2014 Hyundai Elantra on 2040-cars

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More than a half-million Hyundai, Kia compacts recalled for brake light problem

Hyundai and Kia will recall more than a half-million compact cars in the U.S. starting next year because of a brake-light problem. The recall covers more than 390,000 Hyundai Elantras from the 2013 and 2014 model years, and more than 134,000 Kia Forte cars from 2012 through 2014. The Associated Press, citing documents the companies filed with the federal government, reports that a polymer stopper pad between the brake pedal arm and the light switch can deteriorate and keep the brake lights on when the brakes aren't actually engaged. The problem also means a driver can shift out of park without stepping on the brake pedal. Neither automaker reported any crashes or injuries stemming from the issue. Dealers will replace the stopped pads starting Jan. 30 for Kia and Feb. 8 for Hyundai.Related Video:

Daimler, Toyota, BMW to lead $10-billion hydrogen investment

Daimler, BMW, and Toyota are leading a group of 13 companies pledging to invest more than $10 billion during the next five years to spur enough infrastructure-building and technology advancements to get more of the general public to buy hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles. The automakers, which also include Honda and Hyundai, as well as companies such as Shell, AirLiquide, Linde Group, and Total SA, are part of what they're calling the Hydrogen Council. The group made its announcement in Davos, Switzerland, on Tuesday. The Hydrogen Council will pledge to accelerate its rate of hydrogen-related investments, which currently stand at about $1.5 billion annually. The coalition says its work represents a continuation of the 2015 Paris Agreement, in which many of the companies agreed to address the issue of climate change. The group says that hydrogen, which emits water vapor when used in fuel-cell vehicles, "can play an important role in the transition to a clean, low-carbon, energy system." The Hydrogen Council also vowed to push global governments to accelerate public investment in hydrogen-related infrastructure. Relative to other drivetrain technologies, hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are in their relative infancy in terms of adoption because of the high cost of both building fuel cell vehicles and setting up a hydrogen-refueling infrastructure. Toyota is the only automaker that sells a production fuel-cell vehicle in the US. The Japanese company, which introduced its Mirai domestically in late 2015, sold 1,034 of them in the US last year. Daimler subsidiary, Mercedes-Benz, used Tuesday's announcement to remind people that it would start selling its GLC plug-in hydrogen fuel-cell crossover this year. There are only 33 publicly accessible hydrogen refueling stations in the US, including 30 in California, and one each in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and South Carolina, according to the US Department of Energy. By comparison, there are more than 15,000 electric-vehicle charging stations with almost 40,000 outlets in the US. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Mercedes-AMG GLC43 News Source: Daimler/Hydrogen Council via Bloomberg, Automotive News-sub.req. Green BMW Honda Hyundai Mercedes-Benz Toyota Hydrogen Cars infrastructure mercedes f-cell

Hyundai i30 Fastback N revealed, but still not for the U.S.

Hyundai just revealed a car that we won't get stateside, the i30 Fastback N. This four-door fastback gets the same N treatment as the i30 N hatchback, another fast Hyundai that isn't sold here. We all love a good hatchback, but the Fastback variant looks a bit more handsome and mature comparatively. It's hard not to like the lines, especially after hearing the loud, crackling exhaust that pops aggressively on the overrun. Just like the i30 N hatchback in Europe and the Veloster N we're getting here, the Fastback gets the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with two power outputs available. The base N makes 246 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, but the Performance package nets you 271 horsepower. It also has a temporary overboost feature that unleashes 279 pound-feet of torque for a limited period. It's almost the exact same power as the Veloster N, but that car is rated at 250 and 275 horsepower in its two trim levels. The Fastback N is said to get to 62 mph in 6.4 and 6.1 seconds respectively. A six-speed manual will remain as the only transmission offering for the time being. Hyundai hasn't officially mentioned it yet, but a video it released essentially confirms the presence of its electronic limited-slip differential for this car. We expect it to be offered as part of the Performance package like it is in the other N variants. The Fastback N is set to make its world debut at the 2018 Paris Motor Show, but Hyundai made an entertaining video of its World Rally Championship drivers racing about Denmark and released some preliminary info today. If you haven't heard the exhaust for any of Hyundai's N cars, then here's your chance; it's pretty awesome. View 26 Photos Featured video: Image Credit: Hyundai Paris Motor Show Hyundai Performance Sedan hyundai veloster n hyundai i30 n