Hyundai to unveil eco-friendly i30 Blue at Geneva Motor Show

Posted Tue Feb 17 2009 1:58 AM by Kenneth Hall

2009 Hyundai i30 i-blue
The i30 i-Blue will be available in both five-door hatch and wagon bodystyles

Aiming at bringing a practical, production angle to the often outlandish realm of ecological auto show concepts, the Hyundai i-Blue range combines existing technologies in innovative ways to show what can be done to make a green (or blue, if you will) car - today.

By increasing motor efficiency, reducing driveline friction, focusing on aerodynamics, including stop-start ignition, employing low-rolling-resistance tires and lowering the suspension, the i-blue treatment eeks every last bit of efficiency out of the available framework.

Previous examples included i-Blue versions of the i10 minicar and special one-off concepts like the 2007 hydrogen fuel-cell crossover, and now Hyundai has taken the wraps off a new production version in the form of the i30 Blue hatchback, which is set to go on sale in Europe soon after a Geneva Motor Show debut. Both hatchback and wagon versions of the i30 Blue will be available, and customers will also be able to choose between 1.4 and 1.6L petrol engines.

The new model will feature an engine stop-start system from Germany's Bosch, which uses an advanced starter motor connected to the ECU. It is joined by low-rolling resistance tires and a few aerodynamic enhancements. The end result is a 15% reduction in fuel consumption in city driving and a 7% reduction on the highway compared with the standard i30.

Also at the Geneva event will be the new HED-6 concept vehicle, which is supposed to preview the design of the next-generation Tucson SUV.

Reader Comments

  • Tue Jul 22 2008 2:01 AM

    NoNameDenton says

    I wish they would bring that here, make me think about trading in my Ram for a car

  • Tue Jul 22 2008 4:09 AM

    amac says

    I like Hyundai for the simple fact that they're really trying hard to improve and innovate... and their cars aren't half bad looking these days. The new Hyundais don't excite me but they don't turn me off either. They look better than the fugliness that Toyota and Honda have been spewing out lately. The Accord is a mess, the Civic looks like a doorstop, the Camry is I-don't-know-what and the new Corolla looks like... well... looks like the old Corolla. This Hyundai looks very european to me, quite nice.

  • Tue Jul 22 2008 6:47 PM

    james says

    an '06 accord with rounded headlights and a hatch

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