Although there are big obstacles ahead of them, Hyundai has big hopes for the future and has announced that they will start mass production of cars powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The company will begin building a hydrogen-powered Tucson ix SUVs at the company’s Ulsan plant in South Korea and their current aim is to sell 1000 of those zero-emission vehicles around the world by 2015. The immediate plan is that 15 of the new models will head to Denmark and two units to Sweden this April for municipal use.

Hyundai Motor Vice Chairman Kim Eok-jo said, “We expect to realize an environmentally friendly era more quickly through the mass production of hydrogen fuel cell cars for the first time in the world“.

A hydrogen-powered vehicle is certainly good for the environment as it emits only water vapor after hydrogen is converted into electricity.

As for the performance of the vehicle, Bloomberg says that it lags behind its gasoline-powered rivals but gives a smooth driving experience. It produces 134 horsepower and accelerates from 0 to 60mph in just over 12 seconds. Hyundai says that the car can go for about 370 miles before there is a need for refuelling.

But refuelling is one of the problems as there is a scarcity of fuelling stations. Reports suggest that there are only 13 stations across South Korea, but more stations are also being planned. Another major problem is the production cost, with estimates suggesting a price tag of $200,000. In comparison, the standard Tucson costs $19,935. But the company is promising that the price can be lowered to around $50,000 by 2015 after the tech improves.

If all the problems are taken care of, finally we can take an eco friendly route by not relying too much on internal combustion engines. What do you think?

[Source]

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When you think about it, this really makes a lot of sense. So many cars have push-to-start these days where the actual physical key doesn’t really matter all that much. All you need is something that can provide the appropriate signal and the NFC technology in compatible smartphones sounds like a perfect fit. Hyundai is aiming to replace traditional car keys with NFC-based apps by 2015. This wireless technology is likely an option, as some people will still want regular keys, but it is certainly intriguing.

But it’s not just about unlocking your doors and starting the engine. Hyundai wants to make it possible to set specific user profiles based on which smartphone is being used. In addition to opening the door, it might automatically set your seating and mirror positions, for example, and automatically switch to your favorite satellite radio station. And the cars would likely have an inductive charging plate to provide power to your mobile devices too.

I like it. There are already smartphone apps to work with compatible “smart” door locks, apps to pay for things, and apps to replace customer loyalty cards. It’s only a matter of time before we abandon traditional keys and wallets in favor of an all smartphone lifestyle.

[Source]

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I’ve always turnt away from most touch screen racers. The onscreen controls are often inaccurate, and the accelerometer controls would have to be implemented extremely well before they’d be considered a decent method of control. However, when I first played Asphalt 6 by Gameloft, my perspective changed, and I played the game from head to toe. Will Gameloft’s new free racing game GT Racing: Hyundai Edition be just as good?

Gameplay and Controls

Like many other racing games on the market, GT Racing offers a variety of control schemes to pick between. It defaults as brake/accelerate buttons and accelerometer to steer. You can change it in the settings menu though, where you’ll find different methods for changing gears, or steering.

The accelerometer controls are actually quite impressive; they work smoothly and there isn’t much delay between moving your device and the car moving direction. The on-screen steering wheel is a completely different story, however. It’s easy to let go of the control whilst steering, and it feels a lot less responsive to the other control methods, which is really disappointing, as the Asphalt 6 controls were super smooth.

When it comes to content, GT Racing: Hyundai Edition is a little lacking. There are only a couple cars to choose from, and only two different tracks to race on. The game feels a little empty because of this, even though there are plenty of racing missions to be completed, as well as an online multiplayer mode.

If you’ve played the Asphalt games, you’ll notice that GT Racing takes a much more realistic approach to racing, and it’s really important to drive carefully, because one wrongly judged turn could put you in last place. You can also get guidelines to help you turn corners, similar to the guideline system seen in the Forza Motorsport games. There are other options to help ease gameplay, including an automatic breaking system that slows you down at each corner. I think some of the features make it feel too much like the game is playing itself, but if you’re having trouble with the game, that feature is always there to be used.

Customization

Like the name suggests, the cars within the game will be Hyundai manufactured cars, which wouldn’t be too bad, but because there are so little vehicles in-game, the experience feels a little dulled down and uninspiring because of the similar looking cars.

After you win races you’ll earn money which can be spent on upgrading and changing the appearance of your car however, with different color options and various levels of upgrades for car components such as the engine, tires, and braking system.

It’s not incredibly customizable, but the upgrades in GT Racing give you a reason to keep playing.

Graphics and Audio

The graphics aren’t of Asphalt 7 standards, but for a free game they are rather pretty. The user interface has been designed well, and engine sounds and background music add immersion to the game. I’ve noticed that the steering animations are a little strange, but for a free game it’s worth ignoring.

Summary

Pros:

• The game is free
• Plenty of races
• Upgrades and color customization
• Decent graphics

Cons:

• Controls feel a little unresponsive and jerky
• Animations are slightly off
• Only two tracks and two cars
• It’s hard to find a match online

Download GT Racing: Hyundai Edition on Google Play.

The post GT Racing: Hyundai Edition Review appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

What’s cool is that Hyundai partnered up with The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman on the project. While Kirkman admittedly doesn’t “know a lot about cars,” he does “know a lot about the zombie apocalypse and what I would like to have to survive.” Having satellite radio and dual zone climate control is probably less important than making sure that the undead aren’t going to smash through your windshield and eat your brains for breakfast.

Hyundai also worked with Design Craft Fabrication to make sure that the design is practical and not just cool-looking. There’s that prominent zombie plow with spikes in the front, since you’ll be mowing down some of your undead neighbors to get to your next location for example. You’ll also see slatted armored window coverings, a roof hatch, an electric rear trunk, all terrain tires, spikes that jut out of the wheels, a CB radio and PA system, and plenty of weapons storage compartments. It’s like the Batmobile, but for fighting walkers.

And underneath all of that modification is little more than a humble Hyundai Elantra. This is certainly an interesting marketing campaign on the part of the Korean automaker.

[Source]

The post The All New 2013 Hyundai Zombie Killer Vehicle with Robert Kirkman appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

When the idea of a hybrid car first hit the scene, most of the unveilings were for compact looking cars. The same thing happened with electric vehicles (EVs), but that’s starting to change. Moving in that direction is the newly announced Kia Naimo, an electric vehicle that happens to be a crossover utility vehicle.

I’m pretty sure it’s not the first EV to do the CUV thing, but it is notable to see that electrics are quickly expanding beyond econobox-sized proportions. Debuting at the Seoul Motor Show, the Kia Naimo is meant to combine “innovative technology” with a “Korean tradition.” Instead of wiper blades, it uses a “high-intensity air jet,” not unlike a Dyson hand dryer. That’s the “premium feel” part of the equation, I guess.

The car measures 3.9 meters long, seats four people, and offers an effective range of up to 200km (124 miles) on a single charge of its Lithium-Ion Polymer battery. A quick charge cycle reaches 80% capacity in 25 minutes, while a full charge takes five and a half hours. There’s a “Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor” in there for about 107hp and 280Nm of maximum torque.

For the longest time, driving a Korean car meant that you couldn’t afford a Japanese car. They were cheap and cheaply built (I need not remind you of the Hyundai Pony). That’s very much changing these days and the Naimo could help to further solidify Kia’s place as a serious contender in this space.

[Read]

The post Kia Naimo Electric Crossover Vehicle Debuts in Seoul appeared first on Mobile Magazine.

Hyundai kicked off the festivities this year at the Detroit Auto Show with their Blue-WIll Concept, codenamed HND-4. The hybrid electric motor is rated at 100 kW Hyundai promises an electric-only driving distance of up to 40 miles on a single charge and a fuel economy rating of more than 100 miles per gallon.

The Blue-Will is the first-ever plug-in hybrid from Hyundai, It’s a four-seat sedan concept with a panoramic glass roof and solar cells for recharging batteries. The thermal generator converts hot exhaust gases into electricity. It all adds up to some great potential for Hyundai to enter the hybrid market. Can’t wait to see this technology on the road.

Source: AutoBlog

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In an effort to push some inventory during these summer months, Hyundai will be providing customers with gas at a fixed price of $1.49 a gallon, regardless of what the price on the street sign may read at the time.

If this kind of scheme sounds familiar, that’s because Chrysler had a similar promotion last year “guaranteeing” gas prices at $2.99 a gallon. With the Chrysler program, customers were given a prepaid gas card. With Hyundai, customers will instead be given a separate Hyundai-branded card that will bill them at $1.49 a gallon for 12,000 miles worth of gas.

I don’t see any mention of being restricted to one gas company over another, so it seems that customers have free reign over whether they want Shell, Chevron, or whoever else. Hyundai calculates the gallons used based on the EPA ratings. For all gas that is over $1.49 a gallon at the pump, Hyundai will pick up the difference.

The promotion is being offered to most vehicles in Hyundai’s lineup with the exception of the base model Accent.

Source: LLN

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