Hyundai Elantra, Needs Minor Work For Inspection. on 2040-cars

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Next-gen Hyundai Genesis reveals new skin on 'Ring

The launch of the next-generation Hyundai Genesis is drawing closer and closer, and this latest set of spy shots gives us our best look yet at the Korean automaker's new sedan. Caught testing on the Nürburgring, we're not only getting a better look at the finer details of the Hyundai's exterior, but this set of photos gives us a clear view inside the cockpit, as well.
For its new generation, the Hyundai Genesis appears to be moving a bit more upmarket in terms of materials and layout, with a redesigned steering wheel, gauge cluster and center stack. The current car's analog clock appears to be left intact, smack dab in the middle of the heating and cooling controls, but the rest of the updates look decidedly more modern and, if we're honest, a bit German.
Outside, it's obvious that the new Hyundai will wear a more aggressive front fascia, along with what appears to be a more rakish rear deck. Earlier reports have stated that the next Genesis will be much lighter than the current car, and with a much more sporty tune to the suspension. We'll know more when the car is officially revealed, though it's still unclear exactly when that will be.

Volkswagen Group, BMW Z4 top Total Value Awards by Strategic Vision

It was just nine months ago that Strategic Vision announced its 2011 Total Value Awards, but you don't have to wait until next year for the 2012 awards. The Volkswagen Group keeps its lead as the number one brand, with seven products taking top category spots: Golf, Jetta Wagon, CC, Eos and Audi A3 Wagon, Q5 and Q7. Strategic Vision says "true innovation" - "rich and impactful, intuitive, motivational, in-depth and is able to trigger description by the user in great specificity" - is the open secret of the brands with the strongest showings. Results are culled from 77,153 owners covering more than 350 new cars bought between September of 2011 and 2012 ranked in the Total Value Index (TVI).
Other notable winners are Hyundai-Kia following VW in the brand category and having the Hyundai Elantra and Kia Sorento among category winners, the BMW Z4 taking the premium roadster category and the highest overall score of any vehicle, the Chevrolet Volt continuing to gather silverware in the Special Category, nabbing the second-highest score of all and representative of "nearly perfect innovation," and Chrysler and Dodge being most improved.
Check out the press release below for your day's dose of jargon and all the winners.

Hyundai i20 WRC gets shakedown in Finland

It's always a good day when we get to post a video about rally racing. It's even better when that video is of a new WRC competitor undergoing testing. This spy video shows Hyundai's i20 WRC, a car that debuted nearly one year ago at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. It's set to usher in Hyundai's return to top-flight motorsports, and will do battle with the cars from Citroen, Ford and Volkswagen that are currently contesting the 2013 season.
This video, which shows the i20 testing on the notoriously tough Finnish rally stages, gives the impression that progress on the new WRC contender is going well. It certainly looks fast, and as with the vast majority of rally cars, it sounds absolutely wonderful (listen to some of those gun-shot-like backfires). Take a look below for the whole, glorious three minutes and 20 seconds of unadulterated rally noise, flying dirt and jumping.