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Hyundai bringing Elantra GT, special edition Veloster to Chicago

Hyundai will be bringing two new products to next week's Chicago Auto Show, a company source confirmed to Autoblog. The first is a freshened version of the Elantra GT – pictured above as a 2014 model – and the other is a special edition of the Veloster hatchback. Our source was mum about specific details, but said that the Elantra GT refresh was simply that – nothing crazy or all-new. In other words, we expect some lightly touched-up styling, and perhaps some improvements to the interior refinement, infotainment and technology, and maybe powertrain. As we reported earlier, the two-door Coupe is no longer part of the Elantra lineup, so these changes might be a way for Hyundai to further differentiate the GT from the sedan. As for that Veloster, it won't be anything revolutionary, either. Hyundai has historically used the Chicago show to debut special editions of the Veloster – take a look at last year's Re:Flex, for example – and we expect the same this time around. Perhaps a new matte paint finish? That's been a popular choice for Veloster Turbo buyers, after all. Whatever may be in store, we'll have the full scoop next week during the Chicago festivities. Stay tuned. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2014 Hyundai Elantra GT View 21 Photos Chicago Auto Show Hyundai Hatchback Economy Cars hyundai elantra gt

2019 Hyundai Kona Electric starts under $30,000 with tax credit

The vital final detail to the 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric is here: pricing. The base model starts at $37,495 before the $7,500 federal tax credit, meaning that with the credit, it starts at $29,995. That just happens to be the same as Chevy Bolt EV. Well, now at least, as the tax credit is likely going to run out in the next few months for GM and the Bolt EV. Once GM has sold 200,000 electric cars, the credit will drop to $3,750 for six months, and then to $1,875 for six more months, and nothing after. In addition to having a base price that matches the Chevy Bolt EV, the Hyundai Kona Electric has a few choice features that makes it an even more attractive deal. The Kona has a range of 258 miles, 20 more than the Bolt EV's 238 miles. The Kona also includes DC fast charging capability as standard. To have that feature on the Bolt EV, you'll have to shell out an extra $750. The Bolt EV does have an advantage over the Kona Electric, though: it's available everywhere, right now. The Hyundai Kona Electric will start hitting dealers early in 2019. Unfortunately, it will only be available in western and northeastern states with zero-emissions vehicle criteria. They're also states with drivers more likely to embrace electric cars. Hyundai hasn't announced release windows for other U.S. states. Related Video:

Hyundai admits 'error' in KDM Sonata fuel economy announcement

Stop us if you've heard this one before: Hyundai is going to have to reduce the officially announced miles-per-gallon number for its 2014 Sonata. While there's a lot of similarity between this new situation and events that transpired in 2012, there are some important differences. For one, the new mileage mistake, which Hyundai says was once again caused by an error at its test centers, is only applicable to cars in the Korean Domestic Market. Secondly, it's not so much mpg as kilometers per liter. "We are very sorry for causing confusion to reporters" - Hyundai According to Reuters, the numbers for the Korean Sonata were originally announced as 12.6 kilometers per liter (29.63 mpg), a six-percent increase over the previous model. The automaker has just announced that government verification showed an actual result of 12.1 kpl (28.46 mpg), which is only a two-percent increase. Since these numbers were done using the South Korean economy test, they are not equivalent to the US EPA numbers, the latter of which say the 2014 Sonata gets 36/40/38 miles per gallon. The correction came before the new Sonata went on sale in South Korea. In an official statement, Hyundai said, "We are very sorry for causing confusion to reporters." Hyundai Motor America's Jim Trainor, product public relations senior group manager, assured AutoblogGreen that the Korean error will have "no effect" on US ratings. In 2012, Hyundai and Kia faced a media and consumer firestorm after being caught up in exaggerated mileage claims for vehicles like its 2013 Accent, Veloster and Elantra. The sister companies agreed to compensate buyers to the tune of $395 million for what they said were "honest mistakes" and "human error" during in-house fuel economy tests. There is no word yet on whether similar customer satisfaction actions will follow this domestic market snafu.