Category: Auto Industry

Long Term: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo: July/August 2013

Filed under: Performance, Hatchback, Hyundai, Long-Term Garage

Long-term 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo

If you’ve been reading the past several updates on our long-term 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo, you may have noticed a trend developing. This is a flawed vehicle. Not critically so, but for many of our editors, this vehicle’s annoying attributes are indeed outweighing the good. What may not be obvious, though, is that the deck is kind of stacked against the Turbo model.

See, a Veloster with its base powertrain and less of the gimmicky, look-at-me styling is a solid, fashion-forward, nicely packaged hatchback at a good price. Our issues haven’t so much been with the Veloster itself, but with the unfulfilled expectations of hot-hatchery that the Turbo brings to the equation.

For this update, then, I will focus on a common bridge between the two Veloster models: the cars’ top-end infotainment systems. Tack on the Style and Tech packs on the standard Veloster or the Ultimate Package on a Veloster Turbo, and you’ll get the same Blue Link infotainment system, touchscreen navigation and eight-speaker Dimension stereo (a standard item on the VT).

Continue reading 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo: July/August 2013

2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo: July/August 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Sep 2013 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Long Term: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo: July/August 2013

Filed under: Performance, Hatchback, Hyundai, Long-Term Garage

Long-term 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo

If you’ve been reading the past several updates on our long-term 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo, you may have noticed a trend developing. This is a flawed vehicle. Not critically so, but for many of our editors, this vehicle’s annoying attributes are indeed outweighing the good. What may not be obvious, though, is that the deck is kind of stacked against the Turbo model.

See, a Veloster with its base powertrain and less of the gimmicky, look-at-me styling is a solid, fashion-forward, nicely packaged hatchback at a good price. Our issues haven’t so much been with the Veloster itself, but with the unfulfilled expectations of hot-hatchery that the Turbo brings to the equation.

For this update, then, I will focus on a common bridge between the two Veloster models: the cars’ top-end infotainment systems. Tack on the Style and Tech packs on the standard Veloster or the Ultimate Package on a Veloster Turbo, and you’ll get the same Blue Link infotainment system, touchscreen navigation and eight-speaker Dimension stereo (a standard item on the VT).

Continue reading 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo: July/August 2013

2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo: July/August 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Sep 2013 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: How new car shortages may impact your buying experience

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Subaru, Earnings/Financials

Auto Sales

If you want further proof that the auto industry is bouncing back, look no further than the empty lots and forecourts of your local dealership. According to a story by The Wall Street Journal, continued high demand for mainstream cars is overtaxing automakers’ ability to produce enough models. Several dealers interviewed for the story are reporting two-week supplies as opposed to the typical two-month allocations.

With sales expected to hit 1.4 million units when August numbers arrive shortly and incentive spending down to its lowest amount since January, these limited supplies are pushing prices even higher. For example, according to the WSJ, the average price of a Ford Fusion is up past $26,000. Unfortunately, it’s difficult for manufacturers to increase production quickly. If it invests in its facilities, as many manufacturers have done, it risks wasting cash if growth suddenly slows. At the same time, the momentum gained over the past several years could be short lived if vehicle supplies continue to dwindle. “Manufacturers are in a precarious situation,” notes Karl Brauer, a senior director at Kelley Blue Book.

Low interest rates and a wealth of desirable features are also allowing customers to purchase more expensive vehicles while justifying their higher overall price tags, a situation that is compounding supply shortages. Even now, during the annual end-of-summer clearance season, deals on new vehicles are remarkably difficult to come by. According to the report, the Toyota Corolla is in a self-inflicted state of shortage, as Toyota clears out inventory in anticipation of the new 2014 generation arriving in dealers. Ford’s supplies should rebound as Fusion production comes on line at its Flat Rock, Michigan factory. The Chevrolet Impala, Honda Odyssey, Civic, and Accord and Subaru Forester are also facing shortages.

How new car shortages may impact your buying experience originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Sep 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: How new car shortages may impact your buying experience

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Chevrolet, Ford, Honda, Subaru, Earnings/Financials

Auto Sales

If you want further proof that the auto industry is bouncing back, look no further than the empty lots and forecourts of your local dealership. According to a story by The Wall Street Journal, continued high demand for mainstream cars is overtaxing automakers’ ability to produce enough models. Several dealers interviewed for the story are reporting two-week supplies as opposed to the typical two-month allocations.

With sales expected to hit 1.4 million units when August numbers arrive shortly and incentive spending down to its lowest amount since January, these limited supplies are pushing prices even higher. For example, according to the WSJ, the average price of a Ford Fusion is up past $26,000. Unfortunately, it’s difficult for manufacturers to increase production quickly. If it invests in its facilities, as many manufacturers have done, it risks wasting cash if growth suddenly slows. At the same time, the momentum gained over the past several years could be short lived if vehicle supplies continue to dwindle. “Manufacturers are in a precarious situation,” notes Karl Brauer, a senior director at Kelley Blue Book.

Low interest rates and a wealth of desirable features are also allowing customers to purchase more expensive vehicles while justifying their higher overall price tags, a situation that is compounding supply shortages. Even now, during the annual end-of-summer clearance season, deals on new vehicles are remarkably difficult to come by. According to the report, the Toyota Corolla is in a self-inflicted state of shortage, as Toyota clears out inventory in anticipation of the new 2014 generation arriving in dealers. Ford’s supplies should rebound as Fusion production comes on line at its Flat Rock, Michigan factory. The Chevrolet Impala, Honda Odyssey, Civic, and Accord and Subaru Forester are also facing shortages.

How new car shortages may impact your buying experience originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Sep 2013 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW XL1 to carry $145,000 price tag?

Filed under: Diesel, EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Volkswagen

VW XL1

The best we’ve been able to suss out thus far is that the Volkswagen XL1 will be expensive. Like six-figure, “as much as a nicely detailed Audi A6,” expensive (we’re assuming that Audi bit is European pricing). Given that this is a hand-built, hyper-aerodynamic, plug-in-diesel vehicle – and one that VW will only make 250 of – it’s not at all surprising that it’ll be a ride for the upper class. Thanks to a report in Wirtschafts Woche, we finally have a potential price tag for the 261-mpg car: 111,000 euros, or a little over US $146,000. VW tells Wirtschafts Woche that there should be plenty of demand for the car at that price from collectors and enthusiasts, even though we heard earlier that the car will likely be available for lease only.

The XL1 gets its name from the fact that it uses less than one liter of fuel to go 100 kilometers (using one liter would be equivalent to 235 mpg). Thus far, VW has built 50 of the slippery little things and plans on making another 200 for delivery in the spring of 2014 before ending the project. “The car is more a lighthouse than a business model,” VW’s Ulrich Hackenberg told Wirtschafts Woche (translated). We got to drive the XL1 earlier this year – you can read all about that here.

VW XL1 to carry $145,000 price tag? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 04 Sep 2013 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW XL1 to carry $145,000 price tag?

Filed under: Diesel, EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Volkswagen

VW XL1

The best we’ve been able to suss out thus far is that the Volkswagen XL1 will be expensive. Like six-figure, “as much as a nicely detailed Audi A6,” expensive (we’re assuming that Audi bit is European pricing). Given that this is a hand-built, hyper-aerodynamic, plug-in-diesel vehicle – and one that VW will only make 250 of – it’s not at all surprising that it’ll be a ride for the upper class. Thanks to a report in Wirtschafts Woche, we finally have a potential price tag for the 261-mpg car: 111,000 euros, or a little over US $146,000. VW tells Wirtschafts Woche that there should be plenty of demand for the car at that price from collectors and enthusiasts, even though we heard earlier that the car will likely be available for lease only.

The XL1 gets its name from the fact that it uses less than one liter of fuel to go 100 kilometers (using one liter would be equivalent to 235 mpg). Thus far, VW has built 50 of the slippery little things and plans on making another 200 for delivery in the spring of 2014 before ending the project. “The car is more a lighthouse than a business model,” VW’s Ulrich Hackenberg told Wirtschafts Woche (translated). We got to drive the XL1 earlier this year – you can read all about that here.

VW XL1 to carry $145,000 price tag? originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 04 Sep 2013 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Next-generation Kia Sorento snapped undergoing testing

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Kia

Kia Sorento Spy Shots

Kia has been busy – a refreshed Sorento just arrived in showrooms for the 2014 model year and the Korean manufacturer is already out undergoing advanced testing in the next-generation model. How, pray tell, do we know how far along testing is? Notice any cladding, or coverings, aside from the regular vinyl camo? Right.

Our predictive talents aside, there are still a lot of questions about the next Sorento. We don’t have much to go on with the technical specs, although we’ll be thunderstruck if there isn’t some form of the Hyundai/Kia 2.0-liter turbo under hood. Our spies report that this new model is somewhat larger than the current Sorento, hinting that it might be riding atop the same platform as the long-wheelbase Hyundai Santa Fe. That could indicate an available V6 model, as well. Judging by the profile views, we’d bet our bottom dollar this is a three-row model.

The conflicting nature of a refreshed Sorento hitting dealers and an advanced prototype out testing in Europe makes it difficult to pin down a date for the third-generation CUV’s debut. We doubt we’ll be seeing the new Sorento before the end of the year – a 2014 debut with a 2015 on-sale date just seems more likely in light of the newness of the refreshed model.

Next-generation Kia Sorento snapped undergoing testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Sep 2013 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Next-generation Kia Sorento snapped undergoing testing

Filed under: Spy Photos, Crossover, Kia

Kia Sorento Spy Shots

Kia has been busy – a refreshed Sorento just arrived in showrooms for the 2014 model year and the Korean manufacturer is already out undergoing advanced testing in the next-generation model. How, pray tell, do we know how far along testing is? Notice any cladding, or coverings, aside from the regular vinyl camo? Right.

Our predictive talents aside, there are still a lot of questions about the next Sorento. We don’t have much to go on with the technical specs, although we’ll be thunderstruck if there isn’t some form of the Hyundai/Kia 2.0-liter turbo under hood. Our spies report that this new model is somewhat larger than the current Sorento, hinting that it might be riding atop the same platform as the long-wheelbase Hyundai Santa Fe. That could indicate an available V6 model, as well. Judging by the profile views, we’d bet our bottom dollar this is a three-row model.

The conflicting nature of a refreshed Sorento hitting dealers and an advanced prototype out testing in Europe makes it difficult to pin down a date for the third-generation CUV’s debut. We doubt we’ll be seeing the new Sorento before the end of the year – a 2014 debut with a 2015 on-sale date just seems more likely in light of the newness of the refreshed model.

Next-generation Kia Sorento snapped undergoing testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Sep 2013 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Toyota’s refreshed Sai is a Lexus HS by any other name

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Japan, Toyota

Toyota Sai

Toyota first launched Lexus in the United States back in 1989, but it wasn’t until 2005 that it brought the luxury marque home to roost. But don’t think that Toyota didn’t find a way of selling many of its premium models in the Japanese Domestic Market in the meantime. The Lexus LS was sold as the Toyota Celsion, the ES as the Vista and Camry Prominent, and the SC as the Soarer. (We could go on, but you get the point.)

These days Lexus sells in markets around the world, including Japan, but Toyota still spins off its own versions of Lexus models to sell domestically as well. Like the new Sai, for example. Sharing its platform, hybrid propulsion and much more with the Lexus HS (which you may remember as the world’s first dedicated luxury hybrid until it was pulled from the market early last year), the Sai was introduced to Japan at the same time as the HS was rolled out around the world. Now nearly four years on the market, Toyota has given it a bit of a refresh.

Boasting a far more aggressive front end and a restyled rear, the revised Sai features LED headlights, 16-inch alloys and a higher-quality interior in which JDM buyers will find a new center console and trim, along with an optional 10-speaker infotainment system. Toyota also boasts that the new Sai is made of 20-percent Ecological Plastic and recycled resin.

Power still comes from the same 150-horsepower 2.4-liter inline-four and 143-hp electric motor for a combined maximum output of 190 hp. Toyota anticipates selling 2,000 of these every month in Japan. Read all the details in Toyota’s official press release below.

Continue reading Toyota’s refreshed Sai is a Lexus HS by any other name

Toyota’s refreshed Sai is a Lexus HS by any other name originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Sep 2013 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Official: Toyota’s refreshed Sai is a Lexus HS by any other name

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Japan, Toyota

Toyota Sai

Toyota first launched Lexus in the United States back in 1989, but it wasn’t until 2005 that it brought the luxury marque home to roost. But don’t think that Toyota didn’t find a way of selling many of its premium models in the Japanese Domestic Market in the meantime. The Lexus LS was sold as the Toyota Celsion, the ES as the Vista and Camry Prominent, and the SC as the Soarer. (We could go on, but you get the point.)

These days Lexus sells in markets around the world, including Japan, but Toyota still spins off its own versions of Lexus models to sell domestically as well. Like the new Sai, for example. Sharing its platform, hybrid propulsion and much more with the Lexus HS (which you may remember as the world’s first dedicated luxury hybrid until it was pulled from the market early last year), the Sai was introduced to Japan at the same time as the HS was rolled out around the world. Now nearly four years on the market, Toyota has given it a bit of a refresh.

Boasting a far more aggressive front end and a restyled rear, the revised Sai features LED headlights, 16-inch alloys and a higher-quality interior in which JDM buyers will find a new center console and trim, along with an optional 10-speaker infotainment system. Toyota also boasts that the new Sai is made of 20-percent Ecological Plastic and recycled resin.

Power still comes from the same 150-horsepower 2.4-liter inline-four and 143-hp electric motor for a combined maximum output of 190 hp. Toyota anticipates selling 2,000 of these every month in Japan. Read all the details in Toyota’s official press release below.

Continue reading Toyota’s refreshed Sai is a Lexus HS by any other name

Toyota’s refreshed Sai is a Lexus HS by any other name originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Sep 2013 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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