2012 Genesis Coupe 2.0 Turbo A/t, Acqua Minerale Blue, Black Interior on 2040-cars

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Hyundai files patent for smartphone feature disabler in proximity to steering wheel

Combatting driver distraction continues to be a hot topic in automotive safety, especially when it comes to young motorists. While simply not using a smartphone behind the wheel would fix much of the problem, automakers are trying to work out complicated ways to make people safer. For example, GM is experimenting with head and eye tracking to make sure folks are paying attention to the road. Now, Hyundai might have come up with a technology that offers a very simple fix: disable the phones. The Korean automaker explains the idea in explicit detail in a recently published patent. The tech specifically "limits or disables the use of some of mobile device features which could cause distraction to the user," according to the abstract. Depending on variables like the vehicle's speed, the system determines what smartphone functions are safe to use, including texting or voice calls. Based on a plethora of permutations in the document, these restrictions could only be for the area around the driver's seat or for the whole vehicle. The key to the patent is placing antennas around the vehicle and monitoring for cellular signals. When the system detects them, it can begin selectively deciding what features to allow on the device. The tech isn't a simple on/off switch either, and can possibly detect the time of day or importance of the caller to let messages though. The major downside to all of this is the phone would need to run a specific program or firmware for all of this to work. With such a recently published patent, it might be years before the tech arrives in Hyundai vehicles, if at all. Still, this is an interesting solution. Of course, it would be far simpler if people just put down their phones. You can read the full description of the automaker's concept, here. News Source: Free Patens Online via US Patent and Trademark Office Auto News Hyundai Technology Emerging Technologies Smartphone distracted driving patent cell phone driver distraction

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.

Kevin Hart tracks his daughter's Genesis in Hyundai Super Bowl ad

As the official automotive sponsor of the NFL, Hyundai has a massive advertising presence during Super Bowl 50, including four commercials premiering before or during the game. A newly released spot titled First Date markets the Genesis sedan (soon to be the Genesis G80) with humor by casting comedian Kevin Hart as a concerned dad who spies on his daughter's date. The commercial highlights Hyundai's Blue Link Car Finder that lets owners track their vehicle from a smartwatch. Hart uses it to follow his daughter on her date in increasingly absurd ways. By the end of the spot, he's hanging off a helicopter to keep an eye on her. This is also the second automotive ad to use a Queen song this year. Where Hyundai's commercial uses Another One Bites the Dust, Honda picks Somebody to Love for its Ridgeline spot. The 60-second commercial airs during the pre-kick time slot and joins Ryanville and The Chase among Hyundai's Super Bowl ads. The still unreleased Better premieres during the pre-game and shows the automaker's desire to improve its vehicles and customer experience. Related Video: