Top automotive tech from CES 2017
This year’s Consumer Electronics Show featured automakers debuting artificial intelligence systems, a floating virtual touch display and more.
Top five picks from SEMA show 2016
Automakers unveiled everything from a minivan on air suspension to a 1,000-plus horsepower SUV at this year’s SEMA Show.
Turbocharged Sport model joining 2017 Hyundai Elantra lineup
Not content with reaching the milestone of 500,000 Elantras sold in Canada earlier this year, Hyundai is continuing to evolve the compact sedan by adding a Sport model, billing it as the most powerful and dynamic version the manufacturer has ever made.
The Sport would not be possible without the underlying sixth generation chassis, built upon a “superstructure” comprised of 21 per cent more high strength steel than before, explained Ken Maisonville, national manager of product strategy. He spoke at start of the Hyundai Fun Day event held in Ontario where media were given a taste of the sprightly sedan after “finding” the vehicle from solving a series of geocaching puzzles set up around the Greater Toronto Area.
“We took our own in house steel plant — we’re the only manufacturer in the world with our own steel plant — and started from the ground up with an all new superstructure and that’s the basis for everything about Elantra,” said Maisonville.
To throw some additional numbers out there, torsional rigidity has improved by 30 per cent, and bending rigidity by 25 per cent. So what does that mean in plain English?
“Improved ride and handling, cabin quietness and safety. That’s what we’re going for and that’s going to turn around perception of quality,” he said.
A number of exterior changes differentiate the Sport from regular variants. These include a unique front fascia comprised of headlamp housings containing red inserts; a wider black chrome grille, horizontally, as opposed to vertically, arranged signature LED daytime running lights; and a subtle splitter resting beneath the front bumper.
Around the rest of the vehicle, there are 18-inch multi-spoke wheels wrapped in Hankook Ventus S1 Noble2 tires, side skirt extensions, revised LED taillight lenses and dual polished muffler tips peeking out from behind a built-in rear bumper diffuser.
The dual-exit tailpipes don’t just look pretty — they’re connected to a specialized exhaust system tuned for a very specific performance-oriented sound. Maisonville says engineers paid extra attention to ensure it’s only loud on the outside without the dreaded in-cabin drone at mid to high rpm levels.
Backing up the aggressive rumble is a 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing a healthy 201 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque at an accessible 1,500 rpm. Choices of transmission are between a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The 2017 Hyundai Elantra Sport will start at MSRP $24,999 when it is launched later this fall.
Safety tips for drivers this Halloween
It’s time to break out the pumpkins and fake spider webs — All Hallows’ Eve is nearly here. If you’re planning on hitting the road at some point in the evening, be mindful that many streets will be filled with kids in search of bite-sized candy, so exercise caution while driving.
While many new vehicles sold today feature advanced collision prevention features, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and not completely rely on technology. Follow these few tips to keep everyone, including you, safe this Halloween.
Walk-around
With trick-or-treaters out in full force this Oct. 31, they may not always be sticking to sidewalks or crossing the street at appropriate areas. Before backing up, get out and do a quick walk around to make sure there are no small children behind or beside your car.
Models like the new Hyundai Tucson have optional rear parking sensors embedded in the rear bumper that give an audible warning when someone or something is detected. As the object gets closer, the warning increases in both frequency and tone to alert the driver.
Slow down
It’s always advisable for children to wear bright-coloured costumes to be as visible as possible, but that doesn’t always happen. Drive slower than usual, especially in residential areas so a ninja or Dracula wearing all black running doesn’t run out and catch you by surprise.
Toyotas equipped with Toyota Safety Sense P utilize an in-vehicle camera working in tandem with a millimetre wave radar unit mounted on the front grille. When a potential collision with a pedestrian is predicted, the brakes are pre-loaded for quicker stop times, and/or the system will automatically apply the brakes as well.
Park indoors
Halloween ranks as one of the top dates in the year for automobile vandalism, according to ICBC. If possible, leave your car inside your home garage or in a parkade after dark.
The latest generation of Audi anti-theft alarms use warning horns that operate independently of the main electrical system, and will sound when a door is opened while the alarm is armed.
Top three 2016 model year family vehicles
Similar to the contemporary family unit, the family vehicle segment too has evolved, reflecting the wants and needs of 21st century living. Now, models come in a plethora of shapes and sizes catering to wide variety of customers, and are safer, more comfortable and better equipped than their predecessors. We’ve included three of our favourites from 2016 here — one each from the sedan, crossover SUV and minivan categories — and have taken into consideration the attributes above, as well as price.
2016 Hyundai Sonata
The Sonata is a particularly versatile sedan that has a lot going for it. The design was completely changed last year, and the car is offered in gasoline, Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid flavours (Hybrid pictured here). Parents will appreciate the convenience of options like rear window sunshades for little ones or pets riding in the back, a power trunk for easy storage of cargo, and programmable driver’s seat memory taking out the guesswork of adjustment when there are multiple drivers. Prices start at $24,749.
2016 Toyota Highlander
Plenty of interior space, reliability and onboard entertainment are just some of the 2016 Toyota Highlanders strong suits. Grownups and children passengers alike will be kept busy with a multimedia system consisting of a 6.1-inch touchscreen, USB and 12-volt ports for electronics and an available Blu-ray DVD player and 9.0-inch screen in the back. There’s also room for either seven or eight occupants depending on the configuration.
2016 Toyota Sienna
Toyota makes this list twice, but that’s simply because they’ve got the family vehicle formula down pat. The best-selling Sienna is successful for a reason, or several reasons actually, among them being a load of tech and massive carrying capacity. Siri Eyes Free functionality means drivers can easily and safely call up smartphone functions using their voice, such as adding a doctor’s appointment to the calendar or calling up a favourite restaurant to order dinner, and with the second and third row benches folded down the minivan can swallow over 4,000 litres of cargo.
Top five most fuel-efficient crossover SUVs
Utility vehicles no longer have to be synonymous with gas guzzlers.
Top vehicles for students going back to school
Is it really back to school already? Well not quite yet, but September will be here in the blink of an eye. If a vehicle is on your school supplies shopping list, OpenRoad Auto Group is here to help with a list of the most affordable vehicles for students for 2016.
2016 Volkswagen Jetta
Starting at $15,995, the 2016 VW Jetta is the most affordable model in the German automaker’s lineup and is equipped with a zippy turbocharged 150-horsepower engine. A five-speed manual gearbox is standard, or add an extra $1,400 for a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission.
2016 Honda Civic Sedan
Completely redesigned, the legendary Honda Civic enters its 10th generation sportier in both appearance and performance. The interior has be also been reworked to provide lots of storage space for things like phones, wallets and cups. Also offered in a coupe body style, the four-door (starting MSRP $16,155) is the better buy for those on a budget.
2016 Toyota Corolla
Toyota Corollas have been the go-to-car for many students for five decades now, and not much has changed in that regard. The current compact sedan is still great on gas — 8.4 L/100 km in the city, 6.4 on the highway — and has enough interior room for five adults to sit comfortably thanks to the flat floor in the rear. Prices start at $15,995.
2017 Hyundai Elantra
All new for this year, the reimagined Elantra is drop dead gorgeous with a smart looking front end anchored by a wide-mouth grille and a set of sleek headlamps. As always, even the base model ($15,999) is chock full of features like heated front seats that will come in handy during those brisk fall morning drives to class. The car is powered by a 2.0-litre motor producing 147 horsepower and 132-lb-ft of torque.
Pre-owned vehicles
In the market for a used car? OpenRoad has hundreds of pre-owned vehicles available for sale — have a look on the website.
PDI (pre-delivery inspection) process explained
Anytime you see advertisements for a new car where prices are listed, somewhere in the fine print there will be mention of PDI. These letters stand for pre-delivery inspection, which is the process whereby a dealership technician inspects a vehicle for any flaws and basically gets it ready for the eventual owner.
The exact list of things to be done, and as a result the time it takes to do them, varies slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer. We spoke to our friends at OpenRoad Hyundai about what their specific tasks look like when performing a PDI.
The Skinny
At Hyundai, techs are allotted 1.8 hours to go through all the steps laid out in the inspection checklist regardless of model, which is comprised of six sections. As a comparison, over at Audi, a PDI for a S8 full-size executive sedan takes more than five hours.
Checklist
The following details what work is involved for each item.
• Engine compartment: all fluids such as washer, coolant, brake, power steering, transmission and engine, are topped up. The hood latch is lubricated to ensure smooth operation, the battery is tested for full charge and everything else is examined for visual defects and abnormal noises.
• Underside: associated oils for all-wheel drive vehicles are checked. Hoses, lines, the exhaust system and suspension components are visually inspected, and the brakes are serviced.
• Interior: the pedals are operated, looking for freeplay, and the brakes checked for correct operation. The steering wheel is aligned, and fuses installed for the radio and other electronic accessories. Every individual component of the interior is scrutinized. Locks, latches and hinges are lubricated, and the clock and radio station pre-sets are adjusted accordingly.
• Exterior: all lighting is turned on and the headlights are aimed. Tire pressures, including the spare tire, are set to manufacturer-suggested specifications. Windshield wipers and washer fluid level are examined, as well as all body panels and components (i.e. weatherstrips, bumpers, mouldings).
• Road test: the vehicle is driven for the recommended 10 kilometres on both city and highway roads, listening and feeling for any issues. The engine, transmission, clutch, brakes, steering, cruise control, lane departure warning and air suspension, if applicable, are all inspected, as is the alignment and steering wheel for shimmying/pulling. The computer is scanned for any diagnostic trouble codes.
• Final preparation: all protective coverings are removed, and floor mats are put in place. Wheel covers and wheel locks are installed, if required (locks are only used on alloy wheels). Paint condition and emblems are checked. The jack, wheel nut wrench, owner’s manual, service passport, warranty booklet and guides are verified to be in their proper spots. Finally, if needed, a license plate bracket and OpenRoad plate frames are outfitted.
What is Hyundai's SuperStructure?
In this post we explain what this SuperStructure fuss is about, and how it benefits to the all-new 2017 Hyundai Elantra sedan.
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