Frankfurt Preview: Hyundai goes Blue (Drive) with ix Metro and i10 Electric
Hyundai ix Metro - Click above for high-res image gallery
We've already seen a mini-preview of the Hyundai ix35 that will be on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show in a few weeks, but we're arguably even more interested in the concept vehicles that the company is teasing today. The ix Metro and the i10 Electric will be in Germany to show off the Korean automaker's Blue Drive eco-efforts.
The ix Metro, above, a gasoline-electric hybrid with C02 emissions of just 80 grams-per-kilometer will make its world debut at the IAA. The amazingly low emissions, especially for a CUV, are the result of a small, 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine with direct injection and turbocharging mated to a six-speed dual clutch transmission that works with an undescribed battery to move the vehicle.
The i10 Electric (pictured after the jump and in gallery below) is a zero-emission version of the standard i10 city car that uses a 16 kWh battery and a 49kW motor for a 100-mile range. Using household 220V charging, the automaker says that the battery can be fully charged in five hours. Hyundai indicates that the BEV is production-ready and will go on sale in its home market in the second half of 2010.
In addition, Hyundai will also bring the Elantra LPI HEV and Blue Will Plug-In Hybrid Electric, both previously displayed, to Frankfurt, as well as the Euro version of the redesigned Tucson called the ix35. We'll have more live from the show floor on September 15th.
[Source: Hyundai]
PRESS RELEASE:
HYUNDAI'S ECO-INITIATIVES MOVE INTO HIGH GEAR AT 2009 IAA
* Blue Drive products and technologies to lower CO2 emissions
Blue Drive, Hyundai's eco-initiative, will move into high gear at the 2009 IAA in Frankfurt. The company has created a special Blue Drive Zone where it will exhibit a wide array of its new eco-friendly technologies and products demonstrating its commitment to lowering emissions and improving the fuel economy of its vehicles.
Centre stage is reserved for the world debut of the ix-Metro, a daring new Hybrid Electric CUV for the European sub-B segment which promises CO2 emissions of just 80g/km. The fifth in a series of concept cars to be created by the Global Design Team in Namyang Korea, the ix-Metro is powered by an inline three-cylinder petrol engine displacing just one-litre. Direct injection, dual CVVT and turbocharging are all combined with a six-speed dual clutch transmission to make for a highly potent compact package.
The other world debut Hyundai will be making at Frankfurt is the i10 Electric, a production-ready zero emissions vehicle which is set to go on sale in Korea in the second half of 2010. Powered by a 49kW motor and a 16kWh battery, the i10 Electric promises a driving range of 100 miles and top speed of over 80 mph.
The vehicle accommodates dual recharging cycles: a 220V household current which is slower but potentially advantageous if recharging is done during off-peak hours when utility rates are lower and a 415V industrial-strength current which promises quicker recharging speeds. Under the quick cycle, the battery can be recharged to within 85 percent of its capacity within 15 minutes. Under the normal cycle using a 220V household current, 100 percent power will be attained within five hours.
Europeans will also get their first chance to see two other important Blue Drive vehicles, which made their world debut earlier this year at the Seoul Motor Show. The Frankfurt Blue Drive Zone will include the Elantra LPI Hybrid which emits just 94g/km of CO2 (European combined mode) and the Blue Will Plug-In Hybrid Electric concept vehicle. The Elantra LPI HEV is the world's first hybrid electric vehicle to be powered by liquid petroleum gas and the first production car to be powered by advanced lithium ion polymer batteries (LiPoly).
Hyundai is also using the occasion of the Frankfurt show for the European unveiling of its ix35, the European version of the all-new Tucson which made its debut in the Korean market earlier this month. Designed in Europe and to be built in Europe, the ix35 is the first production vehicle expressing Hyundai's new "fluidic sculpture" design language. It's fitted with the all-new R 2.0 diesel and six-speed automatic transmission.
Also on display will be the updated Santa Fe. It is fitted with a 2.2 version of the all-new, highly efficient R diesel and comes with the option of the new six-speed automatic.
A new Blue edition of Hyundai's highly popular i30, designed in Germany and built in the Czech Republic, will debut in Frankfurt. It features fuel-saving stop-and-go emissions reduction technology. The i30 1.6 CRDi with ISG generates just 113g/km of CO2.
Hyundai will stage its press conference Sept. 15th at 2pm at the Hyundai stand in Hall 6.
Get a WordPress.com Blog
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
vespid82 1:03PM (9/04/2009)
Looking at the front end, I honestly thought this was a Mazda concept before I read the title...
Reply
bwzd7p2 1:26PM (9/04/2009)
Mazda, huh? I was thinking more of a Pixar design. Regardless, sho' is fugly. Face only a mother could love and even then only if mom is an Accord Crosstour.
zamafir 2:02PM (9/04/2009)
I wonder how much honda paid them to take the attention of the crosstour.
nm... the crosstour is a production car... this abomination is just a concept
Rich 1:04PM (9/04/2009)
It's a shoe!
Reply
AMcA 5:44PM (9/04/2009)
Wow - Hyundai has obviously developed a heavy-duty nuclear-powered ugly stick with which to beat its concept models.
Rich 7:18PM (9/04/2009)
Huh? Which Hyundai are *you* talking about? Not this one obviously...
Rich 7:19PM (9/04/2009)
Oh crap, I just saw the blue one.
Hamud 1:06PM (9/04/2009)
The design is exaggerated even for a concept.
Reply
John 1:22PM (9/04/2009)
Metro- now there's a name that conjures up awesome images of great small-car motoring!
/sarcasm
Reply
Danimal 1:24PM (9/04/2009)
http://people.ee.duke.edu/~drsmith/cloaking/predator.jpg
Reply
m 1:45PM (9/04/2009)
Oh great. More headlight housings that stretch from the grille to the windshield. Just what we all wanted.
Reply
Hamud 1:47PM (9/04/2009)
We will soon have a system that starts upfront as a headlight and ends at the back as a taillight, on a single piece...
Mark R 1:45PM (9/04/2009)
With the trend in styling pushing the headlights backward down the fenders, at what point with the brake lights and headlights become one?
Reply
Mark R 1:46PM (9/04/2009)
With the trend in styling pushing the headlights backward down the fenders, at what point with the brake lights and headlights become one?
Reply
Hamud 2:04PM (9/04/2009)
My point exactly on my post right above yours.
Mark R 1:47PM (9/04/2009)
Sorry about the double post.
Reply
futurama 2:08PM (9/04/2009)
iX metro's design is not consistent with Hyundai's latest concept and design theme.. is this just an exercise or a new direction?
I hope it's just an exercise.
Reply
bwzd7p2 10:41PM (9/04/2009)
Just an exercise I'm sure. Thankfully the HCD-5 Crosstour had no real influence on production models and I'm thinking this won't either.
http://www.hyundai-blog.com/index.php/2009/02/25/hyundai-hcd-5-crosstour-a-wacky-concept-car/
Geo 2:09PM (9/04/2009)
Geed, VERY good. One more automaker is releasing Plug In Hybrid electric in 2010, the number grows with Toyota, Honda, Nissan and BMW on the path for the same schedule (some earlier, some a little later in the year)
My simple question is:
What will the stupid GM do with that big mouth about the 230mpg(stupidity) Chevy Volt.
Many people wrote here: GM is again a couple of years late. It is not needed in 2010 @ $45K (with everything) it was needed in 2005 @ $30K . I completely agree!
How will GM battle the segment in already fierce competition? They will not! The "Audi Guy" was so right yesterday - the Volt, at that price, at that time will be a car for idiots ...
Reply
Farmboy 2:11PM (9/04/2009)
Nice lines. A little bubbly-looking for my tastes though.
Reply