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Hyundai-Kia fuel-economy errors trigger $300M in federal penalties [w/video]

This amount includes $100-million in civil penalties, the largest such fines in EPA history.
Hyundai and Kia are getting more than a slap on the wrist for overstating the fuel economy of an estimated 1.2-million vehicles in their 2011-2013 model ranges. The Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Justice and the California Air Resources Board are hitting the automakers with collective penalties valued at around $300 million for Clean Air Act violations. This amount includes $100-million in civil penalties, the largest such fines in EPA history. Specifically, Hyundai is paying a $56.8 million penalty and relinquishing 2.7-million greenhouse gas emissions credits. Kia is paying $43.2 million in penalties and giving up 2.05-million credits.

2017 Genesis G90 signals Equus' evolution

As predicted, Hyundai's executive-level Genesis EQ900 has crossed the Pacific to make its big debut at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show. Known in the North American market as the Genesis G90, the first-ever vehicle for the new Genesis brand will occupy the same position as the old Hyundai Equus at the top of the heap. That means lots of interior space, most of which is finished in luxurious materials and stuffed full of technology. From the lone interior image Hyundai sent out, the cabin is clearly an evolution of the Equus' aesthetic. There's a large swath of real wood on the dash, which is topped by Nappa leather. The expansive center display sits atop a high, curving transmission tunnel that houses the traditional knob-and-dial controller for the infotainment, as well as the shift lever and HVAC buttons. Hyundai stretched the G90's wheelbase by 4.5 inches over the old Equus, but in the process, it removed an inch of backseat legroom. Now there's only 37.8 inches in the second row, which doesn't compare favorably to the 42.9 inches in the back of the Audi A8L or the 43.1 inches offered in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Unlike the EQ900 that was shown early last month, the US-market G90 will only offer a pair of engines. On the one end, we have a 3.3-liter, twin-turbocharged V6, capable of 365 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. The 5.0-liter V8 from the Equus will be offered too, and it still churns out 420 hp and 383 lb-ft of torque. But with peak twist from the V6 model available between 1,300 and 4,500 rpm and less than 60 horsepower difference between the two engines, it sounds like the smaller engine will be the one to have, especially if it proves significantly lighter (Hyundai hasn't published the G90's weight yet). Both engines are paired to eight-speed automatic transmissions and can be paired with Hyundai's H-TRAC all-wheel-drive system. Look for more on the new G90 from its Detroit debut. And in the meantime, head over to our December 9 report on the new flagship model for more on Peter Schreyer's design and the safety equipment.

Hyundai Veloster N spied hard at work at the Nurburgring

The first vehicle from Hyundai's N performance division, the i30 hatchback, is coming later this year. Sadly, that handsome little five door isn't bound for the US. While the Korean automaker won't confirm what will be coming to America in 2018, we're almost positive that the first model will be the next-gen Veloster. The car is well into development, and we now have some new photos of a shakedown at the Nurburgring. Pure facts are scarce, but based on what we know about the i30 we can make some educated guesses about the Veloster. The car will be powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four making either about 250 horsepower or 280 with an optional performance pack. Power will be sent to the front wheels through a six-speed manual, though Hyundai hasn't ruled out a dual-clutch transmission for the future. Look for big wheels with sticky summer rubber to surround beefy Brembo brakes. Although every Veloster we've seen both in photos and in person has been covered with a decent amount of camouflage, we can see the car's basic outline. The car will still feature an asymmetrical door layout, with one on the driver's side and two on the passenger side. The large grille is now shaped like the corporate cascading grille. It's styled like a flat-bottomed version of Superman's "S" logo. While the standard and Turbo models will feature center-exit exhaust tips, the Veloster N pushes the exhaust to the corners of the bumper. Pricing and performance numbers haven't been revealed, but Hyundai is gunning straight for the Volkswagen GTI. In typical Hyundai fashion, it's likely to undercut the competition by a hair or two. Look for prices in the mid $20,000s when the Veloster N arrives next year. Expect a full reveal sometime this fall. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2018 Hyundai Veloster N spy shots Image Credit: Spied Bilde Design/Style Spy Photos Hyundai Hatchback Performance hyundai veloster turbo Hyundai N hyundai veloster n