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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.
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