Hyundai Introduces i-blue Systems at Geneva; Diesel and CNG Applications
05 March 2008
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| The i10 blue offers CO2 emissions of 95 g/km. |
Hyundai Motor Co. is presenting its i-blue systems concept, an optimized combination of currently available technologies (i-blue package) with a completely new engine and a CNG application, at the Geneva Motor Show. The result is a range of technologies, based upon the i10, i10 CNG, i30 and the forthcoming i20, that are engineered to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and that can be applied across existing models.
While the individual models differ in the exact combination of i-blue features, the overall package comprises advances in drag reduction, increased engine and transmission efficiency, and chassis fine-tuning.
The i-blue concept can be thought of as an introduction of features that will naturally evolve in future Hyundai cars. But if distributor, dealer and public demand justifies it, could become a stand-alone eco-dynamic model range. Either way, given the fact that we already produce class leading vehicles in terms of CO2 reduction, for example the current Santa Fe CRDi, it is a practical demonstration of the on-going commitment of Hyundai to both our customers and the eco-sphere.
—Hans van Gent, Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center GmbH
The i-blue package contains:
Aerodynamic improvements. To achieve a reduction in Cd drag coefficient of up to 10%, the i-blue package includes vehicle specific full under-floor streamlining ; aerodynamically optimized wheel housings, front and rear ; and optimized front air intake and rear spoiler.
Powertrain enhancements. Hyundai increases engine efficiency by reducing driveline friction, using low friction oil, and optimizing the cooling system. Injection pressure and engine cycle timing, is altered, along with enhanced exhaust re-treatment rates, and the engine idling speed is lowered. The i-blue vehicles also feature an ECU-controlled gear change indicator.
Micro-hybrid. The i-blue vehicles will use the Bosch Start & Stop micro-hybrid system.
Chassis fine-tuning. Changes include lowering the suspension by 15-20mm; and adopting very low resistance Michelin tires (i30: 205/55 R16) with increased tire pressure.
Transmission. A six-speed manual transmission replaces the older 5-speed, and the ratios of the top three gears are extended. The shift indicator is mounted directly in the instrument display.
The i-blue vehicle range currently includes:
i30 blue. With the 66 kW (89 hp) new 1.6 CRDi diesel engine, the standard i30 5-door emits 125 g/km CO2. With the i-blue package, CO2 emissions are reduced by 15.2% to 106 g/km.
i10 blue. The 55 kW (74 hp) new 1.1 CRDi 5-door already has a low emission level of 114 g/km CO2. With the essential elements of the i-blue package, this can be reduced 17% to 95 g/km.
i10 blue CNG. The bivalent combination of the newly developed 0.8L 3-cylinder turbocharged engine (72 kW/ 97 hp) and a CNG application delivers class-leading CO2 emissions of 65 g/km.
Those are some seriously low CO2 figures ...
Posted by: mahonj | 05 March 2008 at 04:08 PM
Have you seen the exciting electric cars available from Zap? Go to http://www.zapworld.com right now to see what they have to meet your needs. I recommend the Xebra or the Obvio, which do you like best?
Posted by: Jerry Z | 05 March 2008 at 04:11 PM
Nice!
Posted by: GdB | 05 March 2008 at 04:21 PM
The specs look very good on these, but they're just concepts so far. Much will depend on the associated price points, especially for the CNG option. On the other hand, this is a golden opportunity for thy Hyundai brand to earn a reputation for very low CO2 emissions.
Posted by: Rafael Seidl | 05 March 2008 at 06:03 PM
"0.8L 3-cylinder turbocharged engine (72 kW/ 97 hp)"
Now that is getting some serious power output from the high octane CNG with a turbo.
Posted by: sjc | 05 March 2008 at 06:33 PM
97hp from a .8l engine? wonder what the gas-equivalent mpg's are..
how come we can't scale that kind of efficiency up? you wouldn't need a 6-8l V8 for tahoe's and suburbans if you could get 325hp from a 3.5l v6.
not to say i'm for suv's, which i'm not. i've noticed the average number of people per car is close to 1, regardless of the car size. this is the real issue, which is g/co2 per person per mile. some people are putting out a lot more than others.
Posted by: marc | 06 March 2008 at 03:12 PM
Oh yeah, with 120 octane in NG you can pump it up pretty high. The computer knows if your are using NG or gasoline, so there is no problem there. Once the driver sees how much power they get from NG at a lower cost, they will be hooked.
Posted by: sjc | 08 March 2008 at 10:23 AM
La Hyundai I 10 CNG 0,8 litri è la prima automobile che inizierà realmente a rispettare l'ambiente in attesa di fonti meno inquinanti del metano.
Tanto di cappello a Hyundai per quest'auto, credo che sia l'auto della svolta verso l'ecologia.
Mi auguro per la salute del pianeta che quest' auto verrà commercializzata quanto prima, ad un prezzo competitivo di mercato e che abbia un'ottima autonomia.
Mi auguro che Hyundai inserirà anche la futura I 20 CNG con lo stesso motore della I 10 Blue CNG e che altre case automobilistiche seguano il suo esempio, sfornando eco-automobili con la stessa qualità/prezzo/ecologia.
Ringrazio tutti i lettori del blog ed in particolare gli ecologisti veri amanti dell'ambiente e del pianeta Terra!
Nico Simone
Posted by: Nico | 11 April 2008 at 12:00 PM
this is one good car i guess..got to love it..apart from my yamaha raptor 250r, i have another obsession.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 17 August 2010 at 07:29 PM