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Super Bowl Ad: Hyundai Ad Bombing the Super Bowl with Five Commercials
Hyundai’s "Don’t Tell" commercial, one that will have prominent air time during the Super Bowl, has actually been playing in the air for a number of weeks now. Despite being a full-blow 30-second ad (it’s actually 32 seconds), the "Don’t Tell" commercial is still being characterized as a preview commercial for Hyundai’s total Super Bowl platter, which will include four more commercials. In addition to "Don’t Tell", which by the way left us with nothing more than a slight chuckle, the Korean automaker is also planning to play "Epic PlayDate,” "Team,” "Stuck,” and "Excited.” These all sound cool enough, but we all know that sounding cool and actually being cool are two completely different things when it comes to Super Bowl ads. We’ll hold our final judgment once we see all five ads run during the Big Game. Click past the jump to see two more of the four remaining Super Bowl commercials. Full story 2014 Hyundai Sonata 
In 2010, for the 2011 model year, Hyundai tore down the Sonata’s bland mold and completely rebuilt it. This redesign produced one of the best looking Hyundai sedans to date, and the trend has continued with nearly every Hyundai since. Well, 2014 will mark the fourth year that the Sonata has donned this look and compared to some of the newer Hyundai vehicles – except the Accent – the Sonata now looks outdated. Not necessarily old, but it simply doesn’t fit Hyundai’s new, more aggressive styling. Hyundai plans to take care of this issue before this body style hits five-years old, as the budget automaker’s CEO announced that the Sonata will receive an upgrade in 2014. Taking a look at the 2012 Sonata, which competes with the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Nissan Altima, the Sonata’s drivetrain options stand tall. With a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that cranks out up to 200 horsepower, while getting 35 mpg on the highway, and a 274-horsepower, 2.0-liter engine that gets 34 mpg on the highway, the competition just can’t hang with it. All Hyundai needs to do is a mild facelift to keep buyers interested in the Sonata. As of yet, there is no mention of what direction Hyundai will go with the Sonata. With its accounting for 35% of all Hyundai sales in 2011, chances are the Sonata’s upgrade won’t be too drastic. Then again, Hyundai has been pulling some rather interesting stunts lately, like releasing the rather un-Hyundai-like Equus luxury car and sporty, innovative, and economical Veloster. They sure have come a long way since I bought my brand new 1999 Accent for a cool $9,000. We will continue to provide updates on this future upgrade as details roll out, so stay tuned. Note: Current model pictured. Video: Crazy Drifting with Arabs and their family sedansEveryone knows - or at least should know - that getting behind the wheel carries with it a serious responsibility for your life and the life of anyone else in the vehicle. However, it seems that there are some "adventurous" and more or less moronic people out there with little regard to other people’s safety. Take these drift-crazy asswipes as an example. Cars like the Honda Accord, the Hyundai Sonata, and the Toyota Camry are typically produced as people pushers, some guys in Middle East have found another way to enjoy their family vehicles. The drivers in this video simply ignored the heavy traffic and started showing off their crazy drifting skills. Take your eyes off of the drifting madness and you can see all kinds of cars, including trucks, around these maniacs. Some people just shouldn’t be allowed to get behind the wheel. 2011 Hyundai SonataHyundai unveiled the sixth-generation Sonata midsize sedan at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. The car is on sale in three different trim levels: GLS, Limited and SE with the 198 hp version has a starting price of $19,195 for the well-equipped GLS model; the 200-hp SE model starts at $22,595 and the top-of-the-line Limited model is available for $25,295. The 2011 Sonata will be the first model to be powered by Hyundai’s new Theta II GDI 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a Gasoline Direct-Injection (GDI) fuel delivery system. The engine is rated at 198 hp (200 hp in the SE version) and 184 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC. A second engine will be added next year, a 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine. A 2.4-liter Hybrid Blue Drive version will also be available. The exterior of the all-new Sonata is long, light and low. The high beltline allows for a long, sleek roofline accented by the third window. A monoform side profile includes flowing lines highlighted by a Hyundai signature chrome accent that spans the length of the car. Normally, this type of trim is only found around the windows. On the new Sonata, this trim extends out from the headlamps, juts up along the hood and through the beltline. The face is bold with a large powerful chrome grille and headlamps that integrate precise details. The stance is completed by 16-, 17- or 18-inch multi-spoke wheels. XM Satellite Radio™, real-time XM NavTraffic, XM Data Services, HD Radio Technology™, Bluetooth®, Touch-screen navigation and iPod®/USB inputs will be offered as standard equipment. Press release after the jump. Full story Car and Driver announces "10 Best Cars for 2011"
As one of the most esteemed auto magazines in the world, Car and Driver’s annual “Top 10 Cars” is always a good barometer for automakers to see if one – or maybe two – of their vehicles made it to the list. With a readership that spans the entire world, Car and Driver’s Top 10 list is read by millions of people so it’s kind of a big deal for these companies. From the usual suspects to a number of new surprises, the “Top 10 Cars” will reveal what cars the magazine is highly recommending for the next calendar year. In determining which cars make it to the list, editor-in-chief, Eddie Alterman explains: “In our testing, we are looking for those automobiles that deliver spectacular value, real driver engagement, and the highest fulfillment of their intended mission.” He continues: “Our testing takes place over a week on real roads in the real world, marshaling more than 60 new test cars and our entire editorial staff. It’s a real workout, and the best cars on the market emerge victorious." For 2011, the list has a number of old guards that have made multiple appearances while there are others that are making their inaugural face-time. Just to give you an idea on what to expect, three American, German, and Japanese models made it to the list with the other spot going to a model from South Korea. There are also three cars – the Audi S4, the Mazda3, and the Ford Fusion Hybrid – that dropped out of the list, which means that you’re going to be seeing a number of new entries making it to the Top 10. So without further ado, Car and Driver’s “Top 10 Cars for 2011” after the jump. Full story SEMA: TopSpeed’s Best In Show
It was a very fruitful week in Las Vegas at the SEMA show and although there were numerous vehicles shown, only a few really stood out. After a few days of deliberation, each one of us at TopSpeed picked our favorite special edition, as we all had issues agreeing on what was best. The SEMA show is one of the most popular automotive events in the world. It can attract more than 100,000 visitors from over 100 countries in the automotive, truck and SUV, and RV markets. The displays are segmented into 12 sections and a New Products Showcase featured nearly 2,000 newly introduced parts, tools and components. While we love tools and what not, we go for the cars. These tuned beauties remind us of The Fast and the Furious, although some of the cars shown are neither fast nor furious. We’ve already had one winner, as the Chevrolet Camaro was named the Hottest Car, but do we agree? Hit the jump to keep reading. Full story 2010 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T by Rides Magazine
We may have seen a rendering of this tuning project by Rides Magazine a month ago, but it was nothing compared to the beautifully sleek and gorgeous Hyundai Sonata Turbo we see before us. This vehicle has jumped our list of must-see SEMA-bound automobiles. The best part of this project is that everything was done in a subtle way, but with amazing results. The exterior sees new front and rear bumpers, side skirts, a rear spoiler, and a roof spoiler hidden behind the matte pearl paint job from BASF. And to prove that black is indeed slimming, Rides has added a matte black debadged front grille, smoked taillights and painted headlights, and 20-inch Rennen Modular M9 concave wheels in a powder coated matte black and wrapped in Falken FK452 tires. These black accents draw your eye to the front and center of the vehicle, while still appreciating the fine lines that lead you there. Audi LED fog lights integrated into the new front bumper and a 3M vinyl carbon wrap on the roof also add to the sexiness of this ride. For the interior, Rides is offering a combination of black leather and suede with red stitching, along with integrating carbon fiber trim throughout. The trunk gets two JBL 12-inch subwoofers paired with two JBL amplifiers. The whole package is finished by a custom quad tip exhaust and an S-Max front mount intercooler that replaces the factory unit up front. Hyundai may be taking a couple of Genesis Coupes by Ark and Gogogear Racing as well as Rhys Millen Racing’s Equus and Hyundai’s Equus DUB Edition, but the Hyundai Sonata 2.0T by Rides Magazine definitely steals the show. Press release after the jump. Full story 2011 First Drive: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo
In the United States, driving doesn’t seem to be a passion for most people. Just take a road trip and you will understand why we say that. You’ll see people driving along, talking on their phones, eating a burger, or doing their makeup, as they peddle along in their crossovers or large SUVs. But, let’s not just hate on those vehicles, because there are plenty of other dull vehicles that are topping the sales charts. The Toyota Camry, as good as it might be at hauling people, is about as exciting to drive and to look at as a horse and buggy. Honda has been getting this wrap lately as well with the new Accord and we can see why. It got fatter and worse in its current form. Well, if you feel the same way as us, Hyundai might have a solution. The base Hyundai Sonata is a fine automobile and we find it to be one of the best midsize sedans on the market. It gets great mileage and looks sensational, but the lack of a V6 option makes performance hard to come by. Just take a look at the Nissan Altima. Put a V6 under the hood of that machine and it becomes a whole new animal. That might not be the case anymore, as automakers are swapping out larger motors for turbocharged ones. The new 2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo is the perfect example of this new trend. So, is the new Sonata 2.0T a worthy replacement of the V6 midsize sedan, or does it fail to live up to expectations. Hit the jump to find out. Full story 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T configurator goes online
For those of you interesting in buying a new 2011 Sonata 2.0T, Hyundai is now offering you the chance to configure your car online. We know what you’re thinking, shouldn’t configurators only come for models that are actaually worth spending hours playing around with online? That would be yes, but apparently Hyundai does not care. The 2011 Sonata 2.0T is offered in two trim levels: Sonata SE 2.0T priced at $24,145 and Sonata Limited 2.0T priced at $27,045. Customers can also choose from a Navigation and sunroof package priced at $2,600 and a Navigation Package priced at $2,100. There is also a short list of accessories that includes ipod cables, wheels locks, cargo net, and more. The new sedan will be offered in a choice of eight exterior colors and only one interior choice: gray leather with cloth for the SE version and gray leather for the Limited version. The 2011 Sonata 2.0T model is powered by a 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged gasoline direct-injection (GDI) engine rated at 274 hp at 6,000 rpm and 269 lb-ft of torque from 1800-4500 rpm and mated to a a six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC manual control.
2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T
Starting today the 2011 Sonata will get a new version: 2.0T, a model powered by a 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged gasoline direct-injection (GDI) engine rated at 274 hp at 6,000 rpm and 269 lb-ft of torque from 1800-4500 rpm and mated to a a six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC manual control. The 2.0T engine will be available on the SE and Limited trim level. The Sonata 2.0T will be distinguished from the regular version by a new panoramic sunroof, 18" hyper silver alloy wheels, dual exhaust system and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. This is the first Hyundai vehicle to have both GDI technology and a turbocharger. Sales will begin later this year. Updated 10/04/2010: Hyundai today announced prices for the 2011 Sonata 2.0T. Prices start at at $24,145 MSRP for the Sonata SE 2.0T and $27,045 for the Sonata Limited 2.0T. The 2.0T engine will be available on the SE and Limited trim level, with the 2.0T SE adding an upgraded fully automatic temperature control system, and the Limited adding the SE’s 18-inch hyper silver alloy wheels, dual exhaust, and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. UPDATE 10/20/2010: Check out our review of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo by clicking here! Press release after the jump. Full story | Hyundai Sonata latest reviews:
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