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2014 BMW 2-series Active Tourer first drive

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 23:20:00 -0700

First impressions are of a dumpy, rounded shape, unmistakably BMW, but that’s as much to do with the grille and badge as it is any inherent BMW-ness. Overall it feels a competent design, but a country mile from the sharp lines of the initial Concept Active Tourer shown two years ago.
The UK range at launch comprises two new turbocharged engines: a 2.0-litre 148bhp diesel (badged 218d) and a three-cylinder 1.5-litre petrol (218i). Both are available with a six-speed manual gearbox or an eight-speed automatic. A four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol engine and four-wheel drive will follow in the autumn, and eventually there will be a plug-in hybrid model.

The standard specification in the UK includes rear parking sensors, Bluetooth, a DAB radio and BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, while prices start at £22,125 for the 218i SE and £24,205 for the 218d SE.
The Sport derivative adds £1250 to the price and includes contoured seats and sports alloy wheels, while another £2000 over the SE gets you the Luxury model, with leather upholstery. From this autumn there will also be a more aggressively styled M Sport derivative.

The Active Tourer's dashboard looks like a BMW's, but it doesn't feel like one
Step inside and the heart skips a beat when you survey a dashboard design that's very BMW; the faux iPad sticking out of the top, the ostentatious surface changes and those simple twin dials in the driver’s binnacle. Don’t look too far down, though, or you’ll notice slabs of scratchy black plastic, less-than premium construction methods and ‘big time’ cost cuts.
Walk around to the back of the car and there’s a hands-free ‘kick-open’ electric release for the tailgate, which like all these devices has the reliability of a Labrador’s hearing. And once that tailgate is open you find a load area that’s disappointingly conventional for this type of car, with rear seats that slide fore and aft by just over five inches (13cm) and split fold 60/40 - whoopity-doo!
True, the space on offer is comparable with rivals, and the boot floor concertinas into a low wall to prevent your shopping bags sliding about, but this is hardly the plunder packing innovation we see from some non-premium rivals. It’s clear that BMW doesn’t do a lot of thinking about shopping. What does impress, however, is the passenger accommodation. There’s generous head and leg room in the front and rear seats and even the sports seats are comfortable as well as supportive. What’s more there’s a decent amount of storage space, with large door bins and useful cubby holes.

The Active Tourer's boot is big rather than clever
Start her up and the 2.0-litre diesel fizzes through the major controls and sounds raucous, although it calms as it warms. There’s a lot of mid-range torque, which gives it decent apparent performance in any gear, although it runs out of puff and gets a bit clattery near the 5,400rpm redline.
Also, while BMW has done well to assuage the effects of all that torque pulling the steering wheel around under hard acceleration, this powerful diesel will spin up the inside front wheel on tight corners. The diesel will be the first choice for most UK buyers, but the three-cylinder petrol, which wasn’t available to try, might not be such a bad alternative.
The Active Tourer's gearlever slots stiffly through the gate and there’s a poor detent between first and reverse, which means you aren’t always sure which gear you’ve selected at a standstill. There’s also an annoyingly high mounted centre console that catches your elbow as you change gear.
More positively, the Active Tourer feels nicely compact and easy to place in corners, although you really need those parking sensors because it’s impossible to determine where the corners of the car are when sitting behind the wheel. The steering feels quite heavy for urban life, too, and there’s a muddy stiffness in the centre position, so motorways are negotiated in a series of gentle arcs.
The standard SE wheels are 16in in diameter, but our test car came on 18in wheels with 225/45 Pirelli P-Zeros, which were grippy, noisy and gave a ludicrously stiff ride even on Austrian roads surfaced with velvet curtains.

The 18in wheels are best avoided, but the Active Tourer is quite fun to drive
There’s also a restlessness about the rear end, which translated as an unsettled feeling on A roads, like holding a toddler squirming for ice cream. And even over drain covers, the front wheels gave off a loud report and slithered wide on the wet cast iron. That said, it’s a pretty quiet car on the motorway and stability is generally impressive.
BMW is championing the Active Tourer’s sportiness, and on twisting roads it certainly feels up for it; there’s a precision about the handling which makes it quite fun to drive briskly. Turn into a corner and the front hesitates for half a second before diving in, but body control is impressive and the responsive steering gives some feedback.
The Active Tourer isn’t as wieldy or as agile as the Ford C-Max, nor as comfortable and brilliantly appointed as the Citroën C4 Picasso, or as well built and quiet as the VW Golf SV, but it’s close enough to them all and that’s impressive for a first attempt. That all-round ability, along with a modest price premium, low CO² emissions and the promise of strong resale values might persuade the target of 4,000 new customers to try the Active Tourer next year.
How the world will judge BMW’s new direction remains to be seen, but I can’t help thinking they’re about to leave the ultimate driving machine behind them for someone else to pick up.
Why is the switch to front-wheel drive such a big deal?
Most hatchbacks are front-wheel drive, but BMW has traditionally shunned this arrangement in favour of rear-wheel drive.
The main advantage of rear-wheel drive is that it means you don't feel the steering wheel being tugged around in your hands when you accelerate. And as a result you can place the car on the road with greater accuracy. So why the change of heart?
Well, rear-wheel drive also forces you to run a driveshaft down the spine of the car, which eats into boot and passenger space. Plus the switch to front-wheel drive means the Active Tourer can use the same underpinnings as the latest Mini, reducing costs.
THE FACTS
BMW 218d Active Tourer SE
Tested: 1,995cc four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, six-speed manual gearbox (optional eight-speed automatic), front-wheel drive
Price/on sale: From £22,125 (£24,205 as tested)/now
Power/torque: 148bhp @ 4,000rpm/243lb ft @ 1,750rpm
Top speed: 129mph
Acceleration: 0-62mph in 8.9sec
Fuel economy: 58.9mpg/68.9mpg (EU Urban/Combined). On test 48.7mpg
CO2 emissions: 109g/km
VED band: B (£0 for first year, £20 thereafter)
Verdict: Good first attempt at a front-drive BMW that ticks most of the boxes for buyers in this sector while not actually doing anything better than the non-premium alternatives
Telegraph rating: Four out of five stars
THE RIVALS
Citroën C4 Picasso Exclusive 2.0 Blue HDi, from £23,010
Perfectly delightful nexus of ride quality and comfort, with thoughtful additions to the spec that can make ownership a delight. Price is close to the BMW’s, though, and Warranty Direct reliability figures don’t make great reading.
Ford Focus C-Max Titanium 2.0 TDCi, from £21,725
Ford’s five-seat MPV is the most agile and most fun. Its diesel engine isn’t the most accomplished, though, averaging just 57.7mpg and 129g/km of CO2. Warranty Direct says the Ford is a reliable choice.
Volkswagen Golf SV 2.0 TDI SE 2.0, from £23,950
The VW for those who find the Golf a bit too small and the Touran too big. Beautifully built (better than the BMW), comfortable and nice to drive, but bland to look at. The 1.4 TSI petrol is the best model.
Read more reviews on Telegraph Cars

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Rain stops play for the BMW M4 Convertible

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 15:12:00 -0700

Trying to get to the bottom of the BMW M4 Convertible's talents on a wet day in Germany is mission impossible, says Chris Knapman

Things improve once you’re inside, where the leather-lined four-seater cabin wraps itself around you with a sense of quality and purpose. And if the sports seats and chunky steering wheel didn’t give away that you were in something built to do light-speed, then the number of buttons should. These control not just the folding roof and neck-warming heaters, but a multitude of different modes for the steering, suspension, engine, gearbox and traction control, leading one to believe that the M4 Convertible has every situation covered.

The M4 Convertible has no shortage of buttons, through which you can control the engine, suspension and steering configuations, among other things
Certainly, it has no problem when it comes to the business of going very fast. Being lighter than the previous M3 Convertible (albeit at a whisker over 1,800kg still 200kg more than the new M4 Coupé) certainly helps, but it’s the engine’s 425bhp and 406lb ft of torque that make the difference. Launching from 0-62mph takes just 4.4sec, which puts this BMW among the elite of performance machinery… if the road is dry.
This is where the test unravels, because on the day I drove the M4 in Germany the weather was so bad that at one point my co-driver trembled, “I just don’t really feel like I can see anything.”
And in the brief moments the downpours abated and we could see where we were going, the slick road meant that trying to deploy the M4’s performance was like poking a lion on the nose and expecting not to have your arm bitten off.

With the roof in place the BMW M4 Convertible isn't quite as slick as the Coupé
Even in a straight line a full power upshift caused the car’s tail to leap sideways, such is the force with which the torque floods (ha!) to the rear wheels. As for corners, if you so much as look at the throttle you’d better be ready to catch the ensuing skid. Forget traction control, what you need when you drive an M4 in the wet are the reactions of a Jedi knight and a spare pair of your luckiest Marks and Sparks undercrackers.

The roof of the M4 Convertible takes 20 seconds to fold away
I did try lowering the three-piece folding roof, a process that, technically speaking, can be done on the move. However, it takes 20 seconds and you have to be travelling at less than 11mph. And while I have no doubt that an M4 will happily do 150mph all day long, trying to make it to 10mph for 20 seconds is virtually impossible.
Those last two words also quite neatly summarise trying to get to the bottom of this car’s abilities in torrential rain, which is why this week there’s no star rating. Fearless, huh? Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to pop to M&S.
THE FACTS
BMW M4 Convertible
Price: £60,745 (as tested £63,375)
Power/torque: 425bhp @ 5,500-7,300rpm/406lb ft @ 1,850-5,500rpm
Acceleration: 0-62 mph in 4.4sec
Top speed: 155mph
Average fuel consumption: 32.5mpg
CO2 emissions: 213g/km
Telegraph rating: TBC
Can't stretch to an M4? Read our review of the regular BMW 4-series Convertible

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BMW 1Q profit beats estimates

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 20 Oct 2014 06:45:00 -0700

BMW 1Q profit beats estimates
BMW, the world's largest luxury car manufacturer, reports a first-quarter sales boost

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Hip to be hybrid: BMW i8 supercar sells out

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 22:28:00 -0700

BMW has sold out of its i8 supercar just two weeks after deliveries started, with new buyers now being told they’ll have to wait up to 10 months to get their hands on the £95,000 hybrid machine, the company has said.
The most successful dealer so far has been BMW’s i showroom on Park Lane in London’s Mayfair with 170 orders. The sales manager there, Peter Adams, told The Telegraph he was staggered at the car’s success. “We’ve had numerous people asking to buy the display car. Many have said to me: name your price,” he said.

The German firm will be breathing a huge sigh of relief at the i8's popularity after taking a big gamble that buyers would want to stump up the price of a new Aston Martin for a car that combines an electric motor with a three-cylinder petrol engine.
The 1.5-litre turbocharged unit is taken from the new Mini and tuned to produce 231bhp, which added with the front-mounted electric motor gives the i8 a total of 357bhp. According to BMW, the car will hit 62mph from standing in just 4.4 seconds thanks in part to to the lightness of the carbon-fibre reinforced central tub.
The battery-only range of 23 miles is enough to cut official CO2 figures to just 49g/km and qualify the i8 for exemption from London’s congestion charge. Surprisingly, this has been a big factor in some Londoner’s buying decision, according to Adams. “It’s amazing the number of customers who said ‘we really don’t want to pay it’,” he said.
Adams has been taking deposits on the car since 2012, before it was clear BMW would actually build it. Buyers clearly aren’t stretching themselves. Some are adding to collections, or coming out of more exotic brands than BMW. “It’s the biggest conquest car I’ve known as a BMW salesman,” he said. According to Adams around 25 percent of customers have chosen the £12,200 Pure Impulse Design Package, which bundles various trim and technology options.
Analysts IHS Automotive reckons that by next year BMW i8 will outsell its rivals by more than 2:1 in Europe, predicting just over 1700 will find homes across the region next year. However the competition is catching up first. Next year Audi will launch a new R8 supercar and McLaren will unveil its entry-level supercar, which it has said will cost around £120,000. IHS predicts that by 2016 R8 sales will have overtaken the i8, with McLaren not far behind.

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2014 BMW M3 review

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 16:26:00 -0700

The BMW M3 is now a saloon only. The Coupe version is now called the M4
So now we’ve got the Mark V M3 built in a world quite different from the hedonism of the mid-noughties. And it’s quite a refreshing return to the traditional launch format of the Munich engine company, where the first item is the engine. So take a special casting of BMW’s silky straight-six, very stiff with closed-deck construction, equalised bore spacing and a forged crank to keep it safe at 7,500rpm, where it’s producing a spirited 425bhp, about 10bhp more than the old V8.

Racing type pistons have friction reducing coatings and the Carillo-type connecting rods are deliberately cracked open across the main bearing web then bolted back together around the big ends, so the mating surfaces are infinite and almost self locking. Some car makers avoid this arrangement because it implies a material choice siding on brittleness rather than strength.
“We have never had a problem,” says Norbert Siegel, head of the new M3’s engine, but he admits that the block strength is crucial to extracting more horsepower. The bore linings are twin-arc plasma sprayed to reduce weight and bore friction, and there are two Hitachi twin-scroll turbochargers.
Twin engine oil pumps have a variable pumping capacity depending on the physical loads on the car and the engine's oil pressure, which prevents oil starvation in cornering and braking and reduces frictional losses. Fuel is injected directly into the combustion chambers and the twin double-VANOS variably timed cams are chain driven and actuate four valves per cylinder.

The M3 saloon is more subtle than the M4 Coupe
Transmission choice is a six-speed manual or a £2,645 seven-speed twin-clutch option, which BMW UK expects most buyers will go for. The standard differential is an active unit locking early according to sensors around the car. The rear axle carrier is rigidly mounted to the strengthened body shell, so expect a bit more road noise. Suspension is MacPherson strut with a multilink rear and lots of beautiful aluminium castings.
You’d never mistake an M3 for a standard 3-series, but the coachwork additions are mostly subtle or functional. There’s a lot of air being vented up under the front bumper and the door mirrors look plain weird, but the badging on the door kick plates, grille and wing vents is nicely understated. Swaged strakes on the boot lid look like you slammed it on a ladder and the standard carbon fibre roof is questionable but works in the M Sport mien. The £56,175 M3 saloon seems to fit that part (and rear-seat passengers) better than the mechanically identical £56,635 M4 Coupé.
Both interior feel pretty standard 3-series with sports seats, until you look closely and realise there are individual "tuning" buttons for the steering, dampers, stability control and steering, plus a unique M-sport gearlever and twin-clutch paddle shifts.
You know you’re in something special just yards down the road. Not that the ride is awful, far from it, but the electronic steering has more heft and accuracy than a standard car and there’s more feedback (though still not quite enough) to the wheel rim. Specially developed 19in Michelins have compliance, but flap over bumps like a marching band in flippers.

The M3's interior is broadly the same as any other 3-series
The engine gurgles like a tuba in a bubble bath, but picks up the pace with a crescendo of torque rather than the ill-tempered snap of the V8. This is a classier way to go fast; more linear, more understandable. I’d also seriously consider the expenditure on the twin-clutch gearbox, which is super fast, smooth and easier to shunt through traffic.
Get on it and the engine note hardens into an artificially enhanced, muscular wail piped through the car's stereo. The attack is terrific with both blowers spooled up by 1,900rpm. It’s fast and how; 0-62mph in 4.3sec (4.1sec for the twin clutch) with 50 to 75mph in fourth gear taking just 3.5sec – might as well rip up your licence now, really.
The main reason for returning to six cylinders this time with forced induction is emissions, and the M3’s Combined figure is a creditable 32.1mpg and 204g/km of CO2. Cruising we managed 28.2mpg, but when you stand on it, the economy plummets, in our case to just 14.1mpg.
And it’s hard not to drive the M3 like that because it’s such a lovely old-school, rear-drive road ripper, so balanced, accurate and (mostly) forgiving. There’s a halfway house setting on the stability control that allows you a bit of fun, but pulls you back from the brink. If you turn it all off, you’d better be ready for the big slides, which come in fast and lairy, although it comes off tail slides more gently thanks to that active differential. All the same, let’s not be doing it on a wet day, hey?
The brakes are pretty good, too, being front four-pot vented discs and rear two-piston calipers, although the test cars were all furnished with £6,250’s worth of carbon-ceramic brakes. And while these are virtually unfadable with a linear pedal action on the road, paying more than 11 per cent of the car’s price in brakes seems steep.
All told this is a terrific return to form after the slightly ill-balanced Mark IV V8 M3. In M3 or M4 guise this is a very fast and fine handling although potentially edgy machine, but on the right day and right road there’s little that will touch it.
THE FACTS
BMW M3
Tested: 2,979cc six-cylinder twin-turbocharged petrol engine, seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox, rear-wheel drive
Price/on sale: From £56,175/June 21
Power/torque: 425bhp @ 5,500rpm/406lb ft @ 1,850rpm
Top speed: Electronically limited to 155mph.
Acceleration: 0-62mph 4.3sec (4.1sec for semi auto).
Fuel economy: 23.5mpg/32.1mpg (EU Urban/Combined).
CO2 emissions: 204g/km
VED band: K (£635 for first year, £285 thereafter)
Verdict: Back on form with a bang, the new M3/M4 is just so much better, fluent and fun than it’s Mark IV predecessor. The M3 saloon will be less popular but it’s much more practical than the M4 Coupé and doesn’t really lose much in body rigidity.
Telegraph rating: Four out of five stars
RIVALS
Audi RS5 Coupé, from £59,870
No RS saloon is available from Inglostadt these days, but the 5 is a handsome hound if a bit limited in its fun potential thanks to 4x4 Quattro. Twin turbo 450bhp V8 is limited to 155mph, 0-62mph in 4.5sec, 26.9mpg and 246g/km of CO2.
Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, from £57,300
Merc’s 1.7-ton rear-driven behemoth, with 450bhp twin-turbo V8 power. Big and great fun, but a bit lairy. Limited to 155mph, 0-62mph in 4.5sec, with Combined consumption of 23.5mpg and 280g/km of CO2.

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BMW to spend billions buying Samsung SDI Batteries

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 08:06:00 -0700

BMW agreed to spend billions of euros increasing its orders of Samsung SDI batteries as the world’s largest maker of luxury cars expands its line of electric vehicles.
BMW is planning to increase its purchases of SDI battery cells for the electric i3 city car and the plug-in hybrid i8 sports car as well as for “additional hybrid models” in the coming years, the Munich-based carmaker said today in a statement. BMW assembles the cells into batteries at a facility in Dingolfing, Germany.

“The battery is a key component in every electric vehicle — since it basically determines the range and performance capabilities of the car,” Klaus Draeger, BMW’s purchasing chief, said in the statement. “In Samsung SDI, we have chosen a supplier that offers us the best-available technology with future-oriented Korean battery expertise.”
The deal paves the way for BMW to secure supply of batteries — the most expensive part of an electric vehicle — as it rolls out the i8 and i3 to counter inroads by Tesla Motor Inc. into the luxury-car segment. For Samsung SDI, which supplies batteries to Apple Inc., the order builds on the company’s plans to expand its automotive business months after agreeing to acquire Cheil Industries Inc. for 3.5 trillion won ($3.4 bn) to add its chemicals and materials expertise.
Samsung SDI, a unit of South Korea’s Samsung Group, rose 0.6 pc to close at 173,000 won, the highest since December. The shares have gained 6.8 pc this year, while the benchmark Kospi index is little changed. BMW slipped 0.6 pc to 92.25 euros at 11:27 am in Frankfurt trading.

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BMW i8 price shock

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 19 Oct 2014 01:12:00 -0700

Demand for the BMW i8 hybrid supercar is so high that used models are selling for nearly 50 per cent more than the list price.
Anyone who had the foresight (and finances) to put their name down a couple of years ago would have paid £99,845. But there are now examples on used car websites with between one and 250 miles going for £139,995.
“It’s a sellers’ market,” said Tim Marlow from Magnitude Finance. “Some dealers are now pricing them in the region of £150,000.”

The BMW i8's hybrid drivetrain helps it emit just 49g/km of CO2
The i8 blends the 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine from the Mini with an electric motor for a combined power output of 357bhp.
According to BMW, it will hit 62mph from standing in just 4.4 seconds, yet has a battery-only range of 23 miles, which is enough to cut official CO2 figures to just 49g/km and qualify the i8 for exemption from London’s congestion charge.
It seems to be one of those rare cars that has created a perfect storm of desirability. It looks sensational, dealers have run out of stock and the waiting list for new models is about two years.
BMW i8 review

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BMW says Happy Birthday with £100,000 M5

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 18:20:00 -0700

BMW is celebrating the 30th birthday of its M5 hot-rod family saloon with a special edition that costs over £100,000 with options and accelerates faster than a V12 Aston Martin.
The M5 30 Jahre (30 year) Edition produces a mighty 596bhp from its twin-turbo V8, 40bhp more than the standard M5. That drops the 0-62mph sprint time to 3.9 seconds and pushes the car to a top speed of 199mph, making it the fastest BMW production car currently on sale.
The M5 has become a sporting icon for the sheer sledgehammer power extracted from the otherwise quite tame 5-series family saloon. The story began in 1984 with the M535i, which produced a now very modest sounding 218bhp from its 3.5-litre six-cylinder engine. Acceleration to 62mph took 7.2 seconds, almost double the time of the 30 Jahre model.

That was eventually boosted to 286bhp to created the first full-blooded M5 off the same E28 5-series, while the next-generation M5 from 1989 upped that again to 311bhp.
This special edition is based on the fifth incarnation of the M5, and takes the price from just under £74,000 to a shade over £92,000. That’s quickly pushed past £100,000 with options just as the £6,645 M Performance exhaust (with titanium or carbon fibre tips) and the £7,395 carbon ceramic brake discs.
Sensibly perhaps given the price, the 30 Jahre Edition is limited to just 30 in this country. Each one comes with subtle reminder of the anniversary, including lettering on the door sill finishers and a special plaque inside. The car also comes with a few of the M5 options as standard, including the alcantara trim for the centre console and adaptive LED headlights (normally almost £1,500).
M5 fans without the cash reserves to afford this version can buy one of the first M535i cars for around £6,000 for a good one.
BMW M5 review

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BMW unveils 2-series Convertible

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 10:36:00 -0700

BMW has unveiled the convertible version of its 2-series coupé.
The new model will replace the 1-series Convertible in BMW’s range, and will be the only car in its class to offer rear-wheel drive.
Four engines will be offered – three petrol and one diesel version. Prices will start at £29,180 for the 220i, which will offer 182bhp and hit 62mph in 7.5 seconds. Meanwhile, the 220d, which will have 188bhp and sprint to 62mph in the same time, will start at £29,965, while the 228i will cost at least £31,550, produce 242bhp, and hit 62mph in 6.1 seconds.

The range will include an M235i Convertible
At the top of the range, there’ll be a convertible version of the BMW M235i. With 322bhp on tap, it’ll be able to get to 62mph from a standstill in just 5.2 seconds, before going on to an electronically-governed top speed of 155mph. It’ll set you back £37,710.
The 220i and 220d models will be available in a choice of Sport, Modern and Luxury versions at first, with an SE version to join the range at a later date. The 228i, meanwhile, is only available in one trim level – M Sport – while the M235i has its own unique specification.
Standard specification on every version will include alloy wheels, climate control, keyless start, sports seats and a leather steering wheel.
BMW is also promising a folding soft-top that can be raised and lowered in 20 seconds at speeds of up to 30mph. It also says that additional insulation, as well as improved aerodynamics, mean the 2-series will be quieter inside with the hood up than its predecessor.

BMW says the 2-series Convertible will be quieter than its predecessor
What’s more, BMW is promising the largest boot in its class, as well as a through-load system to make the 2-series Convertible even more practical.
BMW adds that it’s increased torsional stiffness by 20 per cent, despite an overall reduction in weight, in order to enhance safety and provide driving dynamics more akin to the coupé version.
The 2-series Convertible will be on display at this year’s Paris Motor Show, before going on sale at the end of February next year.

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2014 BMW X4 first drive

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 18 Oct 2014 03:00:00 -0700

By its very nature, the coupe-like BMW X4 is not as practical as a traditional 4x4, with a smaller boot and less space for passengers in the rear.

The combination of slightly narrow door openings and the sloping roof also makes getting in and out of the rear a bit awkward, and headroom once there is tight for those six-foot and over. Also, while this is a five-seater, the sculpted design of the outer rear seats makes the middle perch raised, narrow and uncomfortable.

It’s better news for those up front, with plenty of headroom and lots of places to store drinks, mobile phones and wallets.

The boot has a reasonably high lip to lift luggage over, but is nice and square, with useful underfloor storage. And the three rear seats can be individually folded to create an almost flat load space.

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HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA DEALERS SELL MORE THAN ONE MILLION TIRES

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 18:53:00 -0700

Dealers See Double Digit Tire Sales Increase AnnuallyPuts 333,000 Safer Vehicles on the Road
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Sept. 16, 2014
Hyundai Motor America and its dealers announced today that the Hyundai Authorized Tire Center Program has resulted in more than one million tires sold. Using an average of three tires per transaction, means Hyundai and its dealers put 333,000 safer vehicles on the road with those one million tires. The re-launched Hyundai Authorized Tire Center Program in partnership with Dealer Tire became available to dealers on Apr. 1, 2011 in the United States. The Hyundai Authorized Tire Center allows customers to purchase replacement tires directly through Hyundai dealers and offers additional benefits.

Dealers participating in the Hyundai Authorized Tire Center Program provide:
Tires designed specifically for Hyundai vehiclesInstallation of available tires while the customer waitsComplimentary 24-month road hazard coverageFactory-trained technicians
“Year-to-date, our dealers have experienced more than a 20 percent increase in tire sales when the industry has only seen a five percent increase,” said Mike Knipe, senior group manager, customer satisfaction and service business development, Hyundai Motor America.
“This is an important milestone for the partnership. This rapid and sustained success provides a good indication that there will be many more significant achievements in the future.”
Hyundai is now a leader in dealership tire sales with the capability to continue its surge in owner loyalty and improved customer service. In addition to selling one million tires, Hyundai dealers have also experienced a boost in parts-and-service sales nationwide. One million tire sales in just three-and-half-years showcases that Hyundai dealers have capitalized in an area where many dealerships lose revenue and future service visits. Hyundai Authorized Tire Centers help attract and retain customers.
Tires are an important component of the driving experience. They are the only four points of contact between a customer’s vehicle and the road. They contribute immensely to overall driver and passenger safety. There is much more to a tire than just its size. Tires affect acceleration, traction, steering stability, comfort, noise, braking, cornering, load-carrying capacity, fuel economy, and overall handling and performance. Each Hyundai vehicle has performance and safety standards and undergoes extensive evaluations to determine which tires are best suited for each vehicle. The goal of Hyundai and Dealer Tire is to provide tires that meet or exceed those standards.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Blue Link Connected Care provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for one year with enrollment. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.
For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.comPlease visit our media website at www.hyundainews.com and our blog at www.hyundailikesunday.comHyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook
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HYUNDAI GENESIS AND SONATA MAKE 2015 NORTH AMERICAN CAR OF THE YEAR SHORT LIST

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 10:45:00 -0700

Only Brand with Two Vehicles Among the 10 Selected
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Sept. 24, 2014 – The North American Car of the Year, one of the most prestigious automotive awards in the industry, named its short list and Hyundai Motor America was the only brand with two vehicles among the 10 selected – the all-new Hyundai Genesis and all-new Hyundai Sonata.
“In a world bursting with terrific new cars, it’s easy to become a little myopic, and lose sight of extraordinary achievement. Hyundai makes an excellent example,” said Tony Swan, North American Car of the Year juror. “In 2009, Hyundai challenged the luxury sedan establishment with its new Genesis, and collected the North American Car of the Year award. In 2011, the Hyundai Sonata was a finalist for the award. In 2012, the Hyundai Elantra took top honors again. And this year two Hyundais—Genesis and Sonata, both completely redesigned for 2015—are on the list of 10 North American Car of the Year semifinalists, selected from an original list of 29 cars. Not bad for a company that didn’t even exist until 1967.”

The short list will narrow down to three finalists later this year, with the winner of the 2015 Car of the Year being announced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
“This is a tremendous recognition of two great products and an outstanding team effort,” said Dave Zuchowski, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “Our design group, assembly plant, service engineering and product planning teams all were critically responsible in developing and launching these vehicles, that we can now say are two of the best introduced this year. The competition is certainly tough, so we know we’ve got our work cut out for us.”
Hyundai has excelled in this competition in recent years, winning Car of the Year in 2012 for Elantra and 2009 for Genesis, along with a second place finish for Sonata in 2011. This is the first time that two Hyundai vehicles have been included on the short list in the same year.
The complete short list in alphabetical order includes:
Acura TLXAudi A3Chrysler 200Ford MustangHonda FitHyundai GenesisHyundai SonataMercedes-Benz C-ClassToyota CamryVolkswagen Golf/GTI
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully-transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Assurance includes Assurance Connected Care that provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Hyundai Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for three years. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.

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HYUNDAI PARTNERS WITH BISIMOTO FOR A THIRD YEAR TO CREATE 708 HORSEPOWER FLEX-FUEL 2015 SONATA

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 17 Oct 2014 02:18:00 -0700

Bisimoto Engineering Focuses on Strengthening and Reliability to Create Most-Powerful Sonata Ever
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Sept. 22, 2014 – For the third year in a row, Hyundai is partnering with the powertrain gurus at Bisimoto Engineering, this time to create a 708 horsepower Sonata for the 2014 SEMA show in Las Vegas. Bisimoto’s team specializes in extracting huge output from Hyundai’s engines, like the 1000 horsepower Bisimoto Genesis Coupe that was built for last year’s SEMA show.
For this year’s show, the team is using Hyundai’s 2.4-liter “Theta-II” 4-cylinder engine as the starting point for their build. Through a combination of strengthened internal components – forged pistons, connecting rods, a high-revving valve train and camshafts – a high-boost turbocharger, and a fast-burning, flex-fuel diet, Bisimoto will extract 708 horsepower from the engine. Power will be sent to the road through a 6-speed manual transmission. As a total package, the 2015 Bisimoto Engineering Sonata boasts supercar-beating power, with room for three friends to come along for the ride of a lifetime. The vehicle will be revealed at Hyundai’s SEMA press conference on November 4 at 9 a.m. PT.

“With a proven and efficient 2.4-liter engine as a starting platform and a sophisticated, sleek, four-door design, the 2015 Sonata was the perfect candidate for this year’s build,” said Bisi Ezerioha, owner and chief engineer, Bisimoto Engineering. “Outrageous power is nothing without reliability, and it was a firm goal to retain the reliability that Hyundai is known for. After hundreds of hours of testing, failure analysis and prototyping, 18 new products will be engineered and produced in house to produce 708 horsepower from the Sonata.”
Complementing the extensive overhaul under the hood, Bisimoto wrapped its 2015 Sonata in custom laminated body wrap and graphics. The interior has been given a sporty feel with the addition of racing harnesses, AEM wideband gauges and EK Autoworx interior paint. Rounding out the exterior look is a Bisimoto front splitter and aero package, Fifteen52 18-inch aluminum wheels and Burns stainless exhaust system.
Follow #HyundaiSEMA to keep up to speed on all of this year’s SEMA activity.

2.4-LITER THETA II ENGINE MODIFICATIONS
Bisimoto-tuned 2.4L Theta-II engine Bisimoto intake gasketWeb Level 2.4 camshaftsTurbonetics TNX 82/64 turbocharger Turbonetics blow-off valveTurbonetics wastegateDeatschwerks 2200cc InjectorsR&R steel connecting rodsArias forged pistonsAEM Infinity 6 ECU, and smart coilsSpearco intercoolerGolden Eagle sleeved block, and intake manifoldGriffin RadiatorSupertech valvetrainVibrant Vanjen clamps and stainless hardwareMagnafuel 750 fuel pumpARP head studsPortflow custom headworkVP E85R FuelKinsler fuel filtersPurOl Elite Synthetic OilsNGK Iridium spark plugs
CHASSIS/SUSPENSION MODIFICATIONS
Bisimoto roll cageProgress coil-over suspension and sway barFifteen52 18x8 Tarmac aluminum wheelsARP wheel studsBisimoto-spec Action Ironman Clutch
EXTERIOR MODIFICATIONS
Extreme Autowerks custom laminated body wrapType 2 graphicsBisimoto splitterWasp Composites Aero packageDenmatic design schemeBurns Stainless muffler and hardware
INTERIOR MODIFICATIONS
Bisimoto reservoir socksRacepack IQ3 dashAEM wideband gaugesOdyssey ER-25MJ dry cell batteryElectronics Management mil-spec harnessG&J braided linesEK Auto Worx interior paint
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Blue Link Connected Care provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for one year with enrollment. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.

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PAUL RUDD DEBUTS AS NEW VOICE OF HYUNDAI

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 18:01:00 -0700

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Sept. 8, 2014 – Hyundai Motor America announces that actor Paul Rudd will serve as the new voice for its national advertising, starting with a new campaign for the 2015 Hyundai Sonata.
“We were looking for a voice that could be recognizable and relatable to a new generation of car buyers,” said Steve Shannon, vice president of Marketing, Hyundai Motor America. “Rudd can be serious, humorous, informative and entertaining all at the same time. It’s his modern sensibility that we knew would be a perfect match for today’s customers.”

Rudd’s first voice-over includes the new spot “Co-Pilot,” which takes a humorous approach towards the back seat driver mentality. As two couples head into San Francisco for a night on the town, they’re joined by a man in the back seat. “The backseat driver” is quickly schooled by the Sonata’s safety and navigation system as it leads the group to their destination. Creative was developed by Hyundai’s agency of record, INNOCEAN USA.
For the last seven years, actor Jeff Bridges was the narrative talent for Hyundai. “Hyundai’s relationship with Jeff Bridges is one of the longest in the industry –narrating ads for industry leading vehicles and programs such as Hyundai Assurance,” said Shannon. “While we say goodbye to an epic era with Jeff, we are extremely excited to have Paul come on board.”
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Blue Link Connected Care provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for one year with enrollment. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.

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HYUNDAI TUCSON FUEL CELL ACKNOWLEDGED AT CLIMATE RESOLVE’S ANNUAL GALA

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 11:59:00 -0700

Recognized for Playing a Key Role in ‘L.A.’s Great Future’
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 19, 2014 – Climate Resolve, a nonprofit dedicated to meeting the challenges of climate change, recognized Hyundai and its Tucson Fuel Cell electric vehicle at their annual L.A.’s Great Future gala. The Tucson Fuel Cell was acknowledged for being the first mass-produced fuel cell in the U.S. market, bringing a zero-emission and sustainable energy transportation solution to California residents.
“Zero-emission vehicles play a major role in meeting America’s sustainable energy goals,” said Jonathan Parfrey, founder and executive director, Climate Resolve. “By making the Tucson Fuel Cell available to everyday consumers, Hyundai is taking the first steps in finding a long-term solution to energy independence, clean air, and the availability of zero-emission vehicles.”
Climate Resolve is L.A.’s leading climate change organization. They inspire Los Angeles to meet the challenge of climate change by downscaling the global issue and placing it at the heart of people’s lives. Climate Resolve makes climate change personal and relevant by championing the latest science and winning solutions at the neighborhood level, bringing real and lasting changes to the city of Los Angeles.

“By offering the very first mass-produced fuel cell in the U.S., Hyundai is playing a proud and integral role in L.A.’s great future,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of corporate and product planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Hyundai has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in hydrogen fuel cell testing and development over the past 15 years. With the launch of our Tucson Fuel Cell, a true zero-emission, no-compromise, sustainable energy vehicle is now available to U.S. consumers.”
The Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell became available to the U.S. market in June. For the first time, retail consumers can put a mass-produced, federally-certified hydrogen fuel cell vehicle in their driveways, with availability at three select southern California Hyundai dealers: Win Hyundai in Carson, Tustin Hyundai, and Hardin Hyundai in Anaheim. The vehicle maintains the day-to-day flexibility of the gasoline-powered Tucson, so that its driver is able to immediately enjoy the next generation of electric vehicles without range or recharge-time compromises to their lifestyle.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully-transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Assurance includes Assurance Connected Care that provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Hyundai Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for three years. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.

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HYUNDAI ASSURANCE CAR CARE IN-VEHICLE APP NOW AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD ON ALL-NEW 2015 SONATA

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 16 Oct 2014 03:39:00 -0700

Features Hyundai's First On-Screen Owner's Manual
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Sept. 4, 2014 – The Hyundai Assurance Car Care in-vehicle app is now available for download into the multimedia system of 2015 Sonatas equipped with navigation. Sonata owners can use the in-vehicle app as another convenient option for accessing car care services and vehicle information. The Hyundai Assurance Car Care in-vehicle app has similar features to the Hyundai Assurance Car Care mobile app but takes advantage of Sonata’s vivid eight-inch multimedia touchscreen to create an experience users will instantly like. Customers can use the in-vehicle Care app as a convenient option for scheduling an oil change at their favorite dealership, access Hyundai’s first on-screen interactive owner’s manual, providing a convenient and simpler way for owners to become familiar with the full capabilities of their vehicle. The Hyundai Assurance Car Care in-vehicle app also has quick reference guides and maintenance and recall reminders. The new app will be available on additional Hyundai vehicles later this year.

“After we created the Hyundai Assurance Car Care mobile app, we asked ourselves if we could offer the same features and functionality right inside the vehicle’s touchscreen,” said Barry Ratzlaff, executive director, customer connect and service business development, Hyundai Motor America. “The in-vehicle Car Care app gives customers the services and information they want the most, when they are thinking about them most, which is right inside their car. It also reflects Hyundai’s core interior design principles, which are safety, intuitiveness and simplicity.
The in-vehicle Car Care app can be downloaded directly from the Blue Link Download Center. The Blue Link Download Center is Hyundai’s exclusive app store with the latest in-vehicle apps for Hyundai vehicles. From the multimedia home screen users touch the apps icon to access the Download Center. Once inside the Download Center the customer can search for the Car Care app and download it. After the download is complete the Care Car app will appear inside the apps folder on the multimedia screen.
In-Vehicle Car Care app features include:
Service schedulingMaintenance informationWarranty informationWarnings and indicators guideOwner’s manual informationQuick reference guidesDealer locatorRoadside assistanceBlue Link information
Hyundai Assurance Car Care in-vehicle app home screen

Hyundai Assurance Car Care in-vehicle app quick reference guide
NEXT-GENERATION BLUE LINK FEATURES
Destination Search powered by Google – users will be able to take advantage of Google’s powerful destination search via the Blue Link button (voice recognition) and navigation display, or through myhyundai.com and the Blue Link mobile app sending a destination to their 2015 Sonata or GenesisRemote Start – now includes a timer (from 1 to 10 min.), remote stop, remote climate control and remote defroster available via the mobile appHyundai Assurance Car Care in-vehicle app – gives owners another convenient option for scheduling service at their favorite dealership
ADDITIONAL APPS AND THE BLUE LINK DOWNLOAD CENTER
The Blue Link Download Center is Hyundai’s app store with exclusive Hyundai apps and third party apps available in-vehicle and on the customer web portal. Currently Assurance Car Care and SoundHound are available in the Blue Link Download Center.
BLUE LINK
Blue Link is an innovative telematics solution that brings seamless connectivity for safety, car care and infotainment capabilities and is offered in three packages: Assurance Connected Care, Remote and Guidance.
Connected Care:
Automatic Collision Notification (ACN) and AssistanceSOS Emergency AssistanceEnhanced Roadside AssistanceMonthly Vehicle ReportMaintenance Alert Automated Diagnostic Trouble Code Notification (DTC)Recall AdvisorService Link
Remote:
Remote Vehicle Start with Climate ControlRemote Door Lock/UnlockRemote Horn and LightsCar Finder via Mobile AppStolen Vehicle Recovery/Slowdown/ImmobilizationPanic NotificationAlarm Notification
Guidance:
Turn-by-Turn Navigation ServiceDestination Search Powered by GooglePOI Web Search and Download
More details regarding Hyundai Blue Link are available at www.HyundaiBlueLink.com.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Blue Link Connected Care provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for one year with enrollment. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.

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RHYS MILLEN CLAIMS THE VICTORY FOR TEAM HYUNDAI AT RED BULL GLOBAL RALLYCROSS LOS ANGELES DAY TWO

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 20:45:00 -0700

Millen Earns Pole Position at the Port of LA Final and Refuses to be Passed in his Veloster racer, Dominating the Eighth Race of the SeasonVictory represents recent Coast-to-Coast Wins in both Los Angeles and Daytona
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 21, 2014 – Rhys Millen masterfully piloted his Hyundai Veloster rallycross racer to victory in the Red Bull Global Rallycross Championship race in Los Angeles on Sunday afternoon.

Millen had an extremely successful event overall, earning pole position in the final and holding his position for the entire race, refusing to be passed despite fierce competition. Millen had great momentum for the Sunday race, having topped many competitors in earlier practice runs and previous heats.

The win came on Day Two of the weekend double-header on the waterfront at the Port of Los Angeles. The Hyundai/Rhys Millen team continues to build momentum with recent victories on both east and west coast venues in the latter half of the season.
"We're extremely proud of our Hyundai team’s second win of the 2014 season, coming fresh off our victory in Daytona just a few short weeks ago,” said Millen in a post-race interview. “It's amazing; we just believe in the car and myself and the crew. We brought that momentum to Los Angeles, qualifying fastest yesterday, winning the semi-final and then the main without being passed. I couldn't be more proud of our effort.”
The Los Angeles GRC race is the closest of the season to both Hyundai and Rhys Millen Racing’s corporate headquarters, making the local victory very satisfying for fans and employees alike. Next up for the Millen team is the Global Rallycross event in Snoqualmie, Washington, a wooded setting outside Seattle, September 27. The primarily dirt venue promises to make great use of Millen's hill-climbing, drift and rallycross skills with its loose surface conditions, and is a particularly exciting venue for GRC fans.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Blue Link Connected Care provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for one year with enrollment. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.

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HYUNDAI FUEL CELL BRIEFING MEDIA ADVISORY

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 13:53:00 -0700

Hyundai Collaborates with Congressional Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus to Highlight Introduction of Mass-Produced Fuel Cell Vehicles into Retail Market
WASHINGTON, DC, Sept. 15, 2014 – An advanced technology specialist from Hyundai Motor America will speak at a Congressional Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus briefing at 2:00 p.m. on September 16 at 1300 Longworth House Office Building, to highlight the introduction of mass-produced fuel cell vehicles into the U.S. retail market. Immediately following the briefing, attendees will be invited to participate in a Ride & Drive opportunity with the Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Vehicle.

In June 2014, Hyundai became the first automaker to make available for lease in the United States a mass-produced fuel cell vehicle. For a 36-month term at $499/month and $2,999 down, customers in the Los Angeles/Orange County region can lease the Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Vehicle, including the addition of a remarkable benefit – unlimited hydrogen refueling – as well as At Your Service Valet Maintenance.
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Blue Link Connected Care provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for one year with enrollment. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.

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HYUNDAI COLLABORATES WITH CONGRESSIONAL HYDROGEN AND FUEL CELL CAUCUS TO HIGHLIGHT INTRODUCTION OF MASS-PRODUCED FUEL CELL VEHICLES IN THE RETAIL MARKET

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 06:09:00 -0700

Members of Congress, Department of Energy Tout Importance of Fuel Cell Technology
WASHINGTON, D.C., Sept. 16, 2014
– Today, Hyundai collaborated with the House Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus and the Department of Energy to highlight the introduction of the first mass-produced fuel cell vehicles in the U.S. retail market. In a briefing organized by the House Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus, Hyundai executives, Members of Congress, and an official from the Department of Energy discussed the innovative and clean technology that powers hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and the need for additional hydrogen infrastructure in the United States.

“Hyundai is thrilled to partner with leaders in Congress and the Department of Energy to promote the continued development and commercialization of these clean energy technologies,” said Kathleen Hennessey, vice president, government affairs for Hyundai Motor Company. “We look forward to continuing to work together with groups like H2USA, the public-private partnership launched by the Energy Department, to find ways to advance hydrogen infrastructure to support more transportation energy options – like fuel cell vehicles – for our consumers here in the United States.”
In June 2014, Hyundai became the first automaker to offer for lease in the United States a mass-produced fuel cell vehicle. Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell lessees can now drive Hyundai’s next-generation Tucson Fuel Cell for just $499 per month, including unlimited free hydrogen refueling and At Your Service Valet Maintenance at no extra cost.
“We are very proud to offer our customers a no-compromise solution with the Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell’s zero-emission technology, quick refueling, spacious interior, and great lease program,” said Gil Castillo, Hyundai’s senior manager for alternative vehicle strategy.
House Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus Co-Chair Representative John Larson, a longtime advocate for fuel cell technology, has spearheaded federal efforts to accelerate the deployment of fuel cell and hydrogen energy technology through infrastructure and investment tax credits. Larson commented, “Fuel cells and hydrogen energy are a key to utilizing cleaner, domestic energy sources. As the nation’s hub for fuel cell manufacturing, Connecticut is poised to take advantage of the exciting developments taking place in this industry such as the introduction of the Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell Vehicle. From ending our dependence on foreign oil, reducing harmful emissions, and spurring American manufacturing, fuel cells will play a critical role in solving some of our most pressing problems. I applaud automakers such as Hyundai for investing in this incredible technology.”
Fellow Caucus Co-Chair Representative Charles Dent added, “I applaud Hyundai for their commitment to the deployment of hydrogen fuel cell cars in real numbers so that the public can realize that the potential of this technology is real. I am very proud of Air Products, based in my district, for working with Hyundai to promote the deployment of hydrogen fueling stations where any gas station customer will feel right at home.”
FUEL CELL PRICING AND BENEFITS
The Hyundai Tucson Fuel Cell is being offered to customers in the Los Angeles/Orange County region for a 36-month term at $499 per month, with $2,999 down. This includes the addition of a remarkable benefit – unlimited free hydrogen refueling. Consumers can learn more about the Tucson Fuel Cell leasing opportunity by visiting the Tucson Fuel Cell microsite at hyundaiusa.com/tucsonfuelcell.
“When we spoke with customers about fuel cell vehicles, many wondered about the cost of hydrogen,” explained Zuchowski. “To ease those concerns as the hydrogen refueling network builds out, we decided that covering this cost for these early adopters was appropriate, and consistent with how we like to treat our customers.”
In addition, Tucson Fuel Cell owners enjoy similar services enjoyed by Hyundai Equus owners, such as At Your Service Valet Maintenance at no extra cost. As Equus owners have enjoyed since its introduction in 2010, should a Tucson Fuel Cell require any service, a Hyundai dealer will pick up the vehicle and provide a loan vehicle, then return the car after service to their home or business, at no charge.
Customers interested in the Tucson Fuel Cell can indicate their interest (the first step in the ordering process) by visiting Hyundai.com. Availability of the Tucson Fuel Cell will expand to other regions consistent with the accelerating deployment of hydrogen refueling stations.
TUCSON FUEL CELL ADVANTAGES
Hyundai introduced its Tucson Fuel Cell to alleviate the limitations of traditional battery electric vehicles. The Tucson Fuel Cell maintains the day-to-day flexibility of the gasoline-powered Tucson, so that its driver is able to immediately enjoy the next generation of electric vehicles without range or recharge-time compromises to their lifestyle.
The Tucson Fuel Cell represents the next generation of electric vehicles – those that create their own electricity, on-board, from hydrogen. According to the University of California, Irvine Advanced Power and Energy Program’s 2013 study, the hydrogen fuel cell provides comparable total well-to-wheel emissions to a battery electric vehicle. For the Tucson Fuel Cell driver, this social benefit is achieved with greater utility, versatility and without compromises. Consider:
Driving range of 265 milesCapable of full refueling in under 10 minutes, similar to gasolineMinimal reduction in daily utility compared with its gasoline counterpartInstantaneous electric motor torqueMinimal cold-weather effects compared with battery electric vehiclesSuperb daily reliability and long-term durabilityNo moving parts within the power-generating fuel cell stackMore than two million durability test miles on Hyundai’s fuel cell fleet since 2000Extensive crash, fire and leak testing successfully completedQuieter EV operationZero greenhouse-gas emissions, emits only water vapor
The Tucson Fuel Cell began mass production for the U.S. market in April 2014 at the Ulsan, Korea assembly plant that also manufactures the Tucson gasoline-powered CUV. Manufacturing the Tucson Fuel Cell at the same plant allows Hyundai to leverage both the high quality and cost-efficiency of its popular gasoline-powered Tucson platform.
HYDROGEN RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS
The benefits of hydrogen are well known - required supplies for the U.S. market can be produced domestically and its supply is virtually unlimited. It can be produced by varied means - including renewable sources such as biogas. Hydrogen can even be sourced directly from water, using electrolysis to split hydrogen molecules with electricity from renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
Further supporting hydrogen infrastructure development, California approved a plan in October 2013 to develop up to 100 hydrogen refueling stations in the state over the next several years. This recent California initiative dovetails with increased government support of hydrogen infrastructure development at the federal level, such as H2USA. In addition, the California Energy Commission recently announced proposed awarding of $44.5 million for the development of 28 new hydrogen stations (plus one mobile refueler), bringing the total number of hydrogen fueling stations (open, in-development, and proposed) to over 50 stations.
FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGY: HOW IT WORKS
Hyundai’s fuel cell effectively replaces the battery pack used in an electric vehicle by generating electricity from hydrogen through an electrochemical process that does not involve hydrogen combustion, with no moving parts within the fuel cell stack.

The fuel cell electrochemical process is as follows:
Hydrogen enters the anode, air (oxygen) enters the cathodeCatalyst splits the hydrogen electrons and protonsElectrolyte conducts the positively-charged ions while blocking the electronsElectrons are used to create an external circuit, generating electricityCatalyst combines the hydrogen ions and electrons with oxygen to create water and heat energyA single fuel cell produces approximately one volt; fuel cells are “stacked” to meet voltage requirements
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Blue Link Connected Care provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for one year with enrollment. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.
For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.comPlease visit our media website at www.hyundainews.com and our blog at www.hyundailikesunday.comHyundai Motor America on Twitter | YouTube | Facebook###
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HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA REPORTS AUGUST SALES

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 22:33:00 -0700

Best August in Company HistoryCompany Tops 500,000 Sales Faster than any other Time in its HistorySonata, Genesis Sedan, Tucson and Santa Fe all up double digits
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Sept 3, 2014
– Hyundai Motor America today announced an all-time August sales record of 70,003 units, up six percent versus the same record-setting period in 2013 and only the second time ever the company has topped the 70,000 mark.
“Sales continued to gain momentum as the month progressed and we finished the Labor Day holiday weekend strong,” said Bob Pradzinski, vice president of national sales, Hyundai Motor America. “The all-new Sonata, Genesis and our CUVs played a big role in helping us score a record August.”
Hyundai’s Santa Fe and Tucson CUVs recorded sales increases of 15 and 35 percent, respectively, while the Sonata (up 25 percent) and Genesis sedans (up 15 percent) continued their impressive roll-outs.

HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA
Hyundai Motor America, headquartered in Fountain Valley, Calif., is a subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co. of Korea. Hyundai vehicles are distributed throughout the United States by Hyundai Motor America and are sold and serviced through more than 820 dealerships nationwide. All Hyundai vehicles sold in the U.S. are covered by the Hyundai Assurance program, which includes the 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable new vehicle limited warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty and five years of complimentary Roadside Assistance. Hyundai Blue Link Connected Care provides owners of Hyundai models equipped with the Blue Link telematics system with proactive safety and car care services complimentary for one year with enrollment. These services include Automatic Collision Notification, Enhanced Roadside Assistance, Vehicle Diagnostic Alert, Monthly Vehicle Health Report and in-vehicle service scheduling.
For more details on Hyundai Assurance, please visit www.HyundaiAssurance.comPlease visit our media website at www.hyundainews.com and our blog at www.hyundailikesunday.comHyundai

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Testing Starter Motor Durability Using LabVIEW and CompactDAQ

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 14:26:00 -0700

"With LabVIEW and CompactDAQ, Radius Teknologies, LLC developed a custom user interface, data acquisition, data analysis, and data presentation application needed to deliver a reliable and easy-to-use control and measurement application."
- Mark Ridgley, Radius Teknologies, LLC
The Challenge:
Performing durability testing on up to four automotive starter motors in parallel.
The Solution:
Using LabVIEW system design software and CompactDAQ hardware to develop the user interface, data acquisition, data analysis, and data presentation software needed to deliver a versatile, scalable, and modular control application that met all requirements of the starter durability test system.
Author(s):
Mark Ridgley - Radius Teknologies, LLC

An automotive starter motor must provide years of trouble-free operation. Automotive starter motor manufacturers need a means to verify that their products are capable of meeting this requirement. Testing every unit produced would be time consuming and expensive, so manufacturers typically only test a small sample of the parts produced in a production run to verify product durability.
An automotive starter motor typically operates for five seconds or less, under high loading. Automotive starter manufacturers require a test system that can simulate these operational conditions while simultaneously capturing, analyzing, and logging key unit under test (UUT) and system data, in addition to monitoring test system components for fault conditions.

Figure 1. Starter Durability Test System User Interface

A single UUT will be subjected to thousands of test cycles to verify its durability. A single test cycle consists of five seconds of run time, followed by a 55-second cool-down period. Because testing each UUT is a lengthy process, a starter durability test system must be versatile, reliable, and easy to use. The test system must fully, reliably, and completely accomplish the following tasks within the five-second run-time window:
Apply voltage to the appropriate test stationEngage the starter motor solenoid on the appropriate test stationCommand the motor drive to apply countertorque to the starter motor on the appropriate test stationCapture and log all measurement data acquired from the appropriate test stationRepeat the process for the user-selected number of test cycles

Figure 2. Starter Durability Test System Block Diagram

The delivered test system consists of four separate test stations, controlled by a single computer system. We implemented the capabilities listed below to meet customer requirements:
System operation is driven by a spreadsheet file containing starter motor specification data, so the customer can test new part numbers simply by updating the spreadsheet file with the new part number specifications. No modification to system software is required to test new products.Test station control software is designed so that each station runs as a separate instance, controlled by the top-level application. Each instance uses a distinct memory location to store its associated data— ensuring data segregation and integrity for all test stations.Because the system is required to run up to four test stations in parallel, it must share several key system resources, so the software is designed to prevent resource conflicts. When any test station is using a shared resource, all other test stations must wait until that resource is released.DAQ Measurement System Chassis32-Channel, ±200 mV to ±10 V, 16-Bit, 250 kS/s Analog Input Module8-Channel, ±60 V, 800 kS/s, 12-Bit Analog Input Module4-Channel, 100 kS/s, 16-bit, ±10 V, Analog Output Module8-Channel, 24 V to 60 V, 250 µs, Sinking/Sourcing Digital InputE-Stops, Drive Status, Jog Switches8-Channel, 24 V Logic, 100 µs, Sourcing Digital Output ModuleUUT Solenoid Relays, Drive-Enable4-Channel, 14 S/s, 24-Bit, ±80 mV Thermocouple Input ModuleTable 1. Starter Durability Test System Key Components
Radius Teknologies, LLC was established as an NI Alliance Partner and independent LabVIEW consulting company in 2013. We are dedicated to helping our customers be successful using NI hardware and software to design, develop, and implement creative, versatile, and sustainable solutions to complex technical challenges in measurement, automation, and control. We have experience designing, developing, and implementing test systems based on NI hardware and software for the academic, consumer, medical, automotive, industrial, and aerospace/military markets.
Radius Teknologies, LLC has more than 16 years experience developing applications based on LabVIEW. As an NI Alliance Partner, we are strong advocates of LabVIEW system design software. LabVIEW is a graphical programming environment with which we quickly produced the intuitive GUIs that this customer required. We were able to quickly prototype and refine the GUIs so that operators can execute tests quickly, with minimal user interaction and a reduced probability for errors.
CompactDAQ is a portable, rugged data acquisition platform that integrates connectivity and signal conditioning into modular I/O for directly interfacing to any sensor or signal. Using CompactDAQ with LabVIEW, developers can customize how measurement data is acquired, analyzed, presented, and managed to meet customer requirements.
LabVIEW and CompactDAQ provide a complete system development platform that provides for maximum reuse and unifies design, validation, and automated test. In addition, the ability to replicate real-world environments for individual vehicle components, coupled with a wide range of I/O and control options and flexible software, uniquely positioned LabVIEW and CompactDAQ as the best choice for this application.
With LabVIEW and CompactDAQ, Radius Teknologies, LLC developed a custom user interface, data acquisition, data analysis, and data presentation application needed to deliver a reliable and easy-to-use control and measurement application that met all customer requirements. The tight integration of NI hardware and software helped us meet all of the software design challenges presented by this demanding application.
The customer required minimum training on how to use the delivered software application, and was able to quickly put the system into service without any significant software issues or downtime. LabVIEW and CompactDAQ were undoubtedly the best choices to meet this customer’s rigorous requirements.
A National Instruments Alliance Partner is a business entity independent from National Instruments and has no agency, partnership, or joint-venture relationship with National Instruments.
Author Information:
Mark Ridgley
Radius Teknologies, LLC
9401 Inverness Ln. NW
Ramsey, , MN 55303
Tel: 763.438.0322
mark.ridgley@radius-tek.com

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Developing an Operational Test System for Automotive Radios at High Temperatures

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 Oct 2014 06:18:00 -0700

"Using the NI PXI platform and NI software, we ensured that our products can perform under extreme temperatures. With the new system, we can carry out multiple tests in parallel without major complications, and best of all, we avoided adding costs and team members."
- Ricardo Macías Gómez, Continental Automotive
The Challenge:
Ensuring that automotive radios correctly function when subjected to high temperature profiles.
The Solution:
Developing an operational test system for automotive radios based on NI PXI hardware and LabWindows™/CVI software. With this system, we verified the operation of 15 devices in parallel in a 65º C environment.
Author(s):
Ricardo Macías Gómez - Continental Automotive

To ensure that automotive radios and their components correctly operate in high temperatures, we developed a stress test system where devices are simultaneously subjected to various temperatures and controller area network (CAN) communication and audio output tests. The devices undergo different temperature environment profiles, including a low of 10º C, room temperature of 25º C, and a high of 65º C, during a prolonged length of time. To optimise results, we needed to test multiple devices in parallel.
The traditional solution limited us to testing two devices per instrument, so to increase the number of radios per test, we needed to increase the system size. To save money, we implemented a new system based on the NI PXI platform. With this new approach using PXI and LabWindows/CVI, we reduced costs and test-system size. We could test 15 devices in parallel using only one rack, with all instruments synchronised and integrated by the backplane.
We opted to integrate the PXI platform with a PXI-1045 18-slot chassis controlled from an external computer via MXI-Express, eight PXI-8512 CAN communication interfaces, and eight PXI-4472B dynamic acquisition cards.
We implemented the test system using two PXI-8512 ports for active communication with the devices while they were subjected to the different temperature profiles in the temperature chambers. The PXI-4472B cards connected to each radio’s output take audio measurements. This setup ensures that each product correctly operates within the specified time and temperature profiles.
The software-based system uses instrument control and test architecture developed with LabWindows/CVI to integrate dynamic link libraries and execute multiple test lines in parallel without major complications.
To achieve success, we utilized remote and in-house assistance from the NI applications engineering team. We have had excellent results, and we are certain that our products meet all of the requirements.
Using the NI PXI platform and NI software, we ensured that our products can perform under extreme temperatures. With the new system, we can carry out multiple tests in parallel without major complications, and best of all, we avoided adding costs and team members.
Author Information:
Ricardo Macías Gómez
Continental Automotive
Nogales, Sonora
Mexico
ricardo.macias@continetal-corporation.com

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Virtual Automotive Technology Days: A Cost Efficient Scalable Platform for Hardware-in-the-loop Test Applications

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 21:51:00 -0700

Modern Vehicles are becoming rolling networks with control units for engines, brakes, and so on. See Prevas' new-generation test system that aims to supply the most cost-efficient solution for testing the functionality of electronic control units (ECU) both individually and together in a network.

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Using Vehicle CAN Data for Noise, Vibration, and Harshness Data Logging

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 13:34:00 -0700

Virtual Automotive Technology Days: Using Vehicle CAN Data for Noise, Vibration, and Harshness Data Logging

Learn how to apply CAN data from the vehicle bus in new ways to add capability to noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) analysis and processing. Using the power of the CompactRIO platform, the sword in-vehicle data logging can acquire and process CAN data and other mixed-signal types alongside traditional NVH data. This gives you the ability to collect event-based data, align NVH metrics with macrolevel vehicle behavior, and support multiple engineering groups with one data collection.

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Automate and Control Engine Test Cells

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 07:32:00 -0700

Virtual Automotive Technology Days: Automate and Control Engine Test Cells

Listen as Wineman discusses technologies and techniques used to automate and implement control in engine test cells. Wineman highlights real-world integration examples such as a variable valve timing test system, an engine hot tester, and a model-based dynamometer to walk you through implementing an engine test cell.

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