- Hyundai unveiled its hydrogen-powered Blue2 fuel-cell electric vehicle concept Thursday at the 2011 Seoul Auto Show, saying it "shows a blueprint for future sedans."
- It is noteworthy because it is the Korean automaker's first sedan-style FCEV.
- Hyundai did not disclose production plans for the Blue2, but it appears to be focusing more on hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles at this point.
SEOUL, South Korea — Hyundai unveiled its hydrogen-powered Blue2 fuel-cell electric vehicle concept Thursday at the 2011 Seoul Auto Show, saying it "shows a blueprint for future sedans."
The concept is the Korean automaker's first sedan-style FCEV. Hyundai did not disclose production plans for the Blue2, which it says is read as "Blue Square," but it appears to be focusing more on hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles than pure electric vehicles at this point. Hyundai says that the name comes from a combination of the company's "Blue Drive" and the number 2 from H2, the symbol for hydrogen gas.
The midsize Blue2 concept has a fuel economy of 34.9 km per liter, or the equivalent of 82 mpg, according to Hyundai. It is equipped with a 90kW or 121-horsepower power stack.
Hyundai calls the concept's exterior design "intersected flow." Conventional side mirrors are deleted in favor of side cameras and a roof camera. The cabin gets an asymmetric dashboard and "wider" seats, said the automaker. The infotainment system is operated by a Motion Sensor Moustick, which recognizes the driver's hand movements through sensors.
Other details include a cluster ionizer that freshens the air in the cabin and antibacterial leather seats with leaf-shaped patterns.
Inside Line says: Too bad something like the Blue2 won't reach the market before gas hits $5 per gallon. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Add A Comment »
alex38 says:
06:23 PM, 04/02/2011
Not only is this one of the best looking sedans i have ever seen from Hyundai, but this is among of the best sedan designs I have ever seen.
Personally, I like that it is a bit understated and the lines are fluid and purposeful (tho I would lose that black scar that runs down the back doors into the front door)
If this shows the styling direction of the next Sonata (promising), keep it a regular sedan (this looks like a hatchback?) and perhaps offer a hydrogen model down the road (no rush), but a refined 4-cyl GDI with ~220hp would be impressive.
Simply beautiful profile with short front overhang. Add conventional side view mirrors are you'd have a hot looking sedan. That steering wheel looks amazing. Fantistic effort by Hyundai..
dnoodles says:
01:39 PM, 04/01/2011
forgive me, there is an actual answer to your question. the honda fcx website says that the home fueling station makes hydrogen out of natural gas that is also used to heat your house. so whatever the cost of natural gas is in your neck of the woods would dictate the cost of fueling an fcx.
dnoodles says:
01:34 PM, 04/01/2011
you cannot buy a kg of hydrogen "at the pump" for a honda clarity. a home hydrogen kit is installed when you lease the car. this is one reason why honda is only leasing these. the cost of such a small batch vehicle plus the cost of a home hydrogen set-up is prohibitive to most people (think teslas are expensive? the clarity + hydrogen "pump" makes tesla look like the tata of electric cars). i know that's not an actual answer to your question, but i hope it explains why it's not an answer.
juan_mx says:
08:36 AM, 04/01/2011
@fc_engineer
I somewhat imagined that the km/l and mpg stated were to compare with a gas engine, but my point is that Edmunds should have asked those questions.
What I did not know, was that one kg of Hydrogen is equivalent to a gallon of gas in energy terms, Thank you.
That puts the Honda FCX Clarity at 60mpg (Honda says it runs 60 Miles on one kg of Hydrogen), then this Hyundai is more efficient assuming 82mpg means 82 Miles per kg of Hydrogen.
Do you know what is the price for a kg of Hydrogen at the pump (for a Honda FCX user)?
higcorners says:
08:25 AM, 04/01/2011
Audi Quatro concept rip off?
ttbuyer says:
06:57 AM, 04/01/2011
Handsome car. Rather like an Audi to my eyes (with a bit of SAAB in the rear). Think of it, Audi style without fear of the inevitable catastrophic electrical failures.
thump1 says:
06:28 AM, 04/01/2011
if it was available I would gladly buy, it as my 2002 hyundai elantra w/158,000 needs replacing in the spring 0f 2012
isend2c says:
10:23 PM, 03/31/2011
I Love Hyundai, but this car looks underdesigned. I'm glad to see that they're tinkering with Hydrogen- I believe that that's the way to go.
openeyes1 says:
09:17 PM, 03/31/2011
Finally a new five door design from Hyundai, instead of the butt ugly SUV's that most Americans drive. I can only hope that with this new design, the company will make an effort to design a chassis the overcomes the sloppy handling that's common with many Korean cars.
alex38 says:
06:04 PM, 03/31/2011
Okay, so i actually see a little Saab (roofline/rear pillar of Saab actually like the Nissan GT-R imo) a hint of Toyota Camry (tail end) a touch of Puegeot, some Sonata hybrid (rear bumper)?
Bottom line: so what? How many cars incorporated the Bangle butt when it was first introduced? More than a couple i'd bet.. I don't hear people saying the new Sonata is a "direct rip off of this or that" so it'd be tough to say it's unoriginal.
The reality is that design cues are "borrowed" from other carmakers and for the most part, it's not illegal (tho an argument can be made here..) I'd say Hyundai designs are much less derivative and refreshing to see some thought and detail put into these new products and concepts