hyundai

Small is clearly in, as these concepts show. And since concept cars are a bellwether for upcoming automotive trends, expect downsizing to be commonplace among new cars. Most of these concepts are lightweight city cars, easily maneuverable and economical. Mini's entrants add a sporty flavor, while Citroen and Hyundai go for the futuristic. Mazda showed off a stripped-down version of its MX-5, more weekend racer than everyday driver.

A study by iSuppli Corporation shows that the top 10 cars being bought with Cash for Clunkers vouchers offer tech features such as GPS navigation, Bluetooth phone systems, satellite radio, and iPod integration. However, in iSuppli's automotive tech rating system, the average score for these 10 cars, 14.6, falls below the tech average for all cars available, 17.8 according to iSuppli. The Ford Focus tops the list, and sets the tone for the rest, which are all relatively inexpensive and economical vehicles.

The iSuppli report notes that none of these cars offer driver assistance technologies, such as … Read more

A huge week of electric car announcements; the new Jaguar XJ reaches for the title of Top Tech Car; GM's out of BK; Dodge saves the Viper; and we take you for a ride in the hottest green car on the planet.

• CNET Review: 2010 Prius

• New Jaguar XJ launched, dripping with tech

• Best Buy moves hard into electric vehicles

• Sporty Hyundai plug in hybrid announced

• CNET Video: Volvo XC60 with automatic braking system

We all get in a big arguments over whether all-in-one devices are more convenient than discrete devices. Cooley thinks discrete devices are un-American. I think the opposite. And Molly has the logical arguments for discrete devices. We also find out a judge has ruled IP addresses can only prove a computer existed and not a person. Good on ya, Judge!

Google names Chrome OS compatriots, Dell noticeably absent http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/08/google-names-chrome-os-compatriots-dell-noticeably-absent/

OEMs mum on actual partnerships … Read more

LOS ANGELES--Hyundai plans to have a plug-in hybrid on sale in U.S. by late 2012.

Yang Woong-chul, research and development president of Hyundai-Kia Motors, says the new hybrid-only vehicle will be based on the Blue-Will concept shown at the Seoul Motor Show in April.

"We're going after Prius and the Volt with the plug-in," he said.

Blue-Will is an aggressive-looking four-door sports car powered by a 1.6-liter gasoline engine and a 100-kilowatt electric motor that together make 152 horsepower. The engine is mated to a continuously variable transmission. The lithium ion batteries will be supplied … Read more

We just finished reviewing the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, and had some disagreement on staff concerning the styling of the car. We could all agree that it gives excellent performance, especially considering the low price. And Hyundai was very smart to include standard iPod and Bluetooth phone integration, something other automakers ought to consider.

As for the looks, some on our staff like the silhouette, and call out the big rear haunches as a nice cue that conveys the car's aggressive sport nature. On the other side of the argument, some of my co-workers point out that the broken … Read more

Electric cars have been getting plenty of buzz lately, but the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is still going strong. The California Fuel Cell Partnership, along with Powertech Labs, National Hydrogen Association, and U.S. Fuel Cell Council, will seek to regain the spotlight with a road trip to demonstrate the practicality of these vehicles.

Twelve fuel cell cars from seven automakers will drive from Chula Vista, in Southern California, up to Vancouver, Canada, a trip of 1,700 miles. Vancouver was chosen for the destination because it will play host to the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, where a … Read more

The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is finally available on North American roads. However, this is not just any old stretch of asphalt down which we find ourselves piloting the bright red Genesis Coupe 2.0T. This is legendary Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and on this road, there are no speed limits.

We were given access to both the 2.0T Track and the more powerful 3.8 Track model. Both vehicles featured a good list of standard cabin tech such as Bluetooth hands-free, a 10-speaker Infinity audio system, and keyless entry with push-button start. USB and auxiliary ports are also … Read more

We spend a lot of time evaluating the electronics in new cars, digging through navigation system menus, hooking up phones and iPods, and listening to audio systems. But occasionally we get to put these very same cars on the track, to find out how their performance technologies work under stress.

This year, we drove a wide variety of cars on the track at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. There was the new Hyundai Genesis Coupe and Chevrolet Camaro. We had familiar rides such as the BMW M3 and Acura TL SH-AWD. Then there were the race-bred cars, the Audi R8 and … Read more