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Hyundai Santa Cruz Concept Doesn’t Seem Like The Answer

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Hyundai only increased its sales by 1 percent in 2014 in an up year for the industry that saw sales increase by an average of 5 percent for manufacturers across the board. But the top brass had an explanation for this at the Detroit Auto Show. You see, truck sales have been moving the needle for other companies. And without a true truck, Hyundai has relied on car sales.

All of the hedging that was taking place led up to the reveal of the Hyundai Santa Cruz concept – a vehicle that Hyundai officials feel could “change the industry.” The vehicle features a small bed similar to a truck in back, while still offering seating for five. This is in response to what Hyundai says is a consumer outcry for a crossover type vehicle that has storage options that aren’t in the main cabin. An example was given of sweaty sports equipment or a large chest of drawers that couldn’t be transported in the back of a crossover.

The Santa Cruz would be ideal for those “in-between times when you need more space” they said. I find it hard to believe this one will actually become a reality. While it may come in handy those few times, the fact is, people don’t really buy vehicles because they may, at some point, need more space once or twice. It may be inconvenient those times when you don’t have the space, but having a small cabin with a truck bed that is not being used 99 percent of the time would seem to be even more inconvenient.

Much of the issue is that the beds on these vehicles are never big enough to really do anything with when you do need it. There’s a reason that the El Camino of old and the even more recent Subaru Baja never really caught on. Why Hyundai thinks this idea is original, I don’t know.

Maybe I’m wrong, but I just don’t see it with this one. Time will tell if it becomes a reality, and if so, if the demand can sustain it. If it all happens, kudos to Hyundai for figuring out this “new” segment.

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Wes grew up around cars at the family business. He makes no attempt to hide his love of early 90s GM products, and still repents selling his sweet '94 Pontiac Sunbird a few years back. He is currently a managing partner at phantomcopy.com.

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2 Comments

2 Comments

  1. BahamaTodd

    Jan 18, 2015 at 4:55 pm

    It doesn’t sound like you’re aware of the extending bed. When its extended, its on par with a midsize truck.
    Compared to the El Camino, this has a back seat. Compared to the sedan based Baja, this is crossover based and has the taller stance and better looks that Americans prefer. Compared to others like the Ridgeline or Explorer Sport Trac, this actually offers a significant mpg improvement over conventional trucks. It should also be able to undercut truck costs by a good margin.
    This is a totally new niche and I think it has a chance of doing well.

  2. Jared

    Jun 3, 2015 at 10:21 am

    I’m 28, male. I’m a GM guy and for years I’ve been wanting Chevy to create this exact vehicle: an All Wheel Drive car with a truck bed. Of course, I wanted it to be called an El Camino and have some throwback styling to the ’68 and ’69s. As reluctant as I am to buy a Hyundai, I would have to seriously consider purchasing this vehicle. I’m a single guy in my 20s, I don’t need a ton of passenger room or cab space. The author says people don’t buy vehicles based on functions they only occasionally need. Then why does anyone buy giant SUVs? Even if you have kids, how often do you actually fill up all 8 seats in that SUV? How often do you actually need all the towing capabilities they have? And does a trunk, truck bed, or SUV/CUV cargo area sit empty just as often as this bed would? This car has everything I need (AWD for the snow, a bed for all my stuff, enough cabin space to get by, and good mileage.

    No car appeals to every driver, and this certainly isn’t going to appeal to a family of 5, but for the large segment of people in their 20’s looking to buy their first brand new vehicle, this is a great candidate. Certainly this is a niche vehicle class and would never become a brand flagship, but the niche is large and hungry enough to support limited annual runs of this vehicle. If they can maximize shared parts to keep cost-per-unit down, it could certainly be profitable. Being the only vehicle in its class, it would have a corner on the market for at least a couple years, but I believe that if GM, Ford, Dodge, or a larger foreign brand began producing comparable competition, this line would fail.

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The 2024 Dodge Charger Electric Concept is That Car

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If this is the future of electric pony cars, I’m on board. 

We’ve heard rumors of the next iteration of the Dodge Charger. We’ve seen the concept pictures. But after seeing it in person at the 2023 Chicago Auto Show, I can say, the electric future is pretty bright at Stellantis (aside from the Ram overkill).

From a design perspective, nobody beats the designers of Dodge cars, in my opinion. The lines on this car pay tribute to Chargers of the past, while also being very modern. Even the triangle-shaped logo, known as a Fratzog, harkens to its Mopar past. 

Where the design gets more modern, without losing us in the new wave is the unique aero hood that is undetectable looking at the front of the car. But a look from around the windshield clearly shows a full scoop at the front of the hood that is unlike anything in the class.

The concept is also a two-door, which is a deviation from the modern-day Chargers that only came in four-door. Whether the company will release a four-door version still remains to be seen.

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2024 Dodge Charger Engine Specs

While the design is catching many eyes, it’s still Dodge we’re talking about here. People are going to want to know about the power. After all, Dodge making an electric vehicle seems like a clear departure from the gas-guzzling, tire-burning Dodges of the past.

However, the company put out a teaser video with clear messaging that performance will not be lost. With the capability of electric powertrain torque, they are likely leaning on takeoff power, and I’m confident the car will be fast. That being said, there’s no replacing the sound of a traditional hemi engine. But, with the electric revolution, some concessions will need to be made. 

Right now, all we know about is three engine options under the hood for the 2024 Dodge Charger Electric. They are: 

  • 340 with 440 horsepower
  • 440 with 590 horsepower
  • SRT 800 with horsepower not yet released 

2024 Dodge Charger Electric Price

While pricing hasn’t been released, since the 2024 Dodge Charger Electric is still listed as a concept, we have a rough idea of where things could land – within an accepted range of error. 

Our estimates of price of the 2024 Dodge Charger Electric are: 

  • Dodge Charger Electric 340, $55-65,000
  • Dodge Charger Electric 440, $65-75,000
  • Dodge Charger SRT, $90-100,000

No matter how you feel about electric vehicles – especially with Dodge – the world is heading that direction. But with the 2024 Dodge Charger Electric, there is hope.

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2020 Chevy Corvette Details and Images

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The 2020 Corvette is here – and it’s the one we’ve been waiting for. 

Having seen and sat in the car in person, I can confidently say that Chevrolet nailed it with the G8 Corvette that only shares a single part with its predecessor. 

The biggest change is clearly the engine of the car moving from the front to a mid-engine. This has become a high-end performance car staple, but not something Chevrolet has entertained until the release of the newest version for 2020. The mid-engine gives the Corvette better balance and handling dynamics, while it is slightly heavier than the last edition. 

2020 chevy corvette mid-engine

The new Corvette will be available in three trim levels, the 1LT, 2LT and 3LT. There will be a single engine offered initially – the 6.2-liter V8 that produces 495 horsepower paired to an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The 2020 Corvette Stingray 0-60 time, according to Chevrolet, is 2.8 seconds and it can conquer the quarter-mile in 11.2 seconds, reaching 122 mph. 

The overall appearance of the Corvette has changed a bit, but it’s still very recognizable as a Corvette, which is key to an evolution that still harkens back to the car’s rich history that began in 1953. The door handles have been hidden and the car has an incredibly sleek and clean look. It retains its convertible option, but has a first-ever production retractable hardtop. It can activate at speeds up to 30 mph.

2020 chevy corvette blue stingray chicago

Inside, the car feels amazingly natural to sit in. You almost become part of the car, which is how you want to feel when navigating a sports car – especially if you are lucky enough to be able to pilot the car around a real track.

2020 chevy stingray interior

There are three seat combinations to choose from, so everyone can find the Corvette that best suits them. There’s even a trunk behind the mid-engine, which the professionals at the Chicago Auto Show were quick to point out “can hold two sets of golf clubs.” While the actual golf bags would have to be pretty small, funnier to me was the assumption that I like golf. 

2020 chevy corvette trunk space

Arriving for sale now, the 2020 Chevy Corvette is sure to impress. It’s already been named the 2020 Motor Trend Car of the Year – and I have a feeling the awards will keep coming. 

2020 Chevy Corvette Key Stats

Horsepower495
Torque470 lb-ft
Top Speed194 mph
0-60 Time2.9 seconds
Quarter-Mile11.2 seconds


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Kia Seltos Pricing Leaked. Is It A Value Buy?

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Kia promised the new 2021 Seltos to start under $22,000. And thanks to some leaked Kia Seltos pricing information, the brand appears to have made good on it. Barely. 

The base Seltos LX (and S) from the information that’s out there, appears to be sneaking just under the bar at $21,990. Yes, $10 MSRP does equal a promise fulfilled. 

Yes, we are going to wait until Kia officially gives out the pricing to fully speculate. But for now, it’s up to you to decide if a Kia SUV is in your future. 

2021 Kia Seltos Pricing

ModelPrice
LX AWD$21,990
S FWD$21,990
S AWD$23,490
EX AWD$25,290
S 1.6L Turbo$25,490
SX 1.6L Turbo$27,890
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