Where we stand: September 2010
South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai has emerged as the world’s fourth largest automaker on units sold; is considered the world’s fastest growing auto manufacturer; and is already the world’s largest automaker based on profit.
With such excellent credentials it’s no surprise that Hyundai is also leading the green car charge having announced its intention to introduce a number of hybrid electric vehicles; slashing the fuel consumption of existing models; and it even plans to introduce a fuel cell model.
Hyundai today
Hyundai first made in-roads into the green car market in 2004 when it supplied around 3,000 hybrid Getz and Accent small cars to government fleets as part of a testing programme.
Its progress with hybrid cars has been gradual as it wasn’t until November 2008 that the company continued its push in the sector by announcing the hybrid electric Sonata at the Los Angeles International Auto Show. The model will be released soon in North America.
Since then, Hyundai has undertaken several hybrid vehicle projects using what it calls Hybrid Blue Drive, which use lithium-polymer batteries as opposed to the lithium-ion batteries that are becoming commonplace in the industry. It began producing the Elantra LPI Hybrid (known as the Avante in local markets) which was launched in its home country of South Korea in July 2009 (see article). It is the world’s first hybrid electric vehicle with an internal combustion engine powered by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Two new vehicles also made their debuts at motor shows earlier this year. At the Detroit Motor Show in January, Hyundai revealed the plug-in hybrid electric Hyundai BLUE WILL (see article); and at the Geneva Motor Show unearthed the i-flow concept, which uses the BLUE-WILL hybrid system (see article). The latter has a 1.7litre twin-turbo diesel engine with electric batteries, achieves a fuel economy rating of 78mpg and is scheduled for production in 2011. It is a compact saloon car for the D-segment and boasts a host of technologies from BASF including lightweight materials and solar cells.
Greenest models on sale:
The following are the greenest models of all Hyundai cars available now in the UK:
Hyundai i10 – Greenest Model: Classic 1.2 petrol five-speed manual with combined mode fuel consumption of 57.6mpg and CO2 emissions at 119g/km.
Hyundai i20 – Greenest Model: Style 1.4 CRDI 90ps six-speed manual with combined mode fuel consumption of 67.3mpg and CO2 emissions at 111g/km.
Hyundai i30 – Greenest Model: Classic 1.6 CRDI 90ps six-speed manual with ISG has combined mode fuel consumption of 67.3mpg and CO2 emissions at 110g/km.
Hyundai i30 Estate – Greenest Model: Comfort 1.6 CRDI 115ps six speed manual with ISG has combined mode fuel consumption of 62.8mpg and CO2 emissions at 119g/km.
Hyundai Sonata – Greenest Model: 2.0 CRDI six-speed manual has combined mode fuel consumption of 47.1mpg and CO2 emissions at 159g/km.
Hyundai Grandeur – Greenest Model: 3.3 V6 with combined mode fuel consumption of 27.7mpg and CO2 emissions at 245g/km.
Hyundai Matrix – Greenest Model: 1.5 CRDI five-speed manual with combined mode fuel consumption of 54.3mpg and CO2 emissions at 136g/km.
Hyundai ix35 – Greenest Model: Style 2.0 CRDI six-speed manual with combined mode fuel consumption of 51.4mpg and CO2 emissions at 147g/km.
Hyundai Santa Fe – Greenest Model: Five seats 2.2 CRDI six-speed manual with combined mode fuel consumption of 41.5mpg and CO2 emissions at 176g/km.
Hyundai i800 – Greenest Model: 2.5CRDi manual transmission with combined mode fuel consumption of 33.2mpg and CO2 emissions at 225g/km.
No official information available for the Hyundai iLoad.
Hyundai tomorrow:
The company has outlined a goal to achieve a corporate average fuel economy of 50mpg among its passenger cars and light duty trucks by 2025 (see article). Central to achieving this goal will be the introduction of a new Blue range of vehicles, each with CO2 emissions below 100g/km (see article). The first cars receiving the Blue tag will be the i10, i20, i30 and ix35 with a number of innovative environmental technologies introduced such as its idle stop and go system (ISG); improved aerodynamics and lower rolling resistance.
At last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Hyundai revealed a new hybrid electric CUV concept for the sub B-segment known as the ix-Metro that keeps CO2 emissions at a meagre 80g/km. It will be powered by an inline three-cylinder 1.0litre petrol engine with direct injection and turbo charging. In addition, Hyundai will also introduce an i10 Electric model that will initially be sold to governments, utilities and state corporations and boasts a driving range of 99miles and a top speed of 81mph (see article).
Finally, Hyundai is planning to introduce a fuel cell version of the ix35; and a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle by 2012 (see article).
