Eco-Technology on Show at Frankfurt 2009

FRANKFURT, GERMANY – September 16, 2009: At the Frankfurt Auto Show, Hyundai Motor Company unveiled two important eco-friendly cars that display its commitment to improve energy efficiency and to lower the greenhouse gas emissions of its vehicles.

Making its world debut was the ix-Metro, a daring new Hybrid Electric CUV, initially slated for the European market. Emitting just 80g/km of CO₂, the ix-Metro is powered by an inline three-cylinder petrol engine displacing just one litre. Direct injection, dual CVVT and turbocharging are combined with a six-speed dual clutch transmission, creating a highly potent compact package. It’s the fifth in a series of concept cars to be created by the Global Design Team in Namyang, Korea.

The other global premiere was the i10 Electric, a production-ready zero emissions vehicle. Powered by a 49kW engine and a 16kW hour battery, the i10 Electric promises a driving range of 160km and a top speed of 130km/h. It features x-by-wire systems for steering, air conditioning, water pump and the brake vacuum pump*. Limited series production will start in Korea in 2010 for pilot fleet demonstration purposes with government ministries, utilities and related agencies. Both vehicles were displayed in the ‘Blue Drive Zone’ of Hyundai’s Frankfurt Show stand.

In his address to the audience which gathered to catch the unveiling of the two concept cars, Hyundai Vice Chairman Euisun Chung said: “Blue Drive is all about bold new thinking, about listening more carefully to what consumers are saying and what they really want. Our declared goal is bold: It’s to be the industry’s eco-leader."

Also in the specially designated Blue Drive Zone were the Elantra LPI Hybrid and the Blue Will Plug-In Hybrid Electric concept vehicle. The Elantra LPI is the world’s first hybrid electric vehicle using liquid petroleum gas (autogas). With remarkably low CO₂ emissions (94g/km), it’s also the first production car in the world to be powered by advanced lithium ion polymer batteries.

A new Blue edition of Hyundai’s highly popular i30 – designed in Germany and built in the Czech Republic – was another highlight of the Blue Drive Zone. Featuring fuel-saving stop-and-go emissions reduction technology, the ISG system contributes to a reduction of seven per cent in fuel consumption and vehicle emissions on the official European combined cycle, compared to standard cars. Tests have revealed a drop in CO₂ emissions of up to 15 per cent in heavily congested traffic.

Visitors to the Hyundai Stand at Frankfurt were the first to get a closer look at the ix35, the European version of the all-new Tucson ix that made its debut in the Korean market last month. Designed in Europe and destined to be built in Europe and Korea, the ix35 is the first production vehicle embodying 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 was the new 2010 Santa Fe, which will provide fresh momentum to the CUV sector. It’s fitted with a 2.2 litre version of Hyundai’s R-series diesel and comes with the option of six-speed auto transmission.