2012 Hyundai Veloster Base Hatchback 3-door 1.6l on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Hyundai Palisade looks like a cross between Santa Fe, Grandmaster concept

We're getting closer and closer to seeing some full-size, three-row crossover SUVs from Hyundai and Kia. The most recent previous spy shots showed the Kia Telluride, but we now have photos revealing more of the Hyundai version, which reports say will be known as the Hyundai Palisade. It appears to take design cues from both the new Santa Fe and the recently revealed Grandmaster concept. The front, which is more visible than in previous photos, is very closely related to the Santa Fe and the even smaller Kona. It has the same split headlight setup, and the lower lights are extremely large. The fascia has elements of the corporate "Cascade" grille, and it has an upper slot like on the Kona. That slot is better integrated, though. It actually looks a bit like the grille on the Subaru Ascent. There isn't as much new about the sides and tail compared with previous images. But the profile is unquestionably inspired by the Grandmaster concept. The main cue shared between the two is the chrome strip that starts at the base of the A-pillar, goes up over the top of the doors' windows, and drops down along the C-pillar. We expect this big Hyundai SUV to go on sale either next year or in 2020. The Kia Telluride will likely go on sale around then, too, and both SUVs will probably share engines and platforms. Related Video:

NHTSA investigating 8 million airbags not made by Takata

In a shocking turn of events, we have a line of airbags under investigation that weren't made by Takata. Rather, Automotive News reports that 8,000,000 airbags made by ARC Automotive Inc. are under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). According to Automotive News, NHTSA is looking into ARC's airbags after two injuries and a recent death were attributed to the company's products. The two injuries occurred first and prompted the initial inquiry of 490,000 airbags, which then expanded after an airbag from a different line caused the death of a Canadian driver. The airbags in question are found in GM, FCA, Hyundai and Kia products, and all automakers are cooperating with the investigation, Automotive News reports. It is also important to note that these airbags have not been recalled, as NHTSA is trying to determine the issue and whether a recall is necessary. NHTSA also told the news outlet that the ARC inflators use a different design than those from Takata, instead using some pressurized gas and an ammonium nitrate charge. While the design may be different, the Takata inflators also used ammonium nitrate propellant, which other manufacturers have avoided. We will be watching this situation closely to see what develops. Here's hoping – for our collective safety and sanity – that we won't have to go through another airbag crisis like with the Takata recall. Related Video: News Source: Automotive NewsImage Credit: Shutterstock Government/Legal Hyundai Kia Safety FCA airbag fiat chrysler automobiles

Will Norway and South Korea lead us to the hydrogen future?

In the US, California leads the hydrogen highway. But, globally, the countries at the forefront include Japan, Norway, and South Korea. A new announcement by the Norwegian ambassador in Seoul, Jan Grevstad, makes it sound like those last two countries should think about Voltron-ing it up to promote H2 cars. The ambassador was speaking at the Korea-Norway Economic Cooperation Council at the Federation of Korean Industries. "A great example of the Norwegian–South Korean energy cooperation can be found in the transport sector," he said, according to Yonhap News. "South Korean engine technology is paired with Norwegian hydrogen production and infrastructure technology to create hydrogen driven cars." Grevstad said that the two countries could also work together on solar, wind, and other energy efforts, but didn't get into more detail about what he meant by this. The first Toyota Mirai hydrogen car was just delivered to Norway, but other H2 vehicles have been on the roads there for many years. Back in 2009, for example, as part of the 24th Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS24), some hydrogen cars road tripped from Oslo to Stavanger. That same year, Mazda delivered 30 hydrogen-powered RX-8 RE vehicles. Hyundai – a South Korean company, of course – has been leasing its Tucson Fuel Cell (also known as the ix35 Fuel Cell) in hydrogen-friendly areas and believes that hydrogen-powered cars have a bright future. There's even a Tucson Fuel Cell car-sharing program operating in Germany. As gung-ho as Hyundai is, it's only sold 26 Tucson Fuel Cells in Norway so far, out of a total of about 500 around the world, Yonhap News says. Related Video: News Source: Yonhap News Agency Green Hyundai Green Culture Hydrogen Cars h2 ix35 tucson