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2015 Hyundai Azera appears refreshed in Miami

Hyundai has taken the unusual approach of debuting a newly refreshed model - the refreshed 2015 Hyundai Azera - at the Miami International Auto Show instead of one of the larger usual suspects (the LA Auto Show is just around the corner). According to Hyundai, Florida is a large market for the Azera sedan, which surely had something to do with the decision to debut in Miami.
There aren't many big changes to the Azera for 2015, but what has been updated is meaningful, starting with redesigned front and rear fascias, standard 18-inch alloy wheels and LED fog lights on Limited models. Inside, an eight-inch display - all the better to work with Hyundai's latest Blue Link system - joins a new center stack design as notable improvements. On the safety front, Blind Spot Detection with Rear Cross Traffic alert and Lane Change Assist are now standard.
Power still comes from the well-regarded 3.3-liter V6 with 293 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque. While none of the changes for 2015 are likely to make the Azera into a best seller in the highly competitive large-car market, where models like the Chevy Impala, Toyota Avalon and Buick LaCrosse live, not to mention Hyundai's sibling from Kia, the Cadenza, we're sure Azera buyers will be happy with the updates all the same.

Vaccar Hyundai Tucson Sport to be shown at SEMA

Hyundai will display a custom concept version of its Tucson Sport developed by Vaccar at the SEMA show in Las Vegas, showing a more muscular-looking crossover that contains a full aero kit and significant additions to the powertrain, design, infotainment and suspension. The concept enhances the Sport, the third-highest of four trim options for 2017, by adding a Boostec turbocharger, AEM air intake system and charge pipe kit, a Mishimoto G-Line intercooler, new piping and exhaust, and other elements to the standard turbocharged 1.6-liter, inline-four engine. It also gets forged wheels, new tires, and Vaccar-Power Stop front and rear Z23 Evolution brakes. The exterior gets a blue and silver metallic two-tone paint treatment from BASF, an M&S mesh front grille and Vaccar front lip, side skirts and rear diffuser. Interior features include Katzkin ice grey leather, 9-inch headrest-mounted LCD screens, and an Android-powered 9-inch head unit with WiFi. "The Vaccar Tucson Sport Concept takes the Tucson far beyond its OEM roots without sacrificing reliability," said Aaron Vaccar, president of Vaccar. "By building upon the well-developed Tucson platform, powertrain and design, we've given enthusiasts a vision of just where this affordable crossover aspires to go." SEMA runs from Oct. 31 to Nov. 3.Related Video: Featured Gallery Vaccar Hyundai Tucson Sport Concept: SEMA 2017 View 9 Photos Image Credit: Live photos copyright 2017 Drew Phillips / Autoblog.com SEMA Show Hyundai Crossover Concept Cars hyundai tucson

Recharge Wrap-up: meet the '66 ZelectricBug, DOE announces home-scale H2 refueling competition

The US Department of Energy has launched the $1 million H2 Refuel H-Prize competition to create small- to medium-scale hydrogen refueling systems. The systems could be home-scale systems that produce hydrogen using utilities at home for refueling, or medium-scale systems to supply locations such as retail centers, apartment complexes or small fleets. The DOE sees hydrogen fueling infrastructure as the biggest obstacle to fuel-cell vehicle adoption and putting the production and refueling in the hands of the consumer could be a way around that obstacle. Read more at Energy.gov and at Green Car Congress. Hyundai has announced a new six-speed automatic transmission with integrated electric motor for new hybrid models. The new configuration puts most of the hybrid powertrain components within the transmission, and the torque converter has been eliminated. The new engine clutch reduces drag with fewer clutch discs, and the mechanical oil pump has been replaced with an electric one. The result is fewer energy losses, improved efficiency and greater mileage. Read more at Hybrid Cars in Reuters or in the press release from Hyundai below. Zelectric Motors has completed its electric 1966 Volkswagen Beetle rebuild, and has put it up for sale. The '66 ZelectricBug, as it's called, is powered by a 50-kW electric motor and 20-kWh battery pack, and offers 120 pound-feet of torque. It has a range of 80 miles, and is capable of at least 100 mph. The stock transmission has been rebuilt. It also has some new goodies like high-performance sway bars, custom shocks, and LED lighting. The '66 ZelectricBug is priced at $45,000. Check it out in the video below and read more at Hybrid Cars. A startup called Alevo says it will build a billion-dollar factory in North Carolina to make longer-lasting lithium iron phosphate batteries. Alevo has purchased an old cigarette factory in Concord for $68.5 million, but it's unclear whether or not the company has secured the $1 billion investment to begin producing batteries. The company plans to create 2,500 to 6,000 jobs and produce several gigawatts worth of batteries per year, which is a tall order for a relatively unknown company. Read more at Gigaom, or in Alevo's press release below. Tesla owners in Shanghai will be exempt from the city's $12,000 registration fee. About 400 people have already received the free license plates in Shanghai, where the government wants to encourage alternative fuel vehicles.