GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: New Hyundai Tucson goes hybrid

Hyundai used last week's Geneva show to reveal plug-in and mild hybrid versions of its all-new Tucson, which also showcases a host of new technologies via its Connectivity Cockpit Concept.

Based on the ix35-replacing mid-size SUV that was revealed in Berlin last month and goes on sale in Australia in July, Hyundai says the Tucson 48V Hybrid Concept delivers similar efficiency to a full hybrid for only a quarter of the cost.

At its heart is a mild hybrid system that comprises a 48-volt lithium-ion battery, an electric motor instead of a conventional starter, an inverter and a low-voltage DC/DC converter, together weighing just 20kg.

The Hybrid Starter Generator (HSG) charges the high-voltage battery and is claimed to boost by 10 per cent the power of the 100kW 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine, which is matched with a six-speed manual transmission, while emitting just 109g/km of CO2.

Hyundai says the combined power pack -- in which the HSG boosts the diesel engine's output, restarts the engine "with almost no noise or vibration" and acts as a generator during deceleration to recharge the 48-volt Li-Ion battery -- in the 48V Hybrid Concept delivers "lively performance" of 110kW and 413Nm, and is ideally suited to fitment in larger cars and SUVs.

The Tucson Plug-in-Hybrid Concept, meantime, combines the standard car's 85kW 1.7-litre turbo-diesel and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, with an 85kW electric motor and a 10.7kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, enabling it to drive in pure-electric mode for more than 50km.

The powertrain has a maximum combined power of 135kW and delivers a thumping 474Nm torque, yet emits less than 48g/km of CO2, claims Hyundai, which adds that "the vehicle’s performance capabilities could be increased significantly".

The electric motor is placed at the rear of the car and drives the rear axle, while the diesel engine drives the front axle, allowing it to switch between rear-wheel drive, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive depending on driving conditions.

"For greater driver engagement and choice", the PHEV concept is equipped with a four-mode drive selector, including an ‘Auto’ mode that operates all systems for highest fuel efficiency, ‘Zero Emission Vehicle’ (ZEV) mode that uses only the electric motor (if battery charge is sufficient), ‘4WD’ mode and ‘Sport’ mode.

Also on display in Switzerland was Hyundai's Connectivity Cockpit Concept, which encompasses new technologies including wearable devices, integration of car-generated data, rear-seat child care and 3D-gesture controls, which Hyundai says shows consumers ways they could control and interact with its vehicles in the future.

Paired with the in-car system, a wearable device like a smartwatch can monitor the driver’s heart rate and alertness to recommend rest periods, as well inform the driver about blind-spots, appropriate following distances and navigation details.

Meanwhile Hyundai’s content connectivity feature provides a calendar ‘life-log’ of daily driving activities to deliver integrated information from vehicle, cloud, tablet, smartphone and wearable devices such as POI suggestions by ranking driver preferences.

A rear-seat "child care function" employs a tablet to monitor passengers and children via a mini-camera and dashboard screen, while a fourth new technology is the company’s 3D hand-gesture control system, which employs infrared and camera sensors to recognise driver’s hand commands to select navigation, infotainment, audio, air conditioning and even smartphone connectivity functions.

"While driving, only basic commands will be available, whereas when at standstill and neutral mode the full range of functions will be accessible," said Hyundai. "This intuitive gesture interface provides the driver with a host of controls, while keeping his or her eyes on the road, and demonstrates clearly Hyundai’s future vision for human/machine interface."