hyundai

The 2011 International Motor Show in Geneva is still a bit away, but Hyundai has given us our first look at the soon-to-be premiered i40 estate. "Estate," for our North American readers, is how our friends across the pond say "wagon"; and we like wagons.

The i40 was developed with the European market in mind, but shares a platform with the North American Sonata. The i40 will feature, among its power train options, a 1.7-liter diesel engine that emits just 113 g/km of CO2, which is pretty good--best-in-class good, actually.

The i40 was developed … Read more

The power train in the new Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is significantly different from those in other hybrids. One result is class-leading highway fuel economy.

The Sonata Hybrid can go up to 75 mph propelled by its electric motor. This velocity far surpasses the top speeds in electric-vehicle mode of competitive hybrids, including the Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Nissan Altima Hybrid, and cuts the Sonata's fuel consumption. The EPA rates the Sonata's highway fuel economy at 40 mpg.

Better aerodynamics help boost fuel economy: Shutters behind the grille close at highway speeds and the car's underbody is … Read more

The 2011 Chrysler 200 convertible and the 2012 Acura TL are among the vehicles that will be unveiled this week at the Chicago Auto Show. Chevrolet, Dodge, Hyundai, Volkswagen, and Chrysler's Ram division also are planning world debuts.

While Toyota will not have a world debut, the automaker is touting its display, which it says will be the largest the Toyota brand has created for a U.S. auto show, covering 45,000 square feet.

As part of the display, an indoor road course will feature Toyota pickups and SUVs. The public will be able to ride in the … Read more

In recent years, automotive designers have become very aware that strong design language reinforces a brand. BMW and Cadillac pushed hard in the last decade to create a common look to all models under each brand. The result was that, when you see a Cadillac on the street, you know that it is a Cadillac. No other cars look quite like it.

Other companies quickly got on board. Automotive designers come up with phrases to help their teams focus when designing a new car or a model update. Design languages such as L-Finesse, Keen Edge, and Fluidic Sculpture encompass the … Read more

General Motors won't be selling cars in South Korea under the Daewoo label, the automaker announced today. The Daewoo logo will be replaced by the Chevrolet name and signature bow-tie logo. The company name, GM Daewoo, will also be changed to GM Korea Co., the company said in a statement.

"This important new brand strategy is designed to strengthen our commitment to the Korean market, recognizing it as one of the strongest-performing countries within GM's global operations. We are well positioned to bring one of the world's iconic brands to Korea," said Mike Arcamone, President … Read more

Toyota Prius V, Hyundai Veloster, new Audi A6 hybrid, and BMW 1 Series M all vie for our attention.

? 2012 Toyota Prius V

? 2012 Hyundai Veloster

? New Ford Police Interceptors

? Mercedes SLS AMG E-Cell

? New Chrysler 300

? CNET's LOLCars gallery!

DETROIT--At this year's Detroit auto show, the concept cars looked like serious moves toward a production vehicle rather than a designer's fever dreams. And telling among this crop was the predominance of compact SUVs, a segment that automakers expect to grow.

We started off with a new Civic concept, and in Honda style this car was a mere preview of a production vehicle. Toyota also had a small hatchback concept in its Prius line.

More exciting concepts came from Ford, Hyundai, Kia, and Mini. This crop of compact SUVs featured upright seating positions and raised rooflines. Among these, … Read more

DETROIT--It wouldn't be a car show without a few wild concepts. So alongside the wild Veloster production model, Hyundai also unveiled the crazy HCD-12 Curb concept.

The Curb, for short, is a compact crossover utility vehicle (CUV) with an overall length that's only 4-inches longer than the smallest of Hyundai's lineup, the Accent. However, the Curb manages to cram a good deal into that small space.

Starting with styling, the Curb's wheel wells are filled by massive 22-inch wheels that are wrapped with special graphic tires. Sitting atop those wheels is a body that takes the … Read more

DETROIT--After a few rounds of preshow teasing, Hyundai has announced and unveiled the production version of the 2012 Veloster.

The first thing you'll notice about the Veloster (or second, depending on which side of the car you're standing) is the third door on the coupe's passenger side. Hyundai claims that by using two shorter doors on this side of the vehicle, it is able to both ease entrance into the Veloster's rear seat and ease parking by shortening what would be one longer door. It makes sense, but is a little odd. Fortunately, we like odd.… Read more