REPORT: Hyundai planning Blue-Will based sporty plug-in hybrid by 2012
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Jul 7th 2009 at 8:59AM 
Hyundai Blue-Will Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
Hyundai's first-ever hybrid automobile for the U.S. market will be based on the redesigned 2011 Sonata midsize sedan, but it certainly isn't the only fuel-saver the Korean automaker has in store. According to Automotive News, Yang Woong-chul, president of R&D for Hyundai-Kia Motors, has reiterated his company's plans to aggressively (if belatedly) enter the increasingly crowded hybrid market.
To that end, Hyundai plans to launch a new sporty plug-in electric car based on the striking Blue-Will concept from Seoul Motor Show earlier this year. Powered by a 1.6-liter gasoline direct-injected powerplant and 100kw electric motor mated up with a continuously variable transmission, the Blue-Will reportedly has a range of 38 miles in EV mode and an overall rating of 55 mpg when the gas engine is in operation.
Expect a similar drivetrain for the production car when it hits the market in 2012 to go up against the upcoming Chevrolet Volt and the plug-in version of Toyota's standard-bearing Prius hybrid. So far, there's no word on expected pricing for the PHEV, but Hyundai says the goal is to 'show its technology and improve its image,' not to make money. Consider our interest piqued.
Gallery: Hyundai BLUE-WILL hybrid concept
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
AutoCritical 9:11AM (7/07/2009)
Cool - I think from the actualized products from Hyundai/Kia, their styling is looking so very promising. At the same time I hope they don't over do it, and that it wont be too forced...(in the images)
I'm also glad that they are also exploring the hybrid direction.
Reply
Vincenzo 9:31AM (7/07/2009)
WTF, is this a joke?
This looks worse than some student clay model ... that never should have been in trans class!! Good luck with this...
I'd rather purchase a white Aztec ...
Platinum_Skeet 11:12AM (7/07/2009)
There should be a law against producing hybrid/electric cars that look like fake,plastic turd...
cm 2:01PM (7/07/2009)
First time I see a whale used as inspiration for a car design
P.V. 9:25AM (7/07/2009)
Nice. Good luck Hyundai/KIA!
Reply
Bobmarley 9:25AM (7/07/2009)
two words...Ugly Ugly
Reply
steve-o 9:30AM (7/07/2009)
HOLy Nagare rip off styling. nice work Mazda.
Reply
jsjs 5:10PM (7/07/2009)
First of all, it's a styling exercise.
Second, Mazda ripped off it's "smiling guppy" look from Peugeot (the 308 and 207).
Anyway, Hyundai already has an LPG hybrid available in its domestic market.
Rocketboy 9:31AM (7/07/2009)
That's even happier than the new Mazdas!
Reply
JDM Life 9:32AM (7/07/2009)
Mazda ?
Reply
Hamud 9:48AM (7/07/2009)
I don't know what kind of drugs they were using when designed that thing.
This is a very ugly thing to look at.
Reply
DP 9:58AM (7/07/2009)
This is great! Can't wait to see this on the road, and 55 mpg on the gas engine! Might have to trade in my Prius for this one...
Reply
tgriffith 11:05AM (7/07/2009)
Hyundai continues to impress! It'll be interesting to see how this compares to the production Nissan EVs.
http://www.cargurus.com/blog/2009/07/06/nissans-ev-gamble-could-fail/
Reply
JOe 11:12AM (7/07/2009)
Hyundai has the trump card both over GM and Toyota in this race. Since Hyundai teamed up with Korean LG to produce Lithium-Polymer batteries. On various tests the Hyundai EV Tuscon blew away all its other competitors based on the performance of the Lithium Polymer battery in the Tuscon. The other companies were Ford and Toyota I believe. They were using Nickel based batteries. You can google EV tuscon Lithium Polymer on Google. I Looked it up myself.
The big thing for Hyundai will be price/performance issues. Since Hyundai is not proven or given any reputation in the auto-industry, it will take serious price slashing and performance wonders to impress the highly harsh but judicial critics and consumers of the Automobile. But, the x-factor is the Lithium Polymer battery. On test and theory, the Lithium polymer will provide better power and improved fuel economy of its competitors. That will not sway most consumers who like Toyota Prius or the GM volt, but if Hyundai can supply the car at 20% discount and with the 10 year/100K warranty, there is not doubt that Hyundai will have a winner on its hand.
Regarding the styling department, I sure hope that Peter Shreyer becomes the Chief designer for both Hyundai and Kia. If anybody can transform Hyundai's image, it is Peter Schreyer. About the picture, expect the actual production model to be toned down significantly. Hyundai is usually conservative with their styling to not offend the mainstream crowd.
If anything, Hyundai should change the badge and name it Genesis already, with the winged logo, whatever. I can think of many more striking logos to befit the Ideals of Hyundai/ Genesis Motors. The Genesis Hybrid sounds much cooler/shic than Hyuuundaaaiiii Hybrid. Get the drift, it is a no brainer. Change the brand name and install a beautiful logo. No more slanted H pleazzze
Reply
Vizel 7:21PM (7/07/2009)
"The big thing for Hyundai will be price/performance issues. Since Hyundai is not proven or given any reputation in the auto-industry, it will take serious price slashing and performance wonders to impress the highly harsh but judicial critics and consumers of the Automobile"
They have the 7th highest brand value in the world in automotive industry... Maybe for the US this is true, as it's one of their smallest markets, but idk, 5 years ago they sold their vehicles on average 15% lower than the Japanese competitors in the US, now they are up to 4% lower (for Hyundai, don't know about Kia).
Who 'Dis? Who 'Dat? 12:32PM (7/07/2009)
Thumbs up on the technology. Thumbs down on the exterior design. The "face" on the concept vehicle is hideous!
Reply
montoym 11:29AM (7/08/2009)
Strange that there's absolutely no mention of the "sportiness" comment made by Hyundai here.
But when GM mentions "handling of a sports car" for the Volt(http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/what-a-car-feels-and-sounds-like-gm-refining-volt-driving-exper), that's all the comments can talk about.
Funny how that works.
Reply
montoym 3:01PM (7/08/2009)
WTF!
I have no idea how this comment got put here. I must have clicked on the wrong Hyundai link when I was posting the comment.
Anyhow, disregard.
montoym 3:02PM (7/08/2009)
Nevermind, I'm losing my mind.