Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Hyundai, Kia

In what is likely the largest recall campaign for Hyundai and Kia, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has announced a recall of more than 1.6 million models due to a faulty brake switch. This is in addition to almost 700,000 Hyundai and Kia models recalled for the same problem back in 2009.

In more than 620,000 Kia models and 1 million Hyundai products for the 2007 through 2011 model years, the brake switch could malfunction causing the brake lights to not illuminate, which could lead to accident. Other possible issues with a faulty switch include the cruise control not cancelling with the brake pedal, the push-button starter not working properly and the shift interlock not disengaging causing the transmission to be stuck in Park. To fix the problem, the brake lights switch will be replaced.

Due to the large number of units being recalled, both automakers are issuing a notice by next month with parts not expected to be ready until June. The full list of affected vehicles and the NHTSA press releases are posted below.

Continue reading Hyundai and Kia recalling 1.6M more models for faulty brake switch

Hyundai and Kia recalling 1.6M more models for faulty brake switch originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hyundai, Celebrities, Racing

Red Bull is one of those companies with its fingers in every corner of the sports world. It's easy to forget just how far those sponsorship dollars have spread since the brand's early days, but a clever new video showcasing some of the brightest stars of the Red Bull family is out to remind us there's nowhere the energy drink manufacturer won't advertise.

In what could very well be the world's oddest Rube Goldberg machine - Red Bull calls it a Kluge, which means a jury-rigged device or offbeat workaround - pro skaters Joey Brezinski and Ryan Sheckler, hurdler Lolo Jones, sky diver Sean MacCormac and motocross rider Robbie Maddison team up with one truck racer Bryce Menzies and Rhys Millen in his Hyundai Genesis Coupe drift car to free a can of Red Bull from a block of ice.

Excessive? Sure, but remember, this is the same company that put a man at the edge of space just so he could jump back down again. Other Red Bull-branded athletes make an appearance as well, including pro golfer Rickie Fowler and snowboarder Pat Moore. Check out the whole cast in the clip below.

Continue reading Red Bull Rube Goldberg machine uses Ram trophy truck, Hyundai Genesis

Red Bull Rube Goldberg machine uses Ram trophy truck, Hyundai Genesis originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Nov 2012 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In case you haven’t noticed, Hyundai is a company that is not known these days for complacency. With new models being introduced at a furious pace, Hyundai is constantly evolving and improving their cars. You would expect that attention to be lavished upon the bread and butter Elantra and Sonata. And us enthusiasts are simply thankful Hyundai offers a rear-wheel drive 2+2 sports coupe at all, and we’d even forgive Hyundai for not refreshing a high-profile but niche car. But that’s not how Hyundai rolls.

The Garage reviewed a 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe and came away generally impressed. For 2013, Hyundai has revised the Genesis Coupe, and the results of some minor tweaking show a considerable improvement over what was already a fine performance car. The most obvious change from outside is the new nose treatment which gives the Genesis Coupe a far more serious look to it. The bolder design makes last year’s car look meek in comparison. The hood scoops also add some visual interest, but they are for decoration only. Apart from new taillamps, the Genesis Coupe is unchanged from before. Finished in Gran Premio Gray with handsome 19″ wheels, our Genesis Coupe showed a level of sophistication not seen in the prior car.

Hyundai also spruced up the interior for 2013. Instead of idiot lights between the speedo and tach, the driver is greeted with a more contemporary LCD screen for vital information. The center console has also been improved, again offering a more contemporary appearance. A nice touch not seen on last year’s car is the introduction of three analog gauges offering oil pressure, torque meter or turbo boost. Not a big deal, but it does a lot to add sport coupe credibility. The rest of the Genesis Coupe’s interior is untouched, which isn’t a bad thing. While I still find the location of the power window and mirror controls less than ideal, the ergonomics are otherwise excellent. Visibility remains very good for a sports coupe, and as before, I found the seats very comfortable. I loved the red and black interior color combination, reminding me of my friend’s old BMW 633CSi. Classic.

Hyundai did not simply give the Genesis Coupe a facelift and an interior upgrade. The engine room received much attention, not that anyone was complaining for lack of power. As before, Hyundai offers the Genesis Coupe with either a turbocharged four cylinder, or normally aspirated V-6. For 2013, the base Genesis Coupe is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged four rated at 274hp, a 30% boost in power over last year’s car. Our test car sported the V-6, a 3.8L direct injected powerplant generating 348hp, a full 42hp more than the 2012 V-6. Expect 0-60mph in the low 5-second range. The V-6 Genesis Coupe is one fast car, and the power delivery is so linear. The fact that the car produces one heck of a sinister exhaust note only sweetens the deal, and you’ll find yourself downshifting and blipping the throttle just to hear the fun.

If I had a complaint about the driving experience of the last Genesis Coupe, it was the shift linkage in the manual transmission. Thankfully, Hyundai heard the complaint, and for 2013 the six-speed manual is a dramatic improvement, and definitely helps make hustling the Genesis Coupe an even more enjoyable experience. Our test car was the R-Spec, meaning it has the firmest suspension and beefiest brakes offered. Even so, the car was very easy to live with, and perfectly comfortable over less than perfect roads. With summer tires, the Genesis stuck like glue to the pavement, and handling was exceptional. It’s a very rewarding and easy car to drive quickly on your favorite back road.

A base Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T starts at $24,250USD. If you can swing it, I strongly advise shelling out more for the V-6. Not that the four is slow, but the soundtrack and smooth power delivery is worth every penny. The V-6 Genesis Coupes are offered in R-Spec, Grand Touring and Track models. The R-Spec is the entry-level car, but you wouldn’t know it. The R-Spec includes a front strut tower brace, 19″ wheels with summer performance tires, Brembo brakes, Torsen limited slip differential, leather and cloth sport seats, six speaker stereo with XM satellite radio and Bluetooth. Including delivery, our Genesis Coupe R-Spec rang in at $29,625.

That represents one heck of a performance bargain. The improved Genesis Coupe has a lot going for it. More practical than a Nissan 370Z. More lively, nimble and involving than V-6 powered Camaros or Mustangs with a much better interior to boot. Hyundai’s dive into the world of rear wheel drive sport coupes was impressive, and three years later Hyundai has made small changes that have greatly improved the overall package. Well done.

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Hyundai, Celebrities, Racing

Earlier this month, Rhys Millen took to Formula Drift Long Beach to introduce his newly updated 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe racer. After securing second place during qualifying and besting Nick D'Alessio in the top 32 battle, Millen spun on his second run of the top 16 contention versus Daigo Saito. Saito was 2011's D1 Japan champion. The spin knocked Millen from a shot at the podium all the way to sixth place, where he tied with Tyler McQuarrie with a combined 64 points. With a total of six rounds left in the season, Millen and the Hyundai crew still have a shot at nabbing a championship podium finish.

Road Atlanta is next on the schedule. The sideways action gets started on May 11, so stay tuned for the results. In the meantime, you can check out the rather excellent HD video after the jump of the team's Long Beach effort, complete with about a thousand different camera angles.

Continue reading Watch Millen dance with his new Genesis Coupe at Long Beach

Watch Millen dance with his new Genesis Coupe at Long Beach originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Coupe, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Hyundai, Canada

Hyundai Canada had its own ad for the Super Bowl, and instead of a cheetah they went for a more elusive beast: Sasquatch. Created to push the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, the "Country Drive" spot highlights a couple who are amazed at what they find on a drive through the woods. From the Sasquatch's perspective, the feeling's mutual.

The Canadians didn't stop there: they made nine "Sasquatch on Set" clips to show what it's like working with yeti. Strangely, he never takes an interest in the Genesis Coupe when he's not working, but you can check out all the spots after the jump.

Continue reading Hyundai's Canadian Super Bowl ads are full of yeti

Hyundai's Canadian Super Bowl ads are full of yeti originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Marketing/Advertising, Hyundai, Luxury

Automotive News reports Hyundai is still mulling the possibility of a luxury sub-brand. Vehicles like the Equus, Genesis Sedan and Genesis Coupe would all sail under a new Genesis brand sold through Hyundai dealerships. The models would also receive a new alphanumeric naming system to avoid redundancy. Dave Zuchowski, executive vice president of sales for Hyundai Motor America, told Automotive News the automaker is currently discussing whether or not selling premium vehicles with a Hyundai badge on the hood is restricting the company from moving more units.

The report says many Genesis buyers are opting for dealer-installed Genesis emblems in place of their Hyundai badges already. Even so, no final decision has been made about the possible rebranding nor has any time table been placed on the move. Zuchowski says if the Hyundai does decide to segregate its luxury models from the rest of the fleet, it would likely coincide with a significant redesign. That means if it happens, the shift will land in 2013 at the earliest.

Hyundai still considering Genesis sub-brand originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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