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Shifting Thru With a Hyundai Elantra GT
June 4, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment
The parade of cars is shrinking, but small cars remain in demand. Low prices. Smart styling. Fun driving. These are among the chief attributes you'll find, at least in some models.
Once again, Hyundai proves its mettle by offering a full line of small cars, including sedans, coupes, and hatchbacks. Gas and electrified vehicles are available, giving consumers ample choices. The Hyundai Elantra GT, a four-door hatchback, is named among them. This one recently made its way to us for a week of behind-the-wheel evaluation.
2020 Hyundai Elantra GT Review
Hyundai offers the 2020 Elantra GT in GT ($20,650) and N Line ($23,500) trims. Add $930 for the destination charge. The Elantra GT is a front-wheel-drive hatchback with room for five.
This model is the hatchback complement to the Elantra sedan. We'll concentrate on the hatchback alone for this review.
Small hatchbacks waste nothing. They feature pulled in corners, small hoods, and the briefest tails. Thus, the 2020 Hyundai Elantra GT finds itself in perfect company.
The Elantra GT has a gaping grille, large headlamps, and front skirting. A high beltline, short roofline, and body sculpting just above the rocker panels give this hatchback an added measure of sportiness. From the rear, the hatch features large wraparound lights, reflectors, and dual exhaust tips.
The list of standard features includes LED daytime running lights, automatic headlights, heated side mirrors, and 17-inch alloy wheels. Choose the N Line and this trim includes front fascia embellishments, LED headlights and tail lights, and 18-inch alloy wheels shod within Michelin Pilot Sport 4 Summer tires. A panoramic sunroof is optional in both trims.
On paper, the Elantra GT seats five. But we think this car's appeal is for the young driver who more than likely will tune it and drive it with perhaps one other person. We liked the sporty bucket seats as they're comfortable and sufficiently bolstered.
The GT's standard 24.9 cubic feet of storage space expands to 55.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded. That's a lot of storage space and we think enthusiasts will use it for stuffing their gear. Otherwise, the cabin supplies excellent room up front for two and passable space for two in the rear (or three in a pinch).
There are some differences between the hatchback and sedan worth noting. In the sedan, the touch-screen display is integrated into the console display, while in the hatchback it is bolted on top of the dash. Both models offer a combination of soft-touch materials, hard plastics, and accent trim. The contrast stitching on the sport models looks great.
Among the standard features are full power accessories, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, air conditioning, cloth seats, and a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat. Choose the N Line and the features include leather seats, and heated front seats. The options list includes ventilated front seats and a power driver's seat with lumbar support.
Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic collision warning and lane change assist are optional with the base model, but standard with the N Line.
The N Line offers forward collision avoidance with pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, high-beam assist, and driver attention warning. It's part of a wider Tech Package ($3,850) that brings in a host of technology upgrades.
Hyundai equips the Elantra GT with a standard 8-inch touch-screen display, HD Radio, satellite radio, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay smartphone compatibility. Bluetooth, an auxiliary port, and USB connectivity are also standard.
The previously mentioned Tech Package upgrade brings in a navigation system, a 7-speaker premium Infinity audio system, BlueLink apps, and a wireless charging pad. We're a big fan of the latter as it makes charging a breeze. That said, you'll still need a cord if you want to access your playlist.
The number of small hatchbacks has dwindled in recent years and that's a shame. These models are typically sporty, tossable, and simply fun to drive. They're also affordable.
Fortunately, Hyundai has stayed the course and offers two engine choices with the Elantra GT. The first choice is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque found in the standard model. This one works with a six-speed automatic transmission only. Yes, it's disappointing a manual gearbox isn't offered with the base model. That said, you'll find one if you upgrade to the N Line.
The second choice is a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine powering the N Line. This one makes 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. It comes with a standard 6-speed manual gearbox or an available 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Our test model for the week was N Line with the manual gearbox. I was thrilled when it arrived and stayed happy throughout my time with it.
The engine-transmission combination is a solid one, offering enough potency to please a significant number of enthusiasts. Yes, there will be detractors, especially amongst those who look at the Veloster N and wonder why 275 horsepower isn't available to them. If optimum performance is your thing, then move away from the Elantra GT N Line and consider the Veloster N. It's that simple.
As for the model at hand, we were pleased by how easy it moves forward with quick shifts and clean clutch uptake at all times. The turbo spools on time or at least as fast as you need it to as you shift through the gears. We've driven other low-cost models with sloppy gearboxes. The N Line wasn't one of those.
The N Line moves up to highway speeds quickly. We estimate a 0-60 mph time of about 7 seconds – that won't win you many races, but it's a decent number.
Where the Elantra GT N Line excels is on your favorite twisty roads. This hot hatch does an admirable job of holding the line as you navigate every twist and turn. Grippy tires, a compliant suspension system, and balanced weight are among its driving hallmarks. We found the steering light, but engaging with handling sufficiently weighted to supply a real connection to the road.
We've spun out of corners with some other models, but the N Line stayed poised throughout. You'll still want to ease up on the gas pedal while performing your antics – the multi-link rear suspension can only do so much when pushed to its limits.
In all, if it came down to it, we'd spring for our test model. We know the take rate for manual gearboxes is very low, but if you place a premium on fun driving, it's a combination worth considering.
Hot hatches are still available, although the Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruze are no longer around. Also, Dodge doesn't have an answer to the Elantra GT.
Other models to consider include the Volkswagen GTI, Kia Forte, Mazda3, the Toyota Corolla hatchback, and the Subaru Impreza. Various Hyundai Civic models are also on the list.
Hyundai brings value and a decent measure of performance to the segment with the Elantra GT. That said, only the N Line will satisfy anyone with tuner aspirations, with the more devoted of them looking at the Veloster N instead.
We think the six-speed manual trumps the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic for driving fun, although the latter includes a sport mode for extending shift points and adding handling weight. At least you have performance choices in a small, but still important segment.
2020 Hyundai Elantra GT Specifications
Segment Compact Hatchback
Price Range $20,650, $23,500, $24,600
Destination Charge $930
Engine No. 2 1.6-liter, turbo I4
Horsepower 161 @ 6,200
Torque (lb.-ft.) 150 @ 4,700
Torque (lb.-ft.) 195 @ 1,500~4,500
Transmission 6-speed manual; 7-speed DCT
Headroom (f,r…inches) 39.1; 38.5
Legroom (f,r…inches) 42.2; 34.8
Shoulder room (f,r…inches) 56.2; 55.4
Hip room (f,r…inches) TBD
Storage (cubic feet) 24.9; 55.1
Towing (pounds) NR
Manufacturing Plant Montgomery, Alabama
Data compiled by Tom Keegan. Specifications supplied by the manufacturer. Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.
See Also — Compact Delight: 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT
Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: compact car, front-wheel drive, hatchback, Hyundai, Hyundai Elantra GT, manual gearbox, N Line, turbo
N Line Debut: 2019 Hyundai Elantra GT
September 20, 2019 by admin 1 Comment
N Line performance comes to Hyundai.
The N Line is the new name for the previous Sport.
Lots of updates, including performance tires set within alloy wheels.
Hyundai offers the compact Elantra in sedan and hatchback body styles, the latter known as the Elantra GT. For 2019, the first "N Line" model arrives, this one serving as the top trim for the GT.
The N Line replaces the GT Sport, but it represents much more than a name change. Indeed, this particular model benefits from stiffer engine and transmission mounts, taut springs, enhanced steering and shocks tuning, and new front and rear sway bars.
Ultimately, when you hear "N Line" you should know that it represents the entry-level style and performance category for Hyundai's wider N performance line. Models denoted with just an "N" supply maximum power, something we're seeing in the all-new Veloster. It is doubtful we'll witness an Elantra GT N, but the N Line offers its own design and performance characteristics, which we'll explore as we discuss the model at hand.
2019 Hyundai Elantra GT
Hyundai offers the standard Elantra GT ($20,450), the N Line with a manual transmission ($23,300), and the N Line with a dual-clutch automatic transmission ($24,400). This front-wheel-drive five-door hatchback holds five.
The Elantra GT competes with the Mazda 3, Volkswagen Golf, and the Honda Civic. In particular, the Golf STi and Civic Si are the nearest competitors to the N Line.
N Line Design
If the Hyundai Elantra GT N Line evokes a reminder of the Volkswagen GTi, that's on purpose. Its silhouette is sporty, with pulled-in corners and a lowered stance. A bold mesh grille, large air intakes, sleek LED lighting elements, crisp lines, beautiful 18-inch alloy wheels, and a rear diffuser with dual exhaust, mark this model. Subtle design elements, including black side mirrors and black beltline trim, are also evident. There's nothing "budget" about the N Line, rather there's a quiet sophistication that should appeal to a certain breed of shoppers.
Inside, the N Line verve continues with its N Sport, bolstered bucket seats. They're leather-trimmed with contrasting red dual stitching. The steering wheel and shifter are wrapped in leather, but that sliding armrest is covered in imitation leather. Hyundai did a remarkable job with making it feel like the real thing, however.
Red stitching and leather trim are N Line hallmarks.
Two large dials occupy the instrument panel. To the left is the tachometer. Set within it is a smaller gas readout. To the right is the speedometer. And set within that is the fuel gauge. Smack in the middle is a digital driver's information center. A layered dashboard, a sporty steering wheel (no flat bottom!), metal pedals, and red trim surrounding the vents are among the more fetching visual cues present.
Practically speaking, the N Line is very comfortable for two, manageable for four, and very tight for five. Back seat legroom is lacking, which is typical of the segment. Figure that most owners buy this car for their ride and fold down the rear seat for long trips away from home. In doing so, you're rewarded with 55.1 cubic feet of storage space, up from the standard 24.9 cubic feet.
The power under the hood is one thing. How any car ultimately handles is what makes all the difference.
With the N Line, Hyundai swapped out its torsion-beam rear suspension for a multi-link setup, which combined with its rigid body and balanced chassis, enables this hatch to cut up corners and stay planted on the road. Steering is light, yet accurate. Torque steer barely registers and when it rears itself, it isn't the distraction it might be on other models.
The 1.6-liter turbo-four makes for a proper match for the little hatchback. The turbo spools up quickly and with authority. Our test model had the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, which is an upgrade from the 6-speed manual gearbox. We relished the idea of driving with the manual but made do with the automatic and the steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. In any case, your 0-to-60 mph time should approach 6 seconds, which is laudable.
With lots of twisty roads ahead of us, we sought them out with glee. The N Line did not disappoint as it pushed its way into every curve and pulled out again without any negative drama. In fact, except for the most angled curves, we didn't have to release the gas pedal — the N Line stayed within the lines.
Style, power, and performance mark this very special Elantra GT version.
There are a few points to keep in mind about the engine. It certainly is capable, but it is quieter than what we'd expect. Further, the exhaust doesn't burble and toot to the extent we'd want. Perhaps Hyundai wanted to make a distinction between N Line and N models — we haven't tested the latter yet, however.
What we'd like to see from Hyundai is available all-wheel drive, especially in a model to take on the "no longer offered in the U.S." Ford Focus RS. We know Hyundai has been testing an i30 N in Europe (the i30 is another name for the Elantra) and that move would elevate Hyundai's performance brand to also take on the Volkswagen Golf R. We think this will happen, perhaps in Veloster guise, which would give Hyundai a level of performance excitement we haven't seen since the Genesis Coupe.
If you're shopping the Elantra GT and want a performance edge, then the N Line is worth a look.
Our N Line tester retailed for nearly $30,000 as it included the dual-clutch transmission and the Tech Package ($3,850). That package bundles such items as a panoramic sunroof, navigation, ventilated front seats, a premium audio system, wireless charging pad, and expanded driver-assist features, including adaptive cruise control with full stop and go.
Importantly, the N Line adds many of the tuner features enthusiasts want. That said, the aftermarket parts industry has an assortment of electronics, fuel delivery and exhaust systems, and kits to stir your heart. And with Ford, Chevy, and Dodge cutting back or retreating from the segment, Hyundai offers a compelling hatchback to replace your old ride.
2019 Hyundai Elantra GT N Line Specifications
2019 Elantra GT N Line
Price Range $23,300 or $24,400
Standard Engine 1.6-liter, turbo I4
Horsepower 201 @ 6000
Torque (lb.-ft.) 195 @ 1500~4500
Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: dual-clutch transmission, hatchback, HONDA CIVIC SI, Hyundai, Hyundai Elantra GT, Hyundai Veloster, Mazda 3, N Line, turbo, Volkswagen Golf STi
Efficient Hatchback:
2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
July 29, 2019 by admin 5 Comments
The Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid is available in three trims.
We've passed the tipping point where crossovers and similar people movers are outselling cars across the United States. Truly, the majority of customers shopping for a new vehicle prefers a utility vehicle or pickup truck to the coupes, sedans, and wagons that once represented the car market.
An important sub-set of the market are hybrid electric vehicles, popularized by the Toyota Prius, but also offered by a variety of manufacturers, including Hyundai. Indeed, Hyundai has been producing hybrid vehicles about as long as have Toyota and Honda, but it wasn't until 2011 that the first Sonata Hybrid rolled out stateside.
Today, Hyundai has a lot more to show for it than its midsize Sonata Hybrid. Beginning in 2017, the automaker released its Ioniq line of electrified vehicles, which now includes hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric variants. Auto Trends has tested two: the standard hybrid and the electric variant, the latter just briefly at a Hyundai media event in 2017.
The Ioniq line takes aim at the Toyota Prius, which is comprised of standard and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. Toyota doesn't have an all-electric Prius, although it does offer a fuel-cell Mirai, which competes with the Hyundai Nexo fuel-cell electric vehicle.
As for this review, our model is the 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Limited. The Ioniq is a compact sedan, whose nearest competitor beyond the Prius is the all-new 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid.
2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Overview
Hyundai offers the 2019 Ioniq Hybrid in Blue ($22,400), SEL ($24,950), and Limited ($28,550) trims. You'll also add a $930 destination charge to this front-wheel-drive model with room for five.
Here are the highlights of the 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid:
1. Standard, loaded, and over-the-top trims.
Hyundai could have offered the Ioniq Hybrid in one trim, just like the Corolla Hybrid. Instead, you'll find three trims: Blue, SEL, and Limited.
The Blue trim is the most efficient of the three (more about that later) and comes with standard automatic headlights, door handle approach lights, and 15-inch wheels. Other standard features include keyless entry with push-button start, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, climate control, cloth seats, and a split-fold-down rear bench seat. Further, you'll find full power accessories, an audio package with a 7-inch color display, and smartphone compatibility with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay included. This is no strip model as you can deduce.
The SEL trim is likely where most shoppers will start their search. This one adds heated front seats and a power-adjustable driver's seat with adjustable lumbar support. You'll also find such safety features as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert, and lane-keep assist. Lastly, Hyundai adds a 7-inch LCD for the instrument panel.
At the top of the range is the Limited, which quite frankly brings in many premium features and offers the lone package option. Here, you'll find high-definition headlights with LED accent lighting, automatic high beams, 17-inch alloy wheels, a power tilt-and-slide sunroof, and Hyundai Blue Link connectivity services.
Only the Limited trim offers the Ultimate package ($2,200). This package adds such things as dynamic bending light technology, which expands nighttime lighting as the headlights pivot slightly. You'll also find navigation, an 8-inch color touchscreen display, an 8-speaker audio system, wireless device charging, and a cargo cover.
2. You'll pay $3,450 more for one.
The Ioniq and Hyundai Elantra share a common platform. In fact, both models measure 106.3 inches long between the wheels. If you're comparing hatchbacks, the Ioniq and Elantra GT are just $1,700 apart.
Averaging 55 mpg to the Elantra's 35 mpg means huge savings at the pump. With gas costing an average of $2.65 per gallon, this means it costs $31.54 to fill an Ioniq Hybrid, while the Elantra comes in at $37.10. The hybrid has an 11.9-gallon fuel tank to the Elantra sedan's 14.0-gallon tank.
For individuals driving 15,000 miles per year, the Elantra sedan would consume 428.57 gallons of gasoline, but just 272.73 in the hybrid. The fuel costs in the gas model would come in at $1,135.71, while the hybrid would cost $722.73. The difference is $412.98 annually, but that's as long as gas prices hold steady.
How long will it take to recoup the extra cost of the Ioniq Hybrid over the Elantra sedan? About 8.35 years ($3,450 divided by $412.98). You'll see a shorter recoupment period with the Elantra GT although it isn't as efficient as the sedan.
3. Super fuel-efficient.
On paper, the Hyundai Ioniq is as fuel-efficient as they come. The standard Blue model carries an EPA rating of 57 mpg in the city and 59 mpg on the highway for a combined 58 mpg. For the other two trims, the rating comes in at 55 mpg in the city, 54 mpg on the highway, and 55 mpg combined.
These numbers are incredible and come in slightly higher than the standard-bearing Toyota Prius and its top 56 mpg rating. But what's achieved on paper is often different in real life. Factors such as weather conditions and driving habits must be considered. Indeed, at least some of my drive time took place with the mercury approaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Optimum conditions for a hybrid are generally in the 70s. Cold weather can impact fuel economy too.
Like other hybrids, the Ioniq prominently posts fuel economy information on the instrument panel to get you to drive conservatively. As with every hybrid I drive, I routinely ease up on the gas pedal and ease down on the brake pedal to maximize efficiency.
My fuel economy ranged as high as 60.1 mpg, before finishing at 49.3 mpg.
The Hyundai Ioniq is motivated by a 104-horsepower gas engine with an electric motor adding its own power as needed. Under full throttle, the Ioniq delivers a combined 139 horsepower and that's close to the 147 horsepower of the Elantra.
Also when operating under full throttle, the Ioniq demonstrates that it isn't merely an economy car. It isn't especially fast, but it'll get you down a freeway entrance ramp with confidence. Steering is light and sufficiently weighted; handling is competent. This car delivers braking with only a minimal amount of squishiness was noticed.
Unlike some competing models, Hyundai eschews a continuously variable transmission, choosing a six-speed dual-clutch automatic to route power to the front wheels. The transmission shifts smoothly while also keeping engine noise from whining.
Parting Thoughts: 2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
As long as fuel prices remain relatively low (below $3 per gallon), hybrid electric vehicles remain a tough sell. But if you're looking to conserve fuel and do your part to limit emissions, then a hybrid makes sense. Importantly, range anxiety isn't a concern as it is with pure electric models.
Hyundai may not have the hybrid recognition of Toyota, but it is a factor in the market. Importantly, its Ioniq line gives customers a variety of options not matched by any other model. Keep in mind that the Ioniq Electric is available in select states: California, Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Vermont, while the other two models are available everywhere Hyundai dealers are found.
2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Specifications
Base Sticker Price $23,330 (including a $930 destination charge)
Price as tested $31,760
Standard Engine 1.6-liter, inline-four
Transmission Six-speed dual-clutch automatic
Head room (f,r…inches) 39.1, 37.4
Leg room (f,r…inches) 42.2, 35.7
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway) 55/54/55 city/highway/combined
Manufacturing Plant Ulsan, South Korea
See Also — Nothing Ironic About the Hyundai Ioniq
2019 Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.
Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: front-wheel drive, HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE, Hyundai, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Elantra GT, Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid, Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Toyota Prius
Hyundai Veloster Dissection: All-New Second-Generation Model
August 17, 2018 by admin 12 Comments
The new Veloster targets entry-level performance enthusiasts.
A new look for Hyundai's sporty three-door coupe.
The Hyundai Veloster is back and is ready for round two. After a six-year model run, Hyundai seemed to have called it quits with its quirky compact coupe, but following a one-year hiatus, an all-new model has emerged.
The 2019 Hyundai Veloster reflects an important overhaul for this coupe, but the dimensions are roughly the same as before. Some of the familiar attributes, including the three-door layout, are unchanged. Besides its new styling, the 2019 Veloster has a more powerful base engine and will see a late arriving performance "N" model join the model line.
Hyundai supplied a 2019 Veloster Turbo Ultimate for my review. We'll examine this model and I'll share my driving impressions. But first, let's take a look at how Hyundai is marketing the Veloster this year. You'll want to know, because equipment and prices vary.
(See Also — Hyundai Kona: New B-Segment SUV)
2019 Hyundai Veloster Overview
The Hyundai Veloster is a coupe with three doors. Yes, you heard that right.
On the driver's side, is a normal (or large) door. On the passenger side are a pair of smaller doors. The rear door features a fully functional design with the handle placed in the rear pillar. It provides a sensible (and smart) way to access the second row, which is often problematic in traditional coupes.
This model seats four. The rear storage compartment is deep and measures 19.9 cubic feet. That's more space than any full-size sedan. Access to the storage area is by means of a liftgate. The rear seats also fold, extending that storage space considerably.
Veloster 2.0
You can begin your Veloster build by opting for the standard Veloster 2.0 model. Priced from $19,385, this one comes with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which makes 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque. This model comes with a six-speed manual gearbox. If you prefer the six-speed automatic, you'll pay $1,000 for the upgrade.
The standard features list for the Veloster 2.0 includes projector headlights with an automatic on/off function, LED daytime running lights, 17-inch alloy wheels and a rear spoiler. Inside, you'll find power windows, power door locks, a tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel and air conditioning.
Among the tech features the Veloster includes a six-speaker audio system and a 7-inch color display. Hyundai also includes dual USB charging ports, an auxiliary input jack, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility. A rearview camera is standard. Hyundai also supplies lane keep assist and forward collision avoidance. There are no packages available with this trim.
Veloster 2.0 Premium
As well equipped as the standard model is, the 2.0 Premium ratchets things up considerably. This one costs from $23,635 and includes the automatic transmission.
At this trim level, you'll find such premium features as 18-inch alloy wheels and a sunroof. The most significant improvements occur inside where an eight-speaker Infinity audio system is matched with an 8-inch display. Hyundai's Blue Link connected car services are added as is satellite radio and a wireless charging pad.
Paddle shifters, automatic temperature control and heated front seats are included. Again, there are no packages available with this trim.
Veloster Turbo R-Spec
In the middle of the pack is the Turbo R-Spec model, which brings in the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine. This engine makes 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque and works with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Hyundai prices this model from $23,785, which is just $150 more than the 2.0 Premium.
The R-Spec adds such sporting features as a unique front grille and rear spoiler, summer performance tires and a unique sport-tuned suspension. You'll also find dual-exhaust tips, a 4.2-inch color instrument cluster, special cloth seating and alloy pedals.
The active engine sound feature pumps exhaust noise into the cabin. No packages are available with the Turbo R-Spec.
The Veloster Turbo makes one crucial change. It replaces the six-speed manual in the R-Spec with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. Thus, the $26,285 starting price.
This model also gains drive mode select, unique cloth/leather seats, power lumbar support for the driver's seat and a perforated leather steering wheel.
On the safety front, the Veloster Turbo gains blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic collision warning. Once again, there are no packages available with this trim.
Veloster Turbo Ultimate
My test model was the Turbo Ultimate, which costs $27,535. Add $1,500 for the DCT.
This model adds a few important features, including a two-tone black roof and rain-sensing wipers. The seats are wrapped in leather and you'll find several safety tech upgrades. These include: forward collision-avoidance assist with pedestrian detection, smart cruise control (DCT only) and a head-up display.
There are no package upgrades with this trim, although you can make the case that the Ultimate is the package upgrade for the Turbo.
The Upcoming Veloster N
Hyundai fans are excited about the upcoming Veloster N for two reasons.
1), A bona fide performance model comes to the Veloster line. It features a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 250 to 275 horsepower. That's a fantastic amount of power for this little coupe.
2), This model will take on the likes of the Ford Focus ST and the Volkswagen GTI. Yes, the Focus will be gone from the market by the time the Veloster N arrives. Nevertheless, it'll allow Hyundai to capture current Mazdaspeed and Mitsubishi Lancer owners as well as Ford fans who still want an affordable performance model.
By the way, the "N" designation is for the company's Namyang design studio in Korea. If it sounds a lot like "M" for BMW, that's the intention. As for the remaining product information, we'll have to wait until the N rolls out in the coming months.
2019 Hyundai Veloster Turbo Ultimate Driving Impressions
Slip behind the wheel of the Veloster and you'll notice that the forward sight-lines are decent, but the rear sight-lines are limited. The sloping roof and large rear pillars make for a pair of huge blind spots on this vehicle. This is where you'll rely much on the side mirrors as well as head turns to see around those spots.
The front seats are quite supportive and they're comfortable. No doubt, the leather-trimmed seats in my Veloster Turbo Ultimate are better than those in the base Veloster 2.0 model. They also have red piping, which also appears on the steering wheel and the center stack for a sporty expression. The metal pedals are handsome and feel solid to the touch.
The ignition switch is located immediately to the right of the steering wheel, occupying the far left side of the center stack. The transmission shifter feels firm — you'll want to place it in sport mode and work with the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters from time to time. The paddles are one of the few disappointments I found in this model — they're plastic and mounted to the wheel itself. My preference is for large titanium paddles connected to the column, which prevents crossing your arms as you make turns.
Turbo Engine and a Dual-Clutch Transmission
The Veloster's engine is not new to me. It is the same one found in the Elantra GT and is also used in other Hyundai products. It is also an ideal match for the lightweight Veloster.
Activate the ignition and engage the transmission and you're off. Even before the turbo spools, there is ample power at the ready.
Press hard on the gas pedal and the turbo jumps in, delivering sufficient kick. The mode selector defaults to normal with sport and smart the other options. The latter mode controls the amount of digitally supplied exhaust noise delivered to the cabin. If you don't like the drone you can turn it off through the control screen. Otherwise, the sport and smart modes control throttle response and steering effort.
The Veloster Turbo excels on the twisty roads as it does on the straightaways. The sport-tuned chassis and low profile enable this coupe to hug curves with ease and it does a good job of pulling out of corners. Some torque steer is present, but it does nothing to take away from the driving feel. The steering is accurate and confidence building. The dual-clutch transmission is great — it supplies quick and accurate shifts when you expect them.
One feature not available with this model, but we think will find its way to the Veloster N is a limited-slip rear differential. But that's where aftermarket customization comes in. For instance, Cusco and Quaife are two limited-slip differential suppliers of note whose product fits the Veloster. Our thinking is that the Veloster N will have one.
Parting Thoughts: 2019 Hyundai Veloster
Hyundai continues to keep the pedal to the metal with its small cars, even as Dodge and Ford retreat. They're adding crossovers too, but its presence in the small car market is laudable.
The all-new 2019 Toyota Corolla hatchback is a natural competitor as is the Honda Civic. But the Corolla doesn't have a performance variant, at least not yet. We'd love to see all-wheel drive added to more small cars, giving the Subaru WRX a run for the money.
As for the Veloster, it hits many of the right spots for shoppers of a small sporty model. If the style and limited rearward visibility are personal show-stoppers, than the similar Elantra GT hatchback is a reasonable alternative and gives you an important reason to stay in the Hyundai fold.
2019 Hyundai Veloster Specifications
Sticker price from $19,385 (includes $885 destination charge)
Sticker price from $29,160 (Veloster Turbo)
Seats four
Engine No. 1: 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas
6-speed manual or automatic transmission
Engine No. 2: 1.6-liter four-cylinder turbo gas
195 foot-pounds of torque @ 1,500 to 4,500 RPM
6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission
Engine No. 3: 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo gas (late arrival)
250/275 horsepower @ 6,000 RPM (est.)
Passenger volume: 89.9 cubic feet
Towing capacity: NR
EPA: 28/34 mpg city/highway (1.6L turbo + automatic)
IIHS safety rating: NR
Limited vehicle warranty: 5 years/60,000 miles/li>
Powertrain warranty: 10 years/100,000 miles
Vehicle assembly: Ulsan, Korea
See Also — Hyundai Veloster N: Namyang Performance
Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 2019 cars, dual-clutch transmission, FORD FOCUS ST, front-wheel drive, Hyundai Elantra GT, Hyundai Veloster, MANUAL TRANSMISSION, Veloster N, Veloster Turbo, Volkswagen GTI
Compact Delight: 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT
Hyundai breathes fresh life into its little sport hatchback.
—Updated Dec. 10, 2017, to reflect this model's safety score.—
2018 Hyundai Elantra GT.
Automakers are responding to a wholesale shift in consumer demand by building more SUVs and fewer car models. This unprecedented shift means some manufacturers are catching up, including Hyundai which will release its small Kona SUV early in 2018, giving it four lines of crossovers.
At the same time, while brands such as Mitsubishi, Dodge, and Chrysler have abandoned certain small car segments, you'll learn that not all manufacturers plan to do likewise. Indeed, Hyundai is redoubling its efforts, having already updated its Elantra sedan and following that with an all-new Elantra GT hatchback for 2018. The next-generation subcompact Accent arrives this fall and early next year the Veloster hatchback returns as a 2019 model following a one-year hiatus. Oh, and don't forget the Ioniq line of electrified vehicles — hybrid, electric, and PHEV.
Who said manufacturers are abandoning small cars? Certainly not Hyundai.
Hyundai offers the 2018 Elantra GT in two grades GT ($19,350) and GT Sport ($23,250). Add $885 for the destination charge.
The Hyundai Elantra GT is a compact five-door front-wheel drive hatchback with room for five. The standard engine is a 2.0-liter four cylinder generating 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. Hyundai pairs this engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Customers can also opt for a 6-speed automatic transmission, raising the base price by $1,000.
The Elantra GT Sport comes with a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Making 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, this engine is also paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. A 7-speed dual-clutch transmission is a $1,100 option.
Package options are available, except on the base model with the manual transmission. You'll find two choices here: an $1,800 Style Package and a $4,300 Tech Package. A separate Tech Package comes with the GT Sport with automatic transmission — more on that below.
The Style Package brings in a proximity key with push-button start; blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert and lane change assist; side-mirror turn signal indicators; an instrument panel display with sharper graphics; dual-zone climate control; a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob; a power-controlled driver seat with lumbar support; heated front seats, a driver's automatic up/down window; and a sliding armrest.
Opting for the Tech Package requires purchasing the Style Package. This package adds full LED headlights, LED taillights, a panoramic sunroof, leather seating surfaces, and an electronic parking brake with automatic vehicle hold. Hyundai also adds a larger rear disc brake, rear console vent, an 8-inch navigation system, Blue Link telematics, a 7-speaker Infinity audio system with subwoofer, and a wireless charging pad. Ventilated seats, an automatic dimming rear view mirror, a covered cup holder, and a front storage lid cover round out the package.
My 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT test model with the automatic transmission had both packages and added carpeted floor mats ($125) for a grand total of $27,460.
I like the shape of the Elantra GT with its long hood and short rear quarter, giving this wedge-shaped vehicle a shoe-like appearance. Or should I say running shoe?
Up front you'll find a honeycomb grille, supplying a look that is at once upscale and sporty. Upswept headlamps, distinct pockets for the fog lamps, and a small lower grille opening contributes to the GT's sporty persona. A slightly rising beltline, the falling roofline and dramatic profile sculpting and signature lines add to the distinctiveness. Alloy wheels, wraparound tail lamps, a rear spoiler and reflector lights complete the look.
Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels set within all-season tires. You'll also find automatic headlight control, a chrome/gloss black grille, and power-heated side mirrors. The Elantra GT brings in 18-inch wheels, full LED headlights, LED taillights, and side-mirror turn signal indicators.
The Elantra GT seats five, although the best number is four. Up front are comfortable and supportive bucket seats. The rear 60:40 split-bench seat holds two comfortably, especially with the middle arm rest folded down revealing a pair of cup holders. The only caution here is that a tall driver or front passenger demanding maximum legroom may put a crimp on your personal space if you sit on the rear seat.
If you're expecting a budget look and feel in the Elantra GT, I'm happy to disappoint you. The interior is stylish and offers soft touch materials across the dashboard, on the door inlays and in other places where you might expect plastics. The texturized plastics are actually quite pleasing — there's no sense of cheapness here or feeling as if you're settling for something less than what you really want. I found all controls are sensibly placed and easy to decipher. You'll find multiple in-door beverage holders as well as cup holders. I appreciated the deep storage pocket at the base of the center stack.
Standard equipment includes power windows and door locks, a tilt-and-telescopic steering column, cloth seating surfaces, air conditioning, sun visors with extensions, illuminated vanity mirrors, steering wheel-mounted audio and Bluetooth controls, a center armrest with a flip-up storage compartment, and a cargo area cover. The Elantra GT adds alloy pedals (including a footrest pedal), leather-covered seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, dual-zone climate control, and an electronic brake with automatic hold.
Safety Highlights
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2017 Hyundai Elantra sedan with a Top Safety Pick+ rating, its highest score. No doubt, the same score will apply to the 2018 Elantra GT. We're also expecting the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to carry over its 5-star rating for the 2017 version to the new model.
All models come with brake assist, hill start assist control, traction and stability control, and a suite of airbags, including a driver's knee airbag. Driver-assist technologies are available too, as outlined in the section following.
You'll find a generous supply of standard and available technology features with the 2018 Elantra GT, including an 8-inch display audio system with satellite radio, HD radio, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
The amenities customers may desire most comes in the GT Sport's Tech Package ($3,850). Here, you'll find a navigation system, wireless charging pad, and a full Blue Link telematics system with remote and guidance packages. This package is where you'll find driver-assist safety features, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency detection with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, high beam assist, and driver attention alert.
My test model did include the navigation, but I was happy to use Apple CarPlay for my directions.
On the Road with the Elantra GT
My test Elantra GT came with the standard engine paired with the automatic transmission. I would have loved to have had the opportunity to drive with the manual gearbox, but one wasn't offered.
That said, the base model has a peppy four-cylinder engine at the ready. Most of my drive time was a solitary experience, so there wasn't the added weight of other passengers.
The Elantra GT isn't a performance maven, particularly in standard form, but it gets the job done and then some. On twisty roads I wasn't afraid to push it a bit, plowing into twists and easing up only slightly on turns. You'll want to operate it in sport mode too, what adds weight to the steering and extends shift points for a more engaging driving experience.
Typically, I've found small front-wheel drive cars offer a fun driving experience with torque steer adding a certain measure of steering fun without overwhelming the handling experience. That's exactly what I found with the Elantra GT.
Shoppers wanting more kick should consider the GT Sport. You get a 25 percent boost in power and have the benefit of the dual-clutch transmission with paddle shifters. No, the Elantra GT doesn't pretend to make a run for the Volkswagen Golf GTI or the Ford Focus ST, but the fun is there, thanks also to a new multi-link rear suspension system for optimum handling. Imagine the possibilities if Hyundai decided to go head to head with VW and Ford, by offering an all-wheel drive variant with a twin-turbo engine. Just saying….
Elantra GT Parting Thoughts
Fully loaded, a 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT will cost you just over $29,000 and that's a steep price point for most any small car. If you're happy with the manual transmission and the turbo, you'll shave $5,000 off your cost, although that also means going without the packages available on the automatic transmission models.
To sum up, the 2018 Elantra GT offers improvements in style, performance and package offerings to woo Ford Focus and VW Golf/Jetta owners. Oh, and don't forget the Mazda3 and Subaru WRX when comparing Hyundai's sporty compact hatch.
Seats five
EPA: 28/37 mpg city/highway (est.)
IIHS safety rating: Top Safety Pick
Vehicle assembly: Montgomery, Alabama
First Drive: 2018 Hyundai Sonata
Click on photos to enlarge. Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.
Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 2018 cars, BLUE LINK, compact car, dual-clutch transmission, ELANTRA GT, hatchback, Hyundai Elantra GT, manual gearbox, turbo
Charleston Charmed: 2018 Hyundai Elantra GT
Hyundai rhymes with Sunday.
Hyundai's latest design language incorporates this cascading grille.
Most car designs are getting slammed in the face of an ever increasing onslaught of all things SUV. While sedans and coupes aren't likely to go the way of some wagons, the market is heavily skewed towards utility. That's because new vehicle shoppers want the extended cargo carrying capacity along with roomy passenger space.
As a result of changing consumer tastes, Toyota's perennial best-selling Camry sedan will likely cede its position this year to a utility vehicle of its own making, namely the Toyota RAV4.
Rise of the Hatchbacks
But there is one segment of cars that are managing to hold their own — hatchbacks. Once largely dismissed by contemporary car buyers, consumers are taking a closer look at this body style and buying them, especially compact models.
Known as the "Holy City," Charleston is famous
for its towering church spires.
Notably, the typical buyer is overwhelmingly male, a college graduate with a high median income, and regularly engages in physical activities.
If this sample individual sounds a lot like some SUV owners, you're correct. Indeed, such buyers may enjoy the same outdoor pursuits as Jeep Wrangler owners, without the off-road capabilities. Hatchbacks are especially valued for holding camping and fishing gear, bicycles, surfboards, and lots of luggage. Importantly, such models cost thousands of dollars less than comparable crossover SUVs, and are front-wheel drive only.
The Hyundai Elantra GT is a prime example of a small hatchback that's attracting its share of buyers. At a recent press event held at the charming Belmond Charleston Place in Charleston, SC, journalists learned the compact hatchback segment is forecast to increase by 17 percent this year. That's especially significant in a market where overall sales are down 2.9 percent through July 2017.
The Elantra GT is a four-door hatchback introduced in 2013, based on the same platform as the sedan (and the discontinued coupe), but with its own sheet metal, cabin design, and sport-tuned suspension. Of all Elantras, the GT has always best represented the fun-to-drive characteristics of this small vehicle. For 2018, the second-generation Elantra GT debuts.
Influenced by the European-version Hyundai i30, the 2018 Elantra GT offers two trims, two engine choices, and three transmission options. Both engines come paired with 6-speed manual transmissions, with Hyundai claiming an outstanding 30 percent manual take rate. This means nearly one in three Elantra GT shoppers prefer to row their own.
The base 2018 Elantra GT ($19,350) has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, generating 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. This engine comes paired with the manual gearbox or to a 6-speed automatic transmission ($20,350).
Performance-oriented buyers will look at the GT Sport ($23,250), powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. Besides the manual gearbox, an available 7-speed dual-clutch transmission makes things interesting ($24,350). Add $885 for the destination charge.
Elantra GT: Charting the Changes
The all-new Elantra GT features a lower and wider stance, standard LED daytime running lights, heated side mirrors, 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels, nearly 25 cubic feet of standard storage space, and has an 8-inch color audio display integrating Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Notable body and platform changes include an expanded use of structural adhesives leading to an 18 percent increase in torsional rigidity. Further, this hatchback is now 53 percent comprised of high strength steel, nearly double the amount used in the previous model.
Put this together with the GT's rear multi-link suspension and larger brakes, and you have a better handling model with improved body control and without a corresponding reduction in ride quality.
Other features of note include available wireless charging, an electronic parking brake with auto hold, heated and ventilated front seats, and an improved Blue Link telematics system with three years of included service. After that, owners may continue with Blue Link by opting for an annual $99 subscription.
Behind-the-wheel time with a newly introduced model at a press event is often much less than what we'd like. Consequently, our first impressions are usually limited to a few hours of ride time, with actual driving evenly split with another journalist. We were also on site to test the refreshed Sonata, so our GT drive time was limited thusly.
That said, we were able to immediately determine that the 2018 Elantra GT is fun to drive. And you don't need the turbo to realize this, although the boosted model most definitely raises the fun factor. If you like models such as the Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Mazda 3, and the Volkswagen Golf, the GT must receive a proper inspection.
Happily, the front seats were comfortable and supportive. My 6-foot frame had no trouble finding the right position with the tilt and telescopic steering column helping immensely.
Our test model had the 2.0-liter engine and the automatic transmission, along with drive mode. Place the GT in sport mode and you'll notice improvements in steering input and handling.
The South Carolina Lowcountry is as flat as it gets with the only inclines found on highway overpasses as well as the bridges spanning the Ashley and Cooper rivers. Thus, we discovered the standard engine struggles as it climbs, leading us to wish we had the turbo for a much-needed kick as we ascended the Arthur Ravenel, Jr. cable-stayed bridge connecting the Holy City to Mt. Pleasant.
If we could have picked up I-26 and followed it all the way to its end in the Appalachian Mountains, we would have experienced our share of rises, falls, twists and turns to put the Elantra GT through the paces. That's the proper way to gauge any sporty hatchback, although we think the upcoming 2019 Veloster will best imbue these features when it rolls out next year.
There is a lot to like about the Elantra GT, including its near $25,000 price tag for a fully equipped model.
The new cascading grille along with sporty lights front and back, and profile character lines connecting said lights aid with its visual appeal.
One feature sure to please is cargo carrying capacity — measuring nearly 55 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.
That's more space than what some small crossovers offer, perhaps a compelling advantage for some shoppers.
See Also — Premium Compact: 2017 Hyundai Elantra Limited
Engine: 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas
See Also — Hyundai Veloster Dissection: All-New Second-Generation Model
Filed Under: New Models Tagged With: 2018 cars, Belmond Charleston Place, BLUE LINK, hatchback, Holy City, Hyundai Elantra GT, Hyundai Sonata, manual gearbox, turbo
Behind the wheel of Hyundai's updated Sonata midsize sedan.
Updated Jan. 11, 2018, to reflect latest crash testing score.
Lowcountry life: The 2018 Hyundai Sonata was entirely at home
on John's Island near Charleston, SC.
Demand for cars may be shrinking, but some of the remaining players are staying in the game, even ratcheting up their offerings in an effort to slice out a larger portion of a now smaller pie.
For 2018, the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are all new, two of the top selling midsize models in the segment. Hyundai is just three years removed from rolling out the current-generation of its competing Sonata sedan, but that isn't stopping this manufacturer from releasing a noteworthy mid-product-cycle update.
Like other manufacturers, Hyundai has had to ride the shift from cars to light trucks, the latter comprised of pickups and SUVs alike. Currently, Hyundai doesn't offer a pickup, but it does have three SUV models, with a fourth one arriving early next year (Kona). That said, Hyundai isn't giving up on its bread-and-butter Sonata, which was at one time its top seller.
The occasional rain shower didn't hamper our drive nor did it quench our spirits.
Hyundai gathered journalists in Charleston, SC, recently to preview and test drive the 2018 Sonata as well as the all-new Elantra GT (reviewed separately). The automaker's representatives outlined the many changes before providing us with cars to drive around the South Carolina Lowcountry.
The 2018 Sonata benefits from significant changes to the front and rear, including a "cascading grille," an updated profile, and a new rear deck. All models have LED daytime running lights, available dynamic bending headlight technology, more angular tail lights, fresh chrome touches, and an assortment of new wheel choices. Two new color choices, machine gray and electric blue, roll out.
We like the all-new hidden trunk release button now incorporated within the Hyundai logo — try to spot it at first glance. You won't. Another significant change involved relocating the rear license plate to the bumper, supplying the Sonata with a cleaner and more polished rear deck look.
Center stack changes accompany the new Sonata.
The Current Powertrain Offerings
Hyundai offers the 2018 Sonata in seven trims: SE ($22,050), Eco ($22,650), SEL ($23,700) Sport ($25,200), Limited ($27,400), Sport 2.0T ($27,600), and Limited 2.0T ($32,450). Add $885 for the destination fee.
You'll find the same three-engine lineup with the refreshed Sonata, including a 2.4-liter four cylinder paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The second engine is a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four and it comes with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The top-of-the-line 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine offers the big news among the three as it now comes mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Interior Changes of Note
Hyundai could have left the cabin alone and called its mid-cycle update a win. Fortunately for the customers, the automaker unleashed its designers to make some improvements within too.
These changes include a refreshed center stack, an instrument panel with a simpler gauge dial design, and a handsome three-spoke steering wheel. Black cloth and black with blue accents are the two new interior designs.
Sport trim models come with a flat-bottomed steering wheel.
Upgraded and Expanded Technologies
The Sonata has long been at the forefront of all things technology. For 2018, things have only gotten better. This year, blind spot detection with rear cross-traffic alert is standard across the model line, the only model in the segment to make this claim. Further, Hyundai now offers an improved lane departure warning system with an enhanced lane keep assist function available.
Blue Link continues as Hyundai's connectivity system and offers some improvements this year. The system now "talks" with Amazon Echo, providing owners with control of their car wherever their Amazon device resides. You'll also find a Qi wireless charging pad available along with a rear USB charge port. Apple Car Play and Android Auto come standard.
Our all-too-brief time with the 2018 Sonata didn't provide the same experience we're accustomed to receiving when provided with a car for a full week. That said, our Sonata Limited with the 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine yielded exactly what we expected with this engine matched with a 6-speed automatic transmission and delivering sufficient power.
Indeed, we think the average midsize sedan buyer will find the combination ideal for their needs. We're just not sure why the 8-speed automatic wasn't included here too. Nonetheless, this model produces a respectable 25 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway, well within the range of other models in this class.
Sport models now have an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Of course, our minds wandered to what might have been possible, had the model been available to us — the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, now paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Of the three available engines, this one brings the Sonata's performance credentials to the forefront, delivering a brisk 245 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. Our past experience with this engine has been positive — we think the two extra gears make this model all the more competitive.
Happily, the 2018 Sonata also gains certain ride and handling improvements. For instance, the sedan benefits from steering gearbox torsion bar stiffness, what positively impacts yaw rate gain and delay. Further, body control improvements come by means of firmer rear suspension and bushings. We like the improved drivability of many of today's midsize sedans as manufacturers wisely invest in this segment.
Parting Thoughts, Sonata Style
As refreshes go, the 2018 Sonata goes beyond applying new lipstick to the face, by delivering a comprehensive update inside and out. It is an important investment for a model in a shrinking segment, one that analysts believe will soon stabilize. This means that Hyundai has an excellent chance of not just retaining current owners, but winning over new customers from other brands.
We also like that Hyundai reworked its pricing strategy, dropping the cost of its top models by up to $2,000, while raising the price of the base model by just $100. These changes come as new or updated equipment rolls out, imparting additional value to arguably the vehicle with the best cost advantage among all midsize sedans.
New LED lights and moving the license plate to the bumper provide
a more elegant look for the 2018 Sonata.
2018 Hyundai Sonata Limited
EPA: 25/35 mpg city/highway
IIHS safety rating: Top Safety Pick+ (with optional front crash prevention and specific headlights)
See Also — New York: 2015 Hyundai Sonata on Display
Grey Sonata photos courtesy of Hyundai Motor America. Blue Sonata photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.
Filed Under: New Models Tagged With: 2018 cars, 2018 Sonata, HONDA ACCORD, Hyundai Elantra GT, Hyundai Sonata, IIHS, Midsize Sedan, Toyota Camry


text:
Home Venue Film Venue Reviews: Mortal Engines
Venue Reviews: Mortal Engines
By Avouleance Aaq -
As a running joke in the books, real world pop culture relics show up thoroughly misunderstood in the new film adaptation of the Mortal Engines series. This seems to have happened between book and movie.
I'm glad I watched this film. There's undeniable joy in seeing so much care put into the translating the aesthetics of the original book onto the screen. It's rare I find a film worth the IMAX screen but this one was, with 3D that created a gorgeous layered effect. There's love put into all the small details (I could geek out for hours about the design of London as a moving city).
Unfortunately, it's hard to ignore the major case where it doesn't live up to the look of the books: Hester Shaw (Hera Hilmar) simply isn't sufficiently disfigured, a problem that goes beyond aesthetics. Plus, there's the repeated pattern of not embracing the book's darkness. Compare book Hester, not just in appearance but also personality, to the character as portrayed by Hera Hilmar. Not to say that Hera does a bad job at portraying a likable character, only her portrayal serves a different purpose.
Similarly, Tom (Robert Sheehan) isn't the Tom I grew up with. In the translation to a cinematic pace, we lose the time Tom had to harden from naively kind to more experienced and kind. At the same time, Hester softened ever so slightly. Instead we have a character who is proactive from the start leaving no room for an arc of any kind. This is also an issue with Tom and Hester's relationship, leaving it completely flat. Neither are conventional leads as they aren't heroic, which is why they wouldn't have fit in this film's need for active and attractive characters.
I'd be naive to assume the entirety of the books would be able to make it to the screen. But the change in tone is harder to understand. As well as compressing the polt, a lot of the moral complexity is squeezed out. We go from a book with three primary villains, each wrong, but if you squint you can sort of see where they're coming from. To a single antagonist who loses his nuance, the demotion of Magnus Chrome (Patrick Malahide) from villain to bit player is especially strange.
This creates a problem where all evil comes from Valentine (Leila George); it's no longer about a broken and wasteful system driving people. Instead we have a pantomime villain lacking in self-reflection, just as the film is willing to occupy the setting without commenting on it. Unlike the book, where characters were allowed to debate each other and be more flawed.
This comes to a head in the conclusion, which feels the most disconnected from both the books and the setting with a solution that isn't earned. Major changes to plot feel like concessions to force a story into a 12A rating that it doesn't fit.
What we're left with a fun but fundamentally flawed film that doesn't feel like Mortal Engines despite how well it plays the part visually.
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disfigured
Hester Shaw
Leila George
Magnus Chrome
Moral Engines
Patrick Malahide
running joke
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Avouleance Aaq
What do The Godfather and Bill Weasley have in common?
Actor and activism
A case for Tom Hardy

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


It has been quite a weekend in our midst as we have been witness to the nature's fury in Texas, the Caribbean and Florida and the Equifax Data breach.
The devastation we've seen in Houston, and now in Florida and the Caribbean, is unimaginable. Relief teams estimate it will take more than a decade to repair the destruction. Thousands are now living in shelters or completely homeless in parts of the country where many already live under the U.S. poverty line.
For those already struggling to make ends meet, Harvey will continue to wreak havoc on their lives for years to come.
At Global Citizen we work to end extreme poverty around the world through calling for systemic change against the systems that keep people poor. We also believe that strong community spirit is an essential pillar of our mission. And in times like these, there's something each of us can do to help our brothers and sisters in Texas, Florida and the Caribbean as they work to rebuild their lives.
Donate now to one of these organizations that are helping people directly on the ground. Give what you can — and together, our donations can make a big difference in the lives of Texans, Floridians, and beyond.
We are holding all those impacted in our thoughts and prayers.
One America: A newly created fund created by President Jimmy Carter, President George H.W. Bush, President Bill Clinton, President George W. Bush, and President Barack Obama. You can donate here.
American Red Cross: This longstanding relief organization is establishing shelters, distributing food, and providing emergency medical services throughout Texas. You can donate here.
Catholic Charities USA: This Catholic relief group is working to address short and long-term hurricane damage. You can donate here.
Save the Children: This emergency response team is dedicated to assisting children and families affected by the hurricane. You can donate here.
Assume you are affected. Equifax and other credit reporting companies can collect information about you from credit card companies, banks, or other financial institutions without your knowledge.
Freeze your credit reports with all three major credit reporting companies: Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax. Visit the Federal Trade Commission's Credit Freeze FAQ page for guidance on how to freeze your credit.
Set fraud alerts with all three agencies. For guidance on how to set fraud alerts, visit the Federal Trade Commission's Place a Fraud Alert page.
Monitor activity on your credit accounts and reports carefully. Consider checking your credit rating regularly by asking for free credit reports from your bank or other credit service companies. Please note that while Equifax is offering free credit monitoring for those affected by this breach, there are reports (not confirmed by USC) that you may be opting out of your ability to join any class action lawsuits against the company if you sign up for Equifax's credit monitoring.
Be aware of tax return fraud. Criminals sometimes use stolen social security numbers and other personal information to file fraudulent tax returns and redirect tax refunds to their own accounts. For more information on how to protect yourself, see the Internal Revenue Service's Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft.
As this is a major and well-publicized breach, identity thieves and other criminals are likely to send out phish emails appearing to come from Equifax or other credit reporting agencies. It is important that you do not click links in any emails asking for your personal information or login details, no matter how legitimate the emails may appear. Instead, open a new browser window, navigate to the company's website by manually typing its official URL in the location bar, and conduct any required business there.
You may have heard about the great work done by Sketch City, Code for America's Houston Brigade, organizing volunteers to map shelters, coordinate rescues, and clean out flooded homes in Houston during and after Hurricane Harvey. Check out Harvey Needs to see what they built.
The Brigade, alongside volunteers around the country, is shifting focus to Florida ahead of Hurricane Irma. Working with Code for Miami, Code for Fort Lauderdale, and Code for Orlando, the volunteers have created Irma Response, repurposing many of the tools used in Houston, including a hurricane shelter map and resources for volunteers looking for ways to help.


Skanska's Three month report 2015 will be released on Wednesday, May 6 at 07:30 am CET.
After the conference there will be possibilities for individual meetings with Johan Karlström and Peter Wallin. To apply for a meeting please contact no later than May 4.


The Nandor (Q, pron. [ˈnandor]; sg. Nando), who included the Silvan Elves (or "Wood-elves") and Green-elves, were one of the Telerin races of Elves. Like the Sindar, they were Úmanyar i.e. part of the Teleri who began the Great Journey but did not complete it. The Nandor were the original elven inhabitants of Middle-earth east of Beleriand, but eventually they also stretched out across the Ered Luin as well into Ossiriand.
Gradually, the Nandor spread out. They may have moved on to live in Eriador, or by the mouth of the Sea at the outpouring of Anduin. They were a simple folk, with no weapons of steel. They made friends, too, with the Naugrim, and were contented. But evil beasts came from the north, and they had no defense against such terrible weapons. They had been told by the Naugrim about King Thingol and the might of the Sindar, therefore Denethor, Lenwë's son, crossed over the Ered Luin into Beleriand, the western lands of Middle-earth. There they settled in the green and many-rivered Ossiriand, welcomed by Thingol as long-lost relatives. They were called the Laegrim.
Lórinand, now known as Lothlórien, and Eryn Galen, now known as Mirkwood, continued to host the larger populations of Tawarwaith. Amroth took over in Lothlórien, later passing the rulership on to Galadriel and Celeborn, while Thranduil became king in Mirkwood. Under these rulers the Tawarwaith prospered and became numerous once more, while the Noldor and Sindar were in slow but steady decline. Yet though mostly inactive, they were watchful of the growing of men and the ominous change the Third Age would bring.
But the elves of both Lothlórien and Mirkwood were threatened by a new evil growing in south Mirkwood. The Necromancer was building Dol Guldur. As the Third Age continued and Sauron rose, the White Council was formed. Sauron was driven from Dol Guldur several times, but the Tawarwaith were still for the most part impassive. Eventually the War of the Ring came. Legolas, Thranduil's son, became a hero of that war, while both Lothlórien and Mirkwood were invaded by Dol Guldur in the Rhovanion Campaign. All attacks were repulsed, and Dol Guldur was thrown down at last in a grand counterattack by Celeborn and his forces. Mirkwood was renamed Eryn Lasgalen. Yet the Silvan population was again diminished. Galadriel and Celeborn passed west, and the light of Lórien faded.
↑ 2.0 2.1 J.R.R. Tolkien, Christopher Tolkien (ed.), The Silmarillion, "Quenta Silmarillion: Of the Sindar"


You can now purchase or download my new poetry collection 27, With A White Lighter, in both Kindle and Paperback formats, using the links below.
You can also visit 27withawhitelighter.com to find out more information about the book, watch some preview videos, see what the reviewers thought, and order your copy.
I'm really happy with how it all came out, and I really hope you enjoy it.


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ASU baseball coach sends message after poor scrimmage
ASU baseball coach Tracy Smith sends message after poor scrimmage
ASU baseball coach sends message after poor scrimmage ASU baseball coach Tracy Smith sends message after poor scrimmage Check out this story on azcentral.com: https://azc.cc/1DQo1vS
Jeff Metcalfe, azcentral sports Published 8:09 p.m. MT Feb. 7, 2015 | Updated 8:13 p.m. MT Feb. 7, 2015
ASU baseball players will be one of six college teams using custom DeMarini bats this season.(Photo: DeMarini)
Dustin Pedroia spoke Saturday to the Arizona State baseball team about the qualities essential to the program's historic success. First-year coach Tracy Smith wondered later if his players were listening.
Smith had little good to say about an intrasquad scrimmage six days before the season opener at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. There was no alumni game, as originally scheduled, but more than 30 alums were in attendance including Pedroia, 2004 Golden Spikes Award finalist and likely to be the next baseball player inducted into the ASU Athletic Hall of Fame.
"I don't know what the identity of our team is right now," Smith said. "I don't want to rely on bats every single day to bail out what we should be doing (in other areas). Way too many mental mistakes. The physical mistakes to me are a lack of concentration. Honestly, I'm not very happy."
Maybe some so-so pitching and defensive lapses are an exception, but it bothers Smith that the Sun Devils played worse before an audience than they've been doing without one. ASU is hoping to draw 4,000 or more for its debut at Muni, Friday through next Sunday, against No. 7 Oklahoma State. The Sun Devils are No. 21 in the USA Today coaches preseason poll.
"It's pretty simple, either you do it or you don't play," said Smith, national Coach of the Year in 2013 at Indiana. "If we want to play at a high level within our conference and be relevant on a national level, that lack of intensity, lack of focus isn't acceptable. All we can do is address it and work on it, but the greatest motivator in the world is the bench."
In some personnel news, freshman infielder Ryan Peep suffered a knee injury and had to be helped off the field. Catcher Zach Cerbo hit a home run. Coltin Gerhart is the No. 4 outfielder for now but pushing to start or be designated hitter. Chris Beall holds an edge on the first-base job in competition with Joey Bielek, who also could be DH. Freshman Andrew Snow could play at second base when Jordan Aboites moves to pitcher for an inning or two.
Colby Woodmansee (shortstop), Aboites (second base), Dalton DiNatale (third base), Jake Peevyhouse (left field), Johnny Sewald (center field) and Trever Allen (right field) are likely starters next week. Smith said the No. 1 catcher -- between Brian Serven, Cerbo and RJ Ybarra -- will be the one who best handles the pitching staff and running game. Ybarra also could be at DH.
ASU will be one of six college teams using custom DeMarini bats this season. Oklahoma State is another so next week's series will be extra colorful.
"In the sporting good world, it's kind of earth shattering to do this," said Ross Brezovsky, DeMarini product line manager. "It's an extremely unique and complicated process, and we're first to market. It's going to create a lot of demand at the consumer level," like with custom gloves. To get kids excited, even about products, is a win for baseball."
Other schools using the new DeMarini bats are Vanderbilt, LSU, Tennessee and UC Irvine. A web site will launch soon where the bats can be purchased minus school logos on the knob.
Cardinals' Larry Fitzgerald purchases stake in Suns
Phoenix Christian girls basketball team placed on probation over coach's hip-check
AIA basketball finals to be at Coliseum
How two seasons out of football prepared Todd Graham to be Hawaii's football coach
Former Arizona State football coach Todd Graham named Hawaii football coach


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The Best Most Listened-To Albums of 2010 - Winners
Here they are: the ten albums I listened to most this year, according to my Last.fm charts. This is an objective way of determining my favourite albums, whether I agree with the numbers or not. Let me know your own favourite music of the year, if you're into this whole music thing. Oh, and happy new year! Maybe this is the year your resolutions will actually happen.
10. of Montreal - False Priest
The bands that occupy the most space in my mind (and on my iPod) are the ones that constantly reinvent themselves while maintaining a core musical identity. of Montreal has managed to evolve significantly with each of their many albums; it's hard to even identify their first albums as the same musical creature that they are today. Yet each step is small and logical. False Priest continues where Skeletal Lamping left off, going in a slightly more funky but mature direction. It took me a bit longer to get into than other albums, but it definitely belongs on this list.
9. Katy Perry - Teenage Dream
I'm over being ashamed of loving shitty pop music. Singing about partying and relationships in the simplest of terms over the simplest of music may not be high art, but it's damn fun to listen to. If that first chorus of Firework doesn't make you want to go "oh oh oh", you're dead inside.
8. Sia - We Are Born
More pop music done right comes courtesy of Sia. She's gone full-on dancy disco from her downtempo roots, and it suits her well. If Clap Your Hands doesn't make you want to clap your hands, you are dead inside.
Oookay, never seen that video before. WTF.
7. Sleigh Bells - Treats
Sleigh Bells' squeaky-clean-cheerleader-contrasted-with-dirty-noise musical aesthetic sounds like nothing else out there. I don't know if the gimmick can be maintained beyond one short album, but what an album it is.
6. Yeasayer - Odd Blood
I don't even know what the fuck to call this. Yeasayer's music is a "world music" tinged mess of genres, and overall I'd say Odd Blood is inconsistent at best. But while it may not be album of the year, it probably made this list largely due to the song O.N.E. being listened to on repeat. I rarely listen to a song more than once in the same day, but this one I couldn't resist. Let's go ahead and call it song of the year.
5. Broken Bells - Broken Bells
This union of Danger Mouse with the Shins' James Mercer has resulted in one of the most never-get-sick-of-it albums of the year. I don't know what the hell they're singing about most of the time, but it's such sweet music that it doesn't really matter.
Can we take a break to talk about Christina Hendricks for a minute? She is one of those people who I can acknowledge is objectively beautiful in many different ways, but deep down, she just doesn't do it for me. Those giant boobs and weird proportions throw something off; it's all interesting to look at though. Maybe this is why so many straight women are drawn to her. And Mad Men! What's with that show? I gave it two chances and just couldn't get into it. The glimpse into another time with all its messed up values and exotic fashion is cool and all, but I'd like it more as backdrop to a show in which stuff actually happens.
Moving on:
4. Ke$ha - Animal
Shit. Ok I said I was through being ashamed of liking shitty pop, but this is as bad as it gets. I listened to this more than Broken Bells? Really? She doesn't even sing!
3. Massive Attack - Heligoland
At the height of their career, Massive Attack's Mezzanine brought on immediate depression with its pure dreariness. Over a decade later, that dreariness is largely gone, replaced with a more subtly dark collection. I probably wouldn't consciously put this in my top three, but it must have been enough of a fitting soundtrack to my life to occupy my ears for a large proportion of it.
[WARNING: the video below is completely totally NSFW. Don't click it at work. Seriously.]
Massive Attack Paradise Circus (HD) uncensored
2. Gorillaz - Plastic Beach
Sometimes the albums I listen to most are the ones I'm most ambivalent about. I wasn't sure what to think about Plastic Beach when I first heard it, but it intrigued me enough to keep listening, and eventually it grew on me enough that I'm happy with its placement here at number two. Stylo is another of those rare songs I can listen to over and over again.
Also check out the second album Gorillaz released this year, The Fall. It was made on an iPad while on the road. Jesus you guys, we live in a world where you can create an album on a slab of glass. Stream it here.
1. Stars - The Five Ghosts
Ah, good old Stars. Their emo melodrama is extremely cheesy, but sometimes cheesy is what you need, and I guess I was in the mood for dairy this year. This is kind of a concept album about the ghosts of dead kids or something. Whatever. If you can resist the catchiness of the "oooh oooh oooh"s in The Passenger, it is you, sir, who are dead inside.
2010's Honourable Mentions
Most Listened-To Albums of 2009
Honourable Mentions 2009
Labels: movies / music / tv, news, real life
The Best Most Listened-To Albums of 2010 - Honourable Mentions
It's become a yearly December tradition to highlight the music I've been listening to in the previous year. I keep track of all my music listening through Last.fm, and often find myself disappointed when some of my favourite albums weren't actually the ones I listened to most (after all, longer albums and albums released earlier in the year have an unfair advantage). I'll be back tomorrow with the ten albums that objectively vibrated my eardrums the most, but here are ten that vibrated my heartdrums even if I only listened to them on special occasions.
Mumford and Sons - Sigh No More
Yeah yeah, everyone's talking about this album. But it holds a special place in my heart, because it was playing the first time I got laid after a significant dry spell. Apart from that, it's a solid little indie-folk record with a certain special quality that managed to shoot it into the mainstream.
Hot Chip - One Life Stand
Just watch this:
And the actual album is pretty kickass too.
Rihanna - Loud
As the title promises, Rihanna's latest is an irresistible celebration of sex, violence, and that special place where the two meet. After seeing her in concert, I think we have a pretty strong bond, Rihanna and I, and I'm glad this new album didn't mess it up. Just check out this hotness with Drake:
The boy's come a long way from Degrassi. Speaking of which:
Jakalope - Things That Go Jump in the Night
Jakalope are a perplexing band, headed by a producer who's worked with Marilyn Manson and Nine Inch Nails, but sounding more like pop with only a slight industrial edge. Even more out of left-field was their opening theme for Degrassi: The Next Generation, which sounded nothing like their previous music. Add to that an all-new lead singer, and this new album could have been a disaster. Luckily, that wasn't the case. Things That Go Jump in the Night sounds like maple syrup - sugary but with a wintery edge and an ineffable Canadian vibe.
Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
[Insert fishsticks joke].
Despite everything, Kanye puts out some damn impressive music to back up his cocky douchebaggery. There's some self-indulgence that gets in the way (what the fuck is this Chris Rock shit in Blame Game?), but I still can't stop listening to this.
Girl Talk - All Day
It's just more songs mashed up in semi-clever ways, but it's hard to not love what Girl Talk does. Plus he gives it away free and somehow evades being shut down for copyright infringement, so that's worth rooting for.
Zeus - Say Us and Land of Talk - Cloak and Cipher
Both of these bands rocked LOLA Fest 2010 here in London, and both released kickass albums in 2010. I think we'll be seeing more of them. Well, even more than this:
Warpaint - The Fool
This came out of nowhere to be one of my favourite albums of the year. Comparisons with The xx (who put out one of my favourite albums last year) are appropriate, with the lazy dreamy vocals, sparse instruments, and occasional electronic layers. I don't know how I even stumbled across these dudes, but I am so glad I did.
Robyn - Body Talk (Parts 1, 2, and 3)
Robyn would actually have taken #3 on my top ten most listened to albums if all of Body Talk was considered one album. Her comeback from being a 90s two-hit-wonder has resulted in some of my favourite pop music of the year. I also dig the way she's released this trilogy, with short albums released every few months, as they are completed. This may be the future—or a step towards the future—of music distribution in a world where real-time updates are the norm. Like a Twitter stream of album releases.
Here are some more albums I love that came out this year:
OK Go - Of the Blue Colour of the Sky
Coheed and Cambria - Year of the Black Rainbow
Spoon - Transference
The Love Language - Libraries
Hanson - Shout it Out
Diamond Rings - Special Affectations
She & Him - Volume Two
Belle and Sebastian - Write About Love
The Arcade Fire - The Suburbs
Here are some albums that were OK but I just couldn't get into for some reason:
The National - High Violet
Weezer - Hurley
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists - The Brutalist Bricks
Crystal Castles - II
I'll be back tomorrow (if I have time) with my most listened-to albums of the year.
Labels: blogging, dating and pathetic crushes, london ontario, movies / music / tv, news, real life, technology / video games, videos
Life Isn't Supposed to Not Be Confusing
Last night I opened up my drafts folder on Twitter, and found the following half-finished thought that I'd saved earlier: "life isn't supposed to not be confusing." *
At first I dismissed it as a drunken tweet gone wrong, but once I got over the perplexing double-negative (how meta, drunk self), I realized that maybe there's something to it.
There's a lot of crap going on, out there in the world. So that we can navigate it without dying, Mother Nature shoves a whole bunch of competing subpeople into our brain. Hunger, thirst; long-term plans, conserving energy on the couch; love, lust—all of these desires squawk like baby birds crying for the momma bird of consciousness to barf up some attention.
Having a clear mind is the most unnatural thing in the world. A mess of swirling thoughts and emotions is the default state of a thinking person. Why? Because it works. The desire that needs attention the most is usually the one that gets it. If we are hungry enough, it won't stop the laziness and thoughts about chicks from squawking, but it'll be enough that we get off the couch and ward off starvation for one more day. If we didn't have to constantly be weighing options and desires, we wouldn't need brains. Confusion is the natural consequence of intelligence.
People act less confused than they are. Sometimes they even say perfectly coherent things. But with other people, we only see the final behavioural products of their internal turmoil. Like the tip of an iceberg, except underneath it's not all perfect crystalline structure, but a writhing mass of multicoloured tentacles. Basically, Cthulhu with an iceberg hat.
Confusion is a lot easier to deal with if we embrace it. Having a clear and linear mind is not something that most people will attain for any length of time, so why not just bask in a normal, healthy, jumbled mind? Plus, it makes those epiphanic moments when everything comes together and makes sense more recognizable as the rare and magical moments that they are.
1 Actually, it said "life isn't supposed to bot be confusing," but my sober self was able to get the idea.
See also: First Person Plural.
"The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far. The sciences, each straining in its own direction, have hitherto harmed us little; but some day the piecing together of dissociated knowledge will open up such terrifying vistas of reality, and of our frightful position therein, that we shall either go mad from the revelation or flee from the light into the peace and safety of a new dark age."
-- H. P. Lovecraft, Call of Cthulhu
Labels: deep thoughts, horror, psychology, random crap, real life
Previously on Phronk.com: I laid out four things I wanted to get done in November: 1: Write a novel, 2: Grow a moustache, 3: Be alone forever, 4: Get a PhD.
I am sad to report that I only succeeded at #2 *. But you know what Meat Loaf says? He says to me, he says, don't be sad, because two out of three ain't bad. Two is only one more than one, and four is one more than three, so ... so uh ... I think Meat Loaf would agree that one out of four ain't bad either.
Am I right or am I right?
Besides, "PhDecember" has a nice ring to it, so I think I'll finish that up this month. Besides besides, writing a book in a month is a fun gimmick, but one I don't feel a strong need to have done more than once, and I've already done it twice (or thrice if you count this). The pressure of November did squeeze a little diamond of an idea into my head, so I'll polish that up over a more reasonable timescale.
There are my excuses for failing at life. December is another busy month, but I will find time to update you on its various happenings, blog. You know why? Because blog, baby, I want you, I need you, but there ain't no way I'm ever gonna ... leave you.
* And raised $135 as part of a team that raised $1854 for prostate cancer! Thanks everyone who supported Movember.
Labels: blogging, movies / music / tv, random crap, real life, writing / books
How to Save London Ontario
First, I don't think London needs "saving." I love it here, and for what it is, it's a great place to live. There is always room for improving it, though, and there is a lot of talk lately about how to do that.
A fantastic project called Redraw London visually depicts solutions to some of London's problems (see also: Kevin Van Lierop's 100 Ways to Improve London project). One example is making Dundas Street car-free where it passes through downtown—a proposition that people have been talking about for years. Brian Frank addresses this in a a recent blog post. He sees Dundas as a sort of canary in a coalmine; if Dundas is healthy, London is (at least perceived to be) healthy. However, he has doubts that getting rid of cars will suddenly rejuvenate it.
So do I. I wouldn't complain about a quirky car-free street in London, but the problem I see is that it's a boring idea. Support for a pedestrian Dundas usually ends in "just like street [X] in [city Y]!" That is, it's been done before. Yawn. We're already named after another city, so let's try to do something else to stand out, eh? We can do better than imitation, because London is full of creative geniuses. I am a creative genius. Here is how to save London:
1. Screw a car-free Dundas; how about a bumper-car-only Dundas? It's transportation! It's an amusement park! It's both! Since crashing is part of the fun, this also solves that pesky drunk driving problem once and for all.
2. How about a street where graffiti is not only allowed, but encouraged? Think of that great new work on Clarence near Dundas, except times twenty, constantly changing and showcasing local talent.
3. How about being the best at something? The world's largest [awesome thing]. The best [awesome food] in the country. We probably already have something like this and just don't know it. It would be nice to have a feature that makes London unique in the world—a symbol other than trees that we can put on our posters and logos.
4. More seriously, how about a waterfront? We've got this beautiful river splashing straight through the heart of the city, and the only place we can see it from is Museum London and the restaurant in it. I like parks and all, but I'd be happy to see half of Harris Park transformed into another type of public waterfront space. Maybe even with a few businesses there. Like small stands that sell food you don't see everywhere else.
5. How about a permanent beaver tail stand?
6. How about the world's best beaver tails?
I've got like infinity more ideas, only half of which involve deep-fried dough, but the ones here already involve a lot of bulldozing so maybe I should stop. If you live in London (and sorry for the boring post if you don't), think of your own ideas. Put them out there. Even the crappy ones can inspire better ones, and the best ones may become reality.
P.S. I already wrote some of these ideas in a drunken comment over on London Fuse.
Labels: creative contributions to society, food, london ontario
The Best Most Listened-To Albums of 2010 - Winners...
The Best Most Listened-To Albums of 2010 - Honoura...


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Der Canyon (Originaltitel: Tyrannosaur Canyon) ist ein Thriller von Douglas Preston aus dem Jahr 2005 und handelt von einem geheimnisvollen Fund in der Wüste von New Mexico.

Inhalt

Im Prolog des Romans wird ein Vorfall während der Apollo 17 Mond-Mission dargestellt. In deren Verlauf machen die Astronauten auf dem Mond einen Gesteinsfund, der später sorgfältig unter Verschluss gehalten wird, ohne dass man an dieser Stelle den Grund für die Geheimhaltung erfährt.

Danach geschieht ein Szenenwechsel in die Wüste von Neu Mexico des 21. Jahrhunderts:

Tom Broadbent hört auf einem Ausritt in der Wüste Schüsse aus der Richtung des sog. Tyrannosaurier-Canyons. Er reitet in diese Richtung und findet einen alten Mann, einen sogenannten Prospektor, der, von Schüssen getroffen, im Sterben liegt. Vor seinem Tod gibt ihm der Prospektor ein Notizbuch und nötigt ihm dabei das Versprechen ab, das Buch seiner Tochter Robbie zukommen zu lassen.

Als wenig später Jimson Maddox, der Mörder, bei der Leiche eintrifft und das Fehlen des Buches bemerkt, ist er außer sich, weil er beauftragt ist, dieses um jeden Preis zu beschaffen. Immerhin findet er im Besitz des Toten eine interessante Gesteinsprobe, die er an sich nimmt.

Als tags darauf Tom mit der Polizei am Fundort der Leiche eintrifft, ist diese spurlos verschwunden ...

Das Notizbuch enthält sorgfältig in Handschrift eingetragene Zahlenkolonnen. Tom hält die Zahlen für irgendeinen Code, ist aber nicht in der Lage, diesen zu entziffern. Er bringt das Buch zu Wyman Ford, einem ehemaligen CIA-Kryptologen, der gerade als Novize in einem Kloster seiner Aufnahme in die Ordensgemeinschaft entgegensieht. Ford gelingt nach einiger Zeit die Entdeckung, dass es sich bei den Zahlen nicht um einen Code, sondern um Daten handelt, und zwar solche eines Bodenradar-Gerätes. Eine Auswertung ergibt das Bild eines vollständig erhaltenen Skeletts eines Tyrannosaurus.

Maddox' Auftraggeber, Iain Corvus, ist ein wissenschaftlicher Mitarbeiter am American Museum of Natural History.  Er lässt die Gesteinsprobe heimlich von Melody Crookshank, einer Laborassistentin, untersuchen. Melody findet heraus, dass es sich dabei um einen Teil eines Tyrannosaurusknochens handelt.

Corvus hat sich bisher vergeblich um eine Anstellung als Kurator bemüht. Die erhoffte Beförderung ist ihm versagt geblieben, hauptsächlich, weil die Zahl seiner wissenschaftlichen Veröffentlichungen bisher zu wünschen übrig ließen. Corvus beabsichtigt, Melodies Forschungsergebnisse zu stehlen, um eine Ausgrabungsgenehmigung für den T. Rex zu erhalten. Als Ergebnis seiner Machenschaften erhofft er sich Ruhm und Ehre sowie die lang ersehnte Anstellung als Kurator.

Melody entdeckt, dass die Probe winzige Partikel enthält, die sie "Venus-Partikel" nennt. Das Telefonat mit Corvus, in dem Melody ihm diese Ergebnisse mitteilt, wird von der NSA abgehört. Es wird ein geheimes Kommando unter der Leitung von J.G. Masago ins Leben gerufen mit dem Ziel, die Hinweise auf die Existenz der Partikel unter Verschluss zu halten, alle Zeugen zu töten und in den Besitz der Probe zu gelangen.

In der Zwischenzeit macht sich Ford auf den Weg in die Wüste, um nach dem Skelett zu suchen. Gleichzeitig entführt Maddox Sally, die Frau von Tom Broadbent, um von diesem die Herausgabe des Notizbuchs zu erpressen.

Maddox hält Sally in einen verlassenen Bergwerksstollen gefangen und zwingt Tom, ihm das Notizbuch auszuhändigen. Nun, wo er das Buch in Besitz hat, möchte er Sally umbringen. Es gelingt ihr jedoch, auszubrechen, wobei Tom ihr hilft. Die beiden sind danach zu Fuß auf der Flucht vor Maddox, der ihnen, mit einem Gewehr bewaffnet, auf den Fersen ist.

Masago lässt einen Agenten in das Museum eindringen, der Corvus tötet und die Proben zusammen mit den Ergebnissen entwendet. Melody, die Corvus misstraut, hat jedoch von allen Arbeiten Kopien gemacht, die sie, zusammen mit Probenmaterial, versteckt hält. Als Melody der Ermordung Corvus' gewahr wird und das Verschwinden der Arbeiten bemerkt, wird ihr klar, dass sie wahrscheinlich das nächste Opfer sein wird.

Sie vermutet, dass jemand versucht, den Fund und alles, was damit in Zusammenhang steht, geheim zu halten, und kommt zu der Erkenntnis, dass ihre einzige Chance darin besteht, die Untersuchungen abzuschließen und die Ergebnisse im Internet zu veröffentlichen.

Die abschließende Untersuchung der Proben ergibt, dass die Venus-Partikel nach 65 Millionen Jahre noch lebensfähig sind. Anscheinend handelt es sich dabei um eine Art Viren, welche die Zellstruktur des Reptils zerstört haben. Sie stellt die Ergebnisse ins Web und macht sie dadurch weltweit verfügbar.

Mittlerweile sind die Kommandoeinheiten unter Einsatz modernster Technik Ford in der Wüste dicht auf den Fersen. Auch Maddox ist kurz davor, Tom und Sally zu erschießen. Den beiden gelingt es jedoch mit Glück Maddox zu überwältigen und ihn zu töten. Sie nehmen das Notizbuch wieder an sich und schließen zu Ford auf. Ford führt sie auf der Flucht vor den Häschern des Geheimdienstes aus dem Canyon heraus. Ihre Flucht endet in einer alten Anasazi-Höhle; hier sitzen sie in der Falle. In der Höhle befindet sich das T.-Rex-Fossil und es ist noch erkennbar, dass die Indianer in der Höhle vor Jahrhunderten kultische Handlungen ausgeübt haben, die offenbar mit dem Skelett im Zusammenhang standen.

Es gelingt Ford, das Team von Masago nach dessen Einrücken in die Höhle dazu zu überreden, zu ihm überzulaufen und von der Ermordung der drei abzulassen. Masago berichtet von den Venus-Partikeln und dass man sie auch auf dem Mond gefunden habe. Somit ist klar, dass sie außerirdischen Ursprungs sind. An dieser Stelle wird somit auch offenbar, was es mit dem geheimnisvollen Gesteinsfund im Prolog auf sich hat.

Alle verlassen die Höhle mit dem gefangengenommenen Masago, und es geht mit einem Helikopter zurück zum Stützpunkt. Dabei unternimmt Masago einen Befreiungsversuch. Das Handgemenge führt zum Absturz des Hubschraubers. Der größte Teil der Insassen kommt dabei ums Leben. Jedoch können Tom, Sally, Ford, und Masagos frühere rechte Hand lebend entkommen.

Mittlerweile hat sich Melodys sensationelle Veröffentlichung über das Internet verbreitet. Alle Beteiligten werden berühmt, auch Robbie Weathers, die Tochter des Prospektors vom Anfang des Romans. Die Smithsonian Institution gründet eine Stiftung zur Erforschung der Venus-Partikel und des Dinosaurier-Fundes. Es wird die Spekulation geäußert, dass die Venus-Parikel absichtlich von Außerirdischen auf die Erde gebracht wurden, um die Dinosaurier auszurotten und somit die Entwicklung des Menschen zu ermöglichen.

Universum
 Schon in Der Codex (2004) spielte Tom Broadbent die Hauptrolle, immer wieder kommt es dementsprechend zu Anspielungen
 Im letzten Kapitel wird auf den Roman "Mount Dragon" von Douglas Preston und Lincoln Child angespielt, das mit diesem Buch die zahlreichen reit- und pferdeverwandten Themen sowie die Idee einer Schatzkarte gemein hat. Allerdings wird der Darstellung in "Mount Dragon" widersprochen, dass das Labor explodiert sei, denn in "Der Canyon" wird lediglich von einem einfachen Brand berichtet.

Ausgaben
 Douglas Preston Der Canyon, Knaur Taschenbuch Verlag 2007 - ISBN 3-426-63375-2
Der Canyon S.3

Weblinks
Rezension auf www.gesehen-und-gelesen.de

Literarisches Werk
Literatur (21. Jahrhundert)
Literatur (Englisch)
Roman, Epik
Douglas Preston

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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