2019 Hyundai Santa Fe Sel 2.4 on 2040-cars

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Hyundai's Western designers want a Genesis supercar

Will Genesis build a supercar? The answer is that it could, eventually ... if the Hyundai Motor executives are convinced by the Western designers they've hired. Speaking with Peter Schreyer and Luc Donckerwolke at the New York Auto Show last week, Australia's CarAdvice reports that there is a desire within the company to create a supercar to cap the Genesis lineup, but that it might take a while. "It's still some time away, something like this," Schreyer told CarAdvice. "All these things take a little bit of time. We're just at the beginning and things like that, you know, we need to talk about and develop more." Donkerwolke seemed even more optimistic. "I won't reveal the secret now because it's still my baby! Obviously, yes, this is part of the interest of designing a brand, being able to create [supercars]. It's not just something which we'll do, let's say a rational traditional project, but there will be some highlights." The Hyundai N 2025 Vision Grand Turismo concept is shown above. Both Schreyer and Donkerwolke came to Hyundai from the Volkswagen Group. Schreyer now serves as one of three presidents at Kia and chief designer for the entire Hyundai portfolio. Donkerwolke recently joined him to run the premium design office for the Genesis brand, having designed the Lamborghini Gallardo, Murcielago, and Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 concept, among others. Joining the likes of the Acura NSX, Lexus LFA, and Audi R8 may be a priority for the designers, but they'll like face a difficult task in convincing the bean-counters in Seoul to ever green-light such a project. "This is very difficult for them, the company is there to exist," said Schreyer. "It's a business." Related Video: Featured Gallery Hyundai N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo Concept: Frankfurt 2015 View 17 Photos News Source: CarAdviceImage Credit: Copyright 2016 Drew Phillips / AOL Design/Style Genesis Hyundai Supercars supercar

Hyundai recalls 570k Sonatas and Accents in two separate campaigns

Hyundai is announcing two recalls that cover a total of 569,500 vehicles in the US for two of the brand's models. There are no reports of accidents or injuries related to either problem, though. The larger and potentially more serious campaign covers 470,000 units of the 2011-2012 Sonata with production dates between December 11, 2009, and April 12, 2012 at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama. It's specifically for those with the 2.0- or 2.4-liter direct injected engines. During production of the crankshaft, metal debris might not have been fully removed, and those pieces could block the connecting rod oiling passages. This lack of lubrication can increase wear on the connecting rod bearings, and the issue can lead to a loud knocking noise or possibly even a failure while the car is in motion. Hyundai has a two-step process to fix the issue. First, the company will have the vehicles come in for an inspection, and if necessary will "replace the engine assembly." The company will also extend the warranty on the short block to 10 years/120,000 miles for all owners. Notifications will go out by November 2, and there will be a second letter when the parts become available. The other recall covers 99,500 examples of the 2009-2011 Hyundai Accent with manufacturing dates between March 1, 2009, and February 11, 2011. On these models, the brake light switch may begin to only work intermittently. This can lead to a variety of problems, including the brake lights not coming on, the inability to turn off the cruise control with the pedal, and the shifter not moving out of Park. The fix will be a replacement of the switch, and the campaign will begin on November 2. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Connecting Rod Wear may Result in Engine Stall Report Receipt Date: SEP 10, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V568000 Component(s): ENGINE Potential Number of Units Affected: 470,000 All Products Associated with this Recall Vehicle Make Model Model Year(s) HYUNDAI SONATA 2011-2012 Details Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor America SUMMARY: Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Sonata vehicles manufactured December 11, 2009, to April 12, 2012 at Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama and equipped with either a 2.0 liter or 2.4 liter Gasoline Direct injection engine. In the affected vehicles, metallic debris may not have been fully removed during manufacturing of the engine crankshaft.

Hyundai expanding US plant capacity for SUV production

With cheap gasoline still driving CUV and SUV sales, three anonymous sources are reporting to Automotive News that Hyundai is looking to expand production at its Montgomery, AL factory with an eye towards production of high-riders. The Montgomery factory is currently responsible for Elantra and Sonata production, although as both sedans have faced slagging sales, Hyundai is seemingly taking a second look at its production priorities. "It's a new assembly line right next to the current Alabama line. State of Alabama is negotiating final terms," one of the sources told AN. The other two sources, meanwhile, indicated that while the company has been mulling expanded production in America, a final decision hadn't been made yet. As for what vehicle could join the Elantra and Sonata on a new line in Alabama, Korea Investment and Securities auto analyst Suh Sung-moon told AN the Santa Fe could move from its current home at the Kia facility in Georgia, although the Montgomery factory could also accommodate production of the compact Tucson (it's unclear if Suh was referencing the next-generation Tucson that debuted in Geneva or the current model) or even a pickup truck, were Hyundai to go such a route. Meanwhile, AN reports that Korea's Yonhap News Agency expects the Montgomery facility to be able to produce 300,000 vehicles, including an SUV, by 2017. While Hyundai declined Automotive News's inquiries, we have our ear to the ground for any official information from the South Korean marque.