The Korean car manufacturer, Hyundai, may not have a plug-in hybrid car in its garage right now but it is set to release its first by 2012. The car will be derived from the DNA of Hyundai’s Blue Wil concept which took spotlight in the Seoul Auto Show. Hyundai is eyeing to compete with the Volt of Chevrolet and the next generation of Prius from Toyota. The Blue-Will has a 1.6L gas power plant under its hood assisted by a 100 kilowatt electric motor. The Korean car producer also boasts of its technology for the production of lithium battery.
Hyundai will be the first in the auto world to utilize Ion Lithium Polymer for mass produced cars.
The net mileage for the Blue-Will is 106 mpg with pure electric power bringing it 38 miles away. The gas fueled engine can also contribute about 55 mpg if needed. The car also has solar panels mounted on its roof to help in charging the car’s battery.
Aside from the efficient fuel usage, the Blue-Will boasts of headlamps made from recycled soft drink bottles. Plant extract materials were also preferred over the usual fossil fuel derivatives for the engine cover.
Hyundai does not have an official release with regard to the price of the Blue-Will. The Volt is expected to have a sticker price of around $40000.
According to Hyundai executives, their primary goal in releasing the Blue-Will is not for profit but for technology showcase to convince the market to buy and drive their cars.
