2014 Hyundai Veloster Base on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Zipcar adds roof racks for nature loving urbanites

Hauling a bicycle, surfboard, snowboard, or a pair of skis can be a pain. Their size makes them awkward to carry, and a good roof rack can be expensive and cumbersome to install. If a thief decides that they need the rack (or what's on it) more than you, you're looking at a loss of several hundred dollars, or at the very least damage to your car a comprehensive insurance claim. Ask me how I know. Zipcar has the solution. The car sharing company has teamed up with rack and cargo manufacturer Yakima to supply roof rack equipped rentals in 17 North American markets. In the US, Zipcar customers will have the option between a Subaru Impreza or a Subaru XV Crosstrek equipped with a Yakima roof rack. Canadian customers can rent a Hyundai Elantra. Fine choices, but it seems like a missed opportunity to revive the old Volkswagen Jetta Trek edition. The Yakima mounts on the cars are adjustable and can hold two bikes, six skis or four snowboards, or two surfboards or paddleboards. Rates, as always, vary based on use. This isn't the first time Zipcar has offered Yakima bike racks for their vehicles for those outdoor enthusiasts that choose to live car free. Back in 2011, the company outfitted a number of vehicles in its New York City fleet with complimentary racks and New York State park passes. Related Video: News Source: Zipcar Green Hyundai Subaru Transportation Alternatives ridesharing zipcar

2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport aims to be the Korean Jetta GLI

We've had a good idea of what the upcoming Elantra Sport would be like thanks to Hyundai's reveal of the Avante Sport, the quicker version of the Elantra's Korean-market twin. Now we know just how similar the two are: essentially identical. The Elantra Sport features a turbocharged 1.6-liter four cylinder engine that anyone familiar with the Veloster Turbo will recognize. Oddly though, at 200 hp and 190 lb-ft of torque, the engine is rated 1 horsepower and 5 lb-ft of torque less than either the turbo Veloster or Avante. The front-wheel drive Elantra Sport can also be ordered with either a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual clutch transmission. We're happy to report the Elantra Sport and its Avante twin will share a new multi-link rear suspension. This replaces the less sophisticated torsion bar suspension and will hopefully contribute to more agile handling. Hyundai did not announce whether the Avante Sport's optional "extreme package" anti-roll bars, springs and shocks would be available in the States. We certainly hope they will at least be an option. The Avante Sport and Elantra Sport will also share exterior and interior updates. These updates give the fastest Elantra a subtle, classy look. Larger intake vents, a rear diffuser panel, larger wheels and slightly extended ground effects all say sporty without shouting it. The theme continues inside with red stitching on the flat-bottom steering wheel and more aggressive "sport" seats. The Elantra Sport also finds itself in an odd position. Many of the performance cars in its size segment have moved up in power. There are some small sedans that come close to the Elantra Sport's 200 ponies such as the turbocharged Honda Civic, 2.5-liter Mazda3 and the lame-duck 2.4-liter Dodge Dart. But when it comes to enthusiast-oriented small sedans with at least 200 horses, there's only one true option: the Volkswagen Jetta GLI. In fact, the 210-horsepower GLI matches the Elantra Sport quite nicely, as it also features subtle styling and just enough sportiness to feel special. Hyundai has yet to announce pricing, but if it undercuts the German veteran by a significant margin, it could become a bargain choice for the driver who wants some, but not too much, fun. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport View 19 Photos Image Credit: Hyundai Hyundai Performance Sedan turbocharged jetta gli

2017 Hyundai Ioniq takes three-pronged approach to electrification

The Geneva Motor Show may be dominated by super/hypercars, but there is some more sensible metal on display. And one of the most reasonable cars might be the trifecta of Hyundai Ioniq models. This three-prong approach to electrification is a very aggressive move for Hyundai. A hybrid wouldn't be a big deal. Nor would a plug-in-electric model. But launching both of those vehicles alongside a pure EV is a very bold decision. In fact, if the full Ioniq range were to launch in the United States – which still isn't a certainty – Hyundai would be one of the only brands to offer all three branches of electrification in the same showroom. The hybrid model outguns the 121-system-horsepower Toyota Prius. Thanks to its 1.6-liter Kappa four-cylinder, 43-hp electric motor, and 1.56-kWh battery pack, there's a total of 139 hp and up to 195 pound-feet of torque. The plug-in model makes some changes to that formula, significantly increasing the size of the battery pack to a larger 8.9 kWh and increasing the power of the electric motor to an even 60 hp. Hyundai hasn't said if system output has been changed, but we do know the PHV will cover 31 miles on pure electricity. View 14 Photos As we covered in our original post, the EV Ioniq is something of an unknown quantity. Hyundai's lips loosened slightly in Geneva, though, revealing that the electric motor will produce up to 218 lb-ft of torque. That's in addition to 118 horsepower and an estimated range of 155 miles. And not that EV drivers are known speed demons, but Hyundai claims its newest EV will hit 103 miles per hour. This estimated range and torque output best America's two most notable EVs, the Ford Focus Electric and Nissan Leaf, although it's fair to point out that this duo is relatively long in the tooth. While it seems plausible that Hyundai will at least offer part of the Ioniq range in America, at this point it's just too early to be certain of anything.