2019 Hyundai Elantra: All About Dat Safety Package

• 2019 Hyundai Elantra enters its sixth generation with a handful of new features.
• The SmartSense features might, for some, ease the anxiety associated with driving in a busy city.

Hyundai has just rolled out the redesigned 2019 Elantra sedan, and to say they are focused on safety would be a huge understatement. The last time I saw a car company trumpeting their safety features this much was Volvo in the late 70s.

And, you know, this is a good thing. Safety is good, and if Hyundai can give us more of it, then so much the better.

New Stuff

The Hyundai Elantra is now in its sixth generation. They’ve sold more than three million of these things since its launch in 1991, so this focus on safety strikes me as a good thing. For 2019, the exterior changes include a new hood, front fenders, front fascia, grille, and headlights. There is also a new trunk, taillights, and rear fascia.

New 16- and 17-inch wheel designs are there, along with new 15-inch alloy wheels on Eco trims while Limited and Sport get LED headlights. The interior gets a new AVN/Audio/Temperature control, center cluster, air vents, and storage tray.

2019 Hyundai Elantra. Photo: Hyundai Motor America.

Safe & Secure

But really, Hyundai wants us to talk about the safety features. You’ve got Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist that is designed to help detect and monitor ahead of the vehicle, warning you if a collision is imminent. This system also initiates automatic braking. Lane Keep Assist can apply steering wheel input if the Elantra leaves your lane. Driver Attention Alert warns you of tired driving patterns with audible alerts and visual warnings displayed on the dash.

The SmartSense features on the Elantra Limited with Ultimate Package include Safe Exit Assist. The system sounds an alert letting passengers know it may not be safe to open the door to exit the vehicle. Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist with Pedestrian Detection utilizes the front radar and camera to help detect a vehicle or pedestrian. If you stupidly do not react to avoid them, the system can apply emergency braking.

Other SmartSense features include Blind-Spot Collision Warning with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Lane Change Assist.

Photo: Hyundai Motor America.

Tech Treatments

It’s not all safety at the exclusion of everything else with the 2019 Hyundai Elantra, oh no. There’s tons of audio, video, and navigation stuff around to entertain and help you. The new Elantra comes with Hyundai’s next generation AVN 5.0 infotainment system with an upgraded processor and an eight-inch screen. By comparison, the last generation had a seven-inch screen.

Presets within AVN 5.0 are easy to use because AM, FM, and SiriusXM channels are now on one screen with the HERE HD Traffic feature. A bird’s eye view has been added to the navigation maps, and you can now get traffic flow and incident data. The Elantra also has available goodies like Infinity Premium Audio with Clari-Fi, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and wireless smartphone charging.

2019 Hyundai Elantra interior layout. Photo: Hyundai Motor America.

Performance & Pricing

The 2019 Hyundai Elantra has two engine options on top aimed at fuel efficiency and a third engine option in the Elantra Sport that is more, well, sporty. The SE, SEL, and Limited offer the Nu 2.0L MPI Atkinson Cycle plant putting out 147 horsepower. The Eco offers the Kappa 1.4L Turbo-GDI mill putting out 128 horsepower. It gets an EPA-estimated 35 mpg thanks in no small part to the seven-speed dual clutch transmission.

No word on pricing or availability just yet, but, c’mon, this is a Hyundai. It’s gonna come at a Hyundai price, not a Bentley-sized bill.

Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz

2019 Hyundai Elantra Gallery

Photos & Source: Hyundai Motor America.

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2019 Honda HR-V: New Look, New Features, Old Volume Knobs

• 2019 Honda HR-V has landed at dealerships with a host of updates and tweaks.
• The six-speed manual goes the way of the dodo but a new CVT enters the picture.  
• Pricing is reasonable and affordable – a nicely loaded 2019 HRV goes for under $30,000.  

New Faces

Honda has given their best-selling HR-V a refresh in the looks department and slathered on the tech goodies. It was time for all of those things, yes, but Honda also has to be careful here. They sell a ton of these little guys, and if they mess with the HR-V too much, it might hurt the bottom line.

Essentially, there’s four main areas where the 2019 Honda HR-V has been tweaked. There’s a new Sport trim with unique styling cues and 18-inch wheels. There’s another new trim level, Touring, that adds multi-element LED headlights, leather-trimmed seats, and a power driver’s seat.

Across the line there’s a new Display Audio system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus the Honda Sensing suite of active safety features now available on EX and higher.

The styling makeover includes the bumpers, headlights, grille, and taillights. However, the new HR-V Sport and Touring get a unique look all their own: blackout trim and 18-inch wheels distinguish the HR-V Sport, and the all-wheel-drive-only Touring gets multi-element LED headlights, dark chrome trim, and LED fog lights.

2019 Honda HR-V Sport. Photo: Honda North America.

Sport & Touring

Sport trims also get a unique interior treatment, with a black headliner, gloss-black trim, and sport pedals. This new-for-2019 Sport trim fits between the LX and EX, and Honda says it gives the HR-V a “youthful vibe.” That description ought to make the kidz run for Chevy dealers in droves when they read that.

The HR-V Sport also features unique lower body trim, rocker panels, wheel arches, and exterior mirrors painted gloss black. The HR-V Sport also receives a honeycomb pattern grille, exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels and tires, and a chrome exhaust finisher. By comparison, the Touring borders its honeycomb grille with multi-element LED headlights unique in the HR-V lineup, along with five-element LED fog lights. The Touring rides on 17-inch machined alloy wheels.

The nav system, available exclusively for Touring, has sharper graphics and 3D landmarks. All models feature a redesigned driver’s gauge cluster with a large analog speedometer and digital tachometer. Although, if you opt for an EX or above, you receive a 4.2-inch Thin-Film Transistor Driver Interface with additional information including turn-by-turn directions.

The 2019 Honda HR-V will shift to higher revs under deceleration acting as a temporary engine brake. Photo: Honda North America.

Performance & Pricing

All of this newness is motivated down the road by a 141 horsepower, 1.8-liter SOHC i-VTEC four-banger. All HR-V models now use a Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission with the six-speed manual being discontinued.

And all HR-Vs benefit from a new Display Audio system with a simplified interface and “volume knob.” Honda does not go into detail on this mysterious “volume knob,” but all I can figure is that it’s something far too high-tech for my febrile little mind to grok.

How much, you ask? Not all that bad. The front-wheel drive LX starts off the range at around $22,000. It goes all the way to the top of the heap, all-wheel drive Touring for around $30,000. Before all the taxes and stuff that is.

Tony Borroz has spent his entire life racing antique and sports cars. He is the author of Bricks & Bones: The Endearing Legacy and Nitty-Gritty Phenomenon of The Indy 500, available in paperback or Kindle format. His forthcoming new book The Future In Front of Me, The Past Behind Me will be available soon. Follow his work on Twitter: @TonyBorroz

2019 Honda HR-V Gallery

Photos & Source: Honda North America.

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The 5 Most Expensive Cars Sold During The 2018 Monterey Car Week

The 2018 Monterey Car Week and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance ended on a high note. There were two record sales that dominated this year’s event. It commemorated the most expensive American car ever sold at an auction. Total sales amounted to a staggering $368 million. This is a 12 percent increase over 2017, which managed a cumulative total of $323 million by comparison.

Here are the five most expensive cars sold during the 2018 Monterey Car Week.

1. 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO – $48.4M

The 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO earns the distinction of being the most expensive car sold at auction in history. It exchanged hands for a staggering $48,405,000 at RM Sotheby’s. It eclipsed the old record established by a similar Ferrari 250 GTO back in 2014.

Why the exorbitant price tag? The car competed in twenty official races and was never involved in a crash. It also happens to be the original test car of Phil Hill, who happens to be the only American driver to win the Formula One World Driver’s Championship.

1962 Ferrari 250 GTO. Photo: RM Sotheby’s.

2. 1935 Duesenberg SSJ Roadster – $22M

This 1935 Duesenberg SSJ Roadster sold for an eye-watering $22,000,000 by Gooding & Company, the most expensive American-made car ever sold at auction. Equipped with a massive supercharged 7.0-liter inline eight-cylinder motor that produces 400 horsepower, it’s no wonder why this Duesy was able to surpass the previous sales record set by the 1962 Shelby “CSX 2000” 260 Cobra in 2016 for an American car.

If you need to ask, that car sold for a measly $13,750,000.

3. 1963 Aston Martin DP215 Competition Prototype – $21.4M

RM Sotheby’s was on a roll when they sold this magnificent 1965 Aston Martin DP215 for $21,455,000. This car saw action at the 1963 24 Hours of Le Mans. Coincidentally, it was also piloted by racing driver Phil Hill along with Lucien Bianchi. This car is reportedly quicker than the Ferrari 250 GTO but had to retire early due to transmission issues.

The DP215 also happens to be one of the rarest Aston Martin vehicles in existence.

1963 Aston Martin DP215 Competition Prototype. Photo: RM Sotheby’s.

4. 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II Coupe – $9.795M

The 1966 Ford GT40 Mk II Coupe is regarded as the “Ferrari killer.” This particular GT40 is one of the original race cars that completed Ford’s 1-2-3 finish at Le Mans in 1966. All three Ford racers crossed the finish line at almost the same time, but this particular example came in third, which is enough to make it one of the most desirable race cars from that era.

RM Sotheby’s sold this GT40 Mk II for $9,795,000.

5. 1958 Ferrari 250 GT TdF Coupe – $6.6M

You might be wondering why this 1958 Ferrari 250 GT sold for $6,600,000 by Gooding & Company. Well, this Ferrari consecutively won the Tour de France from 1956 to 1959, hence the TdF moniker. It doesn’t just come with a proper racing pedigree, but a tuned 3.0-liter Colombo V12 motor and luscious alloy coachwork designed by Pininfarina and hand-built by Scaglietti.

1966 Ford GT40 Mk II Coupe. Photo: RM Sotheby’s.

Crunching The Numbers

Hagerty’s sales forecast wasn’t far off. The publisher of the Hagerty Price Guide released an official prediction of $342M total sales for the 2018 Monterey Car Week. We understand why old race cars are fetching astronomical price tags. It’s not just the bragging rights or the racing pedigree, rather the level of detail and craftsmanship.

“The Hagerty Price Guide team is constantly monitoring the market, looking at traditional land-based auctions, online auctions, public asking prices, private sales information that is provided by our million-plus members, and our network of dealer partners,” said Jesse Pilarski, Valuation Information Analyst at Hagerty. “We inspect thousands of cars each year to put sale prices in the context of condition, provenance, and spec, which can all greatly impact value.”

Based on the auction results, we were wondering why exotic race cars are in such high demand, while modern hypercars like the new Bugatti Chiron and 2010 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport failed to sell at the auctions. Even though Gooding & Company and RM Sotheby’s were able to sell two Ferrari LaFerrari’s for over $3M, the sales amounts were below the current valuation indicated by the Hagerty Price Guide.

“Several different reasons can cause values for a particular vehicle to increase or decrease. It could be something like new first-time buyers entering the market,” Pilarski explained. “Another reason the value goes up is the substitution effect. If you were shopping for a Mercedes-Benz 190SL, but those became too expensive what do you shift your sights to? Most buyers jump to the next SL Mercedes in line, the 280SL, which drives up values for the 280SL.”

Changing Trends

Ferrari, Aston Martin, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and Mercedes-Benz often see higher values than other vehicles because of their names. Like fine wine extracted from heirloom grapes, there is something about exotic brands that stirs the interest of affluent car buyers.

“Cars at the top of the market work a little differently than Corvettes and Mustangs. Outside economic factors play a larger role for these cars. If traditional investments like stocks and real estate are providing poor returns, tangible assets like fine art and collectible cars become attractive,” Pilarski said.

Changes in the tax code can also play a role in the values of Blue-Chip collectible cars. As a result, collectors can capitalize.

“Up until recently, collectors were able to take advantage of the 1031 exchange which allowed them to defer paying taxes on sold vehicles if they rolled that money into a different vehicle,” Pilarski said.

Alvin Reyes is the Associate Editor of Automoblog. He studied civil aviation, aeronautics, and accountancy in his younger years and is still very much smitten to his former Lancer GSR and Galant SS. He also likes fried chicken, music, and herbal medicine. 

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2019 GMC Sierra Denali: Tech & Performance By The Bundle

• 2019 GMC Sierra Denali has new tech and performance tools.
• 6.2 V8 returns while the 10-speed automatic borrows a feature GM’s diesel trucks.
• The new Denali trucks are arriving at dealerships but are not sticking around very long.

Packed House

The 2019 GMC Sierra Denali is well aware of its competition. As Ford and Ram dial down with their own luxury and limited editions, it’s clear the Sierra Denali is not the only sheriff in town. Such ultra-luxury trucks find favor with a select group of buyers. And GMC is lacing up their boots for 2019, preparing to go toe-to-toe with their Michigan rivals.

While it likely boils down to personal taste as to which luxury truck prevails in the hearts of consumers, the 2019 GMC Sierra Denali is not easily ignored.

The Denali is the flagship of the expanding Sierra lineup, which now includes the robust AT4 and Elevation models. The latter are for off-pavement adventures, but for the Denali, it’s about softening the concrete with things like Adaptive Ride Control. It’s about adding another three inches of rear legroom, trimming the inside with fancier materials, and pouring on the connectivity tech. Don’t forget the heated and cooled seats and heated steering wheel either.

The 2019 GMC Sierra Denali is on it’s way to dealers as you read this. Before you visit the showroom, here are some specs on the truck worth knowing.

Adaptive Ride Control monitors the road and various driver inputs: things like accelerating, cornering, braking, and trailering for example. The active dampers adjust every 2 milliseconds, based on sensor feedback. GMC says this provides a greater sense of comfort and control. Photo: GMC.

Trucking Tools

When you gotta tow, you gotta tow! Expect to see GMC’s new ProGrade Trailering feature with a compatible smartphone app on offer. The system includes a pre-departure checklist, trailer light test, tire pressure monitoring for the trailer, and maintenance reminders among others.

Hitch Guidance, Hitch View, and a birds-eye camera should minimize the amount of swear words uttered while backing up to a trailer. The available side view cameras and a trailer-mounted HD camera can provide additional assistance when traveling down the road, or while operating in reverse. Also cool is the Trailer Theft Detection feature, which provides a mobile alert via OnStar should the trailer ever be detached from the truck.

The available Rear Camera Mirror is something most truck buyers will find useful too. It acts like a dual-function interior mirror, in the sense that it helps drivers see around potential obstructions, be it occupants or cargo. It expands the field of vision with a higher resolution display and the ability to tilt or zoom the view.

A bright, multidimensional grille, chrome exterior accents, and body-color bumpers are among the Denali’s styling signatures. 20-inch aluminum wheels are standard, with 22-inch wheels available. Photo: GMC.

Bed Time

The MultiPro Tailgate includes six different functions and positions. There are second-tier loading and load-stop solutions, a standing workstation, and integrated hand grips and bumper steps – the MultiPro Tailgate is standard on Denali and SLT trucks. Although cool and definitely useful, the MultiPro Tailgate underscores a new approach for the 2019 Sierra in a fundamental area.

The bed.

The 2019 GMC Sierra maintains its roll-formed, high-strength steel bed, although a revised alloy offers 50 percent more strength. What is new is “CarbonPro,” or essentially the industry’s first carbon fiber truck box. CarbonPro replaces the steel inner panels and floor with a lighter carbon fiber composite that cuts 62 lbs. from the truck. According to GMC, it offers better dent, scratch, and corrosion resistance.

Carbon Pro is on offer for the 2019 Denali later in the model year.

The 2019 GMC Sierra Denali is 360 lbs. lighter than the current model. Photo: GMC.

Traction Jackson

GMC’s Traction Select System morphs the transmission’s shift points, throttle mapping, and traction control to optimize performance. After all, a boss truck must have a slick way to disperse all that horsepower.

Tour Mode is for everyday use, while Sport creates quicker downshifts so the engine stays in peak powerbands for longer. In Sport Mode, power steering assist is dialed back so inputs feel more direct and sporty, according to GMC. Off-Road Mode allows for more wheelslip and is useful for higher-speed driving on gravel or muddy roads. Two-wheel drive Sierras even get a snow mode.

The Autotrac 2-Speed Transfer Case, standard on Sierra Denali, is among the other fun (and useful) tools. With a mechanical low range to boost torque at lower speeds, the transfer case helps in limited-traction situations.

The Sierra Denali includes an eight-inch HD color touchscreen, navigation, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Also standard is a seven-speaker Bose Premium Sound System with a Richbass Woofer in the center console. Photo: GMC.

Power & Performance

The 2019 Sierra Denali pours the gravy with the available 6.2-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft. of torque. A new Dynamic Fuel Management system utilizes 17 different patterns of cylinder deactivation to balance power and efficiency.

The 10-speed automatic takes a page out of the Duramax Colorado and Canyon’s book, incorporating a centrifugal pendulum absorber torque converter to reduce vibration.

Pricing & Availability

Cox Automotive says the average transaction price for the Sierra 1500 to date is $51,794 and $58,738 for the Denali. According to the Detroit Free Press, 2019 GM trucks that have arrived at dealerships are already spoken for.

Carl Anthony is Managing Editor of Automoblog and resides in Detroit, Michigan. He studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan.

2019 GMC Sierra Denali Gallery

Photos & Source: GMC.

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