kids or stuff should shop Buick's about-to-be-redesigned Enclave or midsize Envision. For the 2017 model year, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto have been added. The Driver Confidence 1 package (optional) includes Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Change Alert, Side Blind Zone Alert, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Following Distance Indicator and memory seats. Driver Confidence 2 has Collision Preparation with Collision Mitigation Braking and Full Speed Range Adaptive Cruise Control. It's all good stuff.

Recharge Wrap-up: "E-Mobility Thought to the End" project, Tesla owner tracks stolen car

A Tesla owner helped police track her stolen Model S and catch the thief. Katya Pinkowski of Vancouver, BC found her car missing after a concert, and she was able to track the car's movements with the Tesla app. She relayed the information to the police, who surrounded the car and arrested the driver. "High tech definitely played a helping role," in arresting the suspect, says Richmond RCMP spokesman Cpl. Dennis Hwang. In what appears to be the first Tesla theft in Canada, Pinkowski accidentally left an electronic fob in the car, giving the thief easy access. Read more from The Province. Hyundai has delivered a shipment of 50 ix35 (Tucson) Fuel Cells for distribution in Europe. Europe's largest ever shipment of the hydrogen-powered vehicles puts the count at over 250 of the ix35 Fuel Cells shipped to Europe so far. "This latest landmark delivery enhances our leading position in the roll-out of fuel cell vehicles in Europe," says Hyundai Europe COO Thomas Schmid. "With our fuel cell distribution network growing to 13 European countries, we are enhancing our sales and customer service capabilities, making fuel cell electric vehicles more accessible for customers throughout Europe." Read more in the press release from Hyundai. Daimler, The Mobility House, Getec and Remondis are partnering to connect the world's largest second use battery storage unit to the grid. As part of their "E-Mobility Thought To The End" project, retired EV batteries are being used in the 13-MWh storage unit to help stabilize the grid and help manage energy fluctuations from renewable sources. It serves as another step in the life of the battery before recycling, where the materials from the lithium-ion batteries re-enter the production process. This helps reduce the environmental impact and the costs of electromobility. Read more in the press release below. E-mobility thought to the end: World's largest 2nd-use battery storage unit set to connect to the grid • Cooperation between Daimler, The Mobility House, GETEC and REMONDIS completes the battery value creation cycle • Re-use of electric vehicle batteries improves environmental performance and the lifecycle costs of e-mobility • 13-megawatt battery storage unit to connect to the grid in early 2016 • Levelling out fluctuations in the power grid as an active contribution towards the energy revolution The world's largest 2nd-use battery storage unit will soon go into operation in the Westphalian town of Lunen.

Hyundai prices Nexo FCEV crossover within dollars of Toyota Mirai sedan

CarsDirect got hold of order guides for the 2019 Hyundai Nexo, revealing the price for the base Blue trim as $59,345. That includes the $1,045 destination fee. The Limited trim adds another $3,500, for $62,845. Since the Nexo is the only crossover FCEV in the segment, two sedans represent its closest competition, only one of which can be bought at all and is on sale right now. The Toyota Mirai costs $59,285 after destination, $60 less than the Nexo. The Honda Clarity FCEV is lease-only, and Honda's site says the fastback won't arrive until mid-2019. Hyundai won't offer any options for either trim, but both trims get generous spec. The Blue version has LED headlights, 17-inch wheels, synthetic leather, heated seats, and a bundle of driver assistance tech. The Limited bumps up to 19-inch wheels, plus a hands-free liftgate, heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, wireless phone charging, eight-speaker Krell audio, a power sunroof, and niceties like remote parking assist. A couple of months ago, Hyundai announced three dealers in California, the only state where it will be sold: Van Nuys and Tustin in Southern California by the end of the year, and San Jose in Northern California getting inventory early next year. The crossover will be eligible for the California Clean Vehicle Rebate of $5,000, and perhaps more important, the HOV sticker that allows travel in carpool lanes regardless of the number of vehicle occupants. The Nexo uses a 95-kW fuel cell to recharge a 40-kW battery. A single electric motor produces 161 horsepower and 291-pound-feet of torque, pulling the Nexo from 0-60 in 9.5 seconds. The two trims are rated for two different ranges, the Blue going up to 380 miles, the Limited getting up to 354 miles. Broken down, the Nexo Blue returns 65 mpg-e in the city and 58 mpg-e on the highway, the Limited makes slightly smaller returns of 59 city and 54 highway mpg-e. The range numbers beat the 312-mile range of the Toyota Mirai and bracket the 366-mile range of the coming Honda Clarity FCEV. Based on our first-drive review, what the Nexo lacks in gusto and driving dynamics it makes up for in interior room, a huge bonus considering the overall industry. Even so, while the price and the specs aren't out of place for the market at the moment, probably the best the Nexo can do is make a huge splash in an infinitesimal pool. And provide HOV stickers. Related Video: