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Making its public debut here at the LA Auto Show is the first production hybrid sedan from Infiniti, the M35h. Set to hit dealerships in the spring of 2011, the M Hybrid uses a parallel hybrid system combined with a seven-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive.

When paired with a 50-kilowatt electric motor, the M35h’s 3.5-liter V6 is estimated to produce a stout 360 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. What’s more, the electric motor produces an additional 199 lb-ft of twist off the line for acceleration, and we’re told that the sedan can travel up to 62 miles per hour on electric power alone.

Official fuel economy figures are not available as of this writing, but Infiniti expects the M Hybrid to achieve 25 miles per gallon in the city and 30 mpg on the highway (27 combined). Sure, that might sound impressive, but for the sake of comparison, we’d like to direct your attention to the new 5.0-liter direct-injected V8 from Hyundai, which is estimated to net 26 mpg highway with a whopping 429 hp on tap. Just sayin’.

The M Hybrid does come standard with a laundry list of technological features, such as Active Noise Control and an audible pedestrian warning system for times when the car is silently cruising in electric mode. On top of that, the usual host of functions like navigation, Bluetooth and satellite radio are all on hand – this is a top-tier Infiniti, after all.

Follow the jump for the full details in the automaker’s press release, and click through our galleries of live and stock shots to see the new M Hybrid from all angles.

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Infiniti]

Continue reading LA 2010: 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid brings electric power to the luxury sport segment

LA 2010: 2012 Infiniti M Hybrid brings electric power to the luxury sport segment

The Chevrolet Volt drove off with the 2011 Green Car of the Year Award at the LA Auto Show this morning, beating out tough competition from the Nissan Leaf and ending a two-year diesel powertrain reign (at the 2008 show, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI was named the winner; last year, the Audi A3 TDI won). The other finalists for this year’s award, given out by Green Car Journal, included the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid , Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and the Ford Fiesta.

The Natural Resources Defense Council’s Roland Hwang said during the ceremony that “the environment means business.” To be globally competitive, automakers need highly-efficient vehicles to compete and, “what this means is that green vehicles are going to go mainstream.” The Green Car of the Year award embodies this change. When it was first given out in 2006, it was sort of tacked on at the end of the LA Auto Show. Today, as it was in ‘09, the ceremony was a highlight of the show.

Last year, Green Car Journal editor Ron Cogan made a point to mention the five vehicles up for consideration were notable because they were mainstream vehicles that were already available. This year, only three of the candidates are currently on dealer lots. With the high tech involved in the Leaf and Volt, though, we’re okay with the slight delay in availability.

If you were rooting for the Leaf, don’t worry too much. Today, that car won the Green Car of the Year title from TheGreenCarWebsite.co.uk over in the UK. Still, in the U.S., the Green Car Journal award is the big one, and we want to know if the Volt claiming the first Green Car of the Year award of the electric era – and if there’s one message we’re heard here in LA this year, it’s that we’re really in the electric era now – make sense to you. Let us know in the comments below.

[Source: Green Car of the Year]

Continue reading 2011 Chevy Volt wins Green Car of the Year title in LA

2011 Chevy Volt wins Green Car of the Year title in LA

The rakish new 2011 Hyundai Elantra hits dealerships in the coming months and will be priced from $14,830 (*excluding $720 for destination) for the base GLS model with a six-speed manual transmission. This represents a $645 price increase versus the 2010 Elantra, though the 2011 model is $1,445 cheaper than a base Chevrolet Cruze and $1,440 less than a base 2012 Ford Focus – the Hyundai’s two main competitors.

All Elantras come equipped with a new 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine from Hyundai producing 148 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque, and the six-speed row-it-yourself gearbox is only available on the bottom-end GLS model – a new six-speed automatic is standard with all other GLS and Limited Elantras. What’s more, all Elantras are able to achieve 29/40 miles per gallon (city/highway).

Opting for the GLS Popular Equipment package adds things like 16-inch steel wheels, air conditioning, cruise control and a telescopic steering wheel, and the higher-end GLS Preferred pack adds alloy wheels and Bluetooth. The Elantra Limited starts at $19,980, and nets you standard equipment like heated leather seats (both front and rear), a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, foglamps and a sunroof. All Elantras are even available with an optional seven-inch navigation system, premium audio system and push-button start (for Limited models).

Full pricing and details are available in Hyundai’s press release, after the jump.

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL
[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading LA 2010: 2011 Hyundai Elantra offers 40 mpg from $14,830*

LA 2010: 2011 Hyundai Elantra offers 40 mpg from $14,830*

Once derided as a budget brand, Hyundai has been campaigning a relentless march up-market over the past few years with the likes of the Genesis and the Equus. Beneath them sits the Sonata – an impressive new vehicle to be sure – but there exists a wide gulf between these models, and it’s the Azera’s job to fill that gap with a larger-than-Sonata front-wheel-drive sedan.

Now in its fourth generation, the current Azera – also known as the Grandeur in some overseas markets – looks rather dated and unremarkable nestled in between its flashier stablemates and has been on the market since 2005. We’ve seen spy shots of its fifth-generation replacement undergoing testing, but Hyundai has now released the first batch of official images showing us what to expect from the new model.

As you can see for yourself in the gallery below, it looks promising, applying the Korean automaker’s “fluid sculpture” design language to a new shape that’s expected to arrive sometime in the new year as a 2012 model. Accompanying announcement after the jump.

[Source: Hyundai via WCF, Hyundai-Blog]

Continue reading Hyundai previews next-gen Azera with new batch of renderings

Hyundai previews next-gen Azera with new batch of renderings

Kia is just now beginning to roll out its sexy new 2011 Optima, with the 2.4-liter GDI version priced from only $18,995. Much like its sister car, the Hyundai Sonata, the Optima will be offered with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine in EX and SX trims, and here at the LA Auto Show, the Kia has unveiled its third member of the Optima family – the Hybrid.

Much like the Sonata Hybrid, the gas/electric Optima uses the same 2.4-liter direct-injected inline-four, mated to an electric motor. Combined with a six-speed automatic transmission, the Optima Hybrid will yield 40 miles per gallon on the highway – besting its eco-minded competitors, the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Toyota Camry Hybrid.

Pricing will be announced closer to the car’s on-sale date early next year, and you can read the full details in Kia’s press release, after the jump. Check out our high-res galleries of live and stock shots, as well.

Live photos copyright (C)2010 Steven J. Ewing / AOL

Continue reading LA 2010: 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid is good-lookin’, green-drivin’

LA 2010: 2011 Kia Optima Hybrid is good-lookin’, green-drivin’

The 2011 Kia Optima appears to be a quantum leap improvement over the 2010 model, with improved aesthetics, powertrains and technology. But do all those improvements come at a cost? According to Kia, the 2011 Optima will start at $18,995. That’s $1,000 more than the outgoing model, but still $1,000 or so lower than many competitors’ midsize offerings, and lower still than its cross-Korean cousin, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata. With the base model comes standard power window and door locks, Sirius Satellite radio and a USB interface for your iPod.

Move up to the LX trim level with a six-speed automatic transmission and the starting price is $20,495. The LX comes standard with alloy wheels, cruise control and an eco mode for more efficient driving. The EX is the next step up the luxury ladder with leather seating surfaces, an eight-way power driver’s seat, dual zone climate control, 17-inch wheels and push-button start.

If horsepower is your thing, the EX Turbo supplies 274 horsepower, a revised front grille and special interior accents for a reasonable $24,495, which in this case actually costs a little more than the Sonata Turbo at $24,145. The top-end Optima, the SX, starts at $25,995. Standard features for the SX include a host of interior upgrades, 18-inch wheels, revised lower trim, a sport-tuned suspension, HID headlamps and LEDs out back.

$18,995 is a very reasonable starting price to pay for a vehicle that appears to have gone from being a rental fleet afterthought to a midsize contender in a single product cycle. But what about resale value? The residual value experts at ALG, inc. claim that the 2011 Optima will retain 53 percent of it’s value after 36 months, a 66 percent increase over the outgoing model. That’s not at the resale level of a Honda Accord, mind you, but a definite step in the right direction. Hit the jump to read over Kia’s official press release.

[Source: The News Market]

Continue reading 2011 Kia Optima officially priced from $18,995

2011 Kia Optima officially priced from $18,995

Ford wants you to know that it has Four in the Forties. More specifically, four of its vehicles are rated at 40 miles per gallon or better. This reminder comes hot on the heels of an announcement made by Hyundai last Friday that every model of new 2012 Elantra, lineup will achieve 40 mpg on the highway.

Right now, only three of the Blue Oval’s vehicles actually wear the 40-mpg badge of honor: the Fiesta SE with SFE package, Fusion Hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid. Despite what Ford’s press release after the jump claims, each member of this trio is NOT rated at 41 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway – only the hybrids. The Fiesta tops out at 29 city/40 highway. The fourth member to join this family is expected to be the 2012 Focus, as soon as Ford finishes tuning its 2.0-liter, direct-injection engine and six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Once the Focus is ready to go, Ford claims it will be the first, and only, full-line automaker to offer four vehicles that are capable 40 mpg. Ford also claims that its fleet fuel economy has risen faster than any other automaker, some 19.2 percent from 2004 to 2009.

It’s really a matter of investment dollars, and Ford’s decision to invest in new powertrains is clearly paying off with a more fuel efficient fleet. That fleet will get even more thrifty once Ford’s new 2.0-liter four-cylinder EcoBoost becomes available in the Edge and Explorer, two CUVs that would traditionally offer only a large V6 or V8 option.

But Ford shouldn’t get too cocky, as all of its competitors are on the same path towards fleet-wide fuel savings and gaining momentum, not the least of which to be worried about is truck-free Hyundai/Kia juggernaut out of Korea.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford touts “Four in the Forties”: Four vehicles with 40 mpg highway or better

Ford touts “Four in the Forties”: Four vehicles with 40 mpg highway or better

The U.S. government is investigating the possibility of raising fuel economy standards to 62 miles per gallon by 2025. The Detroit Free Press reports that Hyundai isn’t yet endorsing that number, but CEO John Krafcik feels 50 miles per gallon is well within reach. The Korean automaker already features two vehicles capable of 40 miles per gallon in the Sonata Hybrid and the new Elantra, and the next 15 years promises to show further gains in efficiency.

And that’s not the only reason Krafcik is optimistic. CAFE fuel economy is actually figured out differently than the formula used by the Environmental Protection Agency. The Freep points out that while the monroney on an Elantra will show 29 miles per gallon in the city and 40 mpg on the highway, the compact’s CAFE number will be 44 mpg. What a difference a formula makes. The outspoken chief executive says that taking a hard look at the CAFE numbers makes 50 mpg seem “a heck of a lot more doable.”

Doable, yes, but 50 mpg still isn’t an easy task. Hyundai’s two best vehicles are still under that number, and the rest of the company’s fleet is far below the magic total. But 15 years is a long time in research and development years, and we’re thinking most automakers will have at least a fighting chance to reach the big five-oh by 2025.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

Hyundai CEO targets 50 mpg by 2025, but that figure isn’t as high as you think

First Drive: 2011 Dodge Charger

The good news is that Chrysler is alive and at least somewhat well, and that the new 2011 Dodge Charger eclipses the outgoing model in major ways. Could the 2011 Charger be enough to stoke the fire for a Dukes of Hazzard reunion?

Dodge Viper Cup Series provides swan song for Chrysler’s icon

We’re calling this event a swan song for the Dodge Viper as we know it. Ralph Gilles agreed, but he also told us not to focus on the death of an icon… rather, this is the prelude for the rebirth of a legend.

First Drive: 2011 Dodge Durango

Does the 2011 Dodge Durango represent the rear-wheel drive SUV’s last gasp or its reemergence?

Also of interest:

• Reader Spy: 2011 Jeep Compass spotted undisguised
• Officially Official: 2011 Hyundai Elantra brings “fluidic sculpture” to the C segment
• Report: Honda Civic sales ending in Japan
• Rumble in the Rockies with HD pickups results in lopsided victory for…
• Lamborghini reveals all-new 6.5L V12 engine and ISR gearbox
• Lamborghini registers “Aventador” name for trademark
• Ford reveals initial markets for Focus EV
  

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.15.10

During Hyundai’s product briefing on the 2011 Elantra last week, the automaker confirmed that a new version of the five-door Elantra Touring will be coming our way, based heavily on the swoopy new sedan that will debut at this year’s LA Auto Show.

In its current form, the Touring’s styling is quite different from that of the milquetoast sedan, though equipment levels and interior fittings are relatively similar between the two models. Hyundai Motor America President and CEO, John Krafcik, says that the automaker is still committed to offering the Elantra Touring here in the United States, but since that car is based on the i30 sold in other markets, we won’t see an updated version until a short time after the sedan’s launch. Krafcik confirmed that the new Touring will share the vast majority of its styling elements with that of the sedan, and that the two models will be better recognized as part of the same Elantra family.

No official time frame was given as to when we’ll see the new Elantra Touring, but since the i30 is due for a refresh in the near term, we’d expect to see the production model crop up sometime during the 2011 calendar year.

Hyundai planning new Elantra Touring based on 2011 Elantra sedan

The 2011 Elantra may have been one of Hyundai’s worst-kept secrets. Aside from releasing a self-taken spy shot, the Korean automaker already debuted the Elantra in the form of the Avante, the version destined for Hyundai’s home market. Last week, we told you about the new sedan’s ability to achieve 40 miles per gallon on the highway, and finally, we now have the official images and details about the Elantra bound for the U.S. And we must say, it’s quite a looker.

Hyundai has made quite an impression with its “fluidic sculpture” design language, most recently with the updated Tucson crossover and Sonata sedan. The new Elantra’s design is tied to the rest of the family with its strong side character lines, wraparound taillamps and hexagonal grille. We can’t wait to see what it looks like in deep red or black.

As previously reported, the 2011 Elantra will be powered by an all-new 1.8-liter inline-four that produces 148 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque. Curiously, Hyundai has not seen fit to utilize its new 1.8-liter mill with direct injection, but the automaker’s North American CEO, John Krafcik, tells us not to rule out the addition of GDI direct injection on future versions of the Elantra. Mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, the Elantra will return a ultra-respectable 28 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. Hyundai says that 40 mpg is attainable on the full range of Elantra trims, unlike the Chevrolet Cruze and upcoming Ford Focus which need to be optioned a certain way to achieve such a lofty fuel economy figure.

Official trim levels and pricing specifications will be released closer to the sedan’s official debut at the LA Auto Show later this week, and we can expect the Elantra to arrive at dealerships before the end of the year. In the meantime, scroll through our high-res gallery below to see the new Elantra from all angles.

[Source: Hyundai]

Officially Official: 2011 Hyundai Elantra brings “fluidic sculpture” to the C segment

During a media briefing this week, Hyundai officials confirmed that its highly anticipated Veloster hatchback (name subject to change…) will debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January. This comes as no surprise, since the car was originally rumored to debut at the Paris Motor Show earlier this year or possibly at next week’s LA Auto Show.

Hyundai has yet to confirm what will power the sporty little hatch, but based on what we learned during a powertrain deep-dive we attended, we’re pretty certain that the automaker’s new 1.6-liter Gamma four-cylinder engine will be found underhood. With the help of direct injection, this engine is estimated to produce 138 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque while still returning at least 40 mpg on the highway. It will also be mated to a new six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

In not-as-sporty news, Hyundai also revealed that the upcoming 2012 Accent will make its public debut at the New York Auto Show this spring. Once again, mum’s the word on what to expect in terms of powertrain, equipment levels and pricing, but we do know that the Accent is expected to achieve 42 mpg highway when it debuts.

[Images: CarPix]

Hyundai confirms 2012 Veloster for Detroit, Accent for New York

During a recent powertrain briefing, Hyundai revealed some more details about its new 5.0-liter Tau V8 and 1.0-liter Kappa three-cylinder engines that will be used in a variety of global markets in the near future.

Slated for use in the Genesis sedan as well as the larger Equus, Hyundai’s new V8 will use direct injection to produce 429 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque. That’s a healthy increase of 59 horsepower and 8 ft-lbs of torque over the 4.6-liter V8 it’s replacing, while also increasing fuel economy by one mile per gallon to 18/26 thanks to an all-new eight-speed automatic transmission. Hyundai has not mentioned any plans to offer the new Tau 5.0 in any other products, though we’d love to see it shoehorned under the hood of a Genesis Coupe. (Full disclosure: We really want to see a 5.0 battle between the Genesis Coupe and Mustang GT.)

On a much smaller level of displacement, Hyundai also detailed a new 1.0-liter Kappa inline three-cylinder engine that will be offered in other markets in the new i10 subcompact. Currently, this engine produces 69 horsepower and returns around 55 miles per gallon on the United States testing cycle. And while this 1.0-liter engine currently isn’t slated for consumption here in the States, future versions of the Kappa engine could come to our shores. Hyundai says that we’ll see a turbocharged, 110-hp version of the 1.0-liter three in 2012, and that a turbocharged 1.2-liter Kappa will be released shortly thereafter. The 1.2T is estimated to produce around 130 to 140 hp, making it more suitable for American-sized vehicles.

Hyundai’s new 5.0-liter V8 to produce 429 horsepower

Hyundai has just announced that the 2012 Elantra, which will debut next Wednesday at the LA Auto Show, will achieve 40 miles per gallon on the highway and 29 mpg in the city. The engine behind these impressive numbers will be a 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder producing 148 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque. We’re checking on transmissions options, but a five- or six-speed manual and six-speed automatic are the safe bets.

40 mpg highway ratings are “the new black” for small cars these days, with other vehicles like the 2011 Ford Fiesta and 2011 Chevrolet Cruze achieving 40 mpg or more on the highway and letting everyone know about it in their marketing material. The difference between those American small cars and the new Elantra is that only particular models of the Cruze and Fiesta can reach 40 mpg – more specifically the Cruze Eco, which tops out at 42 mpg, and the Fiesta with a special SFE package. Hyundai tells us that every Elantra model will achieve 40 mpg, from the base model on up, which means that you won’t have to pay extra for the privilege of joining the 40 mpg club.

[Source: Hyundai]

Entire 2012 Hyundai Elantra line to hit 40 MPG on highway

For the 2011 model year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has implemented tougher crash testing procedures that make it more difficult for vehicles to receive a five-star rating. The new test is known as the NCAP, or New Car Assessment Program, and the first batch of cars were evaluated earlier in the year. Ten more vehicles have been subjected to the NCAP, and the results are promising… for most.

General Motors received high marks for its Lambda triplets – the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia – with all three netting five-star ratings. Not all GM products received a gold star, however – the aging Buick Lucerne only received a three-star rating under the new test procedures. Honda’s Accord sedan also received a five-star rating, however its main competitor, the Toyota Camry, didn’t fare so well. Both the gasoline- and hybrid-powered Camrys only received three stars.

During the first batch of testing the average score was four stars, so the five-star ratings here are good news for GM. Previously, only the Hyundai Sonata (after being revised and retested) and BMW 5 Series received the coveted five-star rating.

The National Highway Safety Traffic Administration plans to test 55 cars in total before the year is over, and the full results of the latest testing can be viewed at SaferCar.gov.

[Source: SaferCar.gov via The Detroit News]

NHTSA releases second batch of crash test ratings under new system

Have you prepared your Car of the Year bingo board? The end of 2010 is upon us and this means two things: 1) We are a step closer to fulfilling the Mayan’s end of the world prophecy, and 2) Automotive publications, both in print and online, are beginning to share their “Best of” vehicle picks.

Automobile Magazine has just announced finalists for its own 2011 Automobile of the Year award. Grab your markers, check your cards and see if you have any of the following vehicles in play:

• Audi A8
• BMW 5 Series
• Buick Regal
• Cadillac CTS-V Coupe/Wagon
• Chevrolet Volt
• Ford Fiesta
• Hyundai Sonata
• Jaguar XJ
• Jeep Grand Cherokee
• Nissan Leaf

Taking a page from Motor Trend, Automobile will be announcing its winner by means of its Facebook page. The lucky vehicle will be announced November 16th at noon EST, but in the meantime, you can read why each vehicle made the cut in the press release after the jump.

Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Automobile]

Continue reading Automobile Magazine names 2011 Automobile of the Year finalists

Automobile Magazine names 2011 Automobile of the Year finalists

Review: 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe

We’re eligible for a double-major in Art and Science after a week with the CTS Coupe.

First photos of U.S.-spec Mitsubishi i-MiEV revealed ahead of LA debut

Bigger is better, and when it comes to Mitsubishi’s pint-sized EV, it’s grown nearly a foot on the boat ride from Japan.

Spy Shots: Mercedes-Benz prepping C63 AMG Black Series?

Flared fenders and a 510 horsepower V8? Could this be a Black version of the C63?

Also of interest:

• 2011 Hyundai Elantra peeks out ahead of LA Auto Show
• Audi bringing four-cylinder A8 in 2012
• Louisville plant to build sub-MKX Lincoln crossover?
• Jeep Wrangler to get Pentastar V6 power in 2012
• Cobra iRadar gets jiggy with the iPhone

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Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 11.9.10

The Internet Car and Truck of the Year for 2010 is motoring toward crowning a winner with the help of the public at large and a select group of journalists. We announced the semi-finalists a few weeks ago, and now the finalists have been picked. While the nominees are in, the pros and consumers don’t completely agree. Hit the jump for the full press release, check out the gallery we’ve built of the finalists and most importantly, weigh in with your own votes.

Continue reading Internet Car and Truck of the Year final voting going on now

Internet Car and Truck of the Year final voting going on now

Take a look-see at what slipped out of Hyunda HQ via the miracle of Twitter. Despite the best efforts of one very dedicated member of Hyundai’s PR team, the 2011 Elantra managed to show the internet some skin ahead of its debut at the LA Auto Show. The new Korean economy fighter is fabled to break the 40 mpg barrier across the board all while wearing the company’s snappy new design language. Let the Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruze take this as fair warning; you may have a fight on your hands once the Elantra hits town.

We’ll be getting a closer look at the 2011 Elantra later this week, so stay tuned.

[Source: Twitter]

2011 Hyundai Elantra peeks out ahead of LA Auto Show

CNBC is delving into the rebirth of Ford as an automotive force to be reckoned with in a new documentary called “Rebuilding an American Icon.” The show will take viewers behind the scenes at the Blue Oval to see how the company managed to navigate through the automotive implosion of 2009. While the documentary will feature the usual raft of interviews with executives, CNBC says that it was allowed deep access to the company’s day-to-day workings, and even followed the engineers responsible for breathing new life into the Explorer.

Additionally, CNBC says the program takes the time to focus on the stout competition facing Ford as it moves forward, including cars from the likes of Kia and Hyundai.

“Rebuilding an American Icon” debuts on Wednesday, November 10th at 9 p.m. ET, though it will rebroadcast at 10 p.m., 12 a.m. and 1 a.m. should you happen to miss it.

[Source: CNBC]

Ford turnaround featured in CNBC documentary this Wednesday