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For years, the U.S. market has known Hyundai as a brand that makes good road cars and kind of stops there. The company has been safe, like its longer factory warranties and its tendency to focus on what does well rather than what serves a more niche audience. But Hyundai is becoming more daring by the model, and the driving the Sonata N-Line performance trim doesn’t just emphasize that—it screams it from the lungs of the Sonata’s most powerful engine yet.

The upcoming Sonata N-Line, along with the other sportier variants Hyundai’s introduced recently, are further proof of what Hyundai wants to be: a company that not only makes good cars, but one that also makes good cars.

We all know the difference, and it’s a big one.

The Sonata N-Line, when it comes around late next year, will be the newest addition to Hyundai’s growing lineup of specialty-oriented models. Since 2015 alone, the company has introduced the separate Genesis luxury brand, which even offers a manual transmission in the G70 sedan despite knowing sales would be meager, along with performance N trims and the mid-grade N-Lines at regular Hyundai—variants that, although new, are good enough to challenge performance trims competitors have made for years. Then, there’s the mid-engine, rear-wheel drive RM19 prototype that’s as loud as it is wild.

The N-Line will also be the top of the Sonata lineup in terms of performance, as Hyundai said at the launch of the 2020 Sonata that it doesn’t plan for the car to go “full N.” (Like Honda’s Si versus Type R, or Ford’s ST versus RS, Hyundai’s N-Line presents the step in the middle between the regular model of a car and the full-on performance trim, the N.)

The N-Line Sonata’s engine will make an estimated 290 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, Hyundai said, and will come with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. That’ll make it the most powerful Sonata ever, and far more powerful than any other Sonata Hyundai plans to offer—the other two engines on the car make a rated 180 and 191 HP, meaning it’s a huge jump to the N-Line.

The other main details Hyundai gave on the car were that it would come with 19-inch wheels that aren’t available on other Sonatas, while keeping the same front-drive layout. The prototype for the N-Line is still in camouflage, so at least some styling elements are hidden.

The two regular Sonata engines are almost disappointing next to the car’s new, sportier looks, since hitting the gas pedal is met with some groan and not a lot of go. But the N-Line solves that problem and then some, because next to the 180-HP turbo in the Sonata’s top Limited trim, the N-Line is a rocket.

After only a couple of minutes in what Hyundai called an “early production” prototype of the upcoming car, a few things were evident. It’s fast. It’s fun. It feels as sporty as the Sonata looks, whereas the regular Sonata does not. Its torque steer isn’t at all noticeable, despite the front-wheel drive.

The N-Line feels more planted and far more engaged than the normal model, and it lets a driver choose whether they’d like engine noise fed in through the speakers with a menu option rather than making them pull a fuse to get rid of it. Anyone who wants to fake it has a choice between “minimized,” “normal,” or “enhanced” sound, but it honestly sounds best when it’s off.

The N-Line, overall, just feels good. It feels like the Sonata that its new, more daring look was designed for, and it feels like yet another win for Hyundai in its pursuit of being a brand that does more than just make good cars. It feels like a win for Hyundai, a brand that makes good cars.

And we all know the difference.

Source: Jalopnik

Range anxiety? Lightning storms? Hyundai's got your questions covered.

More and more manufacturers are introducing alternatively-powered vehicles as governments the world over push them in the direction of electrification.

However, it turns out that still, a fifth of conventional car buyers are still against the idea of electric cars. That is despite the sales of electric vehicles rising by 151 percent in October.But why? Well, Hyundai, in conjunction with One Poll has compiled a list of the most common EV misconceptions, and an explanation for each of them to bust the myths.

Among the issues was concerns over safety, with 22 percent saying they wouldn't feel safe charging electric cars, and some (18 percent) not even keen to drive them during a lightning storm.

As many as 2,000  motorists were surveys, including petrol, diesel, and alternatively-fuelled vehicle (AFV) drivers. More than half (56 percent) agreed with the government push to encourage everyone to switch to AFVs by 2040. But a previous Hyundai survey found that 46 percent of car buyers were still concerned about range anxiety with EVs, even though the average daily car journey for the UK motorist is around 20 miles.

"It’s been fascinating to hear about some of the misconceptions that people still have about electric vehicles," said Sylvie Childs, senior product manager at Hyundai Motor UK. "We’ve all been told you don’t mix electricity with water, but when it comes to EVs there’s absolutely no extra risk of driving in a lightning storm – they are just as safe as a petrol or diesel car."

"Range anxiety is also an interesting one. When electric cars first came out the range was an issue we had to tackle, but these days you can get almost 300 miles on a single charge and this will increase further in time. The NEXO hydrogen fuel cell car can travel even further with a range of over 400 miles and takes less than five minutes to re-fuel with hydrogen."

"But despite these common misconceptions, our research, along with the growth in sales figures, shows there is a real appetite for low emission vehicles in the UK," she added. "It’s for us in the industry, working together with Government and electricity providers, to make sure drivers understand the reality of EV ownership."

Hyundai has now addresses the top ten concerns and myths about electric cars:

Range anxiety bringing you down?

"Don’t panic. A typical electric vehicle (EV) covers between 100 and 200 miles on a single charge and even longer on some models with ranges of more than 300 miles. Hyundai’s Kona Electric can actually go as far as 278 miles with one charge."

Worried you won’t find anywhere to charge?

"No need to be! There are currently more than 14,500 public charging points in more than 9,000 locations in the UK and the network is growing rapidly."

Think an electric vehicle is too expensive?

"Think again. With more and more affordable and competitive options and fewer moving parts to fail or need replacing, EVs are in fact cheaper to run than conventionally fuelled vehicles."

 Worried that electric vehicles are too sluggish?

"Not true! Instant torque delivery means EVs can accelerate just as quickly and if not much quicker than their petrol or diesel counterparts. For example, Hyundai’s Kona Electric can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 7.9 seconds."

Think you can’t take an electric vehicle through the car wash or drive in a lightning storm?

"Of course we’ve all been told that you don’t mix electricity with water, but when it comes to EV’s its perfectly safe to use a car wash and there’s no extra risk of driving in a lightning stor

Not enough choice in the market?

"The electric car market is expanding rapidly. In fact, Hyundai currently has the largest e-mobility fleet in the world including the latest in electric, hybrid and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles."

Worried that electric vehicles’ batteries are adding to the landfill crisis?

"EV batteries can be recycled just like the batteries in petrol or diesel cars. EV power cells can be used to store solar and wind energy, or they can be broken down with their more-valuable elements reused."

Doubting the safety of electric vehicles?

"Rest assured that EVs undergo the same rigorous testing and meet the same safety standards required for petrol or diesel fuelled cars."

Worried about your breakdown cover?

"No reason to be. The majority of breakdown suppliers now provide services for all EVs as well as conventional vehicles."

Don’t think an electric vehicle will fuel your petrol head needs?

"You won’t be disappointed. As soon as you push down on the accelerator, the transition from stationary to speed is almost instantaneous."

Source: Yahoo! News

For some odd reason, Hyundai doesn't get the attention and fame that other car companies do in the United States. Ford, Chrysler, and GM dominate with their various cars and have had their shares of success and failures. Hyundai flies under the radar while having a lot to offer.

They’re very popular in Canada and Europe and their cars are known for being more reliable than the “Big Three’s” offering. The company is making major moves to embrace the EV market and have often been ahead of the curve when it comes to utilizing technology to aid their vehicles.

The fact that the company is often ignored means there’s a lot about it even many automotive buffs may not know. There are parts of its history and how it’s achieved some things other companies haven't. There are touches on how their cars are produced and their one-of-a-kind facilities. In fact, Hyundai does things no other car company does but doesn’t get the press for it.

Here are 20 surprising things you may not know about Hyundai to prove why they’re among the best in car production today.

20STEEL ROLLING

Every other car company has to buy its steel from production plants, which adds to the cost of some cars. Hyundai cuts out the middleman by rolling all its steel in South Korea. In fact, Hyundai Steel was founded in 1953 so it predates Hyundai Motors by 14 years.

Not only does this let Hyundai save money but it gives them an edge by dictating how the steel is produced so as to sculpt the cars more dynamically. By creating its own steel, Hyundai gets a major leg up on its competitors.

19RALLY AWAY

Sure, other car companies can boast about developing rally cars. But Hyundai can go all out by having their cars in actual rally competitions. The company had been involved in the World Rally Championship in the early 2000s but backed off to concentrate on production. In 2014, they made a big return as Hyundai Motorsport regularly sponsors its own vehicle into the WRC.

With great vehicles such as the i20 R5 and Veloster, Hyundai is making a major mark on the rally car sphere.

18SOLAR ROOF

Hyundai can have some interesting high-tech touches. Yet this has to stand out. The 2020 Sonata Hybrid (already available in Korea) will be the first car with a solar panel on its roof to help power the vehicle. To be fair, this isn’t a massive gamechanger as Jalopnik observed it will require the car being in direct sunlight for hours for any real effect. Yet it is a first in eco-friendly automobiles that can pave the way for other companies.

17THE PROVING GROUND

Car companies are known for having various testing centers. Hyundai operates an area known as the Proving Ground at an abandoned airbase in the Mojave desert. At this 4300 acre area, Hyundai can test their vehicles on several roads from paved to rocky and centers that mimic various weather conditions.

The tests can be brutal to the point that the grounds still have the remains of cars left behind since it opened in 2005. A larger center opened in South Korea but the original Proving Ground is one of the best all-purpose test centers in the world.

16IT STARTED IN CONSTRUCTION

The backgrounds of some car companies can be surprising. Chung Ju-Yung, who knew the newly independent South Korea was in need of a construction company, started Hyundai in 1947. Thanks to key contracts for such landmarks as the Gyeongbu Expressway, Ju-Yung became the richest man in the country.

In 1967, he transformed the company into Hyundai Motors to begin its rise to power. The company has never forgotten its roots and still produces high-end construction machines to do its founder proud.

15SCULPTURES

It doesn’t get the press it should but Hyundai does not “design” cars like other companies. Their official line is “fluidic sculpting” for their vehicles.

Their artists are inspired by nature from the curve of a wave to how a car will look in a forest setting. This makes Hyundai vehicles stand out from the pack with their frames and gives them a distinctive appearance. No other company takes the idea of “cars are artwork” like Hyundai does.

14BLUE DRIVE

The rise of hybrid and electric vehicles has pushed car companies to shift how they produce automobiles. Hyundai is leading the pack with its Blue Drive campaign. This intriguing plan has been implemented in models such as the Tucson and Sonata and utilizes cutting-edge batteries. In fact, the stated goal of the press release is to ultimately do away with fossil fuels.

The company has also developed a Blue City hybrid bus as one of the first EV public transport vehicles. They don’t get the buzz of the other companies but Hyundai is determined to lead the charge in electric cars.

13CREATES MORE JOBS IN THE U.S.

Several car companies (cough*GM*cough) are in hot water for cutting jobs in the United States. Hyundai is actually increasing work for auto employees. Their massive Montgomery, Alabama plant has just announced plans to expand, which will add hundreds of more jobs to their already sizable 3,000 workers.

It helps that Hyundai will be producing new models exclusively in the U.S. and is one company that is trying to expand their workforce rather than whittle it down.

12ZOMBIE SURVIVAL

In the world of The Walking Dead, cars aren’t as useful given that gasoline is scarce following a zombie apocalypse. Hyundai has helped sponsor the show with their cars used on screen.

In 2014, they put together a special version of the Tucson that was designed to survive in this world. It includes a “Zombie survival kit” of supplies, better tires, and a TV ad boasting various weapons. Those weapons are obviously not available commercially but it’s a good car in case the undead rise up.

11THEY’VE SURVIVED SOME SERIOUS LEMONS

One of the most remarkable things about Hyundai is that they’ve survived making cars that should have put another manufacturer out of business. Their very first U.S. car, the Excel, was soon slammed for the many problems that made it sound like a disaster.

The Sonata is infamous for scores of issues and the 2008 Santa Fe was recalled eight times. The company has a knack for overcoming these problems with redeeming models yet amazing how many poor cars they’ve made.

10THEY’RE HUGE IN EUROPE

In the U.S., Hyundai lags behind Ford and GM in terms of recognition. In Europe, the manufacturer is a huge deal. Over 90 percent of the company’s sales come from European nations as their reliable fast cars appeal to the market there.

Fortune reports that they’re very big in the Netherlands and it helps that the company sponsored events such as FIFA and does more advertising there. The European market truly is the backbone of the company’s success.

9CANADA BEFORE U.S.

Most car companies are well-established with ties in the United States that go back nearly a century. Hyundai did things differently.

After making a name for themselves in Asia and Europe, Hyundai tried to sell the Pony to the U.S. in 1984. However, the car didn’t pass the emissions tests of the time so Hyundai had to start selling in Canada first where it became a hit. It took until 1986 for the Excel to give Hyundai its first U.S. seller. The company is still a major force in Canada as the Great White North was their foothold in North America.

8USING LITHIUM

The current wave of hybrid vehicles proves how car companies know this is the way of the future. Hyundai is ahead of the curve in regards to its use of lithium batteries. Most companies use the standard lithium-ion battery but (in cooperation with Kia), Hyundai was the first to utilize lithium polymer batteries in their electric vehicles.

By using polymer rather than liquid, these batteries are lighter and last longer which gives Hyundai a major push on the competition.

7HOPE ON WHEELS

Several car companies can talk about doing big work with charities. Hyundai puts their money where their mouth is with their Hope on Wheels campaign. For every vehicle sold, Hyundai donates some of the profits to fight pediatric cancer. The campaign also extends to helping people affected by disasters from hurricanes to wildfires.

Since it was created in 1998, the organization has raised over $160 million in donations and helped countless people to show the heart of Hyundai.

6NFL INFLUENCE

Like other car companies, Hyundai has plenty of sports sponsorships. That includes the FIFA World Cup and various tennis opens. The company has long had deals with the NFL, which may come as a surprise as they don’t advertise on NFL games nearly as much as Ford or GM.

In fact, in mid-2019, the company ended its sponsorship with the main league but continued to be sponsors for several teams such as the Vikings and Eagles. They don’t have as much air time but Hyundai continues to be tied to football.

5A SURPRISING PIONEER

The Excel was Hyundai’s first front-wheel drive car when it premiered in 1985. It sold well but was hit by slams of being cheap despite being a decent subcompact car. What few realized at the time was that a famous name was behind it.

The Excel was designed by none other than Giorgetto Giugiaro. Yep, the same man who created the famous DeLorean helped craft this “beater” of a car, which makes it historic.

4FIRST WITH A DECADE WARRANTY

Car owners today take long warranties for granted. So it can be forgotten that Hyundai was the first to offer a decade-long warranty on their cars. It was a bold move in the 1990s as the other companies seemed wary about extending coverage for so long. The Advantage deal covered the powertrain for ten years for what Hyundai called “a Decade of Dependability.” That’s customer care some other companies can’t quite touch.

3THE WORLD’S BIGGEST AUTO PLANT

Every major car company can boast some big factories. However, only Hyundai can claim to own the single largest automobile plant on the planet.

Located in South Korea, the Uslan factory is practically a small city. It’s spread over an area of 1225 acres and comprised of five full independent plants with a staff of nearly 35,000 workers. According to the official reports, the factory produces a new car every 12 seconds for 5600 a day. While VW’s Wolfsburg plant has more size, it doesn’t produce nearly as well as Uslan does.

2FUN WITH FONTS

Several car companies will have the labels for their models and brands that look much alike. Hyundai is different. Look closely and it becomes obvious every single model has a different font for the name.

A few are nicely stylized such as a sun image for the Santa Fe or a shine for the Equus. Hyundai’s design team goes out of their way to make each font distinctive to ensure every car model feels unique, which is a nice touch.

1THE MEANING OF THE LOGO

At first glance, it would appear the company’s logo is nothing more than a stylized “H.” However, there’s a deeper meaning behind it.

The original concept was that it was a salesman and a satisfied customer shaking hands after a good deal. It’s also slanted toward the right to favor the customer as a sign of how Hyundai puts them first. It’s been stylized a few times but the logo is meant to emphasize how the company puts trust above all else.

Source: The Things

Its name is a misnomer. Or at least only partially accurate. The Hyundai RM19 isn’t quite a true mid-engine machine. Hyundai says "RM" stands for "racing midship," but this car's engine—a turbocharged 2.0-liter producing 390 horsepower—isn’t mounted ahead of the rear-axle line. According to Alberto Iob, calibration engineer at Hyundai Motorsport, “The engine is basically on the rear axle, so it’s actually in between mid-engine and rear-engine.”

The RM19 began life as a production front-wheel-drive Veloster, and it maintains much of its bodywork and dashboard to prove it. “I don’t want to call it a toy; that’s not fair,” says Thomas Schemera, the man in charge of Hyundai’s High Performance Vehicle and Motorsport Division since 2018. “It’s a test bed, a rolling lab.” Hyundai has indeed confirmed that it intends to create a high-performance production car with its engine in back, although it's still a couple years away.

Riffing off cars like the engine-in-the-back-seat Renault R5 Turbo and Clio V6 Renault Sport, Hyundai has been toying with mid-engine-powered hatchbacks for a while now. The Korean brand just won its first World Rally Championship this year, and the N Performance line continues to grow. The RM19, which was revealed at the Los Angeles auto show, is the latest high-performance vehicle in the sequence. “It’s the wildest machine we have so far,” Schemera says with a smile.

Part Race Car, Part Hot Hatch

Visually, the RM19 is easy to confuse with the front-engine Veloster race car fielded by Bryan Herta Autosport for IMSA competition. Its exaggerated bumpers, flares, hood, and rear spoiler are made of carbon-fiber and Kevlar composites, and the signature rear door on the passenger's side has been eliminated. Two large side scoops feed the intercooler, which also has water sprayers for additional cooling, while the engine breathes through a round hole in the bodywork behind the driver’s door. For a while, the engine’s intake wore a scoop to direct more air into the engine, but it was deemed too unsightly, so Hyundai removed it.

The company says the RM19 has spent time in its rolling-road wind tunnel and weighs 3200 pounds. The four-cylinder engine and sequential six-speed gearbox are primarily aluminum, and the 48 percent front and 52 percent rear weight balance is achieved by relocating the fuel tank and the radiator to the front. Two fans force hot air out of the engine compartment through holes cut into the backlight.

Can Be a Handful

Helmet on, we step inside and fasten the prototype's four-point harness. The RM19 sounds and feels like a race car. There’s a beefy cage, hard racing seats, and a small three-spoke steering wheel with carbon-fiber paddle shifters. The 2.0-liter is fitted with a muffler but idles at over 1200 rpm, and the gearbox, with its straight-cut gears, finds first with clunk. Unfortunately, we’re told to leave the Launch button on the steering wheel alone.

There’s a clutch pedal, but it’s only needed to get the car moving from a dead stop. It chatters a bit, but we keep the revs up as we pull onto the track. First gear is long and the engine builds revs smoothly but slowly. The gearbox is noisy, so much so that it drowns out the engine, even at the 6800-rpm redline. We zing past the redline to find that there’s a rev limiter

In faster corners, the RM19's chassis holds on tight, allowing you to get back on the power early. Gearchanges are firm and immediate. Its power steering is quick, with the same 12.3:1 ratio as the production Veloster N. It’s also light and precise, with plenty of feel. The Veloster’s multilink rear suspension has been replaced with control arms, but it’s tuned softer than expected. We're told the spring and damping rates are just a little higher than the specs of a production Veloster N. There’s a bit more body roll than expected, which actually makes it easier to drive. 

Another surprise is its rubber. Instead of the expected slicks, the forged aluminum wheels are wrapped in Pirelli P Zeros, size 245/30ZR-20 up front and 305/30ZR-20 in the rear. Choosing street tires might not result in the most grip, but they break away progressively and allow you to play right on the edge. Get the hang of its balance and power delivery and the RM19 is entertainingly tossable. It would be all smiles at a track day.

Hedging Its Bets

Although company reps have already confirmed Hyundai's intentions to produce a mid-engine sports car, Schemera tells us that such a car isn’t approved, but if it were, it would be three or four years down the road and would have to have a flexible platform that would work for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. It would also have to have the ability to accept a wide range of powertrains, including electric, hybrid, and fuel cell. “It would be challenging to make such a car affordable at $35,000 to $40,000,” he says. “It makes the most sense for Genesis, at $50,000 to $80,000. This could be a strategy to compete with the Corvette, but it hasn’t been decided yet.”

In the meantime, the Veloster N will get a new eight-speed dual-clutch transmission eventually, and a Sonata N-Line is on the way. Both cars will have their engines in the front.

Source: Car & Driver

Hyundai is looking to the future with its Vision T SUV Concept, which was just unveiled at the 2019 LA Auto Show.

It is a plug-in hybrid compact crossover that’s meant to express the Korean brand’s Sensuous Sportiness global design language while also looking to balance its eco-lifestyle focus with the environment in which it is driven.

While Hyundai hasn’t specified any interior or powertrain characteristics, other than it is a plug-in hybrid, its styling obviously reflects everything we’ve seen from previously-spied 2021 Hyundai Tucson prototypes, from the front fascia to certain angles and creases found on the bodywork. We don’t need to tell you that the production Tucson will be a lot less visually aggressive.

It measures 181.5 inches (4,610 mm) in length, 79.3 inches (1,938 mm) in width, stands 67.1 inches (1,704 mm) tall, and has a 110.4 inches (2,804 mm) long wheelbase.

A different design language

“We pursue innovative solutions in design and add emotional value to our product experience through sensuous sportiness design language,” said the automaker’s senior VP and head of global design, SangYup Lee.

According to Hyundai, the Vision T’s side profile is meant to convey a continual sense of speed and moving forward, while the long hood, short overhangs and level roofline reflect a “ready-for-anything dynamic.”

Visually, the Hidden Signature Lamp is derived from the Le Fil Rouge concept, while the Parametric Air Shutter is an original developmental feature that actively influences aerodynamics. When stationary, the grille is closed and static, but once the car is in motion, “each individual cell of the grille design continues to move in a prescribed sequence, creating a truly dynamic forward demeanor.”

As for the hidden signature headlights, they hide behind a half-mirror system that has a chromium appearance, transforming into functional lighting on demand. Other design features include the large satin chrome alloy wheels, dark orange brake calipers, glass roof, the passenger side charging port with its sliding cover and more. Also, since there are no exterior mirrors, we assume it would utilize cameras in the same way as the Audi e-tron.

Source: Carscoops.com