Three new vehicles to be shown as Hyundai continues to advance in Europe
Chris Bernius -
CleanMPG - Sep 27, 2012
The Hyundai ix35 (Tucson in North America) appears equipped with a Fuel Cell powertrain.
Hyundai has revealed three world premieres at the Paris Motor Show: its latest Europe-focused production car, the New Generation i30 (Elantra GT in North America) three-door; its all-new motorsport contender, the rally-ready i20 (Accent in North America); and the ix35 (Tucson in North America) Fuel Cell, ready for lease by public and private fleets. These new vehicles demonstrate the Hyundai commitment to providing high quality innovation in Europe now, and in the future. Sounds like the same strategy that has served so well in North America!
The New Generation i30 three-door extends the appeal of Hyundai's "made for Europe" C-segment range to an even wider audience, thanks to its new and more dynamic styling. Designed and engineered alongside its five-door and wagon siblings at Hyundai's European Technical Centre in Germany, the newcomer is the first Europe-focused three-door C-segment car from Hyundai. New design elements are visible from every angle, from the new front and rear fog lamps, to a new-look mesh grille, to a sharply raked beltline and a sportier rear. The three-door retains the same high levels of quality and equipment, along with the clean and efficient powertrains as the rest of the New Generation i30 family.
Hyundai's rally-ready i20 model highlights the brand's dynamism and performance pedigree. As with previous participation in the WRC series with the Accent, the rally-ready i20 is equipped to meet the rigorous FIA specifications required to compete in today’s WRC competition and heralds a return to motorsport for Hyundai.
Signaling Hyundai's commitment to a clean and sustainable future, the production-ready ix35 Fuel Cell debuts at the show. Sporting a visual make-over and technical upgrades, including a 24 kW lithium-polymer battery and 100 kW fuel stack, it has a range of 588 km. Hyundai will begin series production of ix35 Fuel Cell December this year with fleet deliveries beginning in 2013.
Senior Vice President and COO of Hyundai Motor Europe Allan Rushforth commented, "The Paris Motor Show is one of the major events on the European automotive calendar, so it is fitting that we have chosen this event to premier three major new vehicles from Hyundai. Each demonstrates an important element of the Hyundai brand, and together they reaffirm our commitment to Europe and its citizens – both today and in the future."
"New Generation i30 three-door is the newest member of our truly European i30 family. With the rally-ready i20, we are prepared to take on the most technologically diverse challenge for an automotive manufacturer, proving our engineering excellence and helping to inspire future road-going models. Finally, the ix35 Fuel Cell is a clear demonstration of Hyundai's commitment to a sustainable future which embraces viable, zero-emission powertrains," he concluded.
Certainly, the most interesting of the trio is the Fuel Cell "Tucson". And lessons learned on these production models over the next couple of years might just find an application in the avenues and highways of North America. We will have to wait and see.
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