Additionally, Hyundai plans to show off the three-door i20, set to go on sale in Europe during the second quarter of 2009. Of course, we're also told they'll be bringing along the 1.6-liter engined i30 blue.

Hyundai reveals SUV concept car ahead of Geneva Motor Show première

• Computer rendering reveals dynamic styling for compact SUV

• Three-door i20 to debut at Geneva Show

• First application of stop-start technology to be shown on i30 blue

Offenbach, February 09th 2009

Hyundai Motor Company will unveil an all-new concept car at this year's Salon International de L'Automobile in Geneva on March 3rd, and the first image of the vehicle has just been released. This innovative concept portrays a dramatic new look for compact SUVs and was styled at the company's European Design headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany.

The world première of this new concept – codenamed HED-6 – will take centre stage on the Hyundai stand, with two other vehicles completing a hat-trick of debuts for the company. The three-door version of new B-segment challenger the i20 will be shown for the first time on stage, further enhancing the Hyundai small-car offering, while the i30 blue will showcase the first application of stop-start technology on a Hyundai production car, contributing to a significant cut in both fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

HED-6 concept car
Hyundai's European design team has hailed HED-6 as an ‘urban nomad, a car of contrast for a world of contrast', citing cultural influences from major cities like Berlin, Paris and London as key to its creation.

HED-6 combines muscular design and everyday utility to fit comfortably in an urban or out-of-town environment. The dramatic exterior design is enhanced by the hexagonal grille, angular style lines and piercing back-swept front headlamps, with the bold look completed by 21-inch, mirror-polished alloy wheels. The three-dimensional, sculpted shape of the rear window is achieved using "Lexan" high-performance plastics instead of regular glass. To emphasize the dynamic flowing lines, the designers have developed a special ‘Ice Blue' exterior paint, with an advanced pigment effect for a brilliant shine.

Equipped with LED daytime running lights and powered by a 175 HP, 1.6-litre GDi turbocharged engine, HED-6 gives an indication of the next generation of Hyundai SUVs.

Allan Rushforth, Vice President at Hyundai Motor Europe said, "The HED-6 brings an entirely new look to Hyundai's SUV line-up. It fuses a robust exterior with a fresh and elegant interior, making for an eye-catching package, while its latest-generation power train highlights Hyundai's clean-technology expertise."

i30 blue

Hyundai decided on a global basis to label all low emission vehicles to be launched, starting with i30, under the sub-brand "blue". The i30 produced in Nosovice, Czech Republic, will be the first mass production vehicle to wear the blue label as i30 blue.

Demonstrating the company's commitment to lowering vehicle CO2 emissions and reducing costs for consumers, Hyundai brings ISG (Idle Stop and Go) technology to a production car for the first time.

Ideal for city driving, the i30 blue will automatically switch the car's engine off when stationary.

The ISG system uses an advanced starter motor connected to the ECU, which monitors the car's status at all times. Remarkably, this technology applied to Hyundai's 1.6-litre petrol engine reduces fuel consumption by 7% on the official combined cycle, while achieving a lower CO2 rating of 142g/km, compared to 152g/km on the regular i30 1.6.

Available in showrooms by mid-year, the i30 blue will come in both five-door hatchback and CW estate body styles and a choice of 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines. Following in the footsteps of i30, other models in the Hyundai new-car range will progressively be offered with ISG technology.

i20 three-door
Set to play an important role in developing Hyundai's brand and sales success in Europe, the chic and versatile i20 three-door will go on sale in the second quarter of 2009. Adding a lower entry-level price to the i20 line-up, the youthful and sporty three-door variant will boost Hyundai's offering in the largest growing segment in Europe.

-Ends-

Hyundai models to make debut at Paris Motor Show

Six new Hyundai models will make their international debut at this year’s Paris "Mondial de l’automobile". Hyundai Motor Company will use this event to showcase several production – ready vehicles designed and built for Europe, as well as demonstrate its ‘green’ credentials with two innovative concepts, the eye–catching Coupe show – car and the premium sedan Genesis.

Taking centre stage for its World Premiere will be the all–new i20 sub – compact, set to become a best–seller in the European Hyundai range. Also debuting will be the i20 blue concept, the latest model in Hyundai’s i–blue range of advanced low emissions concepts. Alongside the eye–catching i20 will be the luxurious seven–seat ix55 sports utility vehicle, and Hyundai’s eco–friendly Santa Fe as Petrol–Electric Hybrid concept.

All–new i20:
The all–new i20 sub– compact, due to be launched in Europe towards the end of 2008, will be a highly significant addition to the new generation of Hyundai vehicles identified by the ¡i’ prefix. Designed at Hyundai’s European Design Centre in Russelsheim, Germany, the chic new five–door i20 rides on a longer wheelbase than its predecessor model, the Getz, giving the i20 an athletic stance and spacious interior architecture. Featuring Hyundai’s distinctive design motifs ? a bold chrome–topped grille flanked by piercing teardrop headlamps at the front and striking stacked rear light clusters – the i20’s modern lines are further strengthened by neat detailing, including colour–co–ordinated bumpers, sills and wing mirror. The well–packaged interior boasts generous levels of standard equipment.

Kun Hee Ahn. President for Hyundai Motor Europe commented, "The i20 was designed and engineered to meet European tastes and needs. It was built on an entirely new platform and much of the ride and handling development took place on European roads, which has created a firm and agile drive. At HME, we are confident the i20 will succeed in the fast paced sub compact sector, as it offers much more in terms standard equipment, fuel economy, interior space and style than many of its competitors."

i20 blue:
Based on the all–new i20, Hyundai’s latest i–blue car incorporates a number of modifications, further enhancing the standard vehicles’s already–impressive environmental credentials. These improvements are achieved without compromising performance, reliability or driver satisfaction.

Key modifications to deliver a significant reduction in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption include: full–length under floor covers, a 15 millimetre reduction in ground clearance, changes to the front and rear aerodynamics, low rolling resistance tyres and high performance, low friction engine oil.

The i20 blue also runs the extremely efficient 1.4 CRDi diesel engine, which produces 90PS and generates 220 Nm of torque, mated to a six–speed manual gearbox – instead of the car’s usual five–speed unit.

The regular i20 stands out for its incredibly low CO2 rating and fuel consumption and the i20 blue is even more impressive, with just 99g/km and 4.0 litres /100km.

Santa Fe Petrol–Electric Hybrid:
Further demonstrating Hyundai’s commitment to reducing CO2 emissions, the Santa Fe Petrol–Electric Hybrid concept maintains the overall design of the existing Santa Fe, yet is an entirely different vehicle under the hood.

Hyundai engineers have developed a proprietary parallel hybrid drive system, which mates the powerful but thrifty 2.4–litre Theta petrol engine to a six–speed automatic transmission and a 30Kw electric motor powered by Lithium–ion batteries. The result is reduced CO2 emissions of just 148g/km on a combined cycle and a fuel consumption figure of 6.2l/100km.

ix55 sports utility vehicle:
The seven seat iX55 sports utility vehicle will also make its debut in production–ready form on the Hyundai stand at Paris. Based on the successful Veracruz already on sale in the North American market, the ix55 has been extensively re–styled and re–tuned to match European requirements and driving styles.

Its evocative design is complemented by the all–new, advanced 3.0–litre V6 CRDi turbo diesel engine, which delivers 240 HP and will accelerate to 100km/h in just 10.4 seconds, while returning excellent fuel efficiency of 9.4L/100km on the combined fuel cycle and emitting 249g/km CO2.

The seven–seat iX55 is a flexible and functional vehicle. When not in use the 3rd row seats can be folded flat, creating a huge cargo space of 598 litres (VDA) or, for even more luggage room, both of the rear rows of seats can be folded flat to provide 2,457 litres of space.

[Hyundai via WCF]

While the new 80mph speed limit went into effect in Tejas last week in time for Memorial Day travel, the big rig boys are being held to 70mph on the Lone Star State's rural Eisenhower roads. Stop, children, what's that noise? It's the sound of black Trans Am sales spiking from Fort Stockton to Ozona.

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