As we first reported back in December, Hyundai is developing a 10-speed automatic transmission. Now details of when that new unit will be available have come to light, with the project expected to be completed by 2014. Hyundai president Park Seong Hyon says the new gearbox will likely be installed in the Genesis sedan and Equus.

Earlier this year, Hyundai had already introduced their new, in-house developed, 8-speed transmission. Mated to the 2012 Hyundai Genesis sedan’s 333-hp and 291 lb-ft of torque 3.8 liter V-6, the transmission helps the car achieve 19/29 city/highway mpg. With the addition of two more cogs, it allows the engine to sit in its optimal rev range more often, improving fuel economy even further.

We are anxious to see what other automakers will do to answer Hyundai’s momentum. Will a cog war be the new horsepower war?

GALLERY: Hyundai Equus

[Source: Bloomberg]

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2012 Hyundai Genesis review

After a 71 year absence from Le Mans, Bentley returned in 2001, but with little success and in-house competition with Audi the decision was made to drop the Speed 8 LMP1 program in 2003. The team did go out with a bang, however, taking the checked flag at the 24 Hours of Le Mans – due in part to a lack of participation by Audi.

Now Bentley is poised to return to motor racing once again, with AutoCar reporting the British luxury brand is preparing to make an announcement next summer.

“An LMP1 car would be a good way to go, but not the only possible way,” said Bentley CEO Wolfgang Durheimer. While in-house competition with other VW owned brands like Audi and Porsche (which is planning its own Le Mans entry for 2014) seems unlikely, Durheimer suggests that one solution would be to run the cars in different markets, with the Bentley team perhaps competing in the ALMS series in the U.S. (it’s strongest retail market), or overseas in Asia, to help grow the brand there. As a result the only time the three teams would come together would be to race at certain major events, like the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

With Audi continuing its diesel push and Porsche rumored to be planning hybrid technology for its LMP1 car, expect Bentley to try a different route, perhaps running on an alternative fuel like ethanol.

[Source: AutoCar]

Motorcycles are both dangerous and awesome. Motorcycle stunts in a controlled environment are scary and spectacular. Those same stunts on public roads are criminal and almost certain to end in Darwinistic justice.

By some spectacular miracle everyone looks to have walked away from the annual Street Fighterz Ride of the Century event in St. Louis, MO, and boy do they have the video to prove it. You won’t believe your eyes:

Continue Reading…

A study from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety revealed a significant drop in fatalities involving accidents between a car or a minivan versus an SUV of comparable weight.

By comparing two sample sets, one used to record the number of crashes involving SUVs registered in 2000-2001 and another to record SUVs from 2008-2009, IIHS discovered that fatalities have decreased from 44 deaths per million registered vehicles to a dramatically improved 16 deaths per million. Only SUVs and trucks weighing between 3,000 to 3,499 pounds were recognized for the study.

Specialists have concluded that the positive findings have the continuing innovations on safety to thank. Late model cars and minivans possess more effective crumple zones, stronger structures, as well as curtain airbags. Preemptive sensors such as lane departure and blind spot warnings also improve a driver’s odds of avoiding an accidentally completely.

Newer SUVs and pickups have also lowered their crumple structures to better align with cars, allowing optimal energy absorption before violent forces from the crash enter into the passenger cabin.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating the 2009 Honda Odyssey for a possible liftgate malfunction.

The Odyssey’s power liftgate is said to close unexpectedly, and NHTSA has received seven complaints so far, with two of the complaints resulting in injury after the owners were unexpectedly struck with the liftgate. An estimated 20,000 vehicles are affected. A recall may be initiated if NHTSA deems it necessary.

[Source: Automotive News]

Kia will hold off on expanding its production facilities and sales targets in favor of improving the quality of its vehicles, CEO Lee Sam-ung told Automotive News at a launch event for its new Rio hatchback.

“Quantitative growth is important, but qualitative growth is also important. We plan to focus on improving product quality and our brand,” said Sam-ung. Industry analysts worry that limited production capacity will be the biggest factor stunting Kia’s future growth. Sam-ung set a goal of 2.5 million vehicles sold in 2011, and wants to boost Rio sales from 110,000 in 2011 to 260,000 in 2012.

Sam-ung also said that Kia will get an all-electric compact car in 2015, one year after Hyundai launches their own model.

[Source: Automotive News]

While General Motors seemed desperate to sell Opel back in 2009, GM CEO Dan Akerson now says that the terms of the sale were a “bad deal” and that Opel, along with GM’s other global divisions, are now profitable.

Nick Reilly, GM’s European president, said that GM Europe will be profitable – albeit not by much more than the break-even point – once the 2011 restructuring plan has finished at the end of the year. ”In 2012, we won’t have those restructuring charges,” Reilly said. “They’re mostly done. We’ll get the full 12 month benefit of the restructuring that we’ve done.”

[Source: Automotive News]

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating Jeep Liberty SUVs built between 2002 and 2003 for an issue regarding the premature deployment of airbags.

NHTSA said that they’ve received 7 complaints regarding airbags deploying without a crash, with 5 of these incidents having caused injuries. 387,356 vehicles are said to be affected by the issue.

[Source: Automotive News]

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Fiat is helping out this great cause by producing 250 “Pink Ribbon” limited edition Fiat 500 models.

Partnering with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF), these limited edition Fiat 500’s are adorned with a sleek pink strip the run the length of the outside panels of the car, along with the signature pink ribbon that’s some to symbolize the cause. The Fiat 500 Pink Ribbon model will go on sale starting in October, and the automaker will donate $1,000 per purchase to the foundation, with a minimum of $50,000 contribution to BCRF.

“We are honored to partner with an upstanding organization like The Breast Cancer Research Foundation that supports a cause so important to our consumers and our company,” said Laura Soave, Head of FIAT North America. “The Fiat 500 Pink Ribbon edition offers our FIAT consumers a unique and stylish way to express their support, help fund breast cancer research and ultimately drive change.”

It’s not just the pink stripe and ribbon that set the Fiat 500 Pink Ribbon apart. For its exterior, it comes in your choice of Argento (silver) or Bianco (white). Inside, pink accents highlight the Nero (black) interior. Adding a subtle touch to the Nero leather front and rear seats is pink accent stitching, as well as the signature “500” logo embroidered on the front seatbacks and a pink ribbon embroidered on the floor mats. And just because you can never have too much pink, you’ll also find hand-stitched pink accents through the Nero leather steering wheel.  The finishing touch is a pair of Fiat 500 Pink Ribbon key fobs so you’ll be reminded of how you helped out with a worthy cause every time you start your car.

If you’re interested in buying one of the 250 limited-edition 2012 Fiat 500 Pink Ribbon models, the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price is $22,500.

Gallery: Fiat 500 Pink Ribbon

Volkswagen is set to approve production of the Bugatti Galiber by the end of 2011, but Bugatti head Wolfgang Durheimer himself told Autocar that the concept car will bear little resemblance to what super wealthy customers will eventually be able to buy.

“The design will be different, especially from the B-pillar back, the ingress and regress to the rear seats will be improved, as will the legroom and ergonomics, the car will be a little longer, and the power of the engine will be at least four figures.”

Durheimer called the changes “…a design I can be behind 100%”, but did not comment on any mechanical details. He did say that a significant number of Veyron owners had previewed the car and that the changes came as a result of feedback from them. The Galiber is expected to cost as much as $2 million when it goes on sale in 2013.

[Source: Autocar]