Hyundai shows its Blue2 hydrogen-fuel-cell vehicle in Seoul

Hyundai Motor Co. has unveiled a hydrogen fuel cell concept vehicle called the Blue2 that takes the South Korean automaker deeper into alternative-drivetrain territory.

Hyundai is banking on the car to propel it to a leadership role in the race to commercialize fuel cell electric vehicles, a contest joined notably by such Japanese rivals as Honda Motor Co. and Toyota Motor Corp.

The Blue2--read "blue squared"--delivers hydrogen fuel stack power of 90kW (1.65kW/L) and fuel economy of 34.9 kilometers per liter, or about 82 mpg, Hyundai said in a statement.

To bolster fuel economy, the Blue2 is equipped with low-resistance tires and alloy wheels designed to improve aerodynamic performance.

The car made its global debut at this week's Seoul auto show.

Increasingly, Hyundai is moving into next-generation green car technologies after making big strides in improving its standard internal combustion engine lineup with features such as gasoline direct injection.

Hyundai's venture into hybrids and fuel cells comes as it competes globally with similar offerings from rivals such as Toyota and Ford Motor Co.

At the 2010 New York auto show, Hyundai unveiled a hybrid version of the Sonata sedan.

The name "Blue2," Hyundai says, is a combination of Hyundai's sub eco-brand "Blue Drive" and the number "2" from H2, the symbol for hydrogen gas.

By Hans Greimel- Automotive News