| Hyundai At Geneva | ||
 |
||
|
(Tue 02 Mar 10) The main news from Hyundai at this year's Geneva Show is the introduction of low-CO2 "blue" models in the four ranges.
The first to go into production, at the end of 2010, will be the i10 blue. Thanks to various aerodynamic and powertrain adjustments, it will have a CO2 rating of 99g/km, putting it below the threshold for VED tax payments in the UK. The i20 blue (pictured) and i30 blue will be launched in 2011, and they both manage 98g/km (or 99g/km in the case of the i30 estate). Why does the smallest car have the equal "worst" emissions? Well, while the i20 and i30 use turbo diesel engines, of 1.4 and 1.6 litres respectively, the i10 has a one-litre petrol unit. Petrol engines are inherently more thirsty than diesels, but diesels are not popular in cars as small as the i10. It all makes sense really. The blue version of the new ix35 SUV can't match these figures, but it does have impressively low CO2 emissions of 135g/km. Like the i10 blue, it will go into production towards the end of this year. Another ix35 at Geneva emits no CO2 whatever, but since it uses a hydrogen fuel cell rather than a conventional engine it's still some way from being ready to go on sale, though Hyundai does say that this car represents "another step closer to the commercialisation of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles". The i30, meanwhile, has had a very minor facelift to bring it in line with Hyundai's corporate identity, and the upgraded models will benefit from a "Triple5" package which includes a five-year warranty plus roadside recovery for the same period.
Looking further ahead, Hyundai has also created a concept car called the i-flow, which is also being displayed at Geneva. Technically this is quite a radical machine. It's a diesel hybrid, and therefore unlike any car currently on sale (though Peugeot will be first to market with a diesel hybrid version of the 3008) with a 1.7-litre twin-turbo engine operating in conjunction with an electric motor. The i-flow is also, in Hyundai's words, "a test bed for new energy harvesting ideas, ranging from flexible solar panel roofing to a thermo-electric generator which uses exhaust heat to produce power". More than that, it gives a hint of a future Hyundai design language, and in particular points to a D-segment (mid-sized) family car due to be launched early next year. Comment on this story on Facebook or Twitter. |
