2013 Hyundai Veloster on 2040-cars

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2013 Hyundai Elantra GT

GT Stands For "Generous Trunk"
If ever there were an award for the most bastardized label in the automotive world, the Gran Turismo/Grand Touring/GT moniker would be an easy frontrunner. Once reserved solely for sporty coupes, the GT letters have taken a big hit over the years, but things got downright embarrassing with the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo. For 2013, Hyundai is helping to muddy the waters even further by slapping a GT badge onto the hatchback version of its top-selling model, the Elantra.
In the case of the 2013 Hyundai Elantra GT, though, this name is just recycling the Elantra GT name from the early 2000s, albeit on a more stylish, modern and all-around better five-door. Hyundai has created quite a competitive lineup since its Fluidic Sculpture design language hit the market, but one area that it has paled in comparison to rival automakers is in the hatchback department. With a plethora of budget-minded compact cars currently on sale, Hyundai now finds itself in the unique position of being the only automaker to offer a compact sedan, coupe and hatchback with the 2013 Elantra. Still, with the compact segment more crowded than a public school classroom, we spent a week with the new Elantra GT to see how it stacks up against the hatchback competition.

Hyundai's green vehicle line might be called AE

When we got spy shots back in June of Hyundai's challenger for the Toyota Prius, intel suggested Hyundai would name it AE HEV, an acronym that possibly meant Advanced Experimental or Alternative Energy Hybrid Electric Vehicle. The Korea Herald reports that AE is indeed the tentative project name, and that it could be applied to an entire model line of green-only models with hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric variants. We're told the hybrid's launch is slated for January 2016, the first configuration being a five-door hatchback based around the company's 1.6-liter direct-injected Cappa engine. The size of the battery pack and capability of the electric motor are still unknown. It aims to outdo the Prius in at least two ways, one of them being to exceed the Prius' rating of 21 kilometers per liter of combined fuel economy. The other would concern model range instead of on-road range: if the other powertrain options follow, the AE could be the world's first model with three different green drive configurations (if Honda doesn't get there first). The Korea Herald said Kia will be rolling out a hybrid-only vehicle of its own called the DE. We're not sure what the specs and timeline are for that car, nor if it is included in the "22 green cars" that a Hyundai spokesman told the paper the automaker plans to release by 2020. Right now we're awaiting the initial response to Hyundai's full dive into green waters with the Sonata PHEV that just went on sale. Featured Gallery Hyundai Prius-Fighter Spy Shots View 14 Photos News Source: The Korea HeraldImage Credit: Chris Doane Automotive Green Rumormill Spy Photos Hyundai Alternative Fuels Hatchback Electric Hybrid

Hyundai's rakish HND-9 concept has lots of Seoul

Hyundai has unwrapped the HND-9 Sports Coupe Concept at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show. The design study is intended to give the world a glimpse at what Hyundai has planned for the look of its future products - an evolution of the automaker's current Fluidic Sculpture design language.
With classic front-engine, rear-wheel-drive proportions, the HND-9 looks great, and engineers graced the concept with a 3.3-liter turbocharged, direct-injection engine good for 364 horsepower. An eight-speed automatic transmission shuttles that thrust to the rear wheels, while touches like butterfly doors give the machine a bit of flair.
Indoors, the HND-9 features seats built with a special mesh that changes colors depending on the viewer's angle. Designers modeled the cabin after a cockpit for a close, sporty feel. You can check out the full press release below for more information.