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Hyundai's Ioniq EV gets a bigger battery and more connectivity
Hyundai is refreshing its Ioniq line-up with the hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric models all getting design tweaks and new features. The EV in particular will get a larger, 38.3 kWh battery pack that has 36 percent more storage capacity than its predecessor.
Hyundai's new Veloster will make its debut in 'Forza Motorsport 7'
The new Hyundai Veloster just made its debut on the NAIAS 2018 show floor, but the first time we'll be able to drive one is in Forza Motorsport 7. Following a string of cars debuting in videogames (BMW M4 Coupe, Porsche 911 GT2 RS), the Veloster Turbo and Veloster N will come to Forza players tomorrow, well before the cars go on sale in Q2 2018. In real life, the refreshed three-door hatchback has a bit more power and a lower stance, while the new "N" performance version goes up to 275HP and adds track-tuned driving modes.
Hyundai adds on-demand car washes to its Blue Link service
In a world where you can have your McDonald's delivered and the UPS driver has access to your Amazon-enabled foyer, keeping the family car clean remains a decidedly low tech affair. You've got the choice between pulling out the mop and bucket yourself or driving down to the gas station to have a room-sized robotic arm do it instead.
Hyundai's connected cars now work with Google Assistant
Hyundai is giving you another way to shout orders at its connected Blue Link cars, shortly after revealing an Amazon Alexa partnership. The company is teaming up with Google, letting you give commands to Santa Fe, Sonata or other compatible models via its voice-controlled Assistant. Using a Google Home device, you'll be able to say, "OK Google, start my Santa Fe and set the temperature to 72 degrees" or "Ask Blue Link to lock my car," to give a couple examples.
Hyundai lets owners control their cars with smartwatches
Hey, Hyundai owners, it's finally here: the Blue Link companion app for smartwatches that the automaker promised back during CES this year. And yes, you can use it to remotely lock/unlock doors, start/stop the engine, flash lights or honk any Blue Link-enabled car's horn, even if it's as old as the 2012 Sonata. It can also help you find your car in humongous parking lots and call roadside assistance -- plus, you can do all those by issuing voice commands, so long as you press the mic icon. Not bad, huh? As Hyundai Motor's Frank Ferrara said: "It is like being James Bond 007 or Scotty in Star Trek." The companion app's now out for Android Wear devices, but there's also an Apple Watch version just waiting for the wearable to hit the market.
Hyundai's second generation Blue Link tech runs custom Android, keeps you connected with Verizon
When Hyundai's latest Genesis sedan launches later this Spring, it'll have the latest version of Hyundai's Blue Link tech: voice navigation, media management and remote tech. That means unlocking your car remotely, navigating to both specific locations and general search terms (think: flowers, sushi, etc.), and a whole mess of other "smart" functionality. Unlike the first-gen Blue Link currently available, all of that functionality is being brought to your new Genesis with a cell signal provided by Verizon. Hyundai was part of the big Google news earlier today, and Blue Link's second-gen is another piece in that puzzle. Consider it the latest in a series of cross-company explorations into how best to implement Android in cars -- a Hyundai rep told us it's also exploring iOS for cars, but won't have more to share until some point "later this year." In the brief time we spent with Blue Link 2, we were impressed! It picked up on voice commands without a hitch, and was able to wirelessly connect to Google Places from within the confines of a Las Vegas hotel conference room. Sadly, navigation costs $100 annually, and it's another $100 annually for remote services. Head past the break for a look at Blue Link 2 in action, and find out if it's the Android you're looking for. Richard Lai contributed to this report.
Hyundai's 2015 Genesis will let you lock the doors through Google Glass
Tired of reaching into your pocket just to lock your car's doors? You won't have to when Hyundai rolls out the 2015 Genesis sedan next year. The automaker plans to launch a Blue Link app for Google Glass that offers Genesis owners the same remote services they'd get through a smartphone, including basic remote control, maintenance updates and the option of sending Google Maps directions to the car. Drivers won't be stuck using Google's eyewear, as Hyundai promises Blue Link support for other wearables. Convenience won't be cheap when you'll need to buy both the car and at least one piece of exotic technology, but the solution will certainly be more affordable than its unofficial Tesla equivalent.
Eyes-on with Hyundai's in-car tech for 2014: CloudCar, MirrorLink and a 9.2-inch display
Many who live in North America wouldn't put Hyundai at the forefront of in-car technology, but the Korean au hoping to change that reputation by 2014 with a more internet- and mobile-savvy platform. We had an opportunity to peek at some of those components at the automaker's CES booth. CloudCar calls out for attention as the most distinctive: going beyond the existing BlueLink system, it pairs the car's infotainment unit with at least a Jelly Bean-equipped Android phone to put an always-online interface in front of the driver. The early CloudCar example runs on a very simple interface with options like Google Maps navigation, media playback and Google contacts on the left. It's built for multitasking and will keep directions going even as we're firing up NPR or sharing to Facebook (hopefully, while stopped). While it's not exceptionally deep, it appears suited to the need-it-quick nature of real driving, with shortcuts like directions to the office or a call to a favorite contact. Other additions aren't quite as conspicuous, but could still be very welcome when we see it in future cabins. Hyundai is one of the first car builders that we know of to embrace MirrorLink, echoing whatever's on a phone's display (in this case, Android) through MHL; there's a companion Android app with a car-sized interface for navigation, hands-free calls and music. Hardware should get an upgrade as well through a premium system with a 9.2-inch, 720p display. The company isn't quite ready to narrow down which vehicles will see what upgrades, although we're told the early strategy may split CloudCar and MirrorLink between different model lines. If you're willing to accept that the technology could change in a year's time, you can get a peek at the future in the gallery below.
Updated Hyundai app brings remote control to your Blue Link fleet
Hyundai Sonata and Veloster owners have had some level of remote access for a year now, but the latest version of the Blue Link app does even more. Along with remote start, door lock / unlock and control of the horn and lights, you can now run vehicle diagnostics, send POIs across from your phone for later in-dash navigation, and even locate and manage multiple Blue Link-equipped cars. Sound complicated? Not if you run a cab firm, or if you check out the twelve new instructional videos on Hyundai's YouTube channel below.
Texas Instruments unveils new car infotainment processors, wireless systems
Texas Instruments wants to add a little extra pizazz to your morning commute, with a set of new car infotainment processors and connectivity platforms. Unveiled today at CES, the company's new line of Jacinto C6000 and auto-friendly OMAP mobile processors boast 3D graphics accelerators capable of supporting 1080p HD video playback. The Jacinto C6000 systems additionally feature digital signal processors (DSPs) that will allow manufacturers to customize their own radio, audio and speech capabilities to onboard apps. TI also took the opportunity to unveil its new WiLink 7.0 (WL128x-Q) and BlueLink 7.0 (BL6450-Q) wireless "solutions" today. These combo-platforms bring WiFI, Bluetooth, GPS and FM technologies on a single chip -- something TI heralds as an industry first. What this means, then, is that drivers would be able to turn their car into a bona fide WiFi hotspot while simultaneously conducting Bluetooth business, without breaking a stride. For more details on the new technologies, check out the PR after the break.
Hyundai announces Blue Link telematics system, makes texting your Sonata a sweet possibility
At the last CES it was Kia showing off its Microsoft-backed Uvo infotainment system. This year Big Poppa Hyundai is taking the reins and showing off Blue Link, which takes at least part of its name from the BLUE-WILL concept hybrid. Blue Link isn't a fancy car, though, rather a new infotainment and telematics system that will be first installed on the Sonata this spring, then coming to the Veloster this summer before hitting all models by 2013. What does it do, you ask? Why, lots of stuff. There's voice recognition, enabling the driver to search for POIs and the like without taking a single hand off the wheel. There's also remote start, which is handy on a cold morning, and even remote disabling of the car via text message, which is handy if you find nothing but an oil stain where you left your prized ride. No word on what if anything Hyundai will charge for Blue Link, but there will be a additional premium tiers of services, like Blue Link Assurance, which sounds a good bit like OnStar to us, and Blue Link Navigation. We'll be getting our hands on with Blue Link soon, but until then you'll have to bide your time reading the PR below.
