Drew Dowdell

Hyundai has announced that is has developed the world's first road noise countering active noise control system. While active noise control is available in many makes and models, it is limited to when the noise is constant and predictable. Hyundai's new system is able to analyze noise at a much faster pace. The digital sound processor can respond to a noise in 0.002 seconds. Cabin microphones constantly monitor road noise and then the speaker system emits sound waves that cancel out drone or engine roughness. Hyundai says they are able to decrease cabin noise by up to 3dB. That means that noise is cut nearly in half as compared to running without RANC. In EVs that can make the ride almost completely silent. The first application of this will be applied to an upcoming Genesis model, likely the Genesis SUV. View full article

Could be good for a mid-cycle refresh

After a fairly clear teaser image last month, the South Korean market Kia K5 has been unveiled. Kia hopes to make the same splash that Hyundai did with the mechanically similar 2020 Sonata. While this K5 is in Korean domestic market spec, we're fairly certain that the North American Optima will look virtually identical to this K5. The K5 may look like a hatchback similar to the Volkswagen Arteon or Buick Regal, but it is still in fact a sedan, the swoopiness of the car accentuated by the frameless windows. The new K5 is bigger than the outgoing Kia Optima by about 2 inches in length, and widened nearly an inch. Wheelbase has also been lengthened about 1.8 inches. In Korean spec, the base model will come with 16-inch wheels while 17, 18, and 19-inch upgrades are available. The interior hasn't been revealed yet, but a concept sketch shows a more upmarket interior with large LCD screens. Powertrains for the U.S. will likely mirror those of the Hyundai Sonata with a 191 horsepower 2.5 liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder or an upgrade to a 1.6-liter turbo-direct-injection with 180 horsepower and a wide torque band maxing out at 195 lb.-ft. The K5 goes on sale in the Korean market in December. View full article

I'm turning 29 for the 12th time ?

For the 12th time. They're talking about a winter storm, but it's just rain here now.

Thanks all!

Everything went up of course...but Avalanche, suburban, and Tahoe jumped about $10k in a single model year change.

GM won't do it. They think they're special and price things high only to have to rebate them later.

Well... if nothing else, I wish an American manufacturer the best of luck. I hope they create many jobs to help replace those which were lost.

Tesla is already outselling BMW and Benz at their respective price points.

Cause if they can get 300 horsepower and still get decent mileage... why not?

In other parts of the world, energy isn't doing so hot right now. In the US, it's sort of in limbo. It has nothing to do with I.T.. I imagine financial sector is doing pretty well for the moment. What do you do ykX?

The Avalanche sales tanked like that because they got so expensive. Still, a GMC Avalanche offered only in SLT and Denali trims would would.

I'm an I.T. Project manager specializing in infrastructure projects or mergers and acquisitions.. Basically, I build/upgrade/tear down/move big server projects. I happen to work in the energy sector right now, but I'm pretty sector agnostic. My job translates well to any sector.

Yeah. I'm possibly losing my job by the end of the year. I've been there 13 years though, so my severance package will be good. I'm not super worried about it. Might even take some time off.

Well, we'll see if this recession is really a thing I guess. 50% employee cuts across the board at work.

CAn you link me? My old link appears to be broken. Fully capable of 100mph scheduled service too.

yeah, it's always been a reasonably competent car. And it's probably the largest interior you can get without going to a full-size, so if you're shopping on square footage, it's the best deal you're gonna get.

Volkswagen has release the pricing on the redesigned 2020 Passat and now it is roughly $2300 cheaper than the 2019 model. It also becomes one of the least expensive midsize sedans you can buy, clocking in just $250 more expensive than the least expensive 2020 Subaru Legacy. Some of that cost savings comes from carrying over a bunch of the bones of the car from 2019. The platform is the same, not updated to the new MQB platform like China is getting with their version. The 2.0-liter Turbo carries over as well, albeit with some improvement to the torque. Horsepower remains the same at 174 hp, while torque jumps 22 lb.-ft to 206. The transmission remains a 6-speed automatic driving only the front wheels. The 2020 Passat gets and exterior and interior refresh with new materials in the cabin and an updated instrument cluster. The trims will be S, SE, R-Line, and SEL. The cheapest S model still comes with forward collision warning with pedestrian detection and emergency braking, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. The SE, which starts at $26,765, gets additional chrome trim, keyless entry, push-button ignition, leather wrapped steering wheel, leatherette over the headed front seats, dual zone climate control, rain-sensing wipers, adaptive cruise, and lane keep assist. The R-Line, which starts at $29,565, comes with all of the above, plus a standard sunroof, alarm, 19-inch alloy wheels, a body kit, and paddle shifter. The top of the line SEL, at $32,015, comes with high beam assist, leather seats, heated rear seats, navigation, parking sensors, and a Fender audio system. The 2020 Passat will continue to be manufactured in Chattanooga, TN and arrives in dealers in the next few weeks. View full article

I think, by the quote, there was a decision being made whether or not to kill it and they opted not to.