After teasing it last week, Hyundai has now made it official: the Veloster N now comes equipped with an 8-speed dual clutch transmission.

Called the N DCT, the 8-speed wet-type dual-clutch automatic enables the 275-horsepower Veloster N to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds—faster than the manual transmission version. And unlike a dry double-clutch transmission, the wet N DCT uses oil to significantly improve lubrication and cooling performance, which is typical of higher torque applications.

The Veloster N’s N DCT also unlocks features such as: N Grin Shift (NGS) which increases peak torque by 7 percent from 353 Nm to 377 Nm by allowing the turbocharger to overboost for 20 seconds; N Power Shift (NPS) which adds a more responsive feel during shifts; and N Track Sense Shift (NTS) which discerns road conditions and selects the shift timing and gear. These are on top of other typical features such as rev matching and launch control.


Aside from the new gearbox, the new Veloster N gets an improved infotainment system with an 8-inch high-def display, available N Light Sports Bucket Seats with Alcantara upholstery (they’re 2 kilograms lighter than the standard seats) with illuminated logos, and Hyundai SmartSense driver assist technology.

The new Veloster N will first go on sale in South Korea this month followed by other markets.

Aside from this DCT gearbox, Hyundai’s high-performance N division has other plans for the Veloster N.

Expected to bow in by next year, is a more powerful version of the Veloster N. According to several reports, the likelihood is that Hyundai will plop a 2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine into their hot hatch. This Theta III Smartstream engine will enable the Veloster N to crack the 300-horsepower barrier putting it squarely into Civic Type R territory.

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) is expecting to get hold of the first 10,000 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) coveralls from local garment manufacturers through the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) today. This comes after the conglomerate completed delivery of 40,000 sets of protective gear to over 60 health facilities in the country.

The local manufacturers tapped by the DTI belong to the Confederation of Wearable Exporters of the Philippines (CONWEP).

“We are inspired by how companies and individuals are coming together in new ways to address the challenges of COVID-19. We thank the DTI and the CONWEP for this. We stay committed to helping ease the strain on our medical system and protecting our medical health workers,” SMC president and COO Ramon S. Ang said.

Recently, SMC has started donating the first batch of ventilators to five public hospitals even as it awaits delivery of more machines along with high-flow oxygen devices for use in caring for COVID-19 patients.

These life-saving ventilators were delivered to Philippine General Hospital, San Lazaro Hospital, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, East Avenue Medical Center, and Lung Center of the Philippines. Fifty-five units of high-flow oxygen device will also be delivered in the next coming days.

The latest donation is part of the P500-million fund San Miguel Corporation earmarked to help and protect medical front liners save lives in the fight against the deadly virus.

“Our medical front liners are in dire need of equipment to combat this pandemic. Again, I couldn’t be prouder of how everyone in our group is stepping up to the plate. They continue to work day and night to find ways to help our country overcome this unprecedented challenge,” said Ang.

Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI), the official Philippine distributor of Hyundai passenger and commercial vehicles, reinforces ongoing containment efforts with a fresh supply of personal protective equipment to the front liners at UP-Philippine General Hospital (PGH). UP-PGH is one the country’s COVID-19 designated hospitals.

After a 10-week “deep dive” led by Ford’s newly appointed Chief Operating Officer, Jim Farley, the American carmaker is making leadership changes to its global automotive operations in a bid to fast track its transformation plan.

Lamborghini and Ferrari, two rival Italian supercar brands have switched their efforts to produce life-saving respirators and ventilators as part of its efforts against COVID-19.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, the prospects of the Philippine automotive industry are looking dim this 2020. With the Taal Volcano ash fall and the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) knocking the wind out of car sales, Fitch Solutions is saying that new car sales will remain flat this year.

UPDATED: The DTI responds. See response below. (4/25).

The Philippine Automotive Dealers Association (PADA) has made an urgent appeal to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) to allow them to re-open on a skeletal workforce basis by this week.

Ducati is finally getting its first-ever Lego treatment with the Lego Technic Ducati Panigale V4 R. The 646-piece set will be made available starting June 1, 2020 not just in Lego stores (both retail and online), but at Ducati dealerships and even through the Ducati online shop.

If you think the Golf is Volkswagen’s best-selling vehicle, think again. Last year, that record goes to the Tiguan compact SUV.

Volvo Cars is restarting production at its Torslanda plant in Sweden on Monday, April 20, following a short period of downtime related to the coronavirus pandemic.

On its nameplate’s 56th birthday, Ford is celebrating two global sales crowns—the world’s best-selling sportscar and its fifth straight best-selling sports coupe title. This is on top of being America’s best-selling sportscar of the last 50 years.

With the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) extended until the end of April, Suzuki Philippines (SPH) has decided to help front line health workers who face the daily challenge of commuting to and from their respective hospitals to provide service to COVID-19 patients.

With the DTI now classifying hardware items as essential goods under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), you can start getting CTEK battery chargers delivered straight to your door.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Waze has activated its community and network of partners across its Volunteer Communities, Waze for Cities programs, and more, to support crisis response.

Bentley Motorsport has stepped into the world of esports by announcing entry into its debut sim racing championship, the SRO E-Sport GT Series, a six-round series held by the organizers of many of the manufacturer’s real-world GT3 races.

Lexus may be looking to expand its SUV line-up by introducing a brand-new model that’s supposedly its new flagship SUV—the Lexus LQ.

Update: Nissan has officially unveiled the 2021 X-Trail (aka Rogue). Details here. (6/15).

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Nissan’s still adamant to push through with several new production introductions this year, including the all-new X-Trail.

Nissan will begin making protective face shields for health care workers in Japan who are on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19.

A day after a chartered Philippine Airlines arrived carrying 40,000 sets of protective gear (PPEs), San Miguel Corporation (SMC) employee volunteers have begun repacking them for distribution to medical front liners.

Chery Auto officially launches the all-new second-generation Tiggo 7 compact SUV, a product that will spearhead the carmaker’s strong product offensive post COVID-19 China.

It’s not everyday that a carmaker can claim that they’ve re-invented the side view mirror, but that’s exactly what happened with Volvo’s performance-oriented all-electric brand, Polestar.

During these extraordinary days, every trip is essential to your family’s well-being and health. These are the days when you need your vehicle to perform at its best.

The “eyes” (and fingers) have it—BMW has easiest to use infotainment and climate control system, while MG has the worst. This is judged by UK-based What Car?.

Honda has just transformed 50 of its Odyssey MPVs to transport COVID-19 patients to hospitals and quarantine facilities in Japan. And they’ve done so without risking the driver from infection by sealing off the rear section.

A few weeks ago, Mazda dropped a huge surprise in showering their entire line-up with the 100th anniversary treatment. At the time, the Japanese carmaker revealed all sort of info except for one: the price. They said that the pricing will be made available “at a later date.” Well, that “later date” is now, because we now know how much they cost.

Under its flagship disaster relief program #HyundaiSAGIP, Hyundai Asia Resources, Inc. (HARI) through H.A.R.I. Foundation, Inc. (HFI) rolls out its BIYAHEnihan program in Southern Luzon to support front liners.