COSTA MESA, Calif., Feb. 23, 2012 – Hyundai, the exclusive automotive sponsor of the Academy Awards for the fourth consecutive year, joins Hollywood in honoring the biggest stars of the silver screen on Oscar^® Sunday, broadcast on February 26 on ABC. Nine Hyundai ads will air throughout the coverage – two pre-show and seven during the actual awards ceremony. Film-maker Wes Anderson directed two original commercials featuring the all-new 2012 Hyundai Azera.

The spots, “Modern Life” and “Talk to My Car”, highlight Azera’s premium luxury features and Blue Link connectivity. “Modern Life” recreates an ill-prepared / ill-equipped dad preparing dinner for the family amidst the chaos of a small army of kids playing while receiving cooking instructions from his wife over the phone as she’s “stuck in traffic”. The story resolves with mom relaxed in the Azera parked in the driveway, taking a few extra moments of solitude before joining the frenzy. All the insanity of the day is packed into one 30-second take, then juxtaposed against the serenity of the new Azera.

“Talk to My Car” plays on the long history of moviemakers that creatively integrate voice-activated vehicles into their productions. The team authentically recreated different eras of film to represent the timeline and evolution of talking cars in movies. From a flying car to an underwater car to a spy car – the vignettes look as if they are plucked from vintage footage, but virtually all were recreated for this spot. The scene closes on a family driving in the all-new Azera, using the voice-activated Blue Link system as they go about their daily routine.

Special behind-the-scenes footage gives viewers the chance to sit in the director’s chair, providing them with a closer look at the making of these intricate spots. These spots will be available for viewing on Hyundai’s YouTube Channel following the Academy Awards on Monday, February 27.

The rest of Hyundai’s 30-second spots focus on Sonata Hybrid, Elantra, Equus, Genesis Coupe and Genesis R-Spec, in addition to Azera. The two Oscar Red Carpet Live ads include “One Less Battery” featuring Sonata Hybrid and Hyundai’s new Lifetime Hybrid Battery Warranty and “Victory Lap” featuring Hyundai’s 2012 North American Car of the Year winner, Elantra. In-show spots include “So Fast” featuring Equus; “Think Fast” featuring Genesis Coupe; and “Faster Acting” featuring Genesis R-Spec sedan.

In addition to the Wes Anderson-directed ads, two more brand new spots featuring Azera, “Action” and “Thanks,” were custom made for the Academy Awards and will run only during the awards show. Hyundai’s campaign also includes several animated billboards throughout the show, also showcasing Azera.

“Hyundai is proud to share the spotlight with Hollywood’s biggest names on Oscar Sunday and is excited to introduce the award show’s huge national audience to the all-new Azera,” said Steve Shannon, vice president of marketing, Hyundai Motor America. “The glamour of the event and its star attendees provides the perfect venue to show off our newest luxury sedan.”

Azera will make its debut at Hyundai dealerships shortly after this year’s Academy Awards. Introduced to the world at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December, Azera is the fifth vehicle to adopt the company’s signature Fluidic Sculpture design language, showcasing a modern, sleek, sophisticated style, creating the illusion of constant motion. This Fluidic Sculpture sedan also features a more powerful Lambda II 3.3-liter GDI engine, six-speed transmission, best-in-class combined fuel economy of 23 miles per gallon and a wide range of advanced safety equipment.

Hyundai’s exclusive automotive sponsorship of the Academy Awards extends its “Big Voices in Big Places” philosophy which positions the Hyundai brand in the highest-profile advertising venues, including sporting events and entertainment awards shows. Innocean Worldwide Americas, Hyundai’s agency of record, is responsible for all creative. To view Hyundai’s Academy Awards ads, please visit, www.youtube.com/Hyundai on Oscar Night.

Via Hyundainews.com

“We appreciate the fact that Hyundai has made a significant contribution to improving the market choices for the American car buyer,” said Jack Gillis, author, The Car Book. “During these most challenging times for the auto industry, the fact that Hyundai vehicles have the quality and features most important to today’s car buyer is a testament to their desire to meet customer needs.”

For 32 years, The Car Book has been the consumer’s best guide to smart and sensible car buying. The Car Book analyzes new vehicles each year to identify those making a significant contribution to improving the market. Vehicles are rated in nine key Car Book categories: crash tests, safety features, rollover, preventative maintenance, repair costs, warranty, fuel economy, complaints and insurance, with the heaviest emphasis on safety.

“Having three Hyundai models named as ‘Best Bets’ by The Car Book highlights our continued effort to deliver quality vehicles across the entire Hyundai lineup,” said Scott Margason, director, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “The Accent, Sonata and Tucson all deliver advanced technology, design and fuel economy while continuing to exceed customer expectations in value, performance and safety.”

Hyundai’s all-new 2012 Accent redefines expectations in the subcompact category by offering the company’s distinctive and upscale “Fluidic Sculpture” design, best-in-class standard fuel economy, exceptional roominess and a full complement of standard safety features. Despite surprising technology and a significant increase in safety features, Accent’s pricing remains the same as that of the prior generation.

The award-winning Hyundai Sonata continues to be a huge hit thanks to Fluidic Sculpture design, impressive fuel efficiency, advanced technology and overall value. The 2012 model includes Blue Link, HD Radio Technology and a new seven-inch touch-screen navigation.

The 2012 Tucson is one of the smartest compact crossover choices available, delivering better fuel economy and range for consumers needing the utility of a CUV without sacrificing fuel efficiency. The Tucson improved fuel efficiency of up to an estimated 32 miles per gallon on the highway can be attributed to a new Active ECO System, low rolling resistance silica tires, high efficiency air conditioning and a larger capacity fuel tank.

Via Hyundainews.com

The Veloster Turbo goes on sale this summer, and while official pricing hasn’t been released, the folks at Inside Line have apparently confirmed that the car will start at $21,500 – $22,280 when you factor in the $760 destination charge. That’s $4,205 more than a base Veloster, but in addition to more power, we expect that some of the base car’s optional features will be fitted as standard kit on the Turbo.

What’s really interesting, however, is Inside Line’s report that the Turbo model was never even part of the original Veloster product strategy here in the United States. No big deal, because we’re still getting the forced-induction hatch regardless. But the real reason why this is important is it explains why the Turbo is being offered with a six-speed automatic (in addition to a six-speed manual) rather than the dual-clutch unit found in the base car. Guess that in-house dual-clutch unit can’t handle the full 195 lb-ft of the Turbo.

We expect Hyundai to release official Veloster Turbo pricing closer to the car’s on-sale date this summer. And if this $21,500 base MSRP stands true, then the affordable end of America’s hot hatch pool just got a lot more interesting.

By Steven Ewing

Via Autoblog.com

CHICAGO,

“Elantra GT is a fun-to-drive, functional, five-door compact hatchback,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Elantra GT is the latest example of how Hyundai is redefining the compact car and setting new standards in automotive design, efficiency and functionality.”

The 2013 Elantra GT will compete with the Ford Focus, Mazda3 and Volkswagen Golf, featuring more interior volume than these models, unsurpassed fuel economy and Hyundai’s Driver Selectable Steering Mode.

To Read the Full Press Release Click Here!

HIGHLIGHTS FOR 2013 ELANTRA COUPE

• Unique “Fluidic Sculpture” two-door coupe design language
• 1.8-liter “Nu” Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (D-CVVT) engine
• In-house-developed six-speed manual and automatic transmissions
  • 40-mpg highway rating (estimated) on M/T model
  • Eleven percent more fuel efficient than Honda Civic Coupe M/T
• Longer wheelbase, overall length and width than Civic Coupe for a more comfortable, roomy interior cabin
• Standard VSM, ESC, TCS, ABS with Brake Assist and EBD
• 7-inch touch-screen navigation with rearview camera and iPod^®/USB inputs
• Bluetooth^® hands-free phone system with voice recognition
• Proximity-key entry with electronic push-button start

Elantra Coupe is the latest vehicle in Hyundai’s 7/11 product initiative (seven new models in the next eleven months), following the Azera and Genesis Coupe.

The 2013 Elantra Coupe represents a modern approach to the sporty coupe segment, using youth-oriented design and premium features offered with Hyundai’s strong value proposition. The 2013 Elantra Coupe poses intriguing questions:

• Why can’t a sporty coupe combine generous interior space with sleek design?
• Why pay premium coupe prices to get advanced safety and technology features?
• Why can’t a fun-to-drive sporty coupe offer 40-mpg fuel economy?

“FLUIDIC SCULPTURE” DESIGN LANGUAGE

Elantra Coupe takes Hyundai’s dynamic “Fluidic Sculpture” design principles to the next level. “Fluidic Sculpture” design language replicates the interaction of wind with rigid surfaces to create a perception of fluid in motion.

Hyundai’s signature hexagonal front fascia opening and jeweled swept-back headlights give Elantra Coupe a lean, aggressive demeanor. Fog lights and available side mirror repeater lamps complement the view from the front.

From the side, Elantra Coupe conveys a wedge-like sport coupe silhouette with deeply sculpted surfaces. SE model sporty five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels with dark spoke inserts add a dynamic presence, while fast A- and C-pillar angles frame a sharply tapered greenhouse, further accentuating the wedge profile. Just below the belt line, a prominent character line carries from the door through to the rear deck. Wheel arch creases give a subtle flared appearance around front and rear wheels, for a wide and aggressive presence. Further, a beveled rocker panel rounds out the lean and muscular effect.

From the rear, a blacked-out rear diffuser valance contrasts with dual chrome-tipped exhaust tips, and the SE model deck lid incorporates a lip spoiler design element.

These sculpted surfaces serve to create a highly aerodynamic body. The drag coefficient for the Elantra Coupe is an exceptionally low 0.28 Cd, resulting in minimal cabin noise intrusion and optimal fuel economy. Elantra Coupe was designed at Hyundai’s North American Design Center in Irvine, Calif.

Via Hyundainews.com

Check Out These Amazing Commercials!

To try and monitor the effectiveness (as opposed to the entertainment value) of the ads, Edmunds is tracking in real time the impact the ads are causing on the Hyundai site.

Hyundai expects Elantra sales to run into a brick wall of limited production capacity, as the company’s Montgomery, Alabama plant is already operating at 110 percent. The plant, which builds the Elantra and its big brother, the midsize Sonata, churned out 338,000 units in 2011. Hyundai sold over 186,000 Elantra models in the U.S. last year.

With Hyundai posting 20 percent overall sales growth in the U.S. in 2011, it clearly needs to address its capacity bottleneck. Speculation is building that the company will soon announce plans to build another North American assembly plant.

By Jeff Sabatini

Via Autoblog.com

COSTA MESA, Calif., Jan. 31, 2012 –

The Hyundai Lifetime Hybrid Battery Replacement Guarantee ensures that if the 2012 Sonata Hybrid lithium polymer battery fails, Hyundai will replace the battery and cover recycling costs for the old battery pack free of charge to the original owner. The coverage is not transferrable, and does not apply to lease and commercial vehicles or vehicles serviced outside the U.S.

Hyundai’s philosophy is to make advanced technology accessible across a wide customer base, as it has done with direct-injection technology. Hyundai’s research indicates that battery replacement costs are a big barrier to the consideration of a hybrid vehicle.

“Even with all the hybrid vehicle options on the market today, there is still limited demand for these vehicles because of barriers to customer adoption such as uncertainty about the technology and performance,” said Michael O’Brien, vice president, Corporate and Product Planning. “By offering the Lifetime Battery Replacement Guarantee, Hyundai is addressing customer concerns and demonstrating our confidence in the durability of our product.”

The Hybrid Sonata, with Hyundai’s Hybrid Blue Drive technology, features a lithium polymer battery pack, making Hyundai the first automaker in the world to incorporate this remarkably efficient battery technology into production vehicles. Lithium polymer is the next generation of lithium ion technology and is ideally suited to automotive applications thanks to a robust and reliable chemistry.

The lithium polymer cells, developed with Hyundai’s partner LG Chem, use a manganese spinel chemistry that provides an excellent balance between power delivery, energy density and thermal stability. Thermal stability is critical to ensuring durability, eliminating the need to replace the battery pack during the normal lifespan of the vehicle. The electrodes in older lithium ion chemistries expand and contract with the heating and cooling that occurs during charging and discharging. This thermal expansion causes cracks in the electrodes which ultimately reduces the cell’s ability to hold a charge. Manganese spinel lithium polymer cells have much lower expansion rates and are thus able to go through tens of thousands of charge cycles even without having to use a heavier, liquid cooling system.

Via Hyundainews.com

Over the next few months, we’ll find out just how good the Elantra is at being a reasonably priced, well-equipped transportation appliance, and whether there’s any real-world truth to the 40-mpg highway EPA figure. Since the Elantra has no sporting pretensions to speak of, there’s little point in focusing on how well it handles the turns of Angeles Crest Highway (I have my Harley-Davidson XR1200X for that) or how much “whoa, what is that?” gawking its mini-Sonata styling draws from passers-by (probably not much, given that Elantras are starting to show up everywhere).

How useful its back seat is for carrying passengers, or its trunk for carrying groceries, on the other hand, are questions worthy of further investigation.

COSTA MESA, Calif., Jan. 18, 2012 –

“Lower weight plus lower consumption plus lower price equals more fun,” said Seyth Miersma, editor-in-chief, Winding Road. “We’re not math majors, but that’s something like the equation we believe Hyundai must have dreamed up when it first conceived of the 2012 Veloster. We were instant fans of the outstanding gearbox and the chuckable handling that Veloster offered, and quickly realized that the low starting price was likely to make it an enthusiast darling.”

The awards selection process leveraged the opinions of Winding Road’s seasoned staff of test drivers combined with the vehicle’s scoring according to the Winding Road Involvement Index. Using more than 30 points of individual measure, the Involvement Index seeks to quantify (on a 100-point scale) the always-elusive “fun to drive factor.”

“With the Hyundai Veloster, we wanted to show the industry that sleek design and reasonable pricing can go hand in hand,” said Scott Margason, director, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Veloster combines a stylish image with sporty driving dynamics and outstanding fuel economy, making it perfectly suited for both practical drivers and auto enthusiasts.”

The Veloster is an innovative compact coupe that features ground-breaking design, with a unique third door for easy rear-seat access, Hyundai’s Blue Link® telematics system, Pandora® internet radio with seven-inch touch-screen display and a new 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine that can be mated to either Hyundai’s first EcoShift™ dual-clutch transmission or a six-speed manual transmission. The Veloster is also one of four Hyundai vehicles that achieve 40 mpg on the highway, along with the Accent, Elantra and Sonata Hybrid.

Joining the Veloster on the award roster are the Mini Cooper S Coupe, Lotus Evora S, Ford Focus, Audi A7, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, Land Rover LR4, Mazda5, Mazda MX-5, Dodge Charger, Audi S4 and Jaguar XJ. For the full feature on the Winding Road Best Cars Of The Year, check out Issue 78 of Winding Road’s digital magazine.

Via Hyundainews.com