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First hydrogen Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell CUVs arrive in California

These crossovers are not available in showroom quite yet, but the first batch of Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell vehicles has made it to California. Hyundai is promising retail availability, "within the next several weeks," which means early June or so for the $499/month CUVs. We previously heard in January that these hydrogen-powered Tucsons were supposed to be in US customers' hands by the end of March, so things are running behind schedule. Still, the delivery at a port near Los Angeles marks the "first delivery of a mass-produced fuel cell vehicle for the US market," Hyundai says, which could be a big deal when we look back at the evolution of hydrogen-powered vehicles in the US (though we're guessing at least one other manufacturer might object to the Korean automaker's claim). Mike O'Brien, vice president, corporate and product planning for Hyundai Motor America, is certainly upbeat, saying in a statement that Hyundai is "proud of our leadership role in this important segment of the alternative fuel vehicle market." So far, that's a segment that the company has almost all to itself. There are a very small number of hydrogen vehicles around today, including the Honda FCX Clarity and a few test vehicles from other automakers, but the numbers are set to grow next year when Toyota and Honda introduce new hydrogen sedans. For now, though, Hyundai can make a splash simply by bringing these vehicles to our shores. Hyundai's First Mass-Produced Tucson Fuel Cell CUVs Arrive In Southern California Tucson Fuel Cell, the Next-Generation Electric Vehicle, Arrives at Port Hueneme With Retail Availability Soon PORT HUENEME, Calif., May 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, at a port near Los Angeles, Hyundai's Tucson Fuel Cell CUVs began rolling onto U.S. soil, marking the first delivery of a mass-produced fuel cell vehicle for the U.S. market. The first retail sale of the Tucson Fuel Cell is expected within the next several weeks in Southern California. Under the Hyundai leasing program, approved lessees can drive Hyundai's next-generation Tucson Fuel Cell for just $499 per month, including unlimited free hydrogen refueling and "At Your Service" valet maintenance at no extra cost. For the first time, retail consumers can now put a mass-produced, federally-certified hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in their driveways, with availability at three select southern California Hyundai dealers: Tustin Hyundai, Win Hyundai in Carson, and Hardin Hyundai in Anaheim.

Hyundai Group design chief wants more differentiation between models and brands

Luc Donckerwolke, the man who oversees design at Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, is determined to get more differentiation into the model range. He not only wants greater visual separation between all the models in the range, he also wants more distinction between Hyundai Group cars and others in the respective segments, and global distinctions so that a Hyundai in China doesn't necessarily look like one built for North America. He told Autocar, "We will not have a global design language because otherwise it's too rigid. [The alternative is] more work, but it's more flexible." Donckerwolke gets an extreme look at the results of homogeneous design, because an enormous number of cars on the road in South Korea are Hyundai Group products. "[Our] core task is to differentiate the design philosophy of the three brands, not least because we have a big [around 70%] share in Korea. We need to differentiate each model, otherwise the landscape is too homogeneous." Top-down, each brand gets a design brief. Hyundai will be Hyundai's "sexy, seductive and sensuous, sporty, eager and stylish," holding onto its value proposition while adding emotion. Kia will be "young, challenging and cool — cooler than before," said brand design chief Byungchul Juh, with Donckerwolke adding that it's about "streetwear — bold, fresh and young." And Genesis is "haute couture." Donckerwolke characterizes the design philosophy as not "Russian dolls but ... chess pieces, with a look that reveals its own charismatic character. For example, Kia's used to be about the tiger nose grille, separate headlights and the lower intake. Now it's going to be more of a mask that will deliver sportiness and a presence." Kia designer Juh said, "There will be a distinct version of tiger face for each segment, and we'll keep the tiger nose grille. In principle it's the same, but there's a different interpretation for each segment, and more of a 3D feeling. We're moving from a nose to a face." The sketches we've seen of Kia's coming small global crossover take a first step, and we're told the next Sportage will make more impact than the new Tucson. As for Hyundai, the next Sonata will "be the design flag-bearer." We wait to see how much of the vehicle all of this affects. But right now, look at the 2020 Elantra and Sonata from the front three-quarter; ignore their front fascias, and they're two sizes of one sausage.

2017 Hyundai Elantra priced from $17,985

The 2017 Hyundai Elantra arrives at dealers in January with a new design and expanded range of tech for a starting price of $17,985 (including $835 destination), which gives buyers access to the latest vehicle's improvements for $100 less than the MSRP of the 2016 model. It also means the Hyundai comes in about $1,500 less than a base 2016 Honda Civic that just won the 2016 North American Car of the Year. The Elantra SE and Limited trims both use a 2.0-liter four-cylinder running on the Atkinson cycle that makes 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. The company offers the base SE with a six-speed manual, but the six-speed automatic takes the model's price to $18,985. The SE doesn't come with too many frills, but the $800 Popular Equipment Package on the automatic adds features like a 7-inch Display Audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, a rearview camera, and cruise control. For another $1,300, the Tech Package provides LED running lights, blind spot detection, dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and more. The Limited trim only comes with the six-speed automatic and starts $23,185. It gets expanded standard features like leather seats and LED taillights. A $2,500 Tech Package adds things like an 8-inch infotainment system with navigation, upgraded stereo, and sunroof. The $1,900 Ultimate Package then bundles HID headlights, memory seats, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and smart cruise control. Hyundai will announce pricing and details for the Eco trim closer to the launch this spring. The model will use a turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder and seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox to get an estimated 35 miles per gallon combined fuel economy. There will also be a Sport model later in the year, but the automaker hasn't announced any further details of that model yet. Related Video: X ALL-NEW 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA PRICED AT $100 LESS THAN THE AWARD-WINNING MODEL IT REPLACES - STARTS AT $17,150 Value-Packed Elantra Offers Leading Technology and Generous Amenities Including Automatic Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, Smart Cruise Control and Dynamic Bending Light FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. Jan. 15, 2016 – Hyundai Motor America today announced pricing for the all-new 2017 Elantra starting at $17,150.