Hyundai IX35 2014 News

Hyundai installs Australia's first hydrogen refuelling point since 2007.Toyota and Honda may have just unveiled their hydrogen-powered cars of the future, but Hyundai's is here today.Hyundai is installing Australia's first hydrogen-refueling point for passenger cars at its Sydney headquarters, and it has just imported its first hydrogen-powered car.But rather than the spaceship looks of the Toyota and Honda sedans, Hyundai's hydrogen car is based on a family-friendly SUV.The first hydrogen-powered Hyundai ix35 arrived in Australia two months ago and the company has commenced the installation of a local refueling point.However, hydrogen cars are a long way from showroom reality in Australia as there are currently no other refill stations.Hyundai's will be the first hydrogen refuelling point in Australia since the three-year hydrogen bus trial in Perth ended in 2007."We are excited by hydrogen technology and what it could mean for the future of transport, said Hyundai Australia boss Charlie Kim."However, the challenge of creating and distributing hydrogen through a viable, sustainable network is a significant one."Hyundai says government intervention is required to develop a hydrogen highway."We are not a political entity, nor are we aligned with any political party. However, we have seen in other countries that governments play a crucial role in developing hydrogen refuelling infrastructure," said Mr Kim, whose company has been in discussions with the federal government for two years."The reaction has been very positive. Maybe one day we'll see a 'Hydrogen Highway' built in Australia, like those already in operation overseas," said Mr Kim.Hyundai says, for example, "the 'Hume by Hydrogen' could link Australia's two largest cities via the nation's Capital. It would require four refuelling stations – in Sydney, Canberra, Albury and Melbourne – and could see hydrogen vehicles – including buses – running in and between these cities emitting nothing but water vapour."Experts believe electric and hybrid cars are merely a stepping stone to hydrogen-powered vehicles.They can be refueled in five minutes and can travel about 450km on each tank – both about the same as a petrol car.In ideal conditions,driving purely for efficiency, the Hyundai has travelled 700km on one tank during a test in Sweden.Hydrogen cars have been leased to specialist customers in Japan, Europe and North America, where the refueling points are more common, albeit still growing in numbers.In such cars hydrogen is used to power a "fuel cell" to generate electricity which is then used to either power the electric motor or charge the battery, or both. The only emissions from the tailpipe is water vapour from the fuel cell.In the case of the ix35, the only difference between the hydrogen-powered version and the regular model is that it loses the underfloor space in the boot that usually houses the spare tyre (to house part of the hydrogen system).The Hyundai ix35 went into mass production in South Korea earlier this year and is made on the same production line as the regular model, but is being sold in limited numbers.The car is unlikely to go on sale in Australia as it is left-hand-drive only for now but the company is gauging interest in future models.Hyundai's hydrogen refueling point is due to open early next year and the company says it is happy to allow other brands to use it.At last month's Los Angeles motor show, Honda and Toyota unveiled futuristic-looking hydrogen cars due in showrooms in the next two years, but neither are planned for Australia at this stage. Hyundai's refueling point could change that.

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Hyundai has recalled its popular ix35 for a production defect on the tensioning cable in the seatbelt pretensioner, with insecure crimping meaning the cable could be unleashed and injure occupants or fail to offer full seatbelt restraint in an accident.The recall affects 6552 of the top-selling small Hyundai SUV, which last year led its segment with 19,098 sales -- overtaking the 2012 leader Nissan Dualis with a resounding distance to its 12,434.  The build dates affected by the recall from August 23, 2011 to 24 February, 2012, and the VIN number range is  KMHJT81BLCU373966 to KMHJU81VSCU485865. The VIN number can be found on the build plate in the engine bay.Hyundai says the defect has not been responsible for any injuries in Australia, and that the seatbelts will still continue to operate and protect occupants in the meantime. "There have been no incidents here yet," Hyundai spokesman Guido Schenken told Carsguide. "The defect only affects the pretensioner, so the rest of the seatbelt mechanism works fine. The fix will take about 30 minutes at the most."Hyundai is notifying affected owners by letter, instructing them to return their ix35 to the nearest dealership, where the seatbelt pretensioner will be replaced.  

Hyundai has released Trophy versions of the i30, ix35 and Elantra with a package of additional features worth around $2000, plus special driveaway deals, with prices rising between $400 and $1800 over the non-driveaway list figures for the Active spec versions the upgraded vehicles are based on. The i30 Trophy gets leather-trimmed seats, five-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels and electric folding side mirrors, with the prices rising from $400 to $1500 over the equivalent Active variant. The Elantra sedan Trophy scores the wheels and leather trim plus a premium steering wheel and gear-knob, with prices up $900 to $1200 on the Active versions. The 2WD ix35 Trophy with manual transmission misses out on the goodies package, but the automatic version gets the folding mirrors, leather trim, premium steering wheel and gear knob, but larger  triple-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, tinted rear windows, front foglamps, automatic dusk-sensing headlights, chilled glove box and an electrochromatic rearview mirror with integrated reversing camera for an extra $1800 over the Active.   PRICING     This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott

Hyundai's ix35 tops the small SUV sales charts, and the Korean carmaker is keen to keep it ahead of the pack. To that end, it's just been given a mid-life update with revised petrol engines, steering and suspension, and some extra features and cosmetic touches. The 135kW/392Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel four-cylinder engine continues in the all-wheel drive mid-spec Elite and top-spec Highlander levels with 7.2l/100km fuel economy. But the line-up gets new direct-injected petrol four-cylinders: the 122kW/205Nm 2.0-litre adapted from the i40; and a 136kW/240Nm 2.4-litre. Powering the two-wheel drive versions of the ix35, claimed fuel economy for the 2.0-litre is 8.2L/100km with the six-speed manual (base Active spec only) and 8.4L/100km for the six-speed auto, an improvement of 0.3 and 0.1L. However the all-wheel drive auto-only 2.4-litre has a fuel figure of 9.8L/100km -- a rise of 0.6L. Hyundai says the ix35 has undergone comprehensive local tuning of the suspension and steering to better match them to Australian conditions. Main exterior changes are the revamped headlight clusters, metal-finish roof rails and new 17-inch and 18-inch alloy wheels, while the cabin gets a reclining rear seatback, new cloth upholstery for Active and soft-touch trim for other grades. The drive launch is next week -- check back for our verdict -- however the ix35 Series II is already on sale, with the entry level manual Active two-wheel drive carrying over its $26,990 price tag but increases of $200 to $400 for other spec levels. Hyundai ix35 Series II range Hyundai ix35 Series II 2WD Active 2.0 (man) $26,990 Hyundai ix35 Series II 2WD Active 2.0(auto) $29,190 Hyundai ix35 Series II 2WD Elite 2.0(auto) $33,090 Hyundai ix35 Series II AWD Elite 2.4 (auto) $35,490 Hyundai ix35 Series II AWD Elite CRDi (auto) $38,090 Hyundai ix35 Series II AWD Highlander 2.4 (auto) $38,090 Hyundai ix35 Series II AWD Highlander CRDi (auto) $40,490 Hyundai ix35 Special Edition 2.0 (auto) $30,990 Hyundai ix35 Special Edition CRDi (auto) $35,990 This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott  

They were handed over during the opening ceremony of Denmark's first hydrogen refuelling station and are the first hydrogen-powered vehicles manufactured on a production line to be introduced in Europe. Hyundai has been a world leader in the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology ever since research into its first fuel cell began in 1998. The ix35 Fuel Cell produces no harmful tailpipe emissions, only water vapour, and so its use will help the city of Copenhagen achieve its aim of becoming carbon-neutral by 2025. “We are potentially looking at getting the fuel cell Hyundai ix35 in Australia, however we have no time frame yet because the vehicle is only produced in left hand drive," Hyundai’s Australia spokesman Guido Schenken says. "The ix35 is the first step in fuel cell vehicles for Hyundai, so production is limited.”  The ix35 Fuel Cell is equipped with a 100kW electric motor, and can reach a maximum speed of 160km/h. Two hydrogen storage tanks, located between the vehicle's rear axle, with a total capacity of 5.64kg, enable the vehicle to travel a total of 594km on a single fuelling. Filling the storage hydrogen tanks to maximum capacity takes just a few minutes. Since 2011, Hyundai has deployed prototypes of its third-generation ix35 Fuel Cell in a wide range of initiatives to raise awareness of hydrogen's benefits as an automotive fuel; to support the drive for establishing a pan-European refuelling infrastructure; and to demonstrate the cars' real-world practicality to public and private organisations.

Hyundai has apologised for a commercial that shows a man trying to kill himself by piping emissions into his car. The 60-second ad was intended to be used in the UK, and shows the suicide bid failing because the ix35 SUV model used – a fuel-cell model not sold in Australia -- does not produce harmful emissions. Hyundai said it did not order or approve the “offensive” ad, and apologised for it appearing. “Hyundai Motor deeply and sincerely apologises for the offensive viral ad,” the Korean carmaker said in a statement. “It runs counter to our values as a company and as members of the community. We are very sorry for any offense or distress the video caused. More to the point, Hyundai apologizes to those who have been personally impacted by tragedy.” The ad was created by Innocean, a global agency that handles most advertising for Hyundai and its stablemate Kia, and is owned by the auto group’s chairman Chung Mong-koo and his family. The ad sparked outrage on social media, with one of the widest-spread responses being from UK copywriter Holly Brockwell, who posted an open letter to Hyundai --showing the handwritten note left by her father before he committed suicide in his car  – and describing her emotional reaction to the ad. "My dad never drove a Hyundai. Thanks to you, neither will I," she wrote. * Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.  

Hyundai has slotted a fourth model into its ix35 range of small SUVs. Based on the 2.0-litre two-wheel drive entry level Active model, the $29,990 ix35 SE is the first model to be sourced from Europe. It offers a raft of convenience, comfort, and style elements previously unavailable in the Active model. Available in a limited range of fashionable colours, the nose features a unique front bumper with in-set fog lamps, projector headlamps with dusk sensors, and power folding side mirrors. Smart 17 inch alloys and solar control glass with rear privacy tint add a touch of European chic to the exterior presence. A stylish new interior treatment features full leather/leatherette trim including seats, steering wheel, and gear shift knob. Front and rear heated seats will provide additional comfort for all occupants, and the glove box is cooled. The SE also adds a rear-view camera displayed in the electro-chromatic rear-view mirror. For occupant comfort, the ix35 SE provides a comprehensive multimedia package including; 5 inch touch screen AM/FM radio with integrated Bluetooth, media streaming and hands free, six-speakers including tweeters, AUX and USB audio input with iPod compatibility, and an MP3 / WMA / CD player.  

More go for less dough -- at least at the fuel pump -- is the basis for Hyundai's renewed compact SUV. Due here in the third quarter of this year, the reinvigorated ix35 -- the first of Hyundai's new wave of alpha-numeric models to reach middle age -- does away with its obsolete entry level petrol engine and gets fixtures from the 2012 model Santa Fe. A Europe-made direct injection 2.0-litre replaces the thrashy ancient Theta-II. A new turbo diesel four is also promised. The so-called Flexisteer is adapted from the bigger SUV, a three mode system which in Carsguide's estimation provides little real feel in any setting. Upper specification models get bi-xenon headlights and lusher interiors. While Hyundai is keeping details under wraps until the ix35's unveiling at the Geneva motor show, it is certain that the next entry $26,990 model will easily surpass the current car's 122kW/197Nm and poor 8.5L/100km. The first of Hyundai's "made for Europe" models, it is notable for debuting the Korean carmaker's fluidic design gambit, a striking look that has helped underwrite the brand's success there and in Australia. But though a hit there and here, the Hyundai has been overshadowed by smaller cousin Kia's Sportage. All but a twin under the skin, the Peter Schreyer designed compact SUV benefits from a through local adaptation program led by Graham Gambold which results in bespoke suspension and steering setting. So successful has the Kia precedent proved, Hyundai will adopt a similar approach with the ix35.  

In the tsunami of email scams, you could be forgiven for scoffing at that announcement. But for one lucky Australian Hyundai buyer, it was genuine – and will see them getting a special prize with their car. The milestone Hyundai, an ix35 SUV, was sold just after 5pm last Wednesday -- at the same dealer who sold the first one way back in 1986, John Hughes Hyundai in Perth.  “We’re delighted that that the millionth new Hyundai was sold in the same city where it all began back in 1986,” Hyundai marketing director Oliver Mann says. Hyundai says the buyer will be getting VIP treatment with a package to attend the Hopman Cup in Perth -- and a hamper of chocolate and other sweets to keep their blood sugar up while courtside.  Mr Mann said: “The true significance of reaching one million sales in Australia is that so many astute local buyers have put their faith in the Hyundai brand when there is so much choice in the market," "We thank them for their loyalty, and pledge to continue our efforts to provide them with superior quality and service.” Hyundai has been pressing the sales accelerator. It took 18 years to reach the half-million mark, but the remaining 500,000 vehicles have rolled out the door in just the past eight years since 2004.  The growth has seen Hyundai become the fifth-largest automotive brand in Australia – and helped towards it being the fastest-growing in the world, with last year’s global sales exceeding 4 million.