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So a new Sonata isn’t as exciting as a new Chevrolet Corvette, but given the enthusiasm the current Hyundai midsize sedan has generated around these parts, musing about what might be coming down the pipeline is worth at least a few minutes. Hyundai’s Korean CEO Kim Choon-ho has told Reuters that a “revamped” Sonata is due in just two years, following closely on the heels of a new Genesis in late 2013.

In case you haven’t been paying attention, we have loved the new Sonata and its Optima cousin from Kia ever since they first hit our shores back in 2010. This pair is the class of the midsize class, and we can only wonder what Hyundai has planned to keep them on top, given the fierce competition.

We’d suspect the new Sonata will be launched here as a 2015 model, which would make some sense. Though we haven’t driven it yet, the new-for-2013 Ford Fusion looks poised to bring the goods, and the next generation of the hot-selling Nissan Altima will soon be unveiled at the New York Auto Show.

Revamped Hyundai Sonata due in 2014

Small, rear-wheel drive, manually shifted coupes can be exciting, no? Fun and zippy to drive, and because of their tighter dimensions and lower weight, they tend to be easy on the gas, right?

Well, in the case of the Subaru BRZ and the Scion FR-S, maybe not as much as we’d have hoped. Sure, they have smallish 2.0-liter four-cylinders and six-speed manual transmissions, but their hunger for gasoline is just average. Official EPA fuel efficiency numbers are in, and the BRZ and FR-S with manual transmissions net 22 miles per gallon city and 30 highway on premium fuel. Still, that’s about the same as the 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe with the four-cylinder and manual tranny which gets 21/30 on premium, and it’s better than the aging Mazda MX-5 Miata which returns 21/28.

The BRZ and FR-S chug less fuel if you outfit them with the optional automatic transmission. They probably won’t be as much fun, but they will return numbers close to 25 city/34 highway.

Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S fuel economy numbers bubble up on EPA site

Remember that new 36-mpg 2012 BMW 3 Series we were so excited about, the 328i that got better fuel economy in EPA testing than even the old 335d diesel model? Well, those early estimates haven’t held up.

BMW has confirmed to Autoblog that the EPA has issued revised numbers for the eight-speed automatic-equipped F30 328i, with highway fuel economy taking a 3-mile-per-gallon hit to 33 mpg and the city number dropping by a single digit to 23 mpg. BMW is investigating the discrepancy but says the 2012 figure will stay at 33. Spokesman Tom Plucinsky: “Unfortunately, there is no provision in the EPA rules for a re-test this year. Therefore regardless of the results of our investigation, the new rating will stand for this model year.”

Though BMW says its testing showed the car capable of 36 mpg on the highway, the EPA decided to validate BMW’s numbers and came away with different results. As we type this, the government’s fueleconomy.gov website has not yet been updated, though BMW’s consumer website reflects the new numbers. According to Plucinsky, buyers of the six-speed manual 328i can expect to see a 34 mpg highway figure on their window sticker, which fueleconomy.gov corroborates at 23/34.

What’s surprising about this situation is that when we test drove the new 3 Series last fall, BMW told our Matt Davis it was estimating only 32 mpg highway. Plucinsky suggests that perhaps the 32-mpg figure was an “early estimate was based on the previous version of the 328i.”

While the efficiency hit is disappointing, even with the downgrade to 33-to-34 miles per gallon, the 3 Series’ fuel economy figures are still class-leading, besting competitors including the Acura TL and TSX, Audi A4, Cadillac CTS, Infiniti G, Lexus IS and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

With all of that said, we can’t help but wonder if this development will add fuel to the fire of those who have been clamoring for the EPA to “retest” the fuel economy of vehicles in the wake of owner complaints?

Click past the jump to read BMW’s email explanation to us in full.

Continue reading BMW forced to lower 2012 3 Series automatic fuel economy to 33 mpg

BMW forced to lower 2012 3 Series automatic fuel economy to 33 mpg

Strategic Vision has announced its 2011 Total Value Index (TVI) awards, and Volkswagen of America has earned its position at the top of the podium. Hyundai Motor America placed second, with Ford Motor Corporation taking third place overall. According to Strategic Vision, its Total Value award is calculated based on explicit owner statements on hundreds of (weighted) attributes with regards to immediate and expected (long-term) economic factors such as warranty, technical innovation, standard equipment, fuel economy, and so on. The company says that the current economic crisis, rising fuel costs and affordability concerns make its TVI very relevant to today’s consumers.

“An important ‘time marker’ in this year’s study is that for the first time in over ten years, American manufacturers lead the number of Total Value winners, with eleven segment leaders. This is an important milestone toward the ‘domestic comeback,’” says Chris Chaney, the company’s vice president and head of automotive research. He also notes that consumers find perceived value in alternative fueled vehicles, pointing out that the Chevrolet Volt, Honda Civic Hybrid, Nissan Leaf and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid all led their respective segments.

The Total Value Awards have been presented by Strategic Vision annually since 1995. The 2011 TVI was calculated from 68,088 buyers (of the 325,000 total who responded during 2011) who purchased models during September 2010 to June 2011. The Volkswagen CC (an updated 2013 model of which is shown above) earned the Total Value award in its Large Car segment.

Continue reading Volkswagen tops Strategic Vision Total Value Index

Volkswagen tops Strategic Vision Total Value Index

Kia is shutting down the lines at its West Point, GA, factory today, after a fire struck a nearby parts supplier. According to Reuters, the Kia plant will be closed for two days, with production scheduled to resume on Wednesday morning.

Kia builds its Optima sedan and Sorento crossover at the Georgia facility, and it also provides its corporate cousin Hyundai with Santa Fe crossovers. The plant operates three full shifts and has an annual production capacity of over 300,000 vehicles.

The fire broke out at a factory owned by Daehan Solution on Saturday, according to a local TV report, which described the damage as “major,” including a partially collapsed roof. Nobody was injured in the blaze, which is suspected to have started when a hot piece of metal was not allowed to cool before being discarded.

While a Kia spokesman told Reuters that the interruption would have a limited impact on sales, due to the plant’s inventory, Hyundai officials can’t be happy about the down time. Hyundai sales have been capacity constrained for months, as the company’s rapid growth in recent years has led to speculation that it will soon be expanding its manufacturing operations in the U.S.

Kia takes Georgia plant offline after supplier fire

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a safety recall of the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, but this campaign comes with a twist. NHTSA announced on its website that Sonata Hybrid models produced between December 2, 2010 and March 7, 2012 are being recalled due to a seatbelt issue. NHTSA announced that the rear center belt, which incorporates a release mechanism that detaches both the lap and shoulder portion at the lower anchor point, doesn’t meet safety standards.

Of the 14,728 units potentially covered under the recall, Hyundai will repair the 1,633 Sonata Hybrid models currently sitting on dealer lots. But here is where the catch comes into play: The government agency says Hyundai plans to file a petition for a recall exemption for those vehicles already delivered to their owners because it believes the action is “inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.” Hyundai will not have to send out recall notices to the 13,095 Sonata Hybrid models already on the road until after the petition has been resolved. Hit the jump to read over the NHTSA press release.

Continue reading Hyundai to petition NHTSA over 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid seatbelt recall

Hyundai to petition NHTSA over 2011-2012 Sonata Hybrid seatbelt recall

Hyundai, one of the largest employers in the state of Alabama, has been urged by a group of 15 civil rights organizations and labor unions, including the United Auto Workers and NAACP, to help overturn Alabama’s immigration law.

The law was put into effect in September of 2011, and it requires police, among other things, to check the identification and immigration status of anyone detained and suspected of being an illegal immigrant. At least two employees of foreign automakers in Alabama have had run-ins with the police over the law. Wade Henderson, CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, said this in a statement:

“We came today as shareholders working within the company to press our case. By [Hyundai's] silence in Alabama, it is acquiescing to a human rights disaster. We hope we will engage leaders in thoughtful conversation about taking steps to repeal this law.”

According to Automotive News, Hyundai executives in Korea have “agreed to consider the matter.” That doesn’t sound particularly meaningful to us, and, for that matter, we’re not entirely clear on what the groups expect Hyundai – or Mercedes-Benz or Honda, other large automakers with operations in Alabama – to do about the controversial law anyway.

Civil rights and labor groups urge Hyundai to fight Alabama immigration law

Continue reading 2011 Hyundai Equus Ultimate: Wrap-Up [w/videos]

2011 Hyundai Equus Ultimate: Wrap-Up [w/videos]

In general, car dealers have reputations just below personal injury lawyers and politicians, so it’s no surprise that most consumers are naturally wary whenever they engage in the process of buying a new vehicle.

As part of an effort to restore consumers’ faith in the auto buying process, the Federal Trade Commission is intervening, calling out five dealers from around the country for what it says argues is deceptive advertising. According to the FTC, the dealer ads in question promise to “pay off your car” and to “pay off your trade no matter what you owe” when, in fact, they either rolled the balance of customers’ trades into a new loan or just outright demand would-be buyers pay the difference out of pocket.

Tempting, yes, but anyone with a half-full brain cavity would almost certainly start asking questions before signing such paperwork, right? Well, maybe, but these sorts of tactics have spread among auto dealers, likely because they have proven effective.

The dealers named by the FTC include Billion Auto, Inc., in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Frank Myers AutoMaxx, LLC, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina; Key Hyundai of Manchester, LLC and Hyundai of Milford LLC, of Vernon and Milford, Connecticut and Ramey Motors, Inc., of Princeton, West Virginia.

The FTC’s wrist slap settlement requires that for the next 20 years, the above dealers not run deceptive ads, keep copies of the ads they do run, and file reports with the FTC showing their compliance.

If they violate the FTC order, the dealers will be fined up to $16,000 for each infraction. Read all the details in the official press release after the jump, and while you’re there, check out an example of one of one of the dealers’ advertising handiwork as well.

Continue reading FTC steps in to curb deceptive car dealer trade-in practices [w/video]

FTC steps in to curb deceptive car dealer trade-in practices [w/video]

When it comes to handing out awards, nobody works harder than J.D. Power. With surveys concocted to measure dependability, brand reputation, customer retention, quality, and whatever else the company can dream up, we sometimes wonder whether the company’s plaudits aren’t becoming a little like “participant” medals awarded at the end of kids’ sports seasons.

This latest J.D. Power survey, the 2012 Customer Service Index, measures service satisfaction at dealerships. The most interesting find is that overall satisfaction at dealers is nearly four percent greater than at independent repair facilities. Visits to dealers among owners of vehicles less than three years old are up as well.

Of course, the numbers that people will be most interested in relate to how each brand fared in the survey. J.D. Power ranks each marque on a 1,000-point scale, “based on dealer service performance during the first three years of new-vehicle ownership, which typically represents the majority of the vehicle warranty period. Five measures are examined to determine overall customer satisfaction with dealer service (listed in order of importance): service quality; service initiation; service advisor; service facility; and vehicle pick-up.”

The brands are broken into either luxury or mainstream categories, and the top performers in each list are clustered fairly close together. Lexus scored 861 points, followed by Cadillac (852) and Jaguar (849) on the luxury side. The mass market competitors finished even closer, with Mini leading at 809 points, followed closely by three General Motors brands: Buick (805), GMC (803) and Chevrolet (801).

See below for the full press release.

Continue reading Lexus, Mini take home dealer satisfaction laurels in latest J.D. Power survey

Lexus, Mini take home dealer satisfaction laurels in latest J.D. Power survey

Geneva Motor Show Recap

Episode #273 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Dan hosts and is joined by Autoblog Executive Editor Chris Paukert and Zach Bowman. Topics range far and wide around our recap of the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. Your questions and comments power the end of the ‘cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We’ve embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #273:

• Geneva Motor Show recap

In the Autoblog Garage
2012 Hyundai Accent
2012 Honda Civic Hybrid
2012 BMW 740i

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Paukert, Zach Bowman

Feedback
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com

Review the show in iTunes

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #273

Autoblog Podcast #273

There isn’t a whole lot to get excited about in the world of near-luxury, full-size, front-wheel-drive sedans. Stalwarts like the Ford Taurus and Toyota Avalon continue to make their way into the driveways of gray-haired shoppers, and new entries like the redesigned Hyundai Azera are attempting to add a little bit of spice to an otherwise bland segment. In recent years, the Chevrolet Impala has nearly fallen off the map in this class simply because it hasn’t been seriously updated since its launch in 2005 as a 2006 model. (The big four-door did get a new engine for 2012, finally.) But that’s all about to change.

The 2014 Impala will be based on the same front-wheel-drive Epsilon-II architecture that underpins the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac XTS. But instead of sharing many of its components with the ‘Bu, reports indicate that the Impala will use a lot of the features of the XTS in an effort to give it a much more premium feel than the current model. And while the majority of the new car’s styling details are still covered up by the heavy camouflage, we can see premium features like large alloy wheels and what appear to be LED running lights up front. We just hope General Motors hasn’t just taken the easy way out and created a Malibu on steroids.

Mum’s the word on powertrain offerings, but earlier reports have suggested that GM’s direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 will be on board, as well as the new 2.0-liter turbo four that’s slated for use in the Cadillac ATS. An eAssist version is also rumored to be in the cards.

Look for the 2014 Impala to launch sometime during the 2013 calendar year. Production is slated to be split between GM’s Oshawa, Ontario plant, as well as the Detroit-Hamtramck facility where the Malibu and Volt are built.

2014 Chevrolet Impala takes shape

In a lineup packed with new and/or freshly styled vehicles, Hyundai’s two larger crossovers, the Santa Fe and its all-but-forgotten three-row counterpart, the Veracruz, still wear the automaker’s last-generation styling language. That will be addressed (in part, at least) at next month’s New York Auto Show when Hyundai unveils the 2013 Santa Fe.

To get people talking, Hyundai published two renderings of its new CUV this evening via its Twitter feed. Predictably, the 2013 Santa Fe gets sharper lines that are much more in keeping with the rest of the model lineup, and the new face validates a spy photo that hit the web back in January.

Hyundai calls the crossover’s fresh styling language “Storm Edge,” saying it’s an evolution of the “Fluidic Sculpture” theme it’s been using the last few years.

Based on the the profile shot, which shows a very small window aft of the rear doors, it appears that the Santa Fe will, for the time being, continue to be a two-row crossover (its optional third row was canned after the 2009 model year) that’s designed to battle the likes of the Nissan Murano, Ford Edge, and Toyota Venza.

Whether Hyundai will also use the occasion to formally confirm the rumored long-wheelbase, three-row variant to replace the Veracruz remains to be seen. It’s clear the automaker knows that it’s hurting in that department.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe previewed on Twitter ahead of NY reveal

When we say we’re obsessive, we mean it. The list below of 90 vehicles that Autoblog covered at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show is proof positive that we stand behind our tagline.

The Geneva Motor Show is always the biggest international auto show of the year in terms of vehicle debuts, whether they’re production cars, forward-thinking concepts or outrageous tuner vehicles. This year we got super-sized helpings of all three.

Special thanks go to our crew of five who were on the ground in Geneva, as well as the large support staff here at home who backed them up. We love covering auto shows, and after so many years doing it, we think we’ve gotten pretty darn good. Look below and you’ll see why.

PRODUCTION VEHICLES

Lamborghini Aventador J	Veyron Gran Sport Vitesse	2012 Ferarri F12 Berlinetta
Jaguar XF Sportbrake	2013 Porsche Boxster	2012 Ford Fiesta ST
2013 Audi RS4 Avant	2013 Audi A3	2013 Audi TT RS Plus
2012 Volvo V40	2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class	2012 Fiat 500L
2013 Lexus RX	2013 Mini Countryman JCW	2013 Mitsubishi Outlander
2012 Kia Cee’d	2012 Ford B-Max	2012 Chevy Cruze Wagon
2013 Ferrari California	Aston Martin V12 Zagato	Gumpert Apollo Enraged
2012 GTA Spano	Pagani Huayra Carbon	Koenigsegg Agera R
2012 VW Golf GTI Cabriolet	2013 Hyundai i30 Wagon	2012 Fiat 500 America
2012 VW Polo Blue GT	2012 Toyota Yaris Hybrid	Smart Fortwo Brabus EV
2012 Mercedes-Benz CL Grand Edition	2012 Jaguar XKR Artisan	Bentley Mulsanne Mulliner
Artega GT Pano	Morgan Plus E	2012 Peugeot 208
Roding Roadster 23	Wiesmann MF3 Final Edition	Lotus Exige S Roadster
BMW M Performance Parts	2012 BMW M3 DTM	Lotus Evora GTE F1
2013 BMW M6	2013 Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG	2012 Aston Martin V8 Vantage
2012 BMW M550d xDrive	2012 BMW X6 M50d	2012 BMW 6 Gran Coupe
2013 Audi A6 Allroad	2012 Maserati GranTurismo Sport	Rolls-Royce Phantom Series II
Lotus Lola LMP2	Citroen DS3 Racing SL	2012 Dacia Lodgy
2012 Citroen C4 Aircross

Continue reading We obsessively covered the 2012 Geneva Motor Show

We obsessively covered the 2012 Geneva Motor Show

Hyundai has unveiled what it calls the most environmentally friendly, conventional-engined vehicle sold on the planet – the all-new i20.

We called the first i20 “one sharply dressed econo car,” and this new model gets a family-familiar hexagonal grille and swept-back, cat-eye headlights and fog lamps. Much of the car’s profile and rear are carried over from last year’s model with the exception of the tweaked taillights and some shiny new shoes.

The biggest news, however, is the fact that four engines will be on tap. On the greenest end of the scale is a 1.1-liter three-cylinder diesel. With about 74 hp, the little oil-burner generates only 84 g/km of CO2. That’s pretty impressive considering the crazy-efficient 2012 Toyota Prius C breathes out about 110 g/km.

The downside? The i20 isn’t available in the U.S. (Surprise, surprise.) Follow the jump for the full details in Hyundai’s press blast.

Continue reading 2012 Hyundai i20 boasts sleek style, top-notch efficiency

2012 Hyundai i20 boasts sleek style, top-notch efficiency

Around Autoblog HQ, we likey the wagons. And the the latest Hyundai i30 is one of our favorite road-going interpretations of the automaker’s “fluidic sculpture” design language. But while the i30 hatch – a.k.a. the Elantra Touring in the States – fits the bill for most, Hyundai recognizes that some people need more and that’s what the i30 Wagon delivers.

Hyundai’s hexagonal grille, gem-like headlights and restyled taillights take the i30 from ho-hum family-hauling econobox to something boarding on stylish – a challenge for a utilitarian people mover – and the additional cargo space is surely a welcome addition for families with more kit to carry.

The interior gets a generous dose of upgrades as well, including a two-tone IP, creamy leather seats, brushed aluminum accents and a steering wheel full of redundant controls. This new i30 could be the perfect competitor to the Jetta Sportwagen in the U.S., but Hyundai remains mum on its chances of making it across the Atlantic.

2013 Hyundai i30 Wagon hauls in high style

SPEED’s Brad Fanshaw joins us, Bentley EXP 9 F Concept, Chevrolet Volt production idle, SLP Grand National and GNX Regals

Episode #272 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week, Brad Fanshaw of Car Warriors on SPEED joins Chris, Dan and Zach. Topics include the Bentley EXP 9 F SUV Concept, Chevrolet idling Volt production and new high-performance Buicks. Your questions and comments power the end of the ‘cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We’ve embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #272:

• Bentley EXP 9 F Concept
• Chevrolet Volt production idled
• Grand National and GNX Buicks from SLP

In the Autoblog Garage
2012 Hyundai Accent
2012 Nissan Juke

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman

Feedback
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com

Review the show in iTunes

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #272

Autoblog Podcast #272

If you’re a sucker for high-riding shooting brakes, the Hyundai i-oniq concept has what you’re after, albeit with a certain anonymity we haven’t seen from Hyundai of late.

Complete with elongated gullwing doors and an expansive greenhouse featuring curved glass both behind the A-pillar and on the hatch, the i-oniq is the latest interpretation of Hyundai’s “fluidic sculpture” design language. It’s a beautiful profile and a classy shape, but the front fascia has shades of Citroën while the rear is more amorphous bulge than svelte hatch. It’s pretty, but it’s just not striking.

Inside, the i-oniq embodies concept car chic, with layers upon layers of materials, textures and tiers spanning the dash, seats and door panels.

Hyundai claims a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder gasoline engine is fitted under the hood, but its 60 horsepower doesn’t reach the wheels. The engine is strictly a generator, juicing up a lithium-ion battery pack that sends power to a single-speed transmission and on to a 100-hp electric motor.

As with most high-style concepts, the i-oniq isn’t headed to production, but some kind of series hybrid drivetrain is certainly in the cards for future Hyundai models. Hit the jump for the details.

Continue reading Hyundai i-oniq Concept blends series hybrid with shooting brake style

Hyundai i-oniq Concept blends series hybrid with shooting brake style

We got a look at pictures of the Kia KH Concept/K9 a short time ago. It’s a looker that’s got a whole lotta BMW going on. We still don’t know anything definitive about its internals other than that the big Kia is the BH platform-mate of the Hyundai Genesis and Equus.

It’s also been caught on South Korean highways from just about every angle. Check it out in the videos after the jump and see what you think.

The sedan is still in search of a name, too. Among those suggested by Kia fans are Sleek, Majestic, Amanti, Prime, Cerulean and Tempest. Check in at Kia’s Facebook page to throw your own naming ideas into the mix.

Continue reading Kia K9 caught driving on South Korean roads

Kia K9 caught driving on South Korean roads

Just as nature abhors a vacuum, the Internet abhors secrets. Hyundai got so close to keeping its i-oniq concept coupe away from us before the Geneva Motor Show, but the web won again when someone uploaded images of ithe i-oniq’s blood red interior and McLaren MP4-12C-like doors.

We don’t have any hard information except that the car hints at future Hyundai styling elements and is a hybrid with a 1.0-liter, three-cylinder gas engine. Stay tuned for details from the Geneva floor in the coming days.

Hyundai i-oniq concept for Geneva opens up ahead of schedule