Hyundai Blue Will (HND-4) concept preview
This is the all-new Hyundai HND-4 plug-in hybrid concept
As I mentioned yesterday, the upcoming Seoul Motor Show will be the place where Hyundai will be debuting its latest concept car named HND-4. The HND-4 concept has been developed in Hyundais R&D center in Korea and integrates Hyundais latest hybrid and designing know-how.
The HND-4 is a plug-in hybrid car which is powered by a combination of the 1.6L four cylinder engine and electric motor. The 1.6L gasoline engine is equipped with GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) technology and generates 154 horsepower.
The concept car is also equipped with the lithium polymer battery pack, which is capable of meeting full vehicle speed and acceleration performance while driving the car electrically for up to 64 kilometers (40 miles) without a single drop of gas used.
While developing the HND-4, Hyundai engineers have paid a special attention to keep the cars weight as low as possible, therefore the concept features several light-weight body components made of carbon fiber.
One of the not-so commonly seen car feature applied to Hyundais latest show car are also solar cells embeded to the sunroof glass, that generate electricity used to boost the battery range and power the ventilation system when the ignition is off.
Hyundai HND-4 concept will make its official public debut at the 2009 Seoul Auto Show, which kicks off next week.
UPDATE: Hyundai released an official press release for its brand new Blue Will concept
Hyundai has revealed the first pictures of an innovative plug-in hybrid concept car. Due to be revealed at the Seoul Motor Show which opens on April 2nd, the “BLUE-WILL“, has exceptionally advanced technology crammed inside its striking bodyshell.
Recycled PET soft drink bottles were used to make the material for the headlamp bezels while use has also been made of bio-plastics: PLA for the interior while PA11 was specified for the engine cover. These materials are made from plants extract rather than fossil fuels and are bio-degradable.
The BLUE-WILL concept is powered by an all-aluminium Gasoline Direct Injected 1.6-litre engine which is coupled to a Continuously Variable Transmission and a 100kw electric motor which is at the heart of Hyundai’s parallel hybrid drive architecture.
Electric power, stored by a Lithium Ion Polymer battery pack, is neatly bundled with the fuel tank under the rear seat to maximise luggage space.
Hyundai Blue Will gallery (high resolution images):
Hyundai will be the first automaker in the world to apply Lithium Ion Polymer in a mass production vehicle when the Elantra LPI Hybrid goes on sale in Korea in July this year.
A further expression of the concept’s design flexibility is found on the panoramic roof. The glass area integrates dye-sensitized solar cells which can generate power for the batteries from the sun without impeding visibility.
Further details of the Hyundai Blue Will concept will be revealed at a press conference on Hyundai’s stand at the Seoul show.
March 25th, 2009 at 10:37 am
is it just me or the rear tail lamp looks a little like Insight ??
March 25th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Nice, but not to nice.
March 25th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
It does look like a mix between Prius, new Insight and old insight… but better!
March 26th, 2009 at 4:16 am
Is that and Accent or Elantra hint? Or that new Hybrid ony car Hyundai is Planning?
March 26th, 2009 at 6:57 am
the only thing that makes it remotely even resemble an insight is the fact that the rear has that weird high back tailgate with 2 windows…which the insight stole directly from the prius. looks good but whats with carmakers thinking hybrid-onlys have to look weird and awkward (and the same)?! the insight (old one too!) is a joke.. looks like a prius that got a front and rear facelift done by ford.
March 26th, 2009 at 9:27 am
Smoke: This is not related to any existing cars and doesn’t foretells any of the upcoming Hyundai vehicles (Accent or Elantra), except of the new plug-in hybrid.
March 26th, 2009 at 4:02 pm
styling cues from this car should be carried over on to future models. This face has to be the next-gen Hyundai face in my view.
March 26th, 2009 at 11:39 pm
I like this car, It is the the nicest looking Hybride made yet. I think the Solar panels are a unique and sensible addition. This car is very green. I think that this car looks more sporty that green though unlike the Insight and the Prius. Oh and Buzzg07, Honda was the first to use the ’second rear window’ They used it on their Second generation CRX which was in 1998. They then used the same rear detail in the first generation 2 door Insight in 2000 which ran unchanged until 2006. The Toyota Prius was first introduced with a trunk from 1997 till 2003. They changed to the hatch version with second window in 2004 till their last revision for 2009 where they carry over the design. Apparently because the batteries tend to be in the trunk area for these cars, the line of sight though the rear window is reduced because the trunk floor is raised; so I get the feeling more 4 door compact Hybrids will look like this if they want cargo room… and make the car save to reverse. But I think this is the best looking of the 3.
March 27th, 2009 at 5:23 am
Yeah your probably right admin.
March 30th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
Good looking car, not the best, not the worst , just good
March 31st, 2009 at 1:41 am
Interesting lines to say the least. May take time for me to warm up to it but I actually see a hint of Honda CRX in the tail end..
But clearly, it is not a rip-off of the Insight or CRX.. There is enough substance here to call it unique..
April 4th, 2009 at 1:37 am
It believe it actually has some of the technology that was going to be found in the Eliica which I have no idea why that vehicle never hit mass production. It actually has some of the styling as well but doesn’t have the 8 wheels.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:43 am
futuristic car concept suitable as city car