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Hyundai i30 N, so probably Veloster N, to get dual-clutch transmission

Hyundai's N Performance division broke out of the starting gate with the i30 N in Australia, fitted exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission. Our first taste of a South Korean blue wonder will be the Veloster N launching later this year, and it also comes with that single gearbox. Hyundai executives told Australian site Car Advice an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission is on the way, but that it won't join the party until late 2019. That means we could see it in the Veloster around then or a little later, and it might portend future developments for the go-fast lineup. The in-house unit will be all-new, not a rework of the seven-speed EcoShift dual-clutch in the Veloster Turbo. It isn't clear whether the seven-speeder can handle the 279 pound-feet of torque in the top-spec N cars when on overboost. According to N Peformance boss Albert Biermann, the new eight-speed, wet-clutch, paddle-shifted gearbox has already been tested in the Kia Sorento diesel, which has 325 lb-ft of torque, and the 380-horsepower RN30 concept car. Ultimately, it will serve vehicles across Hyundai and Kia ranges. Although late introduction of a dual-clutch has been the plan all along, a Hyundai exec admitted "sales limitations" in offering a manual exclusively. Every prime rival offers dual-clutch transmissions. But Hyundai believed that it needed to appeal to the Euro hot-hatch purists first, and we can't blame it. The long delay between launch and DCT availability does raise questions and possibilities, though. Every N model unveiled so far sends all power to the front wheels because, according to Biermann, "Without a high amount of power there is no need to go to all-wheel drive." The introduction of the beefier eight-speed DCT that's ready to deal with at least 380 hp and 325 lb-ft could open up the way to even more powerful N versions and all-wheel drive, which has the potential to create real parity with segment rivals. Car Advice also reported that Hyundai Australia will cover track use in the five-year warranty on the i30 N. We'll wait to see if that line-item makes it to the U.S., but after the dual-clutch woes suffered by competitors like the Volkswagen Golf R and Ford Focus RS, such reassurance could go a long way with buyers. Eventually. Related Video:

Hyundai Super Bowl ads use humor, Ryan Reynolds to sell 2017 Elantra

If you watch the Super Bowl on Sunday, expect to see a lot of Hyundai advertising. The South Korean automaker has two spots set to air during the game and two others that will premier before kick-off. The in-game commercials are now online, and they both use humor to market the 2017 Elantra. Ryanville (above) is an odd commercial about a town full of Ryan Reynolds clones, and two smitten women drive through the village to gawk at the actor. It's a forgettable ad unless you really like Reynolds, but Hyundai gets plenty of opportunities to show off the Elantra, including features like the available pre-collision braking. If you want something with a little more action, watch The Chase (below). Angry bears run after a frightened couple, and the Elantra's voice-activated start feature allows the people to get out of trouble in the nick of time. The ad finishes with a little humor to lighten the mood. This commercial still isn't memorable, but it's the better one of this pair. Hyundai hasn't released either ad for before the Super Bowl yet. First Date will star comedian Kevin Hart in a spot for the Genesis sedan, and Better will highlight the automaker's desire to improve its vehicles and customer experience. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Kevin Hart and Ryan Reynolds Serve Up Humor While Showcasing Latest Hyundai Vehicle Technologies FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 28, 2016 – In its first year as an official NFL sponsor, Hyundai will delight Super Bowl 50 fans with four entertaining ads set to run on Super Bowl Sunday. Hyundai will run a 60-second ad in the coveted pre-kick time slot, two 30-second ads during the game and a 60-second ad during the pre-game show. With help from A-list celebrities Kevin Hart and Ryan Reynolds, Hyundai will highlight the safety, technology and convenience features of its all-new 2017 Elantra and premium 2016 Genesis sedan. Hyundai will build on the creative digitally with heavy social media activity that will drive additional anticipation and awareness of the Super Bowl spots. Creative was developed by Hyundai's agency of record, INNOCEAN Worldwide. "Super Bowl Sunday is our opportunity to participate in the most-watched TV and live event in the U.S.

2016 Hyundai Tucson and Sonata each get TSP+ rating by IIHS

Hyundai is no stranger to building vehicles that get Top Safety Pick+ honors from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, but the company is getting two of the awards at once thanks to the latest results from the 2016 Tucson and Sonata. Both models feature a front crash prevention system that's rated highly by the safety agency. The biggest advancement in this round comes for the new Tucson. In the small-overlap front crash, it now earns the IIHS' best score of Good, versus Poor – the lowest – for the previous generation. In the latest test, the crossover shows at most six inches of intrusion into the passenger compartment, compared to 16 inches last time. The airbags work to protect the head, and the sensors indicate a low risk of injury. The Tucson has Good ratings in all the other safety evaluations, too. The 2015 Sonata already did quite well when checked last year, but Hyundai apparently wasn't happy with the sedan's Acceptable result in the small-overlap front crash. According to the IIHS, the automaker adjusted the driver's seatbelt and the front suspension in hopes of a better score. However, even with the tweaks, the 2016 Sonata kept the same result. It scored Good in the other safety categories. The company isn't giving up on acing things, though. "Modifications are planned to take Sonata to 'Good' in the small overlap test," Hyundai spokesperson Jim Trainor said to Autoblog. The IIHS gave the crash prevention tech in both models its top Superior grade. The systems' automatic braking was able to avoid accidents from 12 and 25 miles per hour. The forward collision warning added the last bit needed to give them the maximum six points from the institute. Related Video: Hyundai Tucson and Sonata earn 2015 TOP SAFETY PICK+ awards ARLINGTON, Va. — A redesign for 2016 has taken the Hyundai Tucson from a poor to good rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's small overlap front crash test. With an available front crash prevention system that earns a superior rating, the small SUV qualifies for the TOP SAFETY PICK+ award. The 2016 Hyundai Sonata also earns a superior front crash prevention rating and a TOP SAFETY PICK+. In the Tucson's small overlap test, the driver's space was maintained well, with maximum intrusion of 6 inches at the parking brake pedal, but no more than 3 inches at other locations. The dummy's movement was well-controlled, and the front and side curtain airbags worked well together to protect the head.