Happy Hyundai- Hyundai Elantra wins shootout

Hyundai Elantra Wins Compact Car Shootout by Cars.com

Posted by William Lee at 2:32 PM

Hyundai’s 2011 Elantra is generating buzz after coming out on top in yet another comparison of compact cars. The latest contest was the Under 20/Over 35 Shootout conducted by automotive consumer site Cars.com.

The Elantra was up against four other compacts that have made big impressions in the past few months; the Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Civic, Ford Focus and Kia Forte. The cars all have room for five people, travel at least 35 miles per gallon and have a price less than $20,000.

The 2011 Hyundai Elantra came out on top during the editor’s evaluations of ride comfort and exterior and interior design. To find the winner, graders from Cars.com. USA Today and members of a Chicago-area family evaluated the cars’ performance and features over three days.

SONATA TOP 10 LIST IN BEST CARS HAPPY HYUNDAI OAK LAWN

Hyundai Sonata Named To Car And Driver’s 2011 10Best Cars List


by Hyundai in the News on January 21, 2011







The amazing 2011 Hyundai Sonata, one of America’s best-selling cars, is now one of America’s 10Best Cars, period. That’s per the editors of Car and Driver, who made the Sonata the very first Hyundai to achieve this prestigious honor. The simple reason: “Its greatness is undeniable.”



Consider: The Sonata offers the most standard horsepower in its class (200 hp), gets the best fuel efficiency (35 mpg highway), comes with the lowest base price ($19,195), was the first to holster a direct-injection four-cylinder engine and, according to C&D, is also “best-in-class attractive.” Other Sonata features lauded by the magazine include its “very reasonably sized back seat and generous trunk,” standard six-speed automatic transmission, and a high-quality interior with standard Bluetooth and XM Radio.

This latest addition to the Sonata trophy case comes hot on the heels of two other key third-party awards. ALG, publishers of the well-known Automotive Lease Guide, recently presented its 12th annual Residual Value Awards to the 19 vehicles predicted to retain the highest percentage of their MSRPs in their class after three years on the road. In talking about the Sonata’s segment-leading performance, ALG senior vice president Raj Sundaram said “Hyundai’s win of the mid-compact segment highlights the growing reputation of the brand, as well as its impressive new product push. The all-new 2011 Elantra shines with standard luxurious features and a modest price tag, and it’s expected to be a favorite of young drivers.”



Another impressive feather in the Sonata’s cap came from The Car Connection, one of the country’s premier automotive shopping sites. Beating out 40 other nominees, the Sonata achieved top honors as Best Car to Buy 2011 for vehicles priced under $50,000, finishing ahead of lux competitors like the Acura TSX, Infiniti M37 and BMW 5-Series.



“The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is a stellar value in all its forms—standard, turbocharged, and hybrid,” said Marty Padgett, editorial director of High Gear Media. “The Sonata changes the mid-size sedan game. Exceptional safety, fuel economy and standard features make it a must-drive for any new-car shopper.”



So be sure and follow Padgett’s advice by stopping by your local Hyundai dealership for a test drive today.

Hyundai Blue Link Telematics Platform to change the way you own a Hyundai

HYUNDAI LAUNCHES ALL-NEW BLUE LINK® TELEMATICS PLATFORM




Hyundai-developed in-vehicle telematics platform incorporates more than 30 innovative connectivity functions and core safety services



LAS VEGAS, 01/05/2011

Hyundai is set to challenge conventional wisdom in the automotive industry again in 2011 with the introduction of Blue Link®, an all-new telematics platform exclusive to Hyundai models. This new telematics platform will offer more than 30 unique connectivity features on future models.







Blue Link® Highlights

• Blue Link® telematics platform will offer innovative connectivity, convenience and safety services for Hyundai vehicles

• Blue Link will be available on all future Hyundai models, starting with Sonata and the Veloster 3-door coupe later this year

• Agent-assisted advanced voice recognition system provides a new approach to performing in-vehicle POI searches vs. voice-recognition-only systems, or traditional (and expensive) traditional operators

• Blue Link Assurance, a safety services suite developed by Hyundai, will be standard on all Blue Link-equipped models for a free introductory period; continued service available by subscription

• Numerous connectivity and convenience features will be available via feature packaging targeted at distinct telematics user groups







A variety of different features will be available at launch, including unique applications such as a maintenance alert that helps drivers identify and schedule service; an “Eco-Coach” that improves efficient driving; restaurant ratings; and remote door lock/unlock capabilities. Blue Link’s innovative features continue with remote vehicle start, which allows a driver to heat or cool the car before driving; geofence, which can send a text if a driver has ventured outside prescribed borders or time constraints; and stolen vehicle slowdown to help police recover a stolen vehicle.



Drivers will not have to wait long for the arrival of Blue Link on Hyundai models as it will debut on the popular Sonata sedan, one of three finalists for the North American Car of the Year award, later this year. In addition, Hyundai soon will announce a second Blue Link-equipped, youth-oriented coupe model, which will also be available in 2011. Hyundai projects Blue Link to be available across the majority of the lineup by the 2013 model year.



“Blue Link combines safety, service and infotainment into a complete package that works to both help simplify Hyundai owners’ lives and reduce distracted driving,” said Barry Ratzlaff, director of customer satisfaction and service business development, Hyundai Motor America. “We’ve carefully studied how drivers rely on smart phones and navigation systems as an innovative link to the outside world. Blue Link brings that seamless connectivity directly into the car with technology like voice text messaging, POI web search download, turn-by-turn navigation, and monthly vehicle reporting. Our agent-assisted advanced voice recognition system offers a 21st century solution to performing POI searches in the vehicle. This unique and innovative approach enables Hyundai to deliver fast, accurate searches and downloads of POIs to vehicles without the unnecessary costs of traditional operator-only type systems of our competitors.”



As part of the Blue Link launch, Hyundai also will provide Blue Link Assurance on Blue Link-equipped vehicles, which includes core safety services for an introductory period. These key safety services include: Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) and Assistance, SOS Emergency Assistance, and Enhanced Roadside Assistance. After the introductory period, owners of Blue Link-equipped vehicles can choose to extend these and other services as desired. Blue Link package subscription fees will be announced this spring on Sonata.



Blue Link Assurance further expands Hyundai’s industry leadership formerly established by Hyundai Assurance, the industry’s most comprehensive suite of new-vehicle protection. Hyundai Assurance already offers a 5-year/60,000-mile fully transferable bumper-to-bumper warranty, Hyundai’s 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty, 5-years complimentary Roadside Assistance, and Buyer Protection - a credit-protecting job-loss vehicle return program.



In typical Hyundai fashion, Blue Link services were developed with targeted packaging options that are tailored to distinct telematics user groups:







Blue Link Assurance package:

• Automatic Crash Notification (ACN) and Assistance - Provides immediate assistance when an accident occurs and an airbag is deployed. In this event, an ACN signal, containing customer and location information, will automatically be transmitted to the response center. Upon receipt of the signal, a response specialist will attempt to establish voice communications with the vehicle occupants and forward any pertinent information to emergency services.

• SOS Emergency Assistance - Customers request emergency 911 assistance by pressing the dedicated SOS button in the vehicle. This action transmits vehicle information and location to specially-trained response specialists, who assist in coordinating the dispatch of appropriate emergency assistance to the customer. The response specialist remains on the line with the customer until advised assistance has arrived.

• Enhanced Roadside Assistance - Enables customers to contact Roadside Assistance via a single in-vehicle button-press. Vehicle information (including location) is automatically transmitted to a response center, enabling the specialist to dispatch assistance more quickly and efficiently for vehicle assistance and retrieval.







Blue Link Essentials package:

Remote Access:

• Remote Door Lock/Unlock - Enables locking or unlocking vehicle doors via a toll-free number, owner's website, or mobile phone application.

• Remote Horn and Lights - Enables activating the horn and/or lights via a toll-free number, owner's website, or mobile phone application.

• Panic Notification - Notifies customers when the panic button on their vehicle key fob has been activated, signifying when a family member or other vehicle occupant may be in danger. Notifications are configured online and occur via email or text message.

• Remote Vehicle Start - Enables customers to start the vehicle via owner's website or toll-free number, or mobile phone application.



Convenience:

• Alarm Notification - Notifies customers when and where the vehicle alert is activated via a text message, email or an automated phone call.

• Quick Tips – Provides quick reference assistance for primary vehicle feature location and function.

• Location Sharing - Enables sending vehicle location to select friends and members of social networking sites, including Facebook - directly from the vehicle.

• Voice Text Messaging – Enables hands-free text messaging to SMS text recipients, including the ability to initiate text messages, rather than only respond to messages, as with some competitive systems.







Vehicle Self Diagnostics:

• Automated Diagnostic Trouble Code Notification - Provides explanation and repair assistance using vehicle data and off-board diagnosis capabilities to better inform the customer of vehicle trouble alerts. A combination of in-vehicle display alerts and guided voice messages provides customers with additional instructions (information also sent to the customer's preferred dealer to assist with the repair process).

• Maintenance Alert - Notifies customers via website, email or SMS message that an upcoming service is due at various thresholds leading up to the event. Configured online, the alerts explain what is included in particular maintenance intervals.

• Recall Advisor - Provides all pertinent recall information should a recall be initiated.

• Web Vehicle Diagnostics - Provides a report of vehicle diagnostics, eco-coach performance and other important information in a monthly email report and web page update, starting 30 days after registering with the Blue Link service.





Theft Protection:

• Stolen Vehicle Recovery - In the event a customer's vehicle is reported stolen (and a stolen vehicle report has been filed with the appropriate police department), the response center can provide assistance to the police in an attempt to recover the vehicle.

• Stolen Vehicle Slowdown - Used with Stolen Vehicle Recovery, this enables law enforcement to gradually reduce the engine power of the vehicle, thus slowing it down to safe levels. A warning will be transmitted to the driver prior to the slowdown procedure.

• Vehicle Immobilization - Used with Stolen Vehicle Recovery, this enables law enforcement to send a signal to the vehicle which immobilizes the engine management system, thus preventing startup. This capability is only valid when the ignition is off, but the command can be saved by the engine ECU for later immobilization if the vehicle is on or in motion at the time of signal transmission.





Safeguard:

• Valet Alert - Enables alert via text message or automated phone message when the customer’s vehicle moves beyond a prescribed region.

• Geofence - Enables monitoring vehicle movement in and out of pre-defined regions configured on the owner’s website. When the vehicle enters or leaves a designated region, the customer is notified by email, text message or automated phone message.

• Speed Alert - Notifies the customer via email, text message or automated phone message when their vehicle exceeds the specified speed threshold established on the owner's website. High value for parents of teen drivers and fleet customers.

• Curfew Alert - Notifies owners if the vehicle is being used outside a pre-determined time interval. Alerts are configured online and sent via text message and/or automated phone message.







Blue Link Guidance package:

• TBT (Turn-by-turn) Navigation Service - Turn-by-turn navigation guidance provided for downloaded Points of Interest. Both visual and audio guidance is provided.

• POI Web Search by advanced voice recognition system and download - Enables Point-of-Interest searches using an automated voice system. Results can be downloaded to the vehicle navigation system. Live operators provide additional support, if needed.

• Daily Route Guidance with Traffic Condition - Enables customers to pre-define several routes to a common destination and receive a regularly-scheduled traffic alert for traffic delays along those routes. Results include flow and incident data, along with "Fastest Route" recommendation.

• Traffic - Provides traffic information surrounding the customer's vehicle and in the nearby area, based on preferences established using the owner’s website.

• Gas Station Locations and Gas Prices - Locates gas stations by price, brand or fuel type from the vehicle. Results are played back via automated voice, and can be downloaded to the vehicle’s navigation system.

• Eco-Coach - Tracks the customer's driving performance habits (MPG and CO2 emissions) on a continual and historical basis. Results and environmentally responsible driving recommendations are provided on the owner’s website.

• Restaurant Ratings – Provides restaurant ratings for local restaurants with address download for turn-by-turn navigation or onboard navigation.

• Weather - Provides weather forecasts and alerts for the immediate area or for customer-defined locations within the owner website. Alerts also appear during navigation routing.







More details on Hyundai Blue Link are available at www.HyundaiUSA.com/BlueLink.

For more information about Hyundai and the models visit http://www.myhappyhyundai.com/ there are operators standing by live to chat with you online 24hours a day 7 days a week. or you can call us direct at 708-422-9300

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Crosses U.S. on Two Tanks Of Gas. Happy Hyundai

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Crosses U.S. on Two Tanks of Gas







With gas prices on the rise and CAFE regulations requiring higher fuel economy getting ever closer, every automaker is out to prove the worth of its hybrids with a hypermiling challenge. Hyundai, with the help of professional driver and hypermiler extraordinare Wayne Gerdes, just completed such a challenge by driving the 2011 Sonata Hybrid across the U.S. on two tanks of fuel.



Gerdes started in San Diego and drove to Jekyll Island, Georgia, a trek of almost 2300 miles, stopping only once for gas. The single fuel stop occurred more than 1200 miles into the trip — far eclipsing the Sonata Hybrid’s official range of 700 highway miles as estimated by the EPA. After finishing the second leg of the trip, Gerdes had roughly 2.5 gallons of fuel left in the tank. In total, Gerdes used a mere 38 gallons of gas to cross the country and averaged 60 mpg.



Hyundai’s fuel economy challenge was completed yesterday as Gerdes rolled into Georgia after traversing mountains, valleys, deserts, and braving the occasional thunder and snow storm. This particular fuel economy challenge was unique in that it was a true point-to-point drive across the country rather than a planned loop. Given this information, the drive is more strenuous than most owners would likely undertake, indicating that they could see even better fuel economy if they use Gerdes’ techniques.



“As a fan of fuel-efficient vehicles, I enjoy the challenge of putting new technology to the test,” said Gerdes after finishing the 2300 mile drive. “This demonstration shows how the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid can deliver extremely impressive fuel economy and range for drivers who value fuel savings.”



“This is the first time I’ve driven a car that ‘does it right!’” concluded Gerdes.



Hyundai’s 2011 Sonata Hybrid goes on sale later this month at a starting price of $26,545 including destination.

Hyundai Sonata Leads Hyundai To IIHS Top Safety Pick Honors

SONATA LEADS HYUNDAI TO IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK HONORS




Hyundai Genesis, Santa Fe, Sonata and Tucson Achieve Highest Rating Under the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Toughened Criteria



FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., 12/22/2010

Four Hyundai models, including the North American Car of the Year finalist Sonata, achieved the 2011 Top Safety Pick honor from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). Joining the Sonata in receiving this top safety distinction are the Hyundai Genesis, Santa Fe and Tucson. Top Safety Pick recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rollover, and rear crashes based on “good” ratings in Institute tests. Winners also must have available electronic stability control, a crash avoidance feature that significantly reduces crash risk.



“Safety is a top priority at Hyundai, and you really see that with the 2011 Sonata,” said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “The all-new Sonata was the first mid-size car to receive a five-star crash test rating under NHTSA’s new, more stringent 2011 system. The combination of the NHTSA five-star rating and the IIHS Top Safety Pick honor puts Sonata in a safety position unsurpassed in the industry.”



The IIHS Top Safety Pick ratings help consumers pick vehicles that offer a higher level of protection than federal safety standards require. Last year, the Institute toughened the criteria for Top Safety Pick by adding a requirement that all qualifiers must earn a “good” rating for performance in a roof strength test to assess protection in a rollover crash. According to the new guidelines, roofs must be more than double the strength of current federal requirements in order to better maintain vehicle integrity in the event of a rollover accident.



The Institute awarded the first Top Safety Pick to 2006 models and then raised the bar the next year by requiring “good” rear test results and electronic stability control as either standard or optional equipment. With last year’s addition of new criteria for roof crush the Institute’s crash test ratings now cover all four of the most common kinds of crashes.


For more information about Hyundai visit Chicagolands only #1 Hyundai Dealer in Sales and Service for customer satisfaction Happy Hyundai Oak Lawn. http://www.myhappyhyundai.com/ a representitive is available online 7 days a week 24 hours a day to assist you with your sales and service questions.

Happy Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid


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The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, expected to hit dealerships later this year, is the South Korean company’s first hybrid in the US market. Apparently, Hyundai took its time, scrutinized the hybrid competition, and attempted to outdo it in every respect. While we’re still lacking perhaps the most critical piece of information—the purchase price—it appears that Hyundai has produced a mainstream mid-size hybrid sedan that provides real competition for class-leading fuel economy. Hyundai expects the Sonata Hybrid to achieve 37 miles per gallon in the city and 39 mpg on the highway.



The company is taking direct aim at the Toyota Camry Hybrid (33/34) and Ford Fusion Hybrid (41/36), the two most popular regular-looking mid-size hybrid sedans. While the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid does not look exactly like its conventional sibling—more about that in a moment—Hyundai decided not to copy the unique aero-look of the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight. Moreover, Hyundai went its own direction on technology—by developing an original proprietary hybrid architecture to reduce weight and to improve highway fuel economy.



"The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is the new kid on the block, but it's not a follower," said John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. "Its full parallel hybrid configuration and breakthrough lithium polymer batteries offer a new take on traditional hybrid design, while its unique design sets it apart from the mid-size hybrid pack."



Balancing Highway and City MPGUnlike hybrid systems from Ford and Toyota, the Hyundai system does not use a continuously variable transmission with integrated electric motors and generators. Instead Hyundai is using its new six-speed automatic transmission with an electric motor that takes the place of the torque converter. What’s the difference? It means that Hyundai is trying to address the common complaint that hybrids provide great mileage for city driving conditions, but not so much for highway driving.





“Unlike traditional [power-split] hybrids that trade off highway fuel economy for higher city ratings, the Sonata Hybrid delivers best-in-class highway fuel economy, while still delivering about a 40 percent improvement in city fuel economy compared to a Sonata equipped with the Theta II GDI engine,” said Krafcik. “We think this is a better balanced approach for the majority of car buyers.”



The full hybrid architecture allows the vehicle to operate on an electric motor only, a gasoline internal combustion engine only, or a combination of the two depending on driving conditions and driver demands. The approach also results in a total combined output of the engine and motor of 209 horsepower—beating out the Camry Hybrid (187 hp) and the Ford Fusion Hybrid (191 hp).



The hatchback Toyota Prius, with its combined 50-mpg rating, is still way ahead of the pack on both highway and city efficiency numbers—but shoppers are more likely to put the Sonata Hybrid in the larger mid-size sedan (with trunk) category along with the Camry and Fusion.



Lithium Polymer Batteries and Lighter WeightHybrid critics have complained that the need to tote heavy batteries means one step forward and two steps back. Hyundai deals with that issue by using lightweight lithium polymer batteries. The lighter batteries, and other weight reductions make the Sonata Hybrid the lightest vehicle in the segment, at just 3,457 pounds—263 pounds lighter than the Fusion Hybrid. Combined with Sonata’s best-in-class horsepower rating, Sonata Hybrid has a significant advantage in power-to-weight ratio.





The Sonata Hybrid’s 1.4 kilowatt-hour pack battery pack weighs just 95.9 pounds versus the Camry Hybrid’s 123.9 pounds. The compact battery pack resides in the forward portion of the trunk to maximize cargo space. Compared with nickel metal hydride batteries, lithium polymer batteries deliver the same power with 20 to 30 percent less weight, 40 percent less volume and 10 percent greater efficiency over the nickel metal hydride batteries found in today’s hybrids. The battery cells, supplied by LG Chem, are similar to the cells that General Motors are using in the Chevrolet Volt.



Slick and SlipperyIf Hyundai can undercut the price of the Fusion and Camry hybrids, it will deliver a more powerful and efficient vehicle at a better value. But what does it look like? On that front, Hyundai puts form in service of function—better aerodynamics. The most dramatic design flair is an all-new front fascia, with anthropomorphic lizard-eye headlights. New wheels and extended rocker panels improve airflow across the flanks. In the back, the bumper cover has been reshaped with sharp creases at the corners to minimize drag. These changes drops the hybrid's projected drag coefficient from the standard Sonata's already slippery 0.28 to just 0.25—matching the 2010 Toyota Prius’s drag coefficient.



Keep your eye on the new kid on the hybrid block.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe to get 428 Horsepower? Happy Hyundai

Saturday, December 4, 2010


2012 Hyundai Genesis Coupe to Get More Power

Posted by William Lee at 4:16 PM

Hyundai shocked the world when it first announced it would build the rear-drive 300-hp Genesis Coupe, and now it appears the automaker is looking to add more oomph to its sports coupe lineup.



Since the Genesis Coupe debuted back in 2008, the horsepower wars have raged on with cars like the Ford Mustang going from 210-hp to 305-hp. Once seen as a bargain, the Genesis Coupe is a slightly less enticing package than it once was. To combat this, Hyundai will look to add more power to the Genesis two-door in 2012, along with a slight facelift.



Both the 4-cylinder and V6 engines are slated to get upgrades, although exactly how extensive they will be is not yet clear. It’s not hard to speculate that the 2.0T model could gain the Sonata Turbo’s new engine, prompting a significant increase in power from 210-hp to 274-hp. That would come very close to the 3.8-liter V6′s 306-hp number, suggesting it would also have to receive a major update, be it through naturally aspirated means, forced induction, or a switch to a V8. Past reports have already indicated the company’s new 5.0-liter V8 will replace the current 3.8L V6, producing a rather significant 429-hp.

Intresting to see is Hyundai going to build a supercar? A 400 plus horsepower Gen Coupe rear wheel drive sports car with a good MPG you never knw this might be a new trend setter for the sports coupe world. The 2012 Genesis Coupe is to be out within the nesxt 12 month we will keep you updated on this blog.



[Source: AutoGuide.com]