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IIHS: Drivers safer than passengers in frontal crash test

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced a small overlap frontal crash test in 2012 that replicates what happens when the front corner of a car impacts another object. In the test, vehicles travel at a speed of 40 mph toward a five-foot-tall barrier with 25 percent of the total width of the car striking the barrier on the driver side. One would assume that vehicles with good small overlap front ratings would protect the driver and the passenger equally. But a recent study from the IIHS proves that passengers aren't as protected as drivers. The IIHS conducted the test on seven small SUVs with good driver-side small overlap ratings and only one of the vehicles, the 2016 Hyundai Tucson, performed well enough to be given a good rating. The other SUVs performance ranged from poor to acceptable. After reviewing the results of the test, the IIHS is deliberating whether it should institute a passenger-side rating as part of its Top Safety Pick criteria. "This is an important aspect of occupant protection that needs more attention," states Becky Mueller, lead author of the study and an IIHS senior research engineer. "More than 1,600 right-front passengers died in frontal crashes in 2014." Since the small overlap front test was introduced, 13 automakers have made structural changes to 97 vehicles with roughly three-quarters earning a good rating after the adjustments. The IIHS' test for frontal ratings is completed with a dummy in the driver's seat and with a barrier overlapping the driver's side. Which makes sense, as passengers aren't always riding in a vehicle. "It's not surprising that automakers would focus their initial efforts to improve small overlap protection on the side of the vehicle that we conduct the tests on," states David Zuby, IIHS executive vice president and chief research officer. "In fact, we encouraged them to do that in the short term if it mean they could quickly make driver-side improvements to more vehicles. As time goes by, though, we would hope they ensure similar levels of protection on both sides." As the IIHS' test revealed, there's a massive difference in safety between the two front seats. Increase passenger safety, according to Mueller, would require automakers to strengthen the occupant compartment by using a different type of material or by making it thicker.

Hyundai teases new Tucson ahead of Geneva [w/video]

Hyundai is giving us a pretty thorough tease of the design for the next-gen Tucson in sketch form ahead of the model's debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show on March 3, thanks to a newly released video and image. Up front, there's the latest version of Hyundai's chrome-framed hexagonal grille, and the squared-off wheel wells lend a more rugged appearance. According to the Korean brand's design boss Peter Schreyer in the CUV's announcement, the shape is meant to be a combination of flowing surfaces and sharp lines. The styling definitively takes some cues from the Hyundai Intrado concept from last year's Swiss show. While the grille is larger now, the two of them share similar shapes for the squinting headlights and more pronounced, bulging proportions overall, compared to the current Tucson. Also, judging by the additional shots in Hyundai's teaser video, the rear drops the show car's boomerang-shaped taillights and tiny hatch opening for more conventional features. While no interior looks are included, the clip suggests a more muted hue than the Intrado's eye-searing orange. Show full PR text HYUNDAI MOTOR SHOWS FIRST DESIGN IMPRESSION OF ALL-NEW TUCSON 03/02/15 Design sketch created in new teaser video Hints at bold and athletic SUV presence Global name underlines significance of new model Teaser video can be viewed at http://youtu.be/PzAJaWYRmdw High Wycombe, 3 February 2015 - Hyundai Motor has today unveiled its first hints about the design of the upcoming All-New Tucson, compact SUV, which will premiere at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, on 3rd March. Commenting on the All-New Tucson, Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer of Hyundai Motor Group, said: "Our new compact SUV will be a big step forward for the Hyundai brand globally. The All-New Tucson has a bold and athletic presence and a proud stance. Its design is characterised by flowing surfaces, bold proportions, sharp lines and – most important – our brand signature hexagonal grille." The strong, sporty SUV appearance is enhanced by the upright silhouette and sleek character line. At the front, Hyundai Motor's distinctive chrome-framed hexagonal grille is connected to the headlamp clusters creating a powerful impression. With more than one million SUV sales in Europe since the introduction of the first Santa Fe in the early 2000s, Hyundai Motor has established its credibility in the SUV segment.

Hyundai's rakish HND-9 concept has lots of Seoul

Hyundai has unwrapped the HND-9 Sports Coupe Concept at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show. The design study is intended to give the world a glimpse at what Hyundai has planned for the look of its future products - an evolution of the automaker's current Fluidic Sculpture design language.
With classic front-engine, rear-wheel-drive proportions, the HND-9 looks great, and engineers graced the concept with a 3.3-liter turbocharged, direct-injection engine good for 364 horsepower. An eight-speed automatic transmission shuttles that thrust to the rear wheels, while touches like butterfly doors give the machine a bit of flair.
Indoors, the HND-9 features seats built with a special mesh that changes colors depending on the viewer's angle. Designers modeled the cabin after a cockpit for a close, sporty feel. You can check out the full press release below for more information.