Hyundai: We’re going after Prius and the Volt with the plug-in in 2012
Hyundai’s never been too afraid of calling out its competitors with its latest vehicle onslaught. With the Hyundai Genesis sedan, the Korean automaker made sure everyone knew that they were targeting the Lexus LS and the BMW 7-Series – with the Genesis Coupe they made sure everyone knew they were targeting the Infiniti G37 and the BMW 335i.
Come 2012, Hyundai plans to have a plug-in hybrid on sale in the United States and their going straight after the Toyota Prius and the Chevrolet Volt.
“We’re going after Prius and the Volt with the plug-in,” Yang Woong-chul, r&d president of Hyundai-Kia Motors told Automotive News.
The plug-in hybrid will be based on the Hyundai Blue-Will Concept shown at the Seoul Motor Show in April. The concept is powered by a direct-injected 1.6L engine mated to a CVT transmission and a 100kw electric-motor, which is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. It can travel 38 miles on battery power alone and can return a fuel-economy rating of 106 mpg in plug-in mode and up to 55 mpg in hybrid-electric mode.
Next year, Hyundai will have its first hybrid on U.S. roads with the mid-sized Sonata sedan.
Hyundai BLUE-WILL Concept:
– By: Omar Rana
