International 1695828c1 Kit on 2040-parts.com

Hyundai Suicide ‘Advert’ causes a rumpus

It’s not easy advertising your wares and finding the right balance between mainstream and innovative to capture attention, as Hyundai has found out to their cost with an ‘advert’ for the hydrogen powered ix35 FCEV which, rather distastefully, depicts a man trying to commit suicide by running a hose from the tailpipe to the cabin before realising he can’t achieve his aim as the FCEV’s only emissions are water. It’s a proper cock-up from Hyundai – usually so sure-footed with their PR – but, despite Hyundai US putting the blame at the door of Hyundai UK, there’s more to this suicide ‘advert’ than meets the eye. It seems the suicide video was put together by Innocean – a European Ad Agency owned by Hyundai’s Chairman Chung Mong-koo and his daughter, and responsible for much of Hyundai’s marketing output – and was a clumsy attempt to gauge reaction to the somewhat macabre take on the benefits of an FCEV.

The Stig revealed!

‘Black’ Stig got the sack when he was revealed as F1 hopeful Perry McCarthy (who lives just down the road from our office) and was ceremoniously dropped from the Top Gear frolics by being jettisoned off an aircraft carrier. So what will the boys have in store for ‘White’ Stig now his identity has been revealed as….? Ben Collins.

Bertone announces latest motor show special

Bertone has revealed it will give a new one-off concept its world premiere at the upcoming Geneva motor show. There is next to no information – not even a name – about what we can expect from the Italian carrozeria's latest offering, and all we have to work from is the 'teaser' image of the car's profile. We'll be live at its official unveiling with more details and images, so keep an eye out for our dedicated Geneva show live site.