Upcoming Hyundai hybrid car to rival Toyota Prius

Hyundai developing a hybrid-only model to rival Toyota Prius and Honda Insight.

According to Hybridcars.com, Hyundai has a brand new electric-hybrid vehicle in the works. Unlike Hyundai Sonata hybrid, the upcoming hybrid car does not share its platform with any other Hyundai vehicle. It’s specific, hybrid-only vehicle that will compete directly to Toyota Prius and Honda Insight.

Hyundai’s upcoming hybrid-only model is expected to adopt many styling cues from Blue Will concept car, which made its official US premiere at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. It will follow the same design direction, but will be slightly toned down, according to Miles Johnson who works as a product public relations manager at Hyundai.

It is not known exactly when does Hyundai plan to bring the car to the market, but Johnson revealed that Hyundai’s new hybrid-only model will be launched ahead of their plug-in hybrid car, which is also in development. “We have also been studying plug-in hybrid technology, which is a bit farther out for us. But the near-term would be a Prius-sized hybrid car,” said Johnson.

In terms of technology, Hyundai’s upcoming hybrid vehicle will likely follow the direction of the all-new Sonata hybrid, which is scheduled hit the dealer floor in late 2010. The hybrid-only model is expected to use Hyundai’s proprietary full hybrid system and advanced lithium polymer batteries, supplied by LG Chem. Hyundai engineers will also pay a special attention to make the vehicle as light as possible to achieve some great MPG numbers.