The Hyundai Tucson provides the versatility you're looking for in a crossover, and comfort that you'd find in a premium sedan. Designed and engineered by Hyundai's European design center, its assertive stance sets it apart from every other crossover utility vehicle. The Tucson offers premium features such as leather seating, panoramic sunroof, and an intelligent navigation system with premium audio.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Thank you to Jude for sharing this 5-star experience with us!
"Very pleased with the service department at O'Hare Hyundai. Staff is courteous, and all work has been completed in a timely manner."
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
HYUNDAI MOTOR AMERICA WINS BRONZE CANNES LION FOR RE:GENERATION MUSIC PROJECT
Collaboration with Greenlight Media & Marketing and The Recording Academy to Launch Hyundai Veloster Wins Award in Branded Content and Entertainment Category
COSTA MESA, Calif., June 25, 2012 – Hyundai took home a bronze Cannes Lion award on Saturday, June 23, during the 2012 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity in France for the RE:GENERATION Music Project, featuring the Hyundai Veloster. The project, conducted in partnership with Greenlight Media & Marketing, The Recording Academy® and Hyundai’s agency of record, Innocean Worldwide Americas, won the inaugural award for best use or integration of music in the Branded Content and Entertainment Category. In its first year, there were 800 submissions for the category and just seven named finalists. The selection committee was comprised of 16 judges from 10 countries.
“We are honored and truly thrilled that the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity is recognizing the RE:GENERATION Music Project,” said Steve Shannon, vice president of marketing, Hyundai Motor America. “Hyundai’s intent with this project was to support the creation of original works of art that a youthful, creative audience would appreciate. And with great partners like Greenlight and the Recording Academy, we delivered on that objective in a way that authentically connected Hyundai to the artists.”
Hyundai launched the 2012 Veloster, an innovative three-door coupe including technology that changes the way creative individuals experience driving, with music as a centerpiece. In partnership with The Recording Academy® (internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards®) Hyundai and Greenlight developed a unique concept called the RE:GENERATION Music Project. RE:GENERATION challenged five modern DJs to record an original track in a genre completely new to them. The project resulted in five new electronic music tracks influenced by everything from country to classical. The new tracks include participation from multiple GRAMMY Award winners as they collaborate with each DJ to re-imagine their genre in each DJ’s unique style.
Five of the world’s top DJs – Skrillex, Mark Ronson, DJ Premier, The Crystal Method and Pretty Lights – all participated in the project and their creative process was documented by Oscar®-nominated director Amir Bar-Lev. The resulting documentary highlights the creative tension and ultimately successful performance of five completely original new musical tracks.
Hyundai launched the film at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre during GRAMMY® Week, followed by an extended nationwide theatrical release and multiple screenings at SXSW and Coachella.
“There were more 32,000 entries this year at Cannes and this was the first year for the Branded Content and Entertainment Lions category,” said Dominic Sandifer, president, Greenlight Media & Marketing. “Only an innovative brand like Hyundai could unite these partners and artists in a truly authentic way and we’re proud to work with them.”
The Veloster is an innovative compact coupe that features ground-breaking design, with a unique third door for easy rear-seat access, Hyundai’s Blue Link® telematics system, Pandora® internet radio with seven-inch touch-screen display and a new 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine that can be mated to either Hyundai’s first EcoShift™ dual-clutch transmission or a six-speed manual transmission. The Veloster is also one of Hyundai’s vehicles that achieves 40 mpg on the highway.
For information and to view the film, please visit http://regenerationmusicproject.com. The film is available for online streaming exclusively on Hulu in the US and Japan, as well as on Vevo affiliated services in other international territories. It will enjoy its television world premiere on Fuse Network later this summer.
Courtesy of Hyundai News
Monday, June 25, 2012
Your Monday Maintenance Tip: What to Do If Your Car Overheats
There are many things that can go wrong when driving, overheating is a big one. Many factors can cause a car to overheat, typically low coolant during warm temperatures, long drives and congested traffic are to blame.
If your car overheats, do not drive more than a quarter mile. Have it towed to avoid further damage to the engine. However, if there is no experienced mechanic or tow truck nearby, follow these simple steps:
• Pull over to a safe location and turn off the engine.
• Do not open the hood until the car has completely cooled or the temperature gauge has moved from hot to cool.
• Check the coolant (also called antifreeze) level in the radiator. Look in the owner’s manual if you are unsure where the coolant reservoir tank is.
• Make sure the radiator cap is cool before opening it. Slowly twist it off with a towel and beware of any hot steam. If needed, fill coolant to the top of the radiator. Put the radiator cap back on.
• Be sure the upper or lower radiator hose and any of the heater hoses have not been blocked, disconnected or burst.
• Restart the engine.
• Carefully monitor the temperature gauge. If you see it crossing the optimal mark, pull over to a safe location and turn the engine off.
While your best bet is to get help from a mechanic, your safest bet is to be prepared. Store these essential items in you car: Coolant, tool kit, working flashlight, non-perishable foods and water.
Courtesy of The National Safety Council
Thursday, June 21, 2012
2012 HYUNDAI VELOSTER NAMED ONE OF THE 10 COOLEST NEW CARS UNDER $18,000 BY KELLEY BLUE BOOK’S
Two criteria, fun-to-drive and fun-to-own, are critical among the deciding factors of what the kbb.com editors freely admit is a very subjective “cool factor.” Each vehicle on the list is available for purchase at $18,000 or less, using Kelley Blue Book’s exclusive Fair Purchase Price as the yardstick. Kelley Blue Book’s Fair Purchase Price is the price consumers typically pay for a car, based on actual new-vehicle transactions and updated weekly for changing market conditions.
“We’re honored that kbb.com is recognizing the Veloster as one of the coolest new cars under $18,000,” said Scott Margason, director, Product Planning, Hyundai Motor America. “The Veloster offers great fuel economy, iconic design and advanced technology features all at an affordable price. It was definitely created with the cool factor in mind.”
As one of Hyundai’s first models to achieve 40 MPG, the Veloster delivers the functionality of a hatchback but style and sporty design of a coupe. The Veloster also features Hyundai’s Blue Link® telematics system and Pandora® internet radio with seven-inch touch-screen display.
Courtesy of Kelley Blue Book
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
MSN's Cheap-to-Own Luxury Cars
- 2012 price: $34,200
- True cost to own: $56,235
- Fuel economy mpg: 19 city, 29 highway
The listed price is for the entry-level 2012 Hyundai Genesis 3.8 -- a value that puts other luxury sedans to shame.
In shopping for a luxury car, the biggest hurdle Genesis poses may be that it's a Hyundai. However, once you forget about its pedigree, and concentrate instead on its overwhelming level of standard content, well-appointed cabin, passenger comfort and competent performance, you might be sold even without considering its low cost of ownership.
Its 333-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6 and eight-speed automatic transmission deliver solid fuel economy and zesty acceleration.
Standard features include full power accessories, dual-zone automatic climate control, eight air bags, keyless start and entry, leather seating and a seven-speaker audio system with a USB/auxiliary input jack for your music-playing device.
It also has a full range of up-level options found on luxury cars costing tens of thousands more.
- 2012 price: $59,000
- True cost to own: $79,784
- Fuel economy mpg: 15 city, 23 highway
Separating the two versions of the 2012 Hyundai Equus are the levels of rear-seat amenities. Edmunds included the less expensive Signature model on this list. It seats three in its second-row seat. The Ultimate accommodates just two passengers in seats that recline and massage and are separated by a mini refrigerator.
A new 5-liter V8 sends 429 horsepower to the rear wheels via an eight-speed, driver-shiftable, automatic transmission.
Equus is the second Hyundai on this list for good reason.
A remarkable value, this luxury car provides a high level of standard equipment in its spacious cabin, such as heated and ventilated front seats, leather seating, heated steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, navigation system, rearview camera, nine air bags, Bluetooth connectivity and a 17-speaker Lexicon 7.1 surround-sound audio system with a USB/auxiliary input jack for your music-playing device.
Equus is the poster child for buying smart.
Courtesy of MSN Money
Monday, June 18, 2012
Your Monday Maintenance Tip: How To Change a Tire
Sooner or later, it's bound to happen to most everyone. You're driving along with your mind on the important meeting agenda, and suddenly your car pulls to one side and you hear that dreaded flapping sound of a flat tire.
Nowadays, many drivers have roadside assistance services that will come fix your flats, but it's always smart to know how to change a flat yourself. Because it's a fairly common occurrence, car manufacturers have tried to make the tire change process one that virtually anyone can do.
Before Starting Out
It's a good idea to get your car serviced before heading out on a road trip. Part of the checkup should include a look at the tires.
Look for any unevenly worn spots, or skimpy tread. If the tires are iffy, invest in new ones. You'll need them eventually anyway, and it's better to start out on a trip with new tires than have a blow-out in the middle of nowhere.
Even if you're not heading on a trip, you should familiarize yourself with the tools you'll use in the event of a flat tire. Most cars come equipped with a simple jack and lug wrench, as well as a spare tire. Check your owner's manual if you aren't sure how to access these items.
Pull out the jack and the tire, and make sure the tire is in good shape. If your spare is flat, get it fixed.
It only takes a few minutes to make sure you have all the tools, and you'll save yourself a big headache later if you find yourself on the side of the road with a flat.
Optional Items to Pack
Besides the crucial jack, wrench, and spare tire, you might also want to consider placing these tools in your trunk to make a tire change much easier and more comfortable:
- Flashlight (with extra batteries)
- Gloves
- Tarp or mat to kneel on
- Plastic rain poncho
- Fix-a-flat™ spray foam
- Tire gauge
- Tire blocks
Changing a Flat Tire
Follow these simple steps to fix the problem and be on your way in no time:
- Find a safe spot to pull over. If you're on the freeway, getting off is the safest bet, even if you have to drive on a blown tire. Otherwise, pull as far onto the shoulder as possible. Don't park in the middle of a curve, where approaching cars can't see you. Also choose a flat spot; jacking up your car on a hill can be a disaster. If you have a manual transmission, leave your car in gear. Be sure to set your parking brake!
- Turn on your hazard lights. Get the jack, wrench, and spare tire from the trunk of the car and bring them over to the tire that is flat. Use other tools or supplies if needed.
- Use the wrench to loosen the lug nuts. You may need to remove the hubcap. Don't remove the lug nuts at this point; simply loosen them by turning the wrench to the left (counter-clockwise). If the lug nuts are really tight, try placing the wrench on the nut and standing on the wrench arm to use your full weight on it. You can also try hitting the wrench arm with a rock.
- Use the jack to lift the vehicle off the ground. Different car models may have different places to put the jack; consult your owner's manual for specific locations. Once the jack is securely in the correct spot, jack up the car until the tire is about six inches off the ground.
- Remove the lug nuts and pull the tire off the car. Make sure to place the lug nuts in a pile that won't get scattered, and pull the tire straight toward yourself to remove it from the wheel base.
- Place the spare on the car. Line up the lug nut posts with the holes in the spare, and push the spare all the way onto the wheel base until it can't go any farther.
- Put on the lug nuts. Don't put them on tightly, just make sure they're on enough for the spare to stay on the car for a moment.
- Lower the car back to the ground. Use the jack to bring the car back down to ground level. Remove the jack from underneath the car.
- Make sure the lug nuts are tightened. With the car back on the ground, you can now tighten the lug nuts. Rather than tightening them one by one in order, start with one lug nut, tighten it about 50%, move to the opposite nut (across the circle) and tighten that one about the same amount. Keep tightening opposite lug nuts gradually in turn until each lug nut is as tight as it can be.
- Put your flat tire and tools back in your trunk. Make sure you don't leave anything on the side of the road.
Quick Fixes
Once in a while, a tire isn't completely destroyed when it goes flat. If the flat is caused by a nail or other sharp object, and you can't or don't want to change your tire on the side of the road, you may be able to give yourself a few miles of leeway by using a flat-fix type spray.
Simply follow the manufacturer's directions. In ideal situations, the spray foam will allow you to at least find a close off-ramp and pull into a service station or a rest stop before you have to change your tire.
Courtesy of DMV.org
Thursday, June 14, 2012
The 2013 Hyundai Elantra Coupe Zombie Survival Edition
Robert Kirkman, creator of The Walking Dead, describes his vision for this zombie-proof Hyundai Elantra Coupe. Built to save you from the clutches of the undead, this custom Elantra will be on display at the Future US Comic-Con booth. For more, go to hyundaiundead.com.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Design boss plans Hyundai's next big splash
The "stack" is a pile of index card-sized sketches on the corner of every designer's desk. For Chapman, Hyundai's U.S. design boss, it's a way to encourage his designers to keep ideas flowing. So when they're not working on a deadline project, they're sketching Hyundai's future.
"It's a designer's duty to be dreaming," says Chapman, 46, a former BMW stylist. "They've got little thumbnails going on all the time of little tiny cars ... and the power of those tiny little sketches is immense. There's such juicy material in that corner stack that we tap into."
Chapman took charge at Hyundai's U.S. design center in January, filling an 11-month leadership vacuum after Phil Zak returned to General Motors. Chapman says Hyundai's willingness to push the envelope attracted him to the Korean automaker after 18 years at BMW.
"Whether you think it's a good design or not, or whether you think it's attractive or not, the amount of sculpture and the dimensional aspect of the Elantra is undeniable," he says. "All I see is a company that's saying, 'Man, we're going for it.'"
The Irvine studio is responsible for the sheet metal on the current mid-sized Sonata and compact Elantra sedans. Those cars, which account for nearly two-thirds of Hyundai division's U.S. sales in 2012, helped put Hyundai on the design map.
But now that Hyundai has made several bold styling statements, Chapman says the company must consolidate its gains. And that means evolving Hyundai's fluidic sculpture design language.
"The drastic change from model to model isn't sustainable as your reputation grows," he says. "It's important for this company to grow, but it's also important to learn the value of evolving an icon vs. changing it every time a new model comes out. And it's doing that."
The next-generation Sonata, Chapman said, is an example of Hyundai evolving or refining a design, instead of inventing something new. The design for the sedan, due out in 2014, is nearly finished and will be recognizable as a Sonata.
"I believe the current-gen Sonata is an icon," he says. "People know that car. What you want to do is get the reaction when the car drives by of, 'Whoa, that's a Sonata--and it's a new one.' Then we've done our job."
'My car career is over'
Chapman grew up in Pasadena, Calif., a kid obsessed with things in motion, especially airplanes. He sketched old World War II planes with "as many guns as I could possibly fit on them."
After graduating from the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena in 1989, he landed a job at Isuzu's design studio in Cerritos, Calif. At Isuzu, he did the XU-1 concept, a futuristic SUV with gull-wing doors that received wide acclaim at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 1993. Automotive News declared at the time: "If slick concept sport-utilities were the stars of the 1993 Tokyo Motor Show, Isuzu Motors' gull-wing XU-1 was the slickest of them all."
Chapman and his fellow Isuzu designers were on cloud nine after the show, but the feeling was short-lived. Isuzu had already decided to pull the plug on its California studio by the time the XU-1 was under the lights in Tokyo. Chapman was handed his severance papers on Oct. 28, 1993, ironically by the woman he eventually married, Chapman says with a smile.
"I figured, all right, my car career is over," he said.
Chapman applied for a position at Designworks/USA, a California consultancy that handled lots of BMW assignments and is now owned by the German automaker. It turned out to be a great fit.
"I didn't realize this, but they were trying to figure out how to build an SUV at BMW," Chapman said.
The interview went well.
"I remember [Designworks founder] Chuck Pelly saying, 'So you did the [XU-1]?' And I said, 'yeah, but it's a team effort.' I think that one response really rang a bell with them because it's never the efforts of just one person."
The job was his.
Soon, he was working nights sketching ideas for a BMW SUV while helping wind down Isuzu's studio. He met once a week with a BMW vice president on the patio at Jerry's Famous Deli in Marina Del Rey near Los Angeles to talk about what would become the BMW X5.
After joining Designworks, Chapman was sent to Munich for two months working with then-BMW design boss Chris Bangle on full-scale models of the eventual X5. That was five years before the production vehicle debuted at the 1999 Detroit auto show.
Over the next few years, several BMW production vehicles and concepts had Chapman's stamp, such as the X-Coupe concept shown in Detroit in 2001, the CS1 Concept in 2002, and the 1 series that is on the road today.
Most of Chapman's BMW tenure was spent at Designworks in California. He says his experience working outside headquarters taught him the importance of cultivating ideas that differ from those inside. He says that's the reason for having multiple design studios.
"Most of the time you're at the mercy of the decisions made at headquarters," he says. "It's being a flea on the end of a dog's tail. Just once in a while, you can chomp down onto that tail with your teeth and that whole dog will jump to attention."
Chapman says Hyundai's willingness to innovate drew him to the company. Audacious exterior styling is the example at hand, but he's talking about more than sheet metal. Chapman has made optimizing the car's human-machine interface a long-term priority.
The goal is to make hands-free calling, operating the sound system, and even starting the engine more intuitive. He calls each new idea "a little tapas plate."
Chapman says new optical and gesture recognition technology could lead to hands-free operation of the climate control system. By looking at a temperature icon on a head-up display, drivers could activate a motion sensor that would enable them to change the temperature by rotating their hand.
Entry ticket
Christopher Chapman helped design the Isuzu XU-1 concept SUV.
Such a system is years from production, but Chapman says Hyundai has a concept car planned for the Detroit auto show in January that will demonstrate a few of his team's human-machine interface ideas.
"In a lot of respects, the HMI is going to be one of the entry tickets, maybe even surpassing design," he says. "It's going to be such a powerful factor in the purchase decision of the car and it's important that we look at it that way."
Chapman says a generation of car buyers for whom operating an iPad is second nature demands a close look at how people interact with vehicles.
Still, he doesn't want to load Hyundais with every possible gadget, gizmo and high-tech application. He hates the term "infotainment" and reviles the industry's push to get smartphone-style apps in the car, for example.
"There's this rush to throw it all in the car because it exists and because the competition is going to throw it in there," he said. "I think we need to develop our own system ... and sometimes say no."
Monday, June 11, 2012
Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Driving and Tornadoes
Tornado Driving Safety Tips:
- Try not drive during tornado conditions. Drive only if the tornado is far away and the traffic you will be driving in is light.
- Never try to out-drive a tornado in a vehicle. Tornadoes can change direction quickly and can lift a car or truck and toss it through the air.
- If you can see the tornado, and it is heading away from you… just sit tight. If it is heading toward you, and you have the time, drive away from it at right angles. Example, if it is heading north, travel east or west. If it is too close, find safety below ground if possible, or in the nearest depression. Do not stay in your car, as it will be tossed around with you in it.
- Do not, under any circumstance, drive over a downed electrical line.
- Get out of your vehicle immediately and seek shelter in a nearby building.
- Be prepared with a disaster kit in the car at all times. Take it, if possible, when you leave your car.
- If there is no time to get indoors, or if there is no nearby shelter, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or a low-lying area away from the vehicle. Be aware of the potential for flooding.
- Heavy rains often accompany tornadoes. Do not travel down a road submerged in water — underlying currents could carry your car away. Another likely threat: a collapsed roadway. If your vehicle stalls in water, immediately abandon it — floodwaters can rise several feet in a matter of minutes.
You should know these about tornadoes:
- They may strike quickly, with little or no warning.
- They may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up or a cloud forms in the funnel.
- The average tornado moves Southwest to Northeast, but tornadoes have been known to move in any direction.
- The average forward speed of a tornado is 30 MPH, but may vary from stationary to 70 MPH.
- Peak tornado season in the southern states is March through May; in the northern states, it is late spring through early summer.
- Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., but can occur at any time.
Other Tornado Safety Tips:
Be alert to changing weather conditions.
- Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or to commercial radio or television newscasts for the latest information.Look for approaching storms
- Look for the following danger signs:
- Dark, often greenish sky
- Large hail
- A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating)
- Loud roar, similar to a freight train.
If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately.
Courtesy of Car-Use.net
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Kelley Blue Book - Best Green Cars of 2012
Overview
Fuel economy is up, fuel consumption is down, and the road keeps getting a little bit greener each new model year. But world-class fuel efficiency alone is not enough to win a spot on our annual 10 Best Green Cars list. Click the arrow above to see the standouts offering mpg and more.
The elusive 40 mpg mark is hit and miss for non-hybrid cars, but for the 2012 Hyundai Elantra it's an easy target. The Elantra obtains 40 highway mpg in all trim levels thanks to its fuel-efficient 4-cylinder engine, all while looking good in its wavy sheet metal and offering value with its low entry price.
Courtesy of Kelley Blue Book
Monday, June 4, 2012
Your Monday Maintenance Tip: Sunny Day Driving Safety
To see your way clearly
- You could wear Sun glasses or draw down the window-shade when the sunlight is too strong to make sure you can see your way clearly.
Prevent Engine Overheating
- Engine Overheating may cause breakdowns, especially on a hot day.
- Check the level, condition, and concentration of the coolant periodically.
- If your car overheats, do not drive any more.Never remove the radiator cap until the engine has thoroughly cooled.
Pay Attention To Tires
- Check your tires regularly
- Be sure the tires are properly inflated
- Don’t drive at a high rate of speed for a long time,particularly in hot weather
- Do not overload your car
Courtesy of Car-Use.net
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