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Hyundai Sonata's slow sales start to trigger more daring redesign

On paper, the latest Hyundai Sonata has been a winner. The sedan sold 216,936 units in 2014, around 13,000 more than the previous year, and the new model posted healthy year-over-year gains in both December and November. However, according to a report from Wards Auto, the Korean brand isn't happy with how the vehicle is doing and is planning a redesign, to be timed with the future refresh. Unveiled at the 2014 New York Auto Show, the latest Sonata has a more refined, almost luxurious air about it, and the sedan ditches the swooping styling from the previous generation. It also comes at a slightly lower base price. But the more mature design is also the problem. Hyundai Motor America CEO Dave Zuchowski told Wards during the 2015 Detroit Auto Show that the new model was "not as distinctive" as its predecessor. Previously, "people would seek us out because we look different. And we don't get that now," he said. While no details on the redesign were divulged, Zuchowski said the company was already at work on the shape. He suggested the changes would debut for the Sonata's refresh, likely in the 2017 or 2018 model years. Autoblog reached out to Hyundai about the possible design change and spokesperson Derek Joyce told us, "Dave was simply referring to our normal mid-cycle refresh where it's typical to make styling tweaks." According to Wards, the latest Sonata isn't conquesting as many buyers from other brands as Hyundai would like. The company reportedly raised incentives to get them to move. So while sales were up, the automaker was disappointed. AutoTrader senior analyst Michelle Krebs confirmed to Autoblog that incentives were high for the Sonata, but that had nothing to do with its design. "The midsize car segment has fallen out of favor with buyers who want utilities so they are carrying very heavy incentives. We expect that trend to continue and then some in 2015," she said. A previous report also claimed that the 2015 Sonata wasn't living up to sales expectations in part due to its more traditional styling. But the company shot down those claims because the sedan was still rolling out the entire range to dealers at the time. Even now, Hyundai is still adding the Sonata Hybrid and Plug-In to the lineup in the coming year.

2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo gets new performance parts at SEMA

Hyundai is planning a line of aftermarket performance parts being developed for the 2019 Veloster Turbo sport coupe and, it says, other sporty models. New accessory parts include a high-performance K&N high-flow air filter, Borla axle-back exhaust systems, a B&M sport shift kit, Eibach springs and anti-roll bars, and lightweight, performance alloy wheels. Hyundai is putting its stamp of approval on the parts, saying it validated them all and adding that the components do not invalidate the automaker's various warranties, including its 10-year, 100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty. The parts will be sold through Hyundai dealers. The 2019 Veloster Turbo gets a new multi-link suspension, replacing a torsion-beam configuration, plus aluminum suspension parts to save on weight and sharpen handling dynamics. The base Veloster, which starts at $19,385 including destination charge, is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 148 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. Higher trim levels get a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder that puts out 201 hp and 195 lb-ft. Hyundai says it will continue to expand aftermarket performance offerings for models like the Veloster Turbo, Elantra Sport and Elantra GT Sport. Related Video: Featured Gallery Hyundai Veloster Turbo Customs and Performance Parts: SEMA 2018 View 10 Photos Related Gallery Hyundai Veloster Turbo performance parts SEMA Image Credit: Live photos copyright 2018 Drew Phillips / Autoblog.com Aftermarket SEMA Show Hyundai Coupe Hatchback Performance hyundai veloster turbo 3-door

Hyundai admits 124-mile Ioniq EV is 'not enough'

The Hyundai all-electric Ioniq isn't even here yet, and the company is already admitting that it can't compete. That's one way to read a statement by Ahn Byung-ki, director of Hyundai's eco-vehicle performance group, who said recently that that 124-mile EV will be supplanted by a 200-plus-mile version in 2018. After all, in a world full of Bolt EVs, second-gen Leafs, and Tesla Model 3s, an electric car that goes 124 miles isn't going to wow the way it could. Despite the push Hyundai is making with the Ioniq – which will come with plug-in hybird, standard hybrid and full EV powertrains – Ahn told Automotive News that 124 miles is "not enough, and we have a plan to extend that to more than 200 by 2018." Ahn and Hyundai are working on more than just the Ioniq line-up. Aside from the hydrogen-powered Tucson Fuel Cell, the company has a totally new hydrogen-powered large-ish vehicle. We might see the first taste of that in the same year as the Ioniq EV gets its first range boost. In other words, everything's moving fast as the company works to introduce 26 green models through 2020. Related Video: