CAR WARRIORS: HYUNDAI PLANS TO OFFER DEDICATED HYBRID

Thursday, November 20, 2014

HYUNDAI PLANS TO OFFER DEDICATED HYBRID

Hybrids are beginning to catch on not only with the public but also with car makers such as Hyundai and Ford who plan to bring out their own new versions soon. So as the old saying goes "competition is good for development and prices" the future with Hybrids is unfolding before our eyes in the 21st century.

So Hyundai and Ford now plan to offer dedicated hybrids, vehicles designed specifically around a hybrid powertrain that offer no gasoline only version, but aside from the now-defunct Honda Insight, there have been no other volume cars designed solely as hybrids.That will apparently change in 2016 and beyond.

The advantage of a dedicated hybrid is apparent that every aspect of the car can be optimized for efficiency, rather than having to adapt the electric motor(s), battery pack, and associated electronics into an existing car designed largely for gasoline engines.

As for what it might look like the Hyundai hybrid may well be the current incarnation of its Blue-Will plug-in hybrid concept, first shown back in 2009 and 2010.

The spy shots of Hyundai hybrid development mules published by Autoblog don't show a plug, so it seems likely Hyundai will first launch a conventional hybrid model before extending the new range to include a plug-in variant.

The first model of the new Hyundai hybrid could be introduced as early as next year, making it a 2016 model.The Korean maker has not offered a hybrid version of its redesigned 2015 Hyundai Sonata mid-size sedan. Instead, the 2015 Sonata Hybrid is a carryover model using the body of the previous-generation car.

Whether Hyundai would launch the dedicated hybrid while maintaining a Sonata Hybrid model in the new-generation car is unclear. That's the path followed by Toyota--which offers both the Prius and a Camry Hybrid sedan.

Hyundai is far less established in the hybrid market, however, and may choose to focus its near-term efforts on the dedicated hybrid--which may, like the Prius, become a family of hybrid vehicles over time.

Based on the Blue-Will concept car, there is undoubtedly a plug-in hybrid model to come. At this point, it's clear that pretty much every major global automaker will offer at least some plug-in hybrids for sale by 2020--though volumes remain highly debatable.

The development mules came in two different lengths, perhaps indicating not only a competitor for the well-known Prius Liftback, but also one for the Prius V wagon. Meanwhile,Ford has a new project to develop a dedicated compact hybrid vehicle, known currently only by its project number of C240.While the Ford C-Max Hybrid and Energi models are effectively dedicated hybrids in North America, they were first designed and built with gasoline and diesel engines in Europe and other markets. The hybrid came later, as a sort of retrofit.

The new 2019 hybrid would be built on Ford's upcoming C2 compact vehicle architecture, the successor to the current design used for vehicles that include the Ford Focus sedan and hatchback, C-Max tall hatchback, and Escape crossover.

The powertrain is expected to be an evolution of Ford's current system, which presently pairs a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with a two-motor hybrid transmission and a lithium-ion battery pack.

Ford, too, could offer a family of hybrids, inevitably including an Energi plug-in hybrid model. According to the report, the company expects to build up to 120,000 per year at its Wayne assembly plant outside Detroit.In all of 2013, Ford sold 86,038 hybrids across five models. It has sold 54,192 in the seven months so far this year.

Next year, Ford will become the largest maker of aluminum vehicles in the world, when the aluminum-bodied 2015 Ford F-150 goes into full production.

The weight reductions from such a lightweight body might give Ford an edge on a 55-mpg 2016 Prius, if Toyota's fourth-generation car remains all-steel.

It's unclear whether the cost of aluminum four years later would make a 2019 Ford hybrid simply too expensive to compete with the Prius. Toyota benefits from the economies of scale of building more hybrids than any other carmaker.

Still, we have several years to learn about the future Ford--whereas the Hyundai hybrid is likely to arrive within a couple of years.

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KNOWING ABOUT YOUR POWER-TRAIN WARRANITY

A powertrain warranty is a form of assurance offered by the manufacturer of an automobile. When a consumer purchases a vehicle, at the time of sale, he or she will be given a powertrain warranty, which will cover all or part of the powertrain of the underlying automobile. When a mechanical problem occurs to the powertrain the costs associated with repair or replacement are covered in the powertrain warranty—the manufacturer or dealer whole sold the automobile will pay to have the car fixed. That being said, what parts are covered and the extent of the repayment associated with fixing the car will vary greatly based on the powertrain warranty offered.

Depending on the manufacturer, a powertrain warranty will provide different forms of coverage based on interpretative differences; for example, one manufacturer’s definition of an engine can be referred to as a ‘long block’, meaning the engine, as well as everything attached to it cannot be removed. Another definition of an engine can be a “short block” meaning only part of the engine—typically the piece below cylinder head—cannot be removed. As a result, the coverage abilities will vary between these two warranties if the engine proved to be faulty.

In addition to the engine, the type of automobile will necessitate different variables within the powertrain warranty. For example, if you purchased a manual transmission vehicle, the warranty may exclude repairs or replacements for important pieces, such as the clutch—an extended warranty for a manual transmission will typically only provide coverage for the driveshaft and the axles.

A powertrain warranty will last for a certain number of years or for a maximum number of miles. In most instances, the powertrain warranty will last longer than a typical car warranty; the basic powertrain warranty is offered as a 10 year or 100,000 mile warranty, or whichever comes first.

Other Warranites Usually available to car buyers:

Basic: Also known as "bumper-to-bumper" coverage, this is the general coverage that would pay to repair defects in factory-installed parts. Tires are not typically included because they're usually covered under a separate tire manufacturer warranty.

Corrosion: Covers rust that causes holes in sheet metal in parts such as the doors or side panels.

Roadside assistance: Provides help with towing and tire-changing if the car breaks down while traveling.

It's best to check with dealers for specifics, but here is a list of seven top auto companies that offer among the best car warranties, despite the fact that many are rated safe cars by independent research firms.

Car Insurance Tips

Find out what’s covered and what isn’t. Get your quote in writing and confirm the accuracy of each vehicle and driver you are insuring, as well as the coverages you requested. Ask about free, value-added features, such as emergency roadside assistance. Check to see if repairs are guaranteed for as long as you own your car, and find out what kind of payment options are available.

To see if you’re getting credit where credit is due, it's a good idea to find out all the discounts available to you. Some simple ways to save money on your auto insurance include maintaining a clean driving record, being a good student and the inclusion of certain safety features when buying a new car can save you money on your policy.

Your state sets forth the minimum liability coverage you must maintain, as mentioned above. But these are just the legal minimums and might not give you the coverage you need. You'll have to decide what you want to buy beyond these minimums. Keep in mind that you are looking to find the balance between having adequate coverage and overpaying.

According to Consumer Reports, a general guideline for adequate bodily injury liability limits is $100,000 per person and $300,000 per accident, plus $100,000 for property damage. These amounts are what your insurer will pay to someone you are in an accident with. For uninsured motorist coverage, you should get the same amount as for bodily injury liability, as this covers your medical costs when someone who is not insured hits you.

Auto insurance tip #1
Understand why you need auto insurance
In short, you need car insurance to protect your car, yourself and your passengers. You also protect any assets, like your home and savings, as well as comply with state law.

Auto insurance tip #2
Know your current coverages-but be willing to adjust
Use your current coverages and limits as a starting point; you can refer to your declarations page for this information. Then, adjust your coverages as necessary to match your lifestyle-which might be different than it was when you first bought the policy.

For example, if your teenager starts driving next month, you might consider adding him or her to your policy now. Or, if you just bought a new car, you might choose loan/lease payoff coverage, so that if your car is stolen or declared a total loss, you'll have help paying off your loan or lease.

Auto insurance tip #3
Decide what you want to protect, then choose your coverages

Auto insurance tip #4
Use deductibles to your advantage
Your deductible is what you agree to pay out of pocket when you use your car insurance. In general, the higher you set your deductible, the less you'll pay for your policy. And conversely, if you set your deductible low, you'll pay more for your policy, but less when you have a claim.

Auto insurance tip #5
Know that certain things affect your rate
Insurance companies evaluate a variety of things when they calculate your rate, from your driving record to where you live and how many miles you drive on average. Keep this in mind when you see your rate.

More alternatives:

Raise your comprehensive and collision deductibles to at least $1,000, which lowers your premiums and prevents you from filing small claims that could jeopardize a claims-free discount. Add some more money to your emergency fund so you’ll have the cash to pay the deductible if anyone in your family does have an accident.

Drop collision and comprehensive coverage entirely on older cars that are worth little more than the deductible. You may be paying more in premiums than you could ever get back from the insurer, even if the car is totaled.

Tell your insurer if your child goes away to college. If your child goes to school more than 100 miles away and does not use the car, you can usually get a big break on your premiums but still have coverage when he or she comes home for vacation.

Ask about other discounts for teenage drivers. Some insurers offer discounts for driver-safety programs, cutting costs if the kids take a special class, watch a DVD, or read a driver-safety book and take a test. Ask your insurer what your kid needs to do to qualify.

Make the most of multi-policy discounts. You’ll usually get a break on your auto insurance and your homeowners insurance if you keep both policies with the same company. You may get an additional discount if you include an umbrella policy, which provides extra liability coverage beyond your auto-insurance limits and can be particularly valuable when you have a teenage driver.

Some insurers offer much better deals than others for teenage drivers, so it’s important to compare costs. The insurance company that offered the best rate for you and your spouse may have some of the highest rates when you add a teenage boy to the policy - and it’s almost always better to add the child to your policy rather than have him get his own policy.

You can get price quotes from several online insurance companies like Progressive or AllState or get personalized service from an independent insurance agent who works with many companies. You may not want to switch from a longtime insurer just to save a few dollars, however, because your current company may be less likely to raise your rate or drop you if your child has an accident. If you stay with the insurance company you currently have there more room for forgiveness and benefits of such various programs. Also keep in mind that if you have been getting a multi-policy discount, your homeowners-insurance rate might rise if you take your auto-insurance business elsewhere.

One thing you don’t want to do in an attempt to reduce your premiums is skimp on liability coverage. recommends liability limits of at least $250,000 per person, $500,000 per accident and $100,000 for property damage or a policy with a “combined single limit” of $500,000, when available, which does not limit the coverage to $250,000 per person involved in the accident. Young drivers are more likely to have accidents, and lowering your liability limits could leave you on the hook for tens of thousands of dollars in expenses if your child does hit another car or injure someone.

CAR WARRIORS

Thursday, November 20, 2014

HYUNDAI PLANS TO OFFER DEDICATED HYBRID

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