Hyundai Blue Drive Focuses on Environment

The Korean automaker used the Los Angeles Auto Show to emphasize its focus on fuel economy and alternative power systems as part of its Hyundai Blue Drive initiative, announcing that it will begin building a gas-electric hybrid version of the next-generation Sonata for the North American market in 2010. 

 

The new Sonata has not yet been seen, but Hyundai did unveil a chassis with the new hybrid system that will power the Sonata Hybrid slated for 2010. Touting a new lithium polymer battery system that the company claims is superior to the other types of batteries currently in use, Hyundai explained that lithium polymer batteries are more durable, weigh less and are smaller for the same amount of storage capacity.

 

The "Hybrid Blue Drive" system combines a fuel-efficient 2.4-liter Theta II engine, a 6-speed automatic transmission and a 30kW electric motor with an all-electric mode and a parallel drive mode. The parallel drive system means that the vehicle can be powered directly by the gasoline engine, by the electric motor only or by both at the same time. Hybrid Blue Drive will be the basis for future hybrid vehicles beginning with the Sonata Hybrid in 2010.

 

Hyundai also made the bold statement that it plans to lead all automotive brands in the U.S. in fuel economy by meeting the National Highway Safety Administration’s mandated fleet average of 35 mpg by 2015, five years ahead of the required date.

 

To that end, Hyundai debuted two high-mileage "Blue" editions of the Accent and the Elantra for the 2009 model year, designed to deliver excellent fuel economy without a significant increase in the price of the vehicle. Blue editions will feature low-rolling-resistance tires, enhanced aerodynamics, revised engine calibrations and reduced final drive ratios to deliver even higher mileage and lower emissions than today’s models.

 

At the Geneva International Motor Show, Hyundai introduced the revolutionary HED-5 "i-Mode" concept car. Today, Hyundai Motor America is announcing that a production version of this compact, spacious, weight-efficient 4-cylinder crossover has been green-lighted for the U.S., with the timing to be announced later. 

 

The HED-5 concept was shown in Los Angeles with an advanced 2.0-liter Theta turbocharged gasoline direct-injection (GDI) 4-cylinder engine capable of developing as much as 286 horsepower, and delivering more than 30 mpg (hwy). This engine will appear in various Hyundai models in the future.

 

Hyundai plans to further expand the Hyundai Blue Drive line with plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).