New Hyundai Blue2 Fuel Cell Concept Debuts at Seoul Motor Show

The 2011 Seoul Motor Show that runs in South Korea from March 31 to April 10 plays host to the world premiere of the all-new Hyundai Blue2 concept study. The name ‘Blue2’, which is read ‘Blue square’, is a combination of Hyundai’s sub eco-brand ‘Blue Drive’ and the number `2’ from H2, the symbol for hydrogen gas.

Codenamed HND-6, the prototype is Hyundai’s first sedan-style Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV). The four-door saloon is powered by a fuel cell electric system that delivers a stack power of 90kW or 121HP and fuel economy of 34.9km/ℓ (of hydrogen, of course), which is equal to 82mpg US and 2.9lt/100km. The concept is also equipped with low-resistance tires and alloy wheels which are designed to improve aerodynamic performance.

Aside from the fuel-cell powertrain, the Blue2 sedan also hints at a possible direction for the South Korean firm’s next design language, albeit in a futuristic form.

The car’s interior styling continues the futuristic look of the exterior and comes packed with features such as a unique infotainment system operated by a Motion Sensor Moustick, a haptic wheel and motion sensor that respond to the driver’s touch and hand movements, respectively.

The dashboard has an asymmetric design while Hyundai added that it used a variety of eco-friendly materials.

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More than 280,000 Hyundai Elantras Recalled Over Air-Bag Problems

Hyundai has issued two separate recalls for its Elantra sedans over air-bag related problems. The first action covers approximately 95,783 Elantras from the 2007-2008MY manufactured from July 14, 2006, through August 29, 2007. In this case, the air bag control module may receive an unstable electrical signal from the seat track position sensor and cause the driver's airbag to deploy at a higher pressure than intended. To fix the problem, the South Korean firm’s dealers will reprogram the air bag control module free of charge.

The second Elantra recall affects around 188,697 cars from the 2007-2009MY built from July 14, 2006, through November 1, 2008. Hyundai said that the weight sensor that deactivates the right frontal airbag when occupants of certain weights occupy the seat may become contaminated and malfunction causing the airbag deploy in crashes in which it should not deploy. Hyundai said it will take care of this issue by installing a protective cover over the weight classification system connector to prevent contamination.

Both Elantra recalls are expected to begin during April 2011. Concerned owners of the affected models may contact Hyundai's customer assistance center at 1-800-633-5151

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BMW, Hyundai and Renault Donate for Japan Earthquake Relief

After Japan’s local automakers, foreign car companies are also rallying to support people affected by the earthquake and the tsunami that hit the Asian nation on Friday. BMW has offered an emergency aid worth €1 million ($1.4 million) destined for the treatment of traumatized children, emergency aid and reconstruction work. The money will be split evenly between the international non-profit organization “Save the Children” and the Japanese Red Cross.

“We are deeply moved by the horrific suffering in the affected regions. During this difficult time, our thoughts and sympathies are with the Japanese people,” said Dr. Norbert Reithofer, CEO BMW AG. BMW has also encouraged its employees to show their solidarity with the victims of the earthquake by contributing to the two campaigns.

Another foreign company that has announced its help to the people of Japan is the Hyundai-Kia Group. The Korean conglomerate will donate to the Japanese Red Cross 100 million yen ($1.3 million) to assist the recovery efforts. The money will be used to cover immediate needs such as food, water and blankets. Hyundai's chairman Mong-Koo Chung sent condolence letters to Japanese business partners to express the company's sympathy and wishes for an early recovery.

Nissan's partner Renault also launched an emergency campaign to help those hit by the disaster. The company will donate €500,000 ($700,000) to the Red Cross and will enable its willing employees to make donations. Renault also promised to match the amount of money raised by the company’s employees. The money raised will be used to provide food, drugs and other vital supplies for people in the affected areas, as well as to pay for medical treatment and to organize blood donations.

"I am deeply touched by the spontaneous support shown by Renault employees for their colleagues at Nissan and, more widely, for the Japanese people,” said Carlos Ghosn, CEO Renault and Nissan. "The solidarity shown today in this tragedy demonstrates the strong ties between our two companies,” he added.

By Dan Mihalascu

Hyundai’s Model Naming Conventions: From 0 to Fubar in Just 4 Years

Hyundai is one of the world’s biggest automakers, and the most visible of South Korea’s business and industrial acumen. So you would think a company that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of Toyota and pre-bailout GM would be pretty consistent with its model naming conventions, right?

Well, not exactly. When Hyundai first launched the i30 hatchback in Europe, Australia and other markets, it seemed that familiar nameplates such as Elantra and Sonata would soon be dead and buried. Not so. In fact, the i30 CW (basically, the station wagon version of the i30), is still sold in the U.S. as the Elantra Touring.

And there's another thing. When the “i” and “ix” naming convention was introduced by Hyundai, it seemed to me that the “i” names would be for cars and the “ix” for the brand’s SUVs. This too was not to be. In Australia, the Hyundai Sonata is sold as the i45 and the upcoming ix20 is a B-segment MPV, not a mini SUV.

So what gives, Hyundai? Why can’t you keep the names internally consisted? Audi never had this problem. A’s for cars and Q’s for SUVs. Oh, I forgot about the TT and R8. Damn it, guys! It can’t be that difficult to stay consistent. It irks me, as I’m a pedant and a stickler for uniformity.

So that’s my two cents. We now return you to your regular scheduled blog.

By Tristan Hankins

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Hyundai Drops New i40 Mid-Size Estate at the Geneva Motor Show [Gallery and Video]

Making its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, is the estate version of Hyundai’s all-new, Europe-specific D-segment model, the i40. Designed and engineered at Hyundai’s R&D headquarters in Russelsheim, Germany, with European buyers in mind, the i40 will fill the gap left by the outgoing Sonata model in the South Korean automaker's range and will compete against the Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat. A four-door sedan version will be introduced this year, with most bets going towards the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show in September.

The i40 Estate will go on sale across Europe in the summer with engine options including a 1.7-liter turbo diesel emitting as little as 113 g/km of CO2 and a 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline unit. Strangely, Hyundai has not yet released any other details on the i40 series. When the Koreans decide to share, we'll post an update. In the meantime, scroll down to check out the gallery and a video from Hyundai's Geneva Motor Show booth.

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