Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Baystate Health Blood Drive Will Be Located At Gary Rome Hyundai In September

The Baystate Blood Mobile will be at our Hyundai Dealership on Tuesday, September 1st. between 11am and 4pm. Please call us to make an appointment to reserve your spot in line at 413.536.4328.


42-MPG Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Sedans Added To Hertz Rental Fleet

The redesigned 2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is now available to rent, in certain areas at least.

Hertz is adding the mid-size sedan to its fleet as part of its "Green Traveler Collection" green rental-car program.

This includes hybrids and diesels, as well as electric cars.

The Sonata Hybrid will be available to rent at several airports, in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Francisco, in California.

It will also be rented from airports in Atlanta, and Chicago, and at Dulles International just outside of Washington, D.C.

In addition, the hybrid sedan will be available at locations within the cities of San Jose, San Diego, and Long Beach, California, Portland, Oregon, and Denver, Colorado.

The 2016 Sonata Hybrid features the updated body that debuted on the rest of the Sonata lineup for 2015, as well as some changes to the powertrain.

In place of the previous model's 2.4-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine, there is now a 2.0-liter direct-injected four.

It's mated to an updated six-speed automatic transmission with an integrated electric motor. Combined output from both sources is 193 horsepower.

Electricity comes courtesy of a 1.62-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack mounted below the trunk floor.

EPA fuel-economy figures are 41 mpg combined (39 mpg city, 43 mpg highway) for the base Sonata Hybrid, and 42 mpg combined (40 mpg city, 44 mpg highway) for the Sonata Hybrid SE.

Hertz only mentions the 40 mpg city and 44 mpg highway figures in its press release, so presumably all of the cars in its fleet will be the SE model.

Hyundai is also adding a Sonata Plug-In Hybrid to the lineup for 2016.

This version uses essentially the same powertrain as the Sonata Hybrid, but with a larger, 9.8-kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

That allows for an electric-only range of 22 miles, and power is boosted slightly, to 202 hp.

However, the Sonata Plug-In Hybrid hasn't been tapped for rental duty yet.

The Hertz Green Traveler Collection also include models like the Nissan Leaf, Toyota Prius, and Chevrolet Volt and Cruze Diesel.

The Tesla Model S can also be rented through Hertz as part of the company's "Dream Cars" program, which features luxury and exotic cars.

Monday, August 24, 2015

Hyundai Teases Redesigned 2017 Elantra In Advance Of L.A. Auto Show

Hyundai has released a glimpse of the next Elantra.

The South Korean automaker is readying a new version of the compact car, its bestselling vehicle in the U.S., where it competes with other top sellers including the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla.

The redesigned 2017 Elantra will be shown for the first time in the U.S. at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

The concept sketch released by Hyundai on Thursday shows a sportier, low-slung car. The stylized depiction lacks door handles and most body panel seams. Aluminum wheels are evocative of the spinning turbine blades of a jet engine.

“The subtle and innovative appearance enhancements reflect Hyundai Motor’s vision for design,” said Peter Schreyer, chief design officer at Hyundai Motor Co.

The automaker did not provide any other information, but it's a safe bet that the new Elantra will have a four-cylinder engine and better fuel economy than the current model. Based on other Hyundai moves, the new Elantra will likely include the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto interfaces for smartphones. And some trim levels are expected to have active safety features such as forward collision alert and blind spot warning.

The new Elantra will be a critical launch for Hyundai, which has seen sales level off in the U.S. after a period of rapid growth.

The automaker sold 150,833 Elantras in the U.S. through the first seven months of this year, accounting for 34% of Hyundai’s sales, according to industry research firm Autodata Corp. Hyundai’s next best seller is the larger Sonata sedan.


Sunday, August 23, 2015

2016 Hyundai Tucson: New York Auto Show

What Is It?

The 2016 Hyundai Tucson is about to take Hyundai's compact-crossover game to a whole new level. Mind you, we're not saying the outgoing Tucson is chopped liver, but we wouldn't call it a segment leader, either. It's been a good, solid vehicle for Hyundai -- let's put it that way. But a single glance tells you that the redesigned 2016 Tucson is a genuinely desirable ride, from its proud, BMW-X5-like headlights (with available adaptive bi-xenon technology) to its optional 19-inch wheels and sleek LED taillights.

Hyundai has been crushing it lately with excellent new products such as the Genesis and Sonata sedans, so it's not surprising that the 2016 Tucson has a lot more going for it than just style. Hyundai claims significant fuel economy gains over the current model, for example, reporting that the newly offered 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-4 engine has achieved up to 26 miles per gallon in the city and 33 mpg on the highway in internal testing, a whopping 5 mpg hwy ahead of the 2.4-liter inline-4 that it replaces. The little turbo also pumps out 175 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, so it definitely has enough pep. The standard engine continues to be a 2.0-liter inline-4 that comes with a carry-over 6-speed automatic transmission, which is a bit of a letdown given that the 1.6T employs an advanced twin-clutch automated manual.

Another point of emphasis for the 2016 Tucson is safety. A slew of fresh technologies are on the menu, including a blind spot monitoring system, lane-departure warning and rear cross-traffic alert. The Tucson will also come equipped with a standard rearview camera in all trims, and there's even an optional forward-collision mitigation system that includes automatic emergency braking.

Inside, owners of previous Tucsons will immediately notice the 2016 Tucson's enlarged dimensions. With a longer wheelbase (by 1.2 inches) and a wider frame (by 1.0 inch), this Hyundai feels roomier than ever, and its generous 31.0-cu-ft. cargo area behind the rear seats is a healthy five cubes clear of the 2015 model. A dual-level cargo floor adds still more versatility, and if you spring for the available keyless trunk access, the lift gate will open automatically when you stand near it for a couple seconds with the key fob in your pocket.

From the driver's seat, the new kneepad that cushions the driver's inside knee is a welcome touch, as are upgraded trim panels with more soft-touch surfaces. Other appealing features, depending on trim level, include a panoramic sunroof, ventilated front seats and stain-resistant fabric upholstery. A 5-in color touchscreen comes standard on more affordable Tucsons, while the optional navigation system brings an 8-in screen with split-screen capability and Pandora and Yelp integration. Finally, every 2016 Hyundai Tucson is equipped with Drive Mode Select, which lets drivers tailor steering feel, transmission and throttle settings to their individual preferences.

How Much?

TBA

When Can You Get It?

July 2015

Add It to Your Shopping List Because...

You've been waiting for the Tucson to become a true top-tier crossover, and you can see that its time has come. For many shoppers, the Tucson's compact dimensions will seem just right, and now the rest of the vehicle is equally compelling.


Saturday, August 22, 2015

Hyundai’s Prius-Fighting Hybrid Spied Up Close And Personal

Hyundai is working on a dedicated hybrid model and we have new spy photos showing it in detail. 
 
Built to compete with the Toyota Prius, the new Hyundai hybrid will be based on the same platform as the redesigned 2017 Elantra, though its body lines will actually resemble the Prius.

Powering the hybrid will be a lithium polymer battery pack that is said to provide up to 38 miles of all-electric driving. A 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine will provide the gas power.

The interior is likely to borrow heavily from the Elantra and Sonata. From the photos, we can see a single screen in the center stack that will control infotainment while a set of conventional gauges is seen in the driver’s info cluster.

The Hyundai hybrid, which has yet to receive a name, is expected to hit the market in late 2016 as a 2017 model year. Expect it to debut at a major auto show during 2016.


Friday, August 21, 2015

Hyundai Releases Sketch Of Redesigned Hyundai Elantra

The Hyundai Elantra quickly became one of America’s favorite sedans over the past years, yet the automaker has plans to heavily redesign it. The next generation Elantra–which will be appearing at the next LA Auto Show–has many fans holding their breath.

The Elantra will still remain a compact sedan as it is today, but its new look aims to make it appear longer and less compressed. Judging by the new design sketch that’s been revealed, this new Elantra takes heavy influence from the brand’s Fluidic Sculpture design language.

In the official design rendering of the upcoming Elantra, the sedan has traded its sloped, narrow front end for a wider, more aggressive fascia. The sloped front hood, windshield, and rear end make the new design resemble a smaller Genesis–with a different hexagonal grille. Hyundai’s announcement of the visual rendering draws attention to the wheel arches and more defined lines.

Clearly, the new design of the Elantra falls in line with the brand’s plan to bring more luxurious looks to its lineup, hoping to appeal to more European customers.

“The All-new Elantra captures the car’s unique design characteristics that really place this model in a class of its own. The subtle and innovative appearance enhancements reflect Hyundai Motor’s vision for design,” stated Peter Schreyer, President and Chief Design Officer of Hyundai Motor Company. “Furthermore, this car indicates a move from traditional to modern styling by communicating the new model’s comfort, fashion and sporty feel.”

Although Hyundai asserts that participants in a consumer study who evaluated the new designed deemed it to be better than its rivals, our jury is still out. We’ll wait until we see the real thing.


Thursday, August 20, 2015

2018 Hyundai Genesis Sedan Caught Testing Twin-Turbo V6

Hyundai has been caught testing a new twin-turbo V6 engine for its Genesis sedan.

The 2018 Hyundai Genesis sedan has been caught by spy photographers hot-weather testing in California and although the Genesis sedan is heavily camouflaged, you can still see a new front end design that makes room for an intercooler. These spy photos are the first confirmation of rumors that Hyundai will be switching to a twin-turbo V6 for its flagship sedan.

Details on the powerplant are unknown but it is heavily rumored that it’ll be a 3.3-liter V6 mill. According to Hyundai North America CEO Dave Zuchowski, the new turbocharged V6 would match the performance of the current 5.0-liter V8 that has 420 hp.

The photographers also managed to get some photos of the 2018 Hyundai Genesis sedan’s interior, even though it’s heavily camouflaged as well. It is likely that this is an early prototype that is focused on testing the powertrain and fine tuning the interior will come later on in the development cycle. It is believed that the twin-turbo V6 engine will be mated to a new 10-speed automatic transmission that will further improve fuel efficiency.

Hyundai Veloster Proves Popular

The root of its name means "speed," so perhaps it should be no surprise that the Veloster is off to a fast start, selling nearly a thousand units in its first days on sale, reported Hyundai Motor America president John Krafcik.

The sporty little car with the unconventional two-doors-on-one-side-and-one-door-on-the-other configuration is capturing consumers' attention as demonstrated by red-hot sales. And the much-watched benchmark of average age for the car has come in years, in some cases decades, lower than some key competitors, he said.

The car is available in a more conventional four-door configuration in other markets, and there was some skepticism that Americans would embrace the Veloster's odd layout. But it now appears that availability of the car will be limited as production is overwhelmed by huge demand.

The car is reaching its intended demographic, too. Hyundai marketers employed the language of endurance sports like marathon and triathlon, sports that are exploding in popularity, in the naming of the Veloster's color palette. Those colors are Century White, Ironman silver, Triathlon gray, Ultra black, Marathon blue, Electrolyte green, 26.2 yellow, Vitamin C and Boston red.

The endurance community has taken notice, according to Krafcik, with favorable comments and tweets from top competitors.

Hyundai dealers, meanwhile, can add to their list of good problems to have, as they add another model to their roster that can't meet customers' demand. The dealers are expressing immense frustration to the company about the shortage of cars, but their sales are at all-time records, Krafcik pointed out.

For consumers who want one of these red-hot coupes, better to get your name on a list as soon as possible. Next up is the all-new Azera, which will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Krafcik promises its styling will be as dynamic as that of the company's other popular models.

And when things cool down for the Veloster, as sales inevitably do for fashion-driven coupes? Then the company will consider a sporty variant to refocus attention on the Veloster, Krafcik said. "We've been looking at three or four possibilities," he acknowledged with a grin.