Hyundai i20 i-Blue concept car will make it to production
Hyundai i20 i-Blue concept car is expected to make it to production in 2010…
The all-new Hyundai i20 has been seen making its successful worldwide public unveiling at the Paris Auto Show back in September 2008. Also debuting at the stand in Paris was its less polluting “sister” model, the i20 i-Blue concept car, the latest model in Hyundais i-Blue range of advanced low emissions concept cars.
At first glance the i20 i-Blue concept looks just like a normal i20 hatchback but closer look at technical specifications reveals that it incorporates many modifications and enhancements (mainly hidden under the “skin”) over the standard i20 hatch.
The “i-Blue” package features revisions to the i20s powertrain efficiency, chassis and aerodynamics, to deliver a significant reduction in fuel consumption and gas emissions. It offers all this without compromising vehicles performance, reliability and driver satisfaction.
Key modifications to deliver a significant reduction in CO2 emissions and include: full-length under floor covers, reduction in ground clearance, changes to the front and rear aerodynamics, low rolling resistance tyres and high performance, low friction engine oil.
The i20 i-Blue concept is powered by the all-new diesel engine with the displacement of 1400ccm. A state of the art 1,4L Crdi diesel engine generates 90 horsepower and a class-leading tourque of 220Nm.
Instead of a standard five-speed manual gearbox, the i20 i-Blue concept features a six-speed manual unit, which, together with its frugal diesel engine, delivers an outstandingly low fuel consumption of only 3,75l /100 km and CO2 output of just 99 grams per kilometer. With such low figures, the i20 i-Blue concept sets new standards for the sub-compact car segment.
As already mentioned, the i20 i-Blue performance is not affected by any means and numbers provided by Hyundai show a very respectable (but not record breaking) top speed of 176km/h and a 0-100km/h time of around 13 seconds.
The most noticeable change from the drivers perspective is the application of a ISG (Idle Stop&Go) system made by Bosch. The ISG system automatically switches the engine off when the car is stopped in traffic and restarts the engine instantly when the driver wishes to move again.
In typical city driving conditions, with heavy traffic and constant stop-start motoring, the ISG system can cut the fuel consumption and emissions by up to 15%.
Another step away from standard i20 variant represents advanced aerodynamics and drag coefficient reduction. Both contribute to the vehicles remarkably low emissions and fuel consumption statistics.
Concepts ground clearance has also been reduced by 15 millimeters, while the application of Michelin Energy low-rolling-resistance tyres also helps to improve the vehicles performance.
The i20 i-Blue concept car has been confirmed to make its way into production and join other Hyundais wearing an i-Blue nomenclature. At the Paris Auto Show Hyundai has not given any dates when exactly the production ready i20 i-Blue is about to hit the European markets, but our sources say first cars should be available at Hyundai dealers by the summer of this year. [Source: Hyundai]
