ALL-NEW 2017 HYUNDAI ELANTRA LAUNCHES WITH APPLE CARPLAY AND ANDROID AUTO

Automaker’s Best-Selling Model Offers Smartphone Integrations for More Consumers 

Fountain Valley, Calif., Jan. 15, 2016 – The 2017 Hyundai Elantra launches this month with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto™. CarPlay is the smarter, safer way to use an iPhone® in the car, taking the things users want to do with their iPhone while driving and putting them right on the car’s built-in display, so drivers can stay focused on the road. For Android phone users, the 2017 Elantra is also compatible with Android Auto.

Both smartphone integrations will be available on the 2017 Elantra’s seven-inch Display Audio touchscreen system with rearview camera and Hyundai’s eight-inch touchscreen navigation system with voice texting, access to music stored on the phone and third-party audio apps.

2017 Hyundai Elantra with Apple CarPlay

“By launching our best-selling model, Elantra, with CarPlay and Android Auto support, we are building on our promise to offer more convenience features for today’s modern driver at an affordable price point,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president of product and corporate planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Also, the new smartphone integrations will help to keep drivers’ eyes on the road and hands on the wheel, helping to reduce driver distraction.”

CarPlay delivers an instantly recognizable experience to iPhone users that will help reduce driver distraction due to its familiarity. CarPlay support lets drivers make calls, get directions optimized for traffic conditions, listen to music, and access messages. With CarPlay, Siri provides drivers an eyes-free experience by responding to requests through voice commands that are easily and directly accessed through the steering wheel’s voice button. Using a Lightning connector, CarPlay works with iPhone 5 and current models running the iOS 7.1 or higher operating systems. Elantra provides an available second USB port for charging because of this wired connection.

Elantra is also compatible with Android Auto for seamless and intuitive operation of the most commonly used smartphone functions including navigation with Google Maps™, streaming audio, voice-controlled search capabilities and over 40 approved smartphone apps. Android Auto is compatible with Android phones running Android 5.0, Lollipop or higher.

The CarPlay roster of supported apps can be found at the following link: http://www.apple.com/ios/carplay/. Android Auto’s app roster can be found here: g.co/androidauto. Apple and Google plan to add more third-party apps in the future, and these will not require any vehicle software updates.

In early 2016, Hyundai will have additional information regarding the availability of CarPlay and Android Auto on other models. This will include information on how existing owners of compatible vehicles with Hyundai’s fourth-generation navigation system or Display Audio can update their vehicles with these features. Android Auto is currently available on 2015 and 2016 Sonata models.

DISPLAY AUDIOHyundai’s Display Audio system features a high-resolution seven-inch color touch-screen display optimized specifically for smartphone integrations and the latest generation of Blue Link.

In addition, Display Audio incorporates Hyundai’s latest and most innovative in-vehicle technology by offering a simple, multi-use home screen, HD Radio® capability, mixed AM, FM and SiriusXM presets, along with Pandora-link integration.

Additional Display Audio Features:

• Integration with Apple’s Siri-powered “Eyes Free” mode
  • Functionality allows owners of compatible vehicles to use the voice command button on the steering wheel to ask Siri questions without taking their eyes off the road
  • Siri Eyes Free supports making calls, selecting and playing music, composing and reading back text messages, using Maps and getting directions, reading notifications, finding calendar information, and adding reminders, among other functions
• Integration with Google’s voice actions and predictive Google Now functionality through Android Auto
• Functionality allows owners of compatible vehicles to find destinations in Google Maps, set appointment reminders, make and receive calls, respond to text messages with intuitive voice commands, and more
• Pandora integration
• SiriusXM Satellite Radio with enhanced features
• Pause, back and play for current station
• Automatic recording of top six presets
• SiriusXM Travel Link
• Sports scores and schedules, stock ticker, movie times, fuel prices and weather/alerts
• Advanced voice recognition
• Multi-touch screen that supports swipe and wipe gestures
• New home screen with multiple functions

Display Audio combines the best of phone-based connectivity technologies with Blue Link. Blue Link provides a full suite of safety and diagnostic features, as well as features that are only possible with an embedded telematics system, such as remote engine start, stolen vehicle recovery and remote door lock/unlock.

EIGHT-INCH NAVIGATION SYSTEMHyundai’s eight-inch navigation system offers an enhanced display and home screen that shows map and music information, regardless of the music source. The Blue Link Guidance package (three-month trial included) works with Hyundai’s on-board navigation system by providing Destination Search, powered by Google™, as well as POI Web Search and Download to help you get to your destinations via your connected car. Owners can make the most of SiriusXM Travel Link with the ability to send searched locations to their car’s navigation system.

NEXT-GENERATION BLUE LINKBlue Link brings seamless connectivity directly into the car with technology like Remote Start with Climate Control, a Monthly Vehicle Health Report, Remote Door Lock/Unlock and Stolen Vehicle Recovery. Remote features can be accessed via Hyundai’s smartphone app or Web portal. Blue Link also features maintenance alerts and safety features, such as Automatic Collision Notification and SOS. The next-generation Blue Link system uses a 4G connection. The Blue Link Connected Care package includes safety and diagnostic features and is standard for one year on equipped models.

Source: www.hyundainews.com/

2016 HYUNDAI TUCSON NAMED TO AAA’S 2016 TOP PICKS LIST

Small SUV Awarded for its Outstanding Styling and Versatility

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Jan. 15, 2016 – Hyundai’s award-winning 2016 Tucson continues to impress automotive journalists around the country, being named a winner in AAA’s Top Vehicle Picks for 2016. Taking home the award in the small SUV category, the Tucson received praise for its design, versatility and incredible value proposition.

“The 2016 Tucson represents a massive step forward for Hyundai in the small SUV category,” said Jim Prueter, automotive journalist, AAA. “The car’s design is guaranteed to turn heads, and with a massive selection of standard equipment, the vehicle delivers excellent value to customers.”

Top Picks are announced in the January/February issue of Highroads magazine. The list aims to help guide consumers shopping for their next ride. To be eligible for list consideration, Top Picks must be available for sale to the public no later than January 2016 and fall under a base-price cap of $70,000. Vehicles selected for the list are reviewed by AAA Arizona auto expert Jim Prueter, who has provided reviews and advice about cars for more than 20 years.

“Hyundai’s commitment to delivering style, convenience and safety is at the center of our product lineup,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, corporate and product planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Tucson gives growing families a selection of powertrains to fit their lifestyle, with the versatility that all families require, while knowing that safety and convenience have been added in tandem.”

The all-new 2016 Hyundai Tucson offers bold, athletic exterior styling, a pair of fuel-efficient drivetrains and a roomy, well-appointed interior. It is engineered with advanced safety features, including a Lane Departure Warning system, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Change Assist, Backup Warning Sensors and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB). The 2016 Tucson also earned the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS’s) 2016 TOP SAFETY PICK+ designation.

Source: www.hyundainews.com/

Fall Driving Safety Tips

As weather and road conditions change with the season, following fall driving safety tips will help keep you safe as you enjoy the cool crisp air and the beautiful colors of the autumn leaves.

The Dangers of Leaves on the Roads
When leaves accumulate on the roadway and become wet, they can get extremely slippery, making the driving conditions similar to driving on ice. If the temperature drops below freezing, the wet leaves will freeze and turn into dangerous icy leaves on the roadway. Besides reducing the car's traction, causing skidding and the possibility of losing control of the vehicle, leaves often cover the painted road markings, making it difficult to know the locations of the lanes.

• Slow down if you are driving on a road covered with leaves, especially when driving around turns.
• Allow yourself plenty of room to stop in an emergency. Keep a greater distance between you and the car in front of you.
• Leaves make it difficult to see potholes and bumps in the road.
• A pile of leaves raked to the side of the road is an inviting place to a child. Children enjoy jumping into the leaf piles or burrowing down into them and hiding. Never drive through a leaf pile. Use caution going around turns and where children are playing.
• Keep your windshield leaf free to avoid wet leaves getting stuck under the windshield wiper blades.
• In order to avoid the possibility of a fire hazard from the exhaust system or catalytic converter, never park your vehicle over a pile of leaves .

Changing Weather Conditions
In many areas, autumn is a damp, wet season. There are many rainy or foggy days and nights. As the temperatures drop, frost often coats the ground at night.

• When driving in fog, set your headlight to low beam. This setting aims the beam of light down toward the roadway.
• In the fall as temperatures drop, frost often forms on the roadway, causing hazardous driving conditions. Drive slowly and break gently at overpasses and bridges as these areas frost over more quickly than other roadway surfaces.
• Be aware of areas where black ice forms on the roadway.

Adjust for Fewer Hours of Daylight
In the fall there are fewer hours of daylight. In the earlier darkness it is common to see children outside playing or riding their bicycles. People are walking their dogs, jogging or taking late afternoon or evening walks. In the fading light of dusk it is more difficult to see the children and pedestrians.

• Watch out for children at their bus stops in the morning and as they return home in the afternoon.
• Halloween is a fun fall holiday. Take special care where children are out trick or treating. They may be wearing masks or costumes that limit their visibility.
• Always drive defensively.

Vehicle Maintenance

• Keep your headlights cleaned and in proper working order, making sure they are aligned.
• Replace your windshield wiper blades if they show any signs of wear.
• Keep an emergency car safety kit in your vehicle.

Additional Fall Safety Driving Tips

• Always keep a pair of sunglasses in your vehicle. Fall sunrises and sunsets can be very brilliant. The bright sun often creates a large amount of glare, making it difficult to see other vehicles, the roadway or the road's shoulder. Wearing sunglasses during these times reduces the danger.
• If you live in an area where there are deer, they are more apt to run into the roadway especially at dawn and dusk since the fall is an active breeding time. If you see a deer cross the roadway, proceed very slowly as they often travel in groups.

Naturally safe driving practices are essential all through the year. However, being aware of the unique autumn driving hazards and following the fall driving safety tips here will make you a safer driver.

Source: safety.lovetoknow.com

2016 Hyundai Tuscon Boasts New And Helpful Features

Though popular with consumers, crossovers are not the most exciting types of debuts at auto shows. That said, the 2016 Hyundai Tucson packs several neat features that are both unusual and very useful for family shoppers.

1. Protect your knees
A small, soft leather pad on the side of the center stack is designed to serve as a resting spot for the driver's right knee. It stops the driver's knee from rubbing against or bumping into plastic. The passenger is not so lucky: he or she has a small storage cubby in that position.


2. Spill all you want
Yes! Essentials seat fabrics, which have been used in a handful of other vehicles, help resist staining, odors, and static electricity. Given that the 2016 Hyundai Tucson, like most crossovers, will frequently be filled with kids, this seems like a smart way for Hyundai to keep the car a little bit cleaner.


3. Feel free to touch that dial
You'll never miss the first few bars of Blank Slate thanks to XM Tune Start. When 2016 Hyundai Tucson drivers select a satellite radio preset, the system automatically plays the current song from the beginning, rather than jumping into the middle of it.


4. Lean back
In many mainstream crossovers, the angle of the rear seatbacks is fixed. For the 2016 Hyundai Tucson, the automaker has made the 60/40 split rear seats even more recline-able, with a total of 37 degrees of angle adjustment compared to 28 degrees in the outgoing model. So whether you like to sit bolt upright or slouch like, the Tucson has you covered.


5. Open easily
Many modern cars with passive unlocking now provide for hands-free opening of the liftgate, the 2016 Hyundai Tucson goes one step further. With the key in his or her pocket, the owner need only stand behind the crossover for a few moments and the power liftgate will automatically open -- no setting down bulky shopping bags, for instance. The Hyundai Genesis and Sonata also have this feature.

6. Clutch technology
Pun intended. When fitted with the car's optional 1.6-liter turbo-four engine, the 2016 Hyundai Tucson packs a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission borrowed from the Sonata Eco. Very few crossovers offer dual-clutch transmissions, with most sticking to 6- or (in the case of Jeep and Land Rover) 9-speed torque-converter automatics. The Tucson's dual-clutch should provide snappier, more responsive shifting, while its added efficiency will help the crossover achieve up to 33 mpg in the Eco variant and 30 mpg in Sport and Limited trim levels.

Source: www.automobilemag.com

Keep Safe This Fall With These Driving Tips

Fall means a number of wonderful things, like warm, comfy sweaters, foliage, and baking pumpkin pies. For drivers, fall also brings unique dangers to the roads. Find out what makes fall driving dangerous and what you can do to keep yourself safe.

Why Driving In The Fall Can Be Dangerous

Weather conditions can be unpredictable in the fall. A bright, beautiful afternoon can turn rainy and cold in minutes. And with days getting shorter, you could find yourself commuting to or from work in darkness.

Back-to-school traffic
Fall means back to school for kids, which means more cars and buses on the roads. Drivers also need to watch out for increased pedestrian traffic in the morning and afternoon as children walk to and from school and their neighborhood bus stops.

Rain
The first rain in a few weeks can be particularly dangerous, as water pools on top of dust and oil that haven't had a chance to wash away and makes the pavement extremely slippery.

Leaves (and leaf peepers)
Fall foliage is certainly beautiful, but as leaves begin to fall, they litter the roads, making streets slick while obscuring traffic lines and other pavement markings. They also hide potholes and other road hazards. And when it rains, it can make those wet leaves on the roadway as dangerous as ice.

And where there are turning leaves, there are leaf peepers. These leaf-peeping drivers tend to crawl along the roads and make unpredictable stops to admire the changing foliage. If you're driving behind a car with out-of-state plates, give them a little extra space just in case they stop short for a photo.

Fog
Cold fall mornings often lead to fog, which can greatly limit your driving visibility and perception of distance. Fog tends to occur in low places or areas surrounded by hills, water, mountains, and trees. One common mistake drivers make during foggy conditions is putting on their high beams instead of staying with their low beams. This only makes visibility worse because your high beams will bounce off the fog and create glare.

When driving through fog, slow down and stay well behind the car in front of you so you'll have adequate time to stop if you need to.

Frost
During the fall, temperatures tend to drop dramatically during the night, which can lead to morning frost and icy spots on the road. This is especially common on bridges, overpasses, and shaded areas of the road.

Sun glare
Fall is also a bad time for sun glare on the roads. Sun glare can impact your sight for seconds after exposure, making it hard to see pedestrians, oncoming traffic, or the car in front of you. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, drivers describe being "blinded" after exposure, and this sometimes leads to accidents or near misses.

Sun glare can also cause problems when the sun sets behind drivers. In this case, sunlight can bounce off your rearview mirror or reflect off traffic lights up ahead, and this can blind you for a split second while your eyes adjust. It can also make it hard (or impossible) to see traffic lights, which can prevent you from knowing if you're supposed to stop or go.

Deer
The fall season brings an increase in deer activity because it's their time for mating and migrating. If you live in a deer-heavy area, watch for darting deer, especially when driving at night.

Fall Driving Tips

• Being prepared for fall's inclement weather and hazardous driving challenges is half the battle.
• Watch your speed: Drive a bit slower when faced with fall driving hazards, especially if you're driving around a school bus.
• Keep your distance: Leave a little more space between you and the car in front on rainy or foggy days, during dawn or dusk, and in areas with wet leaves. This will give you more time to react.
• Stick with low beams: Keep your headlights on low when driving in the fog (and rain). High beams will only cause glare.
• Clear frost away from your windows: Frost can reduce visibility and response time on the road.
• Approach traffic lights carefully: Sun glare can make it harder to see traffic lights change, so approach them with more than the normal care.
• Avoid using products that increase gloss: Washing and waxing with these products can magnify the fall's sunny glare and make it hard to see.
• Clean your windshield, inside and out: When your windshield's illuminated by sunlight, dust particles, streaks, and smudges become magnified, making it hard to see the road.
• Watch for wildlife: especially in the early morning and evening hours.
• Check your tire pressure: Since fall weather rapidly changes from warm to cold, your tires will often expand and contract. This can lead to a loss of pressure.

Source: www.esurance.com

HYUNDAI LAUNCHES RECOGNIZED COLLISION REPAIR CENTER PROGRAM

Participating Collision Repair Centers Restore Vehicles to Manufacturer Specifications, Offering Hyundai Owners Peace of Mind

Hyundai Motor America launched its all-new Hyundai Recognized Collision Repair Center program. This program ensures both independent and Hyundai dealership-owned collision repair centers have the training, tools, equipment, and facilities needed to properly repair Hyundai vehicles after they have been involved in a collision.

Customers can look for the Hyundai Recognized Collision Repair Center plaque at their local collision repair center to know if their Hyundai will be repaired properly and safely to manufacturer specifications. The program will allow Hyundai to refer Hyundai owners in need of collision repair to a recognized center.

“We want our customers to know we have their well-being in mind after they have been in a collision,” said Frank Ferrara, executive vice president, customer satisfaction, Hyundai Motor America. “Hyundai owners benefit from this program through the assurance that centers will ensure the fit, finish, durability, safety and value of the vehicles being repaired. Having a network of recognized shops is critical to make sure our cars are repaired properly.”

Hyundai has teamed up with Assured Performance Network on this program. Assured Performance Network is a non-profit consumer advocacy organization that will guarantee both Hyundai dealership-owned and independent collision repair centers meet the program’s specified capability requirements, and pass an annual onsite audit and inspection. Assured Performance Network will also manage enrollment, online support systems, proof of compliance documentation and marketing. Collision repair centers can call 949.221.0010 or visit www.GetHyundaiRecognized.com for more information.

Source: http://www.hyundainews.com/

HYUNDAI EARNS HIGH MARKS IN ANNUAL J.D. POWER APEAL STUDY

Hyundai Ranks Second among Non-Premium Automakers 

Brand Continues to Improve Year-Over-Year

• Sonata finishes in second place in its segment
• Brand finishes in the top two rankings among non-premium automakers for second year in a row

Fountain Valley, Calif., July 22, 2015 – Hyundai followed up last year’s No. 1 ranking by finishing second among non-premium automakers in the J.D. Power 2015 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout^SM (APEAL) Study released today. In its 20th year, the APEAL study examines owners’ assessments of the design, content, layout and performance of their new vehicle.

The 2015 Hyundai Sonata ranked second in the midsize car segment. Furthermore, five Hyundai models (Elantra, Genesis, Santa Fe, Tucson and Veloster) increased their scores in this year’s study.

“Finishing among the top two non-premium brands in this year’s J.D. Power APEAL Study shows Hyundai takes design, technology, features and performance seriously across the entire lineup,” said Mike O’Brien, vice president, corporate and product planning, Hyundai Motor America. “Having the best-selling Sonata ranking among the top two in its class is a tremendous achievement and we are committed to delivering the highest customer experience possible to our owners.”

Additionally, the 2015 Hyundai Sonata finished second in the midsize car segment by just two points – 817 v. 819.

Recently, Hyundai ranked second among non-premium automakers and fourth among all brands in the J.D. Power 2015 U.S. Initial Quality Study^SM (IQS). The 2015 Hyundai Tucson was awarded for the highest initial quality in the small SUV segment and the 2015 Hyundai Accent earned the highest IQS honor in the small car segment for the second year in a row.

Source:  http://www.hyundainews.com/