Hyundai Showcases New Thinking At The 2011 Seoul Motor Show

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – April 5, 2011: Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea’s largest automaker, showcased its latest `New Thinking’ on products, technologies and services to the world at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show, which opened yesterday under the theme of ‘Evolution, Green Revolution on Wheels.’

Hyundai unveiled its latest eco-friendly creation, the Blue2 (read as “Blue squared”) concept vehicle, the company’s first sedan-style Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) powered by hydrogen. The automaker also introduced its first petrol-hybrid vehicle, the i45 Hybrid, to its home market. Most importantly, Hyundai applied its new brand direction, “New Thinking. New Possibilities.” throughout its exhibition, including a customer-oriented booth design, engaging and entertaining displays and cutting edge future technologies.

“Hyundai’s goal is not to be the biggest car company, but the most loved. We want to be a reliable partner to our customers, supporting their happiness, rather than a company that pursues its own interests,” said Steve S. Yang, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company. “We will ceaselessly introduce world-class products of the best quality to overcome the difficult market environment and turn it into an opportunity, while modestly listening to the voice of the customer,” Yang said. In particular, Hyundai will focus on “improving quality, creating new values through new thinking, and developing advanced eco-friendly technologies to contribute to a greener society,”

Blue2
Hyundai Motor staged a world premiere of its new concept car, Blue2 (codenamed HND-6), a mid-size FCEV which shows a blueprint for future sedans. The name ‘Blue2’ is a combination of Hyundai’s sub eco-brand ‘Blue Drive’ and the number `2’ from H2, the symbol for hydrogen gas.

Aiming at gaining early leadership of the FCEV market, Blue2 is powered by a fuel cell electric system delivering power of 90kW(1.65kW/L) and fuel economy of 34.9km/L. The Blue2 is materialised in a sporty and luxurious style, a combination of futuristic, flowing designs and eco-friendly features. The Blue2 is equipped with low-resistance tyres and alloy wheels which are designed to improve aerodynamic performance, while the car’s interior design encompasses a futuristic look by using eco-friendly new materials.

Hyundai’s concept keywords for the exterior design are ‘Intersected Flow,’ featuring innovative and dynamic designs. The vehicle’s condition is visible via unique and futuristic images on the exterior of the car through outside LED screen panels, which are located on both the front and rear of the car. Blue2 also features a welcome system which recognises the driver, while an automatic opening door system further enhances driver convenience. Conventional side mirrors are replaced by side cameras and a roof camera, offering a state-of-the-art driving environment.

The exterior designs flow inside the vehicle, with asymmetric- dashboards and doors to optimise driver’s convenience and add emotional value. Wider seats enable passengers to get in and out of the vehicle with ease.

Hyundai combined the cluster and centre fascia, applying an advanced Transparent Organic Light Emitting Diode (TOLED) monitor and ultra-light tempered glass, called Gorilla® Glass, providing more accurate and vivid graphic information. The infotainment system is operated by a Motion Sensor Moustick, a haptic wheel and motion sensor that respond to the driver’s touch and hand movements, respectively, giving drivers a new experience.

Blue2 aims to satisfy all the senses of future drivers, including the air they breathe: a cluster ioniser freshens the air inside the vehicle, while antibacterial genuine leather with leaf-shaped patterns, called ‘eco-graphic perforation,’ enhances an eco-friendly look and feel.

i45 Hybrid
Hyundai also unveiled its first petrol hybrid model, the i45 Hybrid, to its home market. The i45 Hybrid, which made its world debut at the 2010 New York International Auto Show, also encompasses Hyundai’s new thinking, as Hyundai developed the world’s first full parallel hybrid system and applied lithium-ion polymer batteries to a hard type hybrid model for the first time in the world.

Equipped with a Nu 2.0 Hybrid engine, a six-speed hybrid automatic transmission and a 30kW hard type hybrid electric motor, the i45 hybrid delivers a peak output of 188HP (engine: 148HP, electric motor: 40HP) and the best fuel economy in its class at 21.0km/L (All specifications limited to the Korean market).

The i45 Hybrid, which is based on Hyundai’s best-selling mid-size sedan, differs from the petrol model with its dynamic `hexagonal grille.’ The vehicle also has an `Eco Guide Gauge’ on its cluster to help drivers build more economical driving habits. The i45 hybrid will go on a sale in the Korean market in the first half of this year.

i40, Curb, and In-Vehicle Technologies
Along with Blue2 and the i45 hybrid, Hyundai introduced i40, a mid-size wagon exclusively developed for the European market, which made its world debut at Geneva in March. In addition Hyundai displayed Curb (codenamed HCD-12), a compact Urban Activity Vehicle (UAV) concept unveiled at Detroit in January. Curb, targeted at the next generation of Hyundai buyers, is also a test bed for future Hyundai in-vehicle connectivity technology.

In order to promote its advanced eco-friendly technologies, Hyundai built a ‘Blue Drive Zone’ at its booth, which displays its first Full Speed Electric Vehicle (FSEV) BlueOn and its electric bicycle ECCOV. Hyundai’s most advanced powertrain technology will also be on display - some for the first time - including its six-speed DCT (Dual Clutch Transmission) and eight-speed auto transmission, as well as its 1.6 Gamma Turbo GDi, Nu 2.0 GDi and Nu 2.0 CVVL (Continuously Variable Valve Lift) engines.

The ECCOV (Eco Community Vehicle), introduced at Geneva in March, boasts a maximum speed of 30 km/h and can travel as much as 50 km on a single charge in electric mode.

A total of five new future in-vehicle technologies introduced at the 2011 CES early this year were also on display: Smart Connectivity System, which allows drivers to connect their smart phones and tablet PCs with the vehicle; Motion Sensor Moustick, which recognises the driver’s hand movements through sensors to control the car’s audio and navigation system; Dynamic Cluster, an LCD gauge and information system that is driver-customisable; Car Browser System and Web Platform, a fully functional Internet terminal; and Multifunctional Safety Vision System, a four-camera, 360-degree view around the vehicle.

New Thinking for Customers
Hyundai’s ’new thinking’ could be seen in its motor show stand. By reversing the conventional thinking that motor shows are for cars, Hyundai delivered a new concept that motor shows are for ‘visitors,’ which means everything should be designed to maximise their enjoyable experience.

Hyundai’s new booth enables visitors to comfortably view the cars, while the entire space on the second floor of the booth is used as a lounge where customers can relax and enjoy a view of the whole booth. Hyundai is also providing FCEV Hyundai shuttle bus services to and from the car park to the exhibition hall. Staff members at the booth will provide product information using tablet PCs.

As part of its efforts to evolve from simply an auto manufacturer that provides transportation, to an automaker that creates an enjoyable auto culture, Hyundai presented its virtual-driving Veloster game machine, as well as a 4D theater showing ‘Robocar POLI,’ a 3D animation for children presented by Hyundai Motor, Roi Visual and EBS.

Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Co. has grown into the Hyundai Motor Group which has ranked as the world’s fifth-largest automaker since 2007 and includes more than two dozen auto-related subsidiaries and affiliates. Hyundai Motor, which has six manufacturing bases outside of South Korea, sold approximately 3.6 million vehicles globally in 2010. Hyundai vehicles are sold in 186 countries through some 5,300 dealerships and showrooms.