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]

Hyundai's continuing its tradition of spending beaucoup bucks shoring up its standing among the import tuner crowd here at SEMA. The company rolled out several tuner show cars based on its Azera (pictured), Tiburon, Entourage, Santa Fe, Elantra, and Sonata models. K Daddyz Kustomz turned the Azera into a drop-bodied urban roller with suicide doors, Accent into a reverse-doored street cruiser and Entourage into a soccer-mom-as-pimp wagon. Helmet painter Troy Lee mimicked his signature paint schemes on a Santa Fe (with scissor doors, natch), Street Customs made the Tiburon and Sonata into typical audio-centric streeters, and David Martin and BP Racing rendered the new Elantra as a race-ready clubsport toy. No word on the cred boost Hyundai received, but one onlooker was overheard describing the cars as "bitchin'." For what that's worth. [Gallery]

Related:
Hyundai Introduces 2007 Accent SE at SEMA [internal]

So does this mean there's no humans who help make the Hyundai Santa Fe? Does this confirm our worst fears — Hyundai's really an auto company created by evil robots determined to colonize the earth by using their SUV's to transform us all into gas-sucking vampires? Or, rather is it just a kind of cute commerical from the folks at the Richards Group, Hyundai's ad agency? You decide.

Related:
Hyundai Releases First Photos of 2007 Santa Fe [internal]

Hyundai's home office posted photos of the company's new, 2007 Santa Fe on its Korean-language Web site; its the first real look we've gotten at the redesigned SUV other than from a spy photographer's viewfinder. According to spies, the 'Bammy-built '07 Santa Fe will get the same 263hp V6 as Hyundai's new Azera luxury sedan, five-speed autobox; and available AWD and third-row seat.

Hyundai Shows '07 Santa Fe, Prices Azera [The Car Connection]

Related:
Spy Photos: Clearly a Hyundai Santa Fe [internal]

While we tipped you off to clear front and rear photos of the '07 Santa Fe a month ago, The Car Connection has some good shots of the new, upsized cute-utes back in their secretive cladding. Still, these photos, shot by the inimitable Brenda Priddy and/or her minions give us a look at the overall shape of the upcoming soft-roader. From what we can see, this new Santa Fe's a vast styling improvement over its overly bulbous predecessor. We've felt for the last couple of years that the only areas in which Hyundai really lagged were in styling and powertrain. Apparently they're doing something about the power problem as well, as the new Santa Fe gets a larger V-6.

Spy Shots: '07 Hyundai Santa Fe [The Car Connecton]

Related:
Spy Photos: Clearly a Hyundai Santa Fe [Internal]

AutoExpress has procured a couple spy shots of Hyundai's redesigned 2007 Santa Fe SUV, showing off its bigger, rounder comportment in wide-angle glory, like Dom DeLuise at a fusilli-eating contest. The new Santa Fe clearly is a product of Hyundai's clean, new styling direction — first seen on the 2005 Sonata — its desire to continue dragging itself upmarket and able corporate stewardship that's serious about playing in the really-big leagues. This one could be a keeper.

Christmas Comes Early For Santa Fans [AutoExpress]

Related:
Spy Photos: 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe [internal]