Category Archives: News

Hyundai drivers prefer physical buttons over touchscreen

Touch screens have become standard in most new cars, making car interiors look clean and stylish. They provide more options for controlling the car’s functions, and when the vehicle is not moving, they work perfectly well to use. However, Hyundai has done research that shows American drivers don’t really like touchscreens.

Hyundai conducted several tests on a certain group of users and found that people are stressed and annoyed when they want to adjust something quickly but fail to do so. It takes more time to find digital controls, which takes their attention away from the road creating uncertainty while driving, while they find physical buttons easier to use.

“When we introduced infotainment screens to our vehicles, we tried to integrate the controls as well, but people don’t prefer it,” Hyundai’s vice president of design in North America Ha Hak-soo told the Korea JoonAng Daily.

Hyundai has already started offering physical buttons alongside touchscreens, such as in the new Ioniq 5. Some believe that drivers could still accept only touchscreens if the driver assistance system were improved, which some automakers are trying to do.

Source: Hyundai

Mazda Iconic SP goes into production

At the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, Mazda revealed a concept car that could now go into production. It is a sports car Iconic SP, which represents a combination of classic and modern design.

General Manager Design Division at Mazda Masashi Nakayama said that this is not just a show car, but a car created with the real intention of hitting the road one day.

This finally resolved the doubt whether Mazda will start production of the Iconic SP. It will likely be offered in two versions, as a sports car that will follow in the footsteps of the RX-7 and RX-8, but also as a smaller car closer in size to the popular MX-5 roadster. Also, with its appearance, the Iconic SP represents a review of the design of Mazda’s sports cars.

When it comes to the powertrain, the option is a hybrid system – a combination of electric and rotary engine – with a total power of 375 hp (276 kW). In this case, the rotary engine has the role of a range extender, so that the car can move even when the battery is empty. Of course, during development, it was also taken into account that the car can use several types of carbon-neutral fuel, which reduces harmful emissions by up to 90 percent.

There will be more information in the coming months.

Source: Mazda

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Jaguar F-Pace retires in 2026

At the 2015 International Motor Show Germany Jaguar revealed a new crossover SUV, the F-Pace, which according to JLR CEO Adrian Madrell has come to an end.

“We analyzed our offer, and five of the six models are going into history at the end of this year. Two are already in the past,” explained Mardell. The Jaguar F-Pace will remain on offer in some countries around the world until the beginning of 2026, but in smaller numbers.

Jaguar has already finished production of the XE, XF and F-Type models at its Castle Bromwich plant this summer, and the E-Pace and I-Pace models will cease production in the next month at the Magna Steyr plant in Austria.

On December 2, a new concept will arrive, which will show the appearance of the brand’s first fully electric car. It will be a four-door GT that is currently in the testing phase, and sales will begin in the summer of 2026. It is followed by luxury SUVs like the Bentley Bentayga and large luxury sedans.

Source: JLR