2014 Hyundai Veloster Turbo R-spec on 2040-cars

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Ford fights back against patent trolls

Some people are just awful. Some organizations are just as awful. And when those people join those organizations, we get stories like this one, where Ford has spent the past several years combatting so-called patent trolls. According to Automotive News, these malicious organizations have filed over a dozen lawsuits against the company since 2012. They work by purchasing patents, only to later accuse companies of misusing intellectual property, despite the fact that the so-called patent assertion companies never actually, you know, do anything with said intellectual property. AN reports that both Hyundai and Toyota have been victimized by these companies, with the former forced to pay $11.5 million to a company called Clear With Computers. Toyota, meanwhile, settled with Paice LLC, over its hybrid tech. The world's largest automaker agreed to pay $5 million, on top of $98 for every hybrid it sold (if the terms of the deal included each of the roughly 1.5 million hybrids Toyota sold since 2000, the company would have owed $147 million). Including the previous couple of examples, AN reports 107 suits were filed against automakers last year alone. But Ford is taking action to prevent further troubles... kind of. The company has signed on with a firm called RPX, in what sounds strangely like a protection racket. Automakers like Ford pay RPX around $1.5 million each year for access to its catalog of patents, which it spent nearly $1 billion building. "We take the protection and licensing of patented innovations very seriously," Ford told AN via email. "And as many smart businesses are doing, we are taking proactive steps to protect against those seeking patent infringement litigation." What are your thoughts on this? Should this patent business be better managed? Is it reasonable that companies purchase patents only to file suit against the companies that build actual products? Have your say in Comments.

Hyundai sketches Ioniq ahead of debut this month

Hyundai has an altogether new model coming soon. It's called the Ioniq, and it'll be a dedicated electrified vehicle with a choice of three powertrain options. The automaker is set to take the wraps off later this month in Korea, but before it does, it's giving us another advance look at the design. As we've seen from previous teasers and spy shots, the Ioniq is slated to blend elements from Hyundai's own design language with a form that ought to closely resemble, in abstract at least, those of rivals like the Chevy Volt and Toyota Prius. That means an aerodynamic shape ending with a high tail to get the most out of its powertrain. The interior promises to be both futuristic and comfortable. Underneath it all is a new platform developed specifically for the Ioniq and three levels of electrification. There'll be a gasoline-electric hybrid version, a plug-in hybrid, and a full EV. We should get out first look up close at the Ioniq at the Geneva Motor Show and New York Auto Show in March, following its reveal in Korea within weeks from now. But even before it's unveiled, Hyundai is already taking pre-orders in certain markets. HYUNDAI MOTOR REVEALS INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR RENDERINGS OF NEW IONIQ - New renderings reveal further innovations for the alternatively fueled IONIQ - Cutting-edge technology delivers class-leading aerodynamics and fuel efficiency - IONIQ introduces unique new vehicle design with three responsive powertrains - Pre-orders now being accepted in domestic market for the IONIQ, released later in 2016 January 5, 2016 – Hyundai Motor has revealed further details of the new IONIQ ahead of its launch in Korea later this month. The innovative alternative-fuel compact vehicle, now available for pre-order in selected markets, is the first-ever car to offer a choice of three efficient and ultra-low emission powertrain options in one body type. The latest interior and exterior renderings reveal more of the IONIQ's eco-friendly credentials, with its advanced powertrain technology central to Hyundai Motor's aim for the world's best hybrid fuel-efficiency. The newly-developed platform, available with full electric, plug-in petrol / electric hybrid, or petrol / electric hybrid powertrains, also delivers a fun and responsive driving experience to match the emotional appeal of the car'seye-catching lines. The exterior of the IONIQ features a distinguished, cutting-edge aerodynamic design.

Hyundai i30 N gets gnarly new 'N Option' in Paris

Hyundai came to the Paris Motor Show with a new "N Option" show car. It's based off the Hyundai i30 N, and is designed to give us a glimpse of what Hyundai's N division will look like in the future. While this car doesn't feature any powertrain modifications beyond its stock boosted 2.0-liter and six-speed manual transmission, Hyundai has thrown a book's worth of parts at it to make the i30 N look as racy as can be. It has a carbon fiber hood with air vents, carbon fiber rear wing, unique quad mufflers and rear valance design, lightweight 20-inch wheels and some super-grippy rubber. Hyundai used a special matte paint for this show car as well, with red accents sporadically placed throughout the car — we're definitely fans of that mean-looking snout. The interior gets lightweight N bucket seats in Alcantara. Hyundai covered the entire dash and steering wheel in the stuff too. The carbon fiber doesn't stop on the exterior, either; it appears on the dash, air vents, door handles and steering wheel. It has what appears to be a really cool-looking shift knob specially made for this car too. This hatchback takes the i30 N and turns it up to 11 in every way. We love it. Hyundai says it's launching this new N Option in the "near future," but it's not guaranteed to be exactly like this. We're guessing Hyundai is using it as a feeler to see exactly what it'll come to market with. Of course, the U.S. doesn't get the i30 N, but the Veloster N is coming. It wouldn't be difficult to imagine Hyundai giving the same treatment to its odd-numbered-door cousin. Featured video: