2014 Hyundai Tucson Gls on 2040-cars

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Thanks for keeping us on our toes, Detroit Auto Show [w/poll]

Here at Autoblog, we love unexpected debuts at auto shows – and judging by our Detroit Auto Show comments and traffic, you do, too. Surprise reveals have been fewer and farther between in recent years with so many ways for vehicles to be teased or leak out, but this week's show has been a revelation. More to the point, it's been a series of revelations, with automakers from around the globe successfully delivering a brace of concept and production surprises. It's made our jobs a lot more exciting and challenging this week, and even though it's actually more work to react and run-and-gun when the sheet is pulled on a surprise reveal than it is to publish an already-written embargoed story, we've had more fun covering this show for you than any domestic show in memory. We hope you've enjoyed the surprises along with us. To that end, borrowing the words of an unnamed automaker PR flack, we'd like to thank the following automakers for enduring "mountain of antacids" and that "creeping sense of paranoia" necessary to keeping ones' wares totally under wraps until the sheets are pulled off the sheetmetal: Buick Avenir concept Chevrolet Bolt concept Ford GT concept Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Hyundai HCD-15 Santa Cruz concept And while we're at it, we'd like to throw in an shout-out to Detroit's substantially revised and revitalized Cobo Center, and in particular, the redone Michelin media center, which is arguably the single best accommodations for writing show stories that we've encountered on the entire international circuit. Well done, everyone. Thank you, and keep the surprises coming. Auto News Detroit Auto Show Buick Chevrolet Ford Hyundai Volvo 2015 Detroit Auto Show

2016 Hyundai Elantra GT gets refreshed with a big new face

Hyundai is taking the sheet off of a facelift for the 2016 Elantra GT at the 2015 Chicago Auto Show, and if buyers spec the five-door hatchback right, they can also get the Korean brand's latest infotainment system. The biggest and most obvious change for the updated Elantra GT is its brand new front end. The grille now features wide, horizontal slats with chrome accents, which removes the previous design's somewhat smiling face. It also brings the styling more in line with the rest of the Hyundai lineup. In addition, vehicle rides on some redesigned 17-inch wheels. The interior is left basically the same for the update, except if buyers choose the optional Technology Package. It adds a new 7-inch touchscreen navigation system with a rearview camera, which is similar to the unit in some trims of the Sonata and Genesis. Hyundai's Blue Link telematics system and Apple Siri Eyes Free are included, as well. Choosing the pack also features dual-zone climate control, a panoramic sunroof, LED taillights and ventilated driver's and passenger's seats, which brand claims is a segment first. Mechanically, the steering is retuned for better feel in 2016 but everything else carries over. That gives buyers a direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 173 horsepower and 154 pound-feet of torque and the choice of a six-speed manual or automatic. Base pricing is the same as the 2015 model year at $18,800, plus an $825 destination charge on all models, for the manual or $19,800 with the auto. Although, with all of the extra kit, the Tech Package is now $3,950, rather than $2,900 last year, but the required Style Package for it is re-priced to $1,975, as opposed to $2,550 in 2015. Hyundai's Sporty and Versatile Hatchback Gets a More Affordable Style Package and a New Navigation System with Next-Generation Blue Link Telematics CHICAGO, Feb. 13, 2015 – Today at the Chicago Auto Show, Hyundai Motor America introduced a refreshed Elantra GT for the 2016 model year, offering updated styling with customer-focused technology and features. With a more distinctive front fascia and all-new 17" alloy wheels, Elantra GT's new look further enhances the vehicle's signature sporty styling. And when mated to a standard 2.0-liter Gasoline Direct Injection engine, the formula comes together to deliver a vehicle that both looks and feels dynamic.

Hyundai/Kia's Prius rival to arrive by 2017

The Toyota Prius is the undisputed king of the hybrid market, but Hyundai and Kia are hoping to challenge its reign in the coming years with their own dedicated model. However, in all likelihood this is the same technology being shared between them. "We will take the lead in the future by raising the competitiveness of our environment-friendly cars like hybrid-only cars, plug-in hybrid cars and fuel cell hydrogen cars," Hyundai Motor CEO Kim Choong-ho said to Reuters, during the launch of another vehicle in South Korea.
While Kim didn't say when the model would be ready, Autocar in Europe spoke to people at Kia, who said that the company's own hybrid was two years away and codenamed the DE. The initial vehicle is reportedly a five-door hatchback that's about 169-inches long, with more conventional styling than the Prius. Its powertrain is reportedly based around a 1.6-liter engine with electric assist. A plug-in version might follow later, and other bodystyles on the platform are possible. A recently spotted test mule might show the current state of development on the project (pictured above).
According to Reuters, the decision for the new vehicle comes in order to meet tighter emissions in some markets. However, it seems like a challenging move for the US market. Hyundai already sells its Tucson fuel cell in limited quantities and the Sonata hybrid, and Kia has the Optima hybrid and Soul EV. Industry analysts are also predicting that hybrids might have a hard time versus internal combustion engines in the coming years. In addition, Toyota is rumored to get fuel economy close to 60 miles per gallon for some versions of the next Prius. All of these factors make selling the models here a potentially difficult undertaking.