Hyundai to Debut ix-Metro Hybrid Concept and i10 Electric Vehicles at Frankfurt Show
04 September 2009
| The ix-Metro is a hybrid-electric CUV for the European sub-B segment which promises CO2 emissions of 80g/km. Click to enlarge. |
Hyundai will stage the world debut of the ix-Metro—a new hybrid-electric CUV concept for the European sub-B segment which promises CO2 emissions of 80 g/km—at the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show. The other world debut Hyundai will be making at Frankfurt is the i10 Electric, an electric urban commuter vehicle which will see limited series production beginning in 2010 with the Korean market.
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, 1.0-liter gasoline engine. Direct injection, dual CVVT, turbocharging are all combined with a six-speed dual clutch transmission.
| The i10 Electric will debut in Frankfurt. Click to enlarge. |
Powered by a 49kW motor and a 16 kWh battery, the i10 Electric promises a driving range of 160 km (99 miles) and top speed of 130 km/h (81 mph). It features x-by-wire systems for steering, air conditioning, water pump and brake vacuum pump.
The i10 Electric will be sold to government ministries, state corporations and utilities in the first stage. The retail sales date is not decided.
Europeans will also get their first chance to see two other Blue Drive vehicles, which made their world debut earlier this year at the Seoul Motor Show. (Earlier post.) The Frankfurt Blue Drive Zone will include the Elantra LPI Hybrid which emits just 94 g/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 (or autogas) 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. 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 which will provide fresh momentum to the CUV sector. It is fitted with a 2.2 version of the all-new 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 also debut in Frankfurt. It features fuel-saving stop-and-go emissions reduction technology. The i30 1.6 CRDi with ISG generates 113 g/km of CO2.
I think cars like this should be allowed in the US, and allowed here now.
As long as it meets requirements regarding oxides of nitrogen, CO and unburned HC, people who are into being Green should be allowed to have this car even if its not safe enough to satisfy the emotional needs of intellectuals for more and more crashworthiness for other people's cars.
Let's say the Hyundai ix-Metro doesn't offer as much crash protection as cars that aren't as Green. There will be risk of injury to the driver and whoever's riding with him or her, if an accident occurs.
Motorcycle riders voluntarily take risks like that all the time. Why shouldn't four-wheelers be allowed to as well, as long as they understand the risk?
Posted by: Alex Kovnat | 04 September 2009 at 03:00 AM
Why shouldn't it be safe, and able to pass crash tests?
It is not a NEV, but a full-blown car.
Posted by: Davemart | 04 September 2009 at 05:06 AM
Let's admit that US crash tests are biased.
They cost $50,000,000 per model, which new auto firms can't afford.
They favor and force vehicles to be heavier and bulkier than necessary.
Such an unsustainable policy could foster SUV's, pickup trucks, and even bankrupt companies on taxpayers.
Posted by: kelly | 04 September 2009 at 07:19 AM
Crash tests have always been biased to limit or ban imports. Added protection for the driver and passengers is an unavoidable secondary effect.
Posted by: HarveyD | 04 September 2009 at 09:50 AM
"Added protection for the driver and passengers is an unavoidable secondary effect."
Sounds like a two mile per gallon, 70 ton M1 tank would be just great.
Posted by: kelly | 04 September 2009 at 02:15 PM
Still wonder how the very small Smart managed to pass those tests.
Posted by: HarveyD | 04 September 2009 at 04:06 PM
Its alot easyer for a small car to do well in a crash test then it is for the same car to do well in a real life car accident.
Posted by: wintermane2000 | 04 September 2009 at 06:39 PM
Careful design and advanced materials can make an extremely safe small car.
Even a one thousand pound F1 race car drivers often survive 120+ mph crashes.
Posted by: kelly | 05 September 2009 at 08:16 AM
Good progress by Hyundai, though it would be nice to know what fuel economy these vehicles achieve.
Posted by: Will S | 08 September 2009 at 06:39 AM