Hyundai will be rolling out the green carpet this year at the Paris Motor Show, with the unveiling of its i20 and Santa Fe Blue Hybrid. While Hyundai has already released one image of its new i20, the Korean automaker has kept the wraps on the Santa Fe Blue Hybrid – until today.
Technically dubbed the Santa Fe Blue Hybrid Concept, the hybrid SUV is more a lightly disguised pre-production model rather than a show car. Underhood, the Santa Fe hybrid uses Hyundai’s new hybrid drivetrain, which pairs the automaker’s Theta 2.4L four-cylinder with an electric motor. That electric motor generates 41 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque, which should give the Santa Fe a little more pep to go along with its increased fuel economy, which is rated at 38 mpg in the European cycle. Power is routed through a six-speed automatic transmission.
Of note, Hyundai says the Santa Fe Blue Hybrid’s drivetrain will serve as the basis for all future Hyundai hybrid models.
The Santa Fe Blue Hybrid also utilizes a number of other fuel-saving measures, such as low-roll resistance tires, low-friction crankcase oil, engine stop/start and electrically powered steering.
Battery power is supplied via a lithium-polymer battery pack – which is expected to be the first of its type to market. Hyundai claims the lithium-polymer has several advantaged compared to a lithium-ion battery, including cheaper production costs and better wear over the life of the battery.
Hyundai will bring a hybrid version of its Elantra sedan to the Japanese market next July, although the hybrid Santa Fe likely won’t be far behind.
09/26, 5:04 PM
posted by:
howsmydriving
And what about the Kia Soul???
09/26, 5:16 PM
posted by:
autonut
Blue was considered gay color. Is this the color of progress?
09/26, 6:11 PM
posted by:
A4
only you would know that autonut
09/26, 7:22 PM
posted by:
tastyorange
Blue was considered gay color.
when?
I hope I wasn’t wearing blue that day… or maybe I do?
09/26, 8:54 PM
posted by:
elviososa
Blue is gay??? wahhhh….Autonut…you must be an insider to know it the first hand.
09/26, 9:04 PM
posted by:
JoshyLofty
blue is gay? uhhhh since….? anyways would EU 38MPG be any diff from US mpg?
09/26, 9:27 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
That’s news to me…
Anyways, nice concept, if your going for a hybrid you’ve got to check out the crossover segment. Ford Escape, Saturn VUE, and now this, all post some of the best savings of any hybrid.
09/26, 9:39 PM
posted by:
jayjc08
And yeah, 38 mpg in Euro cycle I believe is different than US. Theirs is something like… city, and then extra city.
09/26, 10:19 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
I’m as guilty as anyone of slagging Kiundai in the past, but they sure have their collective you know what together these days. Outside of building a pickup or a supercar, there isn’t much they don’t appear ready to tackle- and who knows, just give it time.
09/26, 10:23 PM
posted by:
projectzr1
Purple and rainbows (especially rainbows. not so much purple anymore) are considered gay colors today.
09/29, 11:10 AM
posted by:
tastyorange
what about orange? damn… I DO NOT want to be gay…
please tell me what color I should have…
09/29, 11:19 AM
posted by:
JoshyLofty
color… is a color… it doesn’t mean you’re gay or not gay. get over yourselves. not just you guys… america. whoever started that stupid stereotype. and “rainbows” is not a color. thats a series of colors. Truth be told, half the people that designed the car you all drive is probably gay. i read a lot of random books and read that in one recently. their point was cuz no straight man can be creative enough so they leave it to the gays. so i would stop bashing them since you’re praising their work so vividly.