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Hyundai has unveiled three new models to a European audience at the 2011 Salon International de L'Automobilein Geneva. All three cars encapsulate the spirit of Hyundai's new brand slogan, 'New Thinking. New Possibilities.' - which itself have been launched in Europe.
Making its world premiere at the show, Hyundai's all-new, Europe-specific D-segment model, the i40, takes centre stage. The i40 was designed and engineered at Hyundai's R&D headquarters in Rüsselsheim, Germany, to meet the exacting demands of European retail and fleet buyers. It is being unveiled in tourer form at the Show.
With the i40, Hyundai sets out to make premium quality accessible to everyone, in line with its'modern premium' philosophy. A number of features on i40 are not yet available on some competitor cars, including heated, folding rear seats; an auto-defog system that automatically detects and clears mist on the windscreen; and a heated steering wheel.
Furthermore, the i40 demonstrates Hyundai's commitment to global leadership in eco-friendly technology, with its 1.7-litre 'U-II' diesel engine emitting as little as 113 g/km of CO2 - a best-in-class figure. In addition, the 'Nu' 2.0-litre petrol engine makes its debut, delivering higher torque for enhanced driveability, improving fuel economy, reducing emissions, and providing greater refinement and durability compared to the outgoing 2.0-litre unit.
The industry-leading Five Year Triple Care assurance package comes as standard on i40, featuring a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty, five years' roadside assistance and five years of vehicle health checks.
The i40 was joined on the Hyundai booth by the new Veloster, the company's groundbreaking all-new three-door coupe that made its European debut. The Veloster features a unique 1+2 door configuration, which includes a rear door on the passenger side for greater useability, giving safe and easy access to the spacious interior without compromising the style and aesthetics of the coupe form.
The Veloster redefines the sports coupe segment, with its unparalleled combination of real-world practicality, sporting looks and cutting-edge technology. With Hyundai's new six-speed double-clutch transmission and an efficient 1.6-litre GDI engine, the Veloster has CO2 emissions of just 132 g/km, completing the car's innovative package.
Another model making its European premiere was the Curb concept. Codenamed HCD-12, thecompact Urban Activity Vehicle (UAV) features next-generation styling influenced by Hyundai's 'fluidic sculpture' form language. The Curb serves as a test bed for future Hyundai Blue Link™ telematics technology, offering a broad range of connectivity options, and runs a 1.6-litre, 175 PS petrol engine.
Hyundai also showcased the latest products to be developed under its Blue Drive sub-brand, further demonstrating the company's efforts to minimise its global corporate environmental impact. The ix35 FCEV is Hyundai's third-generation fuel cell electric vehicle that includes a 55% improvement in driving range, a 15% increase in fuel efficiency and an 80% reduction in manufacturing costs compared to the previous generation. These enhancements help the SUV to cover 650 kilometres on a single charge.
Another Blue Drive innovation on the Hyundai booth was Sonata HEV, the company's first full hybrid, that was developed entirely in-house by Hyundai and includes several technical firsts. The Hyundai BlueOn, powered by an innovative 16.4 kWh LiPoly (lithium-ion polymer) battery, was also on display. Advantages of Li-Poly battery power include 30% less weight, 40% less volume, and 15% increase in efficiency compared to other competing technologies. Its maximum power of 81 ps (61kW) and maximum torque of 21.4 kg/m (210Nm) carry the BlueOn to a top speed of 130 kph.
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