2014 Hyundai Sonata Limited on 2040-cars

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Did a US automaker blow the whistle on Hyundai, Kia fuel economy issue?

In all of the most hotly contested mainstream segments of the motoring universe, the difference of one mile per gallon averaged on a widow sticker can mean the difference between a sale and a walk-off - to say nothing of two or three mpg. So, when Hyundai and Kia were forced to reveal that many of their 40-mpg ratings were actually 38s and 37s, well, it made for big news.
It also, conceivably, made for a competitive disadvantage immediately, when the Korean automakers' products were being shopped versus the guys down the block. And it's that disadvantage that makes a recent story from Automotive News so juicy.
AN is reporting that Margo Oge, former head of the Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Transportation and Air Quality, got a tip in 2010 that Hyundai/Kia were "cheating" to get its impressive fuel economy numbers. The tip, said Oge (who retired from the EPA this past September), came from a senior vice president from a domestic automaker. The source was credible enough for Oge to launch an audit of the Hyundai figures, which ultimately lead to the debacle that we reported on a few months ago, and that the Korean company has been trying to bounce back from ever since.

Vaccar Hyundai Tucson Sport to be shown at SEMA

Hyundai will display a custom concept version of its Tucson Sport developed by Vaccar at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, showing a more muscular-looking crossover that contains a full aero kit and significant additions to the powertrain, design, infotainment and suspension. The concept enhances the Sport, the third-highest of four trim options for 2017, by adding a Boostec turbocharger, AEM air intake system and charge pipe kit, a Mishimoto G-Line intercooler, new piping and exhaust, and other elements to the standard turbocharged 1.6-liter, inline-four engine. It also gets forged wheels, new tires, and Vaccar-Power Stop front and rear Z23 Evolution brakes. The exterior gets a blue and silver metallic two-tone paint treatment from BASF, an M&S mesh front grille and Vaccar front lip, side skirts and rear diffuser. Interior features include Katzkin ice grey leather, 9-inch headrest-mounted LCD screens, and an Android-powered 9-inch head unit with WiFi. "The Vaccar Tucson Sport Concept takes the Tucson far beyond its OEM roots without sacrificing reliability," said Aaron Vaccar, president of Vaccar. "By building upon the well-developed Tucson platform, powertrain and design, we've given enthusiasts a vision of just where this affordable crossover aspires to go." SEMA runs from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3.Related Video: Featured Gallery Vaccar Hyundai Tucson Sport Concept: SEMA 2017 View 9 Photos Image Credit: Live photos copyright 2017 Drew Phillips / Autoblog.com SEMA Show Hyundai Crossover Concept Cars hyundai tucson

Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo Concept looks ready for Le Mans

It's Bugatti versus... Hyundai? Yes, the revered hypercar manufacturer is facing some stiff competition for coolest car at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show from the affordable South Korean brand, and it's because both companies chose the German show to introduce their Vision Gran Turismo Concepts. While we'll leave Bugatti's entry to another scribe, we're going to spill plenty of ink on the new N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo, Hyundai's entry to the eponymous video game's well-received Vision program. While so many of these concepts have some basis in reality, Hyundai has tossed out its production vehicles in favor of a far racier concept. Yes, the N 2025 looks better suited to the 24 Hours of Le Mans prototype class than an auto show stage. Details are scarce – automakers don't usually give out a lot of info on powertrains and the like in these Vision GT cars – but Hyundai says it "highlights sustainable technology," which makes us think that there's some kind of hybrid drivetrain underneath that aerodynamic body. Perhaps the coolest thing about the N 2025, though, is that it's not hard to imagine it on a race track of the future. Hyundai has only ever really played around in the World Rally Championship, but with this Vision GT car, it shows the South Korean brand may have the chops for a much higher tier of racing. Check out the photos from Frankfurt and let us know what you think about this latest Vision Gran Turismo car. Hyundai Motor's New High Performance Sub-brand 'N' Takes Center Stage at Frankfurt Motor Show - The sub-brand N will build new momentum for an exciting driving performance and provide emotional driving experience for customers - The latest motorsport challenger and two dynamic concepts will also be introduced at the Motor Show August 26, 2015 – Hyundai Motor will showcase its high performance sub-brand N at the Frankfurt International Motor Show 2015. The result of intensive testing and product development, the sub-brand N builds on Hyundai Motor's successful motorsport experiences and technology capability to drive future performance-oriented and race-track-capable models forward and bring 'the most thrilling winding road' fun to customers who truly love cars. The N builds on not just Hyundai Motor's continued advancement as a primary competitor in World Rally Championship (WRC) but also on the company's dedication and investment to create striking and pioneering high performance cars.