Hyundai to reveal Blue-Will plug-in hybrid at Seoul show

By Chris Chilton

First Official Pictures

25 March 2009 14:15

Hyundai will reveal the Blue-Will, a dramatically-styled plug-in hybrid coupe, at the 2009 Seoul Motor Show that employs state-of-the-art lithium ion polymer batteries.

The Blue-Will concept is powered by a direct injection 1.6-litre petrol mated to a CVT transmission. A battery pack mounted together with the fuel tank under the rear sat ensures cabin and luggage space doesn’t suffer and clever solar cells mounted in the glass roof panel generate power for the battery but don’t limit visibility through the glass pane

Although the swoopy bodywork with its mixture of smooth curves and sharp intersecting hint at a future design direction for Hyundai, there are no plans to put the Blue-Will into production.

The drivetrain though goes on sale this summer. Unfortunately it’s only going into the Elantra, a car so dull we’d gladly welcome drowning at the hands of a rising sea level rather than drive it.

By Chris Chilton