2009 Hyundai Se on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Hyundai sets land speed record with fuel-cell Tuscon

The Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell certainly isn't a hydrogen-powered speed demon like the Buckeye Bullet, but the South Korean company's H2-fueled crossover is fast enough to hold its own land speed record. How many SUVs can claim that? Not too many, but that's because there simply aren't many hydrogen-powered vehicles around, let alone SUVs. Hyundai recently took a 2016 Tucson Fuel Cell to the Soggy Dry Lake Bed in California, and the efficient model claimed a new land speed record for a production hydrogen-powered SUV. Set to the always stirring Ride of the Valkyries, the automaker's video shows the Tucson whispering through the desert while leaving only a cloud of dust and drips of water behind. Rather than spoiling it, you need to watch the clip to find out just how fast the fuel cell-powered Tuscon can go. The Tucson uses its fuel cell stack to power to spin the front wheels with an electric motor that makes 134 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. They are currently available to lease in Southern California, and the company delivered about 70 of them in the first year.

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid starting price is $500 cheaper for 2018

Hyundai revealed its updated 2018 Sonata Hybrid and PHEV at the Chicago Auto Show this year. They feature freshened styling inside and out, and some mechanical updates that we expect will make the cars better to drive. Now we've learned that Hyundai has improved a couple of other things about the conventional Sonata Hybrid, one of which is the price. The starting price for the 2018 Sonata Hybrid in base SE trim is $500 less than the 2017 model. That means the SE starts at $26,385. In addition to the lower base price, the entry-level Sonata Hybrid also picks up standard blind-spot warning, lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic alert and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. The Sonata Hybrid Limited is a bit more expensive now. Its new base price of $31,385 is $400 more than the 2017 model. But to make up for it, Hyundai has made the panoramic sunroof a standard feature. The Limited's optional Ultimate Package is now $550 cheaper, too, and includes additional safety features not previously offered, specifically automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assist. Two more convenience features new to the Ultimate Package are a wireless phone charger and a heated steering wheel. If these updates sound like enough to get you into a new Sonata Hybrid, the good news is you won't have to wait to pick one up. They're available now at a Hyundai dealer near you. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2018 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and PHEV View 22 Photos Image Credit: Hyundai Green Hyundai Hybrid Sedan hyundai sonata hybrid

Hyundai Veloster facelift includes new 7-speed DCT, light cosmetics

Hyundai hasn't given the Veloster the exterior overhaul that we expected, but it has outfitted the quirky, oddly doored hatchback with some new tech, at least in the Korean market. The biggest change for the Veloster is confirmation that the previously rumored seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox will replace the current six-speed unit in the Turbo. It's mated to the same 1.6-liter, forced-induction four-cylinder featuring 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. The exterior receives a few tiny tweaks, too, with new wheel designs and slightly different silver trim around the grille, but the bigger changes are found in the cabin. Those alterations aren't limited to new materials: Hyundai has included a new engine sound equalizer for the Veloster that lets drivers select from six different engine soundtracks. The instrument cluster also gets slightly altered, and there are new two-tone looks for the seats, as well. According to a blog post by Hyundai, the price for the Turbo with the seven-speed dual clutch starts at 23.7 million won ($22,000). Unfortunately, there's no official word whether these changes are going to make it across the Pacific to the US market. We've got an inquiry in with Hyundai Motor America, and will let you know if we hear more.