Report: Kia might build a next-gen Rio-based crossover with a plug-in hybrid setup

Kia is in the midst of overhauling their entire lineup, including a new Rio entry-level group of models to succeed the current offerings. The Rio is most known as the company’s subcompact hatchback, a car that competes with the likes of the Honda Fit, Ford Fiesta, and the Chevrolet Sonic, just to name a few.

But a Rio hatchback won’t be the only variant returning for the next generation as AutoExpress says Kia will be adding a crossover variant as well. It doesn’t stop there because further rumors indicate said Rio crossover could even come with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, providing an interesting alternative to Toyota’s popular Prius variants. So yes, this means Kia is pretty much planning a smaller crossover to sit below the already compact Soul and that new Niro.

The next-gen Rio is anticipated for a reveal in October at the Paris Auto Show and the plug-in hybrid powertrain in question is rumored to be sourced from the recent Kia Niro hybrid compact crossover, consisting of a 1.6L naturally-aspirated four-banger with an electric motor mated to it, to net a combined output of 141hp and 195 lb-ft of twist. Electricity is stored in a 1.56-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack.

The ultimate goal is to provide potential customers with a compact and affordable hybrid crossover option, which is an emerging but theoretically growing market as hybrids become more readily available and crossovers continue to dominate the roads.

In addition to the new crossover variant to the Rio, Kia is said to be adding a high-performance version of the standard Rio hatch, complete with a turbocharged 1.6L four-banger with 180hp from Hyundai. If all goes well, the new Rio generation should be ready by late next year while the additional variants should follow a little while after.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: AutoExpress

Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/2b4Ly55

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Video: Watch the guys who hacked a Jeep Cherokee do it again w/ video

Remember those guys who hacked a 2014 Jeep Cherokee and were featured on Wired as a way to raise awareness over security of software-based car control systems? Well, they’re back and they recently hacked a Jeep again to see how far they could go in a second attempt.

Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek programmed their way into the centralized computer systems in the same 2014 Jeep Cherokee as last time and were able to compromise the operation of some very vital parts again, but to a greater degree.

In the original experiment with Wired, the security researchers gained control of the Cherokee wirelessly, causing a bunch of systems to go haywire after they uploaded malicious code from 10 miles away. With enough digging, they were even able to disable both the brakes and the transmission since both are electronically controlled.

This forced Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles to recall nearly 1.4 million vehicles to issue a software update to patch the weak spots in the software of their UConnect infotainment system.

Fast forward to today, Miller and Valasek were once again able to gain control of various crucial systems on the same 2014 Jeep Cherokee, gaining full control over the parking brake, cruise control, and even the auto-parking system, which can cause steering to go whack. You can see what that was like in their quick video sample below.

This whole thing might seem a bit scary, especially when you consider how computer-controlled cars are these days. But they were only able to severely alter the vehicle’s behavior with a physical connection to the Jeep’s computer through the OBDII diagnostic port, unlike the first attempt, which was done from a considerable distance away, through the car’s wireless connectivity capabilities.

There were also a few other caveats. The same 2014 Jeep Cherokee they hacked was still running on the original software prior to the firmware update released from FCA from the recall. This also decreases the chance that a malicious hacker can wreak havoc on a bunch of unsuspecting 2014+ Jeep Cherokee owners, because of the requirement of a physical connection and a need to bypass the latest patch.

But in a response to Wired’s coverage on Miller and Valasek’s latest attempt, The Verge pointed out the exploit still is possible if certain cars come equipped with OBD-connected wireless dongles, used by insurance companies.

Either way, FCA issued a statement, saying that this exploit in the second experiment is “highly unlikely” to be possible and “that the researchers have not identified any new remote way to compromise a 2014 Jeep Cherokee or other FCA US vehicles.”

Additionally, Engadget’s own software security expert says the hack itself is flawwed because it “requires ACTIVE (sic), PERSISTENT, INFORMED CONSENT of the target,” meaning the hacker has to be directly connected to the targeted victim and the chances of this happening leave little to no opportunity for danger to owners of these cars.

Still, this doesn’t hide the fact that software security issues are of great concern when cars are so computer controlled in nearly every aspect.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: Wired via Engadget, The Verge

Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/2aSzh7g

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Report: The family of Anton Yelchin files lawsuit against FCA for wrongful death

Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles is facing a total PR-nightmare following the recall of their badly designed transmission shifters in recent cars, like the 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee that unfortunately killed actor Anton Yelchin. Now, his family just filed a lawsuit against Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles for a wrongful death in relation to the recall.

Yelchin was one of the highest-profile incidents involved with FCA’s recent recall for the shifter design when his Jeep rolled away and pinned him against a brick pillar and gate this past June.

Along with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, around 1.1 million FCA products were also recalled because of the faulty shifter design, citing this specific safety issue of accidental rollaways.

The recall was issued two months before Yelchin’s death and sadly, the company notice from FCA didn’t show up until a week following his death.

So far to the press’ knowledge, this is the first wrongful death suit being filed in relation to the shifter issue.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: AutomotiveNews via AutoBlog

Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/2ajiWrw

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Report: Hyundai officially kills the Genesis Coupe after 2016

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe was one of the company’s most recent attempts to win the hearts and minds of the sports car-buying lot, especially the younger crowd since the company needed a fresh identity to depart from.

They’ve been not only excelling…er, sorry, pun not intended…but they’re doing so well, they even spawned a luxury sub-brand similarly to how Toyota produced Lexus in 1989, and Honda with Acura, and Nissan with Infiniti.

That said, the Genesis Coupe can be no more as Genesis is the name of the new brand, making 2016 the final year for their rear-wheel drive sports car.

Sure, the Genesis Coupe wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, but it proved Hyundai has the guts to take a risk building a rear-wheel drive sports coupe in a world where crossovers and front-wheel drive reign superior by the numbers. Will there be something to supplant the Genesis Coupe?

So far, from what we know, Hyundai actually plans to move the Genesis Coupe successor upmarket, into the new Genesis brand itself, meaning the Genesis Coupe will only spiritually live on under the new brand. The last we heard was the introduction of a new turbocharged 3.3L V6, a reengineered eight-speed automatic, and all-wheel drive, wrapped in a sleek new body modeled after the Hyundai HND-9 Sports Coupe Concept from several years back.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: The Globe and Mail

Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/2aJJujN

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Forza: Here’s the latest list of cars you can now obtain on Forza Horizon 3

If you were getting bored of the current set of cars available on Forza Horizon 3 for Xbox, even with all of the expansion packs available on top of the extensive list released with the game, no worries, because Forza has another pack for you to download.

This time, the pack comes jammed with a whole list of classic cars, to a few modern greats, ranging from a 1980 Abarth Fiat 131, to the more recent 2011 BMW 1-Series M Coupe.

It also seems this pack was focused on some pretty key rallying greats, like the 1985 Ford RS200 Evolution, and a personal favorite of mine, the 1969 Jaguar Mk II 3.8.

Check out the list after the jump, which is said to grow even more in the near future.

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• 1980 Abarth Fiat 131
• 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe
• 1957 BMW Isetta 300 Export
• 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
• 1948 Ferrari 166 MM Barchetta
• 1985 Ford RS200 Evolution
• 1977 Ford Escort RS1800
• 1966 Ford Lotus Cortina
• 2015 Infiniti Q60 Concept
• 1969 Jaguar Mk II 3.8
• 2015 Lexus RC F
• 1953 Maserati A6GCS/53 Pininfarina Berlinetta
• 1997 McLaren F1 GT
• 1958 Plymouth Fury

– By: Chris Chin

Source: Forza

Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/2aD7Hql

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The 2017 BMW M3 “30 Jahre M3” marks the 30th anniversary of the famed model

In addition to celebrating their first centennial, BMW is also celebrating 30 years of one of their most iconic, if not the most iconic models, ever produced: the BMW M3.

Click here for more news on the BMW M3.

The M3 was first launched in 1986 as a homologation requirement for World, European, and German touring car racing, as well as BMW’s answer to the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16v. The BMW M3 has since maintained a legacy as being the Ultimate Driving Machine and the end-all-be-all for everyday high-performance luxury coupes.

To celebrate this legacy spanning three decades, BMW is introducing a limited-edition model for 2017, the 30 Jahre M3, or “30 Years M3” special edition.

The car starts life as a standard 2017 BMW M3 , and it then gets a wide array of treatments bespoke to the “30 Jahre M3” edition. This includes a special Macao Blue metallic exterior and a Full Merino Leather in Black and Fjord Blue, both compliments of BMW Individual. There’s also lots of “30 Jahre M3” badging, including a numbered badge designating the build number, as only 500 units will be sold worldwide.

On top of the visual appointments, BMW M adds a slight power boost, upping the horsepower by 19 to 444hp (torque remains the same at 406 lb-ft). The Competition Package is also standard, complete with the Adaptive M suspension and optimized driver selector modes for all of the standard computer-controlled parameters of the car.

Only 500 cars will be built, with 150 of those destined for the U.S.

Pricing starts at $83,250 for the manual transmission-equipped version, and $86,150 if you want BMW M’s dual-clutch box.

– By: Sujeet Patel

 

Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/2avznCv

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Report: Mercedes-Benz could be making their first all-electric Sprinter van soon

Mercedes-Benz recently gave their electrification efforts a nice healthy jolt as the company not too long ago confirmed to be ramping up efforts to build more electric vehicles.

This even includes the Sprinter van, according to the Detroit Bureau. The outlet spoke to the chief in charge of the familiar VS30 van, Ulf Zillig, who said that Mercedes is currently in the process of researching and developing an electrified variant for the near future, with the addition of some autonomous driving technology.

While electrification is becoming more common in the normal car world, the commercial and heavy-duty side of the industry still has yet to be touched to the same extent. Mercedes-Benz seeks to make electrified heavy-duty commercial vehicles more readily available.

Daimler AG has been hard at work over the past year or so developing these new electric vehicles, including an all-electric Fuso Canter E-Cell in conjunction with Mitsubishi Fuso. Also, Mercedes just announced plans to make an Urban eTruck, or a heavy-duty short-haul vehicle for making urban deliveries.

Although electrified delivery trucks make sense theoretically, the challenge so far is developing the technology that can support the idea. As we know, electric powertrains still come with many limitations when compared to the typical internal combustion engine.

If anything, I think hybridized trucks make more sense for the time being until we can further develop ways to overcome current issues with electric vehicles, such as limited driving range, battery capacity and charging times.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: Detroit Bureau

Source: egmCarTech http://bit.ly/2avyABv

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