Hyundai to Unveil Trio of New Vehicles

• i-Blue third generation Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle

• i-30 Crossover Wagon expands C-segment offering

• Veloster sporty coupe concept targets Y-Gen

At the IAA 2007 which opens in Frankfurt on Sept 13, Hyundai Motor Co. will unveil three new vehicles led by the i-Blue Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle which demonstrates the company"s strengthening commitment to the development of environmentally responsible transportation.

i-Blue will be joined by the Veloster, a sporty coupe which caters to the unique requirements of the Y-generation and the i-30 Crossover Wagon (CW), styled at the company's European Design Center in Russelsheim.

i-Blue

Hyundai"s new hydrogen-powered, zero-emission concept, the i-Blue Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) was developed at Hyundai"s Design and Technical Center in Chiba, Japan. The all-new i-Blue platform is tailored to incorporate Hyundai"s third-generation fuel cell technology, currently being developed at Hyundai"s Eco-Technology Research Institute in Mabuk, Korea. pany's European Design Center in Russelsheim.

In keeping with this year"s show theme, "See What"s Driving the Future," which focuses on sustainability and climate protection, the i-Blue demonstrates a significant step towards commercialization of Hyundai fuel cell vehicles. Unlike its predecessors which were built on SUV platforms, the i-Blue features a new D segment 2+2 crossover utility vehicle (CUV) body type.

"The i-Blue is Hyundai"s first-ever model designed from the ground up to incorporate fuel cell technology, marking a tremendous leap forward for our R&D program," said Dr. Hyun-Soon Lee, President of Research and Development. "Our engineering team has successfully designed a more compact fuel cell vehicle, while still realizing the safety, comfort, convenience and driving range of a tradition internal combustion engine vehicle."

Hyundai is making tremendous efforts to reach mass production of hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles a reality in the next decade.

Veloster

Styled at Hyundai"s Design and Technical Center at Namyang, the Veloster (codenamed HND-3) coupe is the third in a series of daring concept cars to be developed by the central styling studio in Korea. The Veloster name, a compound of velocity and roadster evokes the sporty characteristics of a classic two-plus-two. A panoramic glass roof and other futuristic styling cues help project a high-tech image.

Designed to cater to the tastes of the Y-generation, Veloster combines simple, iconic design with good value and robust construction.

"With Veloster, we wanted to try something really different. We"re keenly aware that we need radically new products for the Y-generation, the first-time twenties something buyer," said Oh Suk-Geun, Hyundai"s vice president of design. "This is really a bold new direction," he added.

i30 Crossover Wagon

Following the introduction earlier this year of the i-30 5-door hatchback at the Geneva Auto Show, Hyundai is proud to introduce an extension to the i-30 family, the i-30 CW which marks Hyundai"s long-awaited return to this popular and hotly contested segment in Europe. Like its 5-door hatchback sibling, the i-30 CW was styled at the European Design Center in Russelsheim ensuring that is perfectly in tune with continental tastes.

Source: hyundai.com