2022 Hyundai Santa Fe Sel on 2040-cars

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2018 Hyundai Elantra GT Sport Quick Spin | More than just affordable

A few months ago, a discussion at Autoblog HQ led to the term mildly spicy. Cars like the Honda Civic Hatch, the Volkswagen Golf and Mazda3 aren't quite GTI or Focus ST-level hot hatches, but they still provide a great mix of fun, practicality and affordability. The Hyundai Elantra Sport fits the same basic mold, minus the hatchback. That's why we were so eager to get behind the wheel of the new Elantra GT Sport. Same premise, better form factor. The Elantra GT and sedan aren't as closely related as their name might suggest. The GT is actually based on the European i30 hatch, which is why the styling for the two models differs both inside and out. Think Volkswagen Golf and Jetta. The suspension tuning is also slightly different, but both cars share the same turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four, mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual clutch transmission. It's good for 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. That's roughly equal to the new 2017 Honda Civic Si, though the Honda weighs a few hundred pounds less than the Elantra. Still, the Elantra GT Sport feels just as quick as the Civic Si, even with the weight penalty. Minimal turbo lag means peak torque arrives at just 1,500 rpm. From there, power comes on smoothly, with all 201 horses running free at 6,000 rpm. The smooth shifter and well-placed clutch are a perfect match for the engine, even if it's not quite as slick as the Honda's. The dual clutch is a $1,000 option, but stick with the manual unless you really can't deal with three pedals. Michigan roads are known for being flat, straight and pockmarked. Thankfully, Hyundai managed to find some decent pavement just outside of Ann Arbor. The Elantra GT Sport uses MacPherson struts with twin-tube shocks up front with a multi-link independent suspension with monotube shocks out back. The standard Elantra GT uses a torsion beam out back, so the difference is noticeable. The ride is on the comfortable side of sporty. The car dealt with rough pavement well, though these were the best Michigan conditions we could have hoped for. It doesn't react quite as quickly as a Civic Si or Volkswagen GTI, but it feels right on par with with Civic Hatch Sport. Body roll is minimal and, given enough leeway, you can get the back end to rotate slightly when lifting off the throttle. There's mild understeer, but nothing egregious.

Hyundai and Kia invest $110 million in UK electric van startup Arrival

Korea's Hyundai Group is backing a UK electric vehicle startup that plans to begin selling battery-powered delivery vans in 2021, the companies said on Thursday. Hyundai and sister firm Kia are making the investment of $110 million (100 million euros or 84.34 million pounds) in Arrival. Founded in 2015 and based in London, Arrival has developed a boxy, futuristic-looking shuttle bus aimed at the commercial delivery market. The company said its van will have a range between charges of 300 miles. In a statement, Arrival said it will work with Hyundai and Kia to develop a variety of electric vehicles, initially for the commercial market. Those vehicles will be built on Arrival's modular vehicle platform or "skateboard" that bundles motor, batteries and chassis components, similar to the skateboard developed by U.S. startup Rivian. Rivian is backed by Ford and Amazon, and has a contract to build 100,000 electric delivery vans for the e-commerce giant, starting in 2021. Hyundai and Kia last year invested $89 million in Rimac Automobili, a nine-year-old Croatian company aspiring to build electric supercars that is also backed by Porsche. Arrival said its vehicles will be equipped with advanced driver assist features and can be upgraded with self-driving systems. The vehicles are designed to sell for the same price as similar models powered by internal combustion engines and to be built in small "microfactories." That strategy is the opposite of U.S. electric vehicle rival Tesla which uses massive "gigafactories." Last fall, Arrival, which until now has operated largely in stealth mode, hired General Motors veteran Michael Ableson to head its new North American operations. With a small factory in Banbury, England, Arrival said it now has 800 employees in five countries, including Germany, Russia and Israel. Arrival previously said it would use BlackBerry's QNX operating system to connect safety features in its electric vehicles. Arrival said its prototype delivery vans are being tested by the Royal Mail, DHL and UPS. Related Video: Green Hyundai Kia Commercial Vehicles Electric Future Vehicles electric delivery van

Hyundai i20 gets Active for Frankfurt

Hyundai has a raft of new debuts to showcase at the Frankfurt Motor Show this month, and what's caught our eye here is the new i20 Active. It's a more rugged version of the supermini hatchback that replaced the Getz in 2008. Now in its second generation, the i20 is already offered in three- and five-door guises, and is now expanding even further with the introduction of this pseudo-crossover soft-roader. The new Hyundai i20 Active is based on the five-door model, but offers the better part of an inch more ground clearance thanks to a revised suspension. It also benefits from skid plates under the front and back, beefed-up wheel arches, and a higher seating position. All of which promise to make the little hatchback feel just a little bit better prepared to venture off the beaten path – or at least the smooth pavement. European buyers will be able to choose between a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine in two states of tune that will now be introduced across the i20 range. The more efficient of the two produces 99 horsepower, while a slightly more potent version offers 118 hp. The new i20 Active will be featured on Hyundai's show stand alongside the new Santa Fe, the Vision G concept we saw in Monterey, and the N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo concept that's slated to launch the company's new N performance sub-brand. HYUNDAI MOTOR INTRODUCES TWO NEW MODELS TO YOUNGEST-EVER RANGE - New i20 Active and New Santa Fe enhance crossover and SUV range - New i40 introduces Android Auto in Europe - Vision G concept car shows inspiration for future premium products At the Frankfurt International Motor Show 2015 Hyundai Motor is showcasing the passion of its brand, with new models, visionary concept cars and innovative technologies. The New i20 Active and New Santa Fe both premiere on the Hyundai stand, joining the company's youngest-ever line-up in Europe, with all models being less than two years old. The Android Auto smartphone mirroring technology debuts in the New i40, placing Hyundai among the first in Europe to offer this feature. The company's passion for design is presented in the Vision G coupe concept car, making its motor show debut, offering a glimpse of Hyundai's design evolution and future premium products. Passion for performance is envisioned through the new Hyundai N sub-brand and exciting concept cars such as N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo.