Hyundai's Prius-fighter in Australia

Hyundai's hybrid-powered Prius-fighter has been caught on camera in Australia, even though it is still at least a year away from local showrooms.

Two examples were spotted while being transported to Sydney Airport, where they were expected to be air-freighted back to Korea following weeks of local testing.

The Hyundai Elantra LPI Hybrid is the world's first mass-produced, liquid petroleum gas-powered hybrid car.

It was unveiled at the Seoul Motor Show in April 2009 and is due to go on sale in Korea next week.

But Hyundai was still trying to keep the car's presence in Australia a secret because it is yet to decide whether or not to introduce the car locally (more here).

The thinly-disguised Elantras had their hybrid badges taped over, but the rest was there to see.

The Elantra LPI Hybrid is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder Atkinson Cycle engine that runs solely on liquid petroleum gas, as well as an electric motor.

It also has a lithium-ion polymer battery pack, the first of its type in a production car.

Its performance is modest: an acceleration time of 11.5 seconds to 100km/h, slightly below average for the small car class.

It consumes LPG at a rate of 5.6 litres per 100km. By comparison, the two most efficient petrol and diesel cars in Australia, respectively the new Toyota Prius and Mini Cooper D, both sip just 3.9L/100km.

However, once you take into account the cost of the various fuels, the Hyundai comes out in front (see table below), largely thanks to the fact that LPG is currently less than half the cost of petrol and diesel.

Its fuel bill is a little more than half that of a Toyota Prius, and less than a quarter of the cost of Australia's biggest selling car, the Holden Commodore.

While it stacks up well on today's average fuel prices, the cost of LPG is set to increase as the Federal Government gradually increases the tax on that fuel over the coming years.

Nevertheless, Hyundai Australia is keen to sell the LPI Hybrid Elantra locally.

"We are always looking at new opportunities and new technology and this is one of the options we're considering," says Hyundai Australia spokesman Ben Hershman. "It is fair to say we have driven and evaluated the vehicle in Australia. However, at this stage it's not confirmed for Australia and as with any new model the introduction of this vehicle is subject to a feasibility study and discussions with Hyundai Motor Company [Korea]."

Hyundai Australia declined to say what the likelihood would be of the car going on sale here, and at what price.

But the Carsales Network understands it would be at least a year away from local showrooms and priced close to or in excess of $30,000. The most expensive Elantra currently on sale is $26,990 and the Sonata medium car range starts at $27,990.

The Elantra LPI hybrid is part of Hyundai's "BlueDrive" strategy, the name given to any vehicle which has fuel saving technology.

To help the LPI Hybrid Elantra slip through the air more efficiently it has plastic panels that make the underbody smooth, low-friction tyres, and wheels designed with aerodynamics in mind.

Under the "BlueDrive" banner, Hyundai displayed super-efficient diesel versions of both the i10 city car and i30 hatch at the Melbourne motor show in March and is considering importing one or both of those models over the next 12 months.

Hyundai also has an LPG-powered Grandeur large sedan in Australia for local testing, but a decision has not yet been made to sell the vehicle here (more here).

The average consumption of cars in Australia is 7.8L/100km.

Taking into account today's average cost of fuel* Australians spend $28.50 a week on petrol, or $4453 over three years.

Now consider these numbers...

Hyundai LPI hybrid (5.6L/100km): $8.06 per week, or $1258 over three years.
Toyota Prius (3.9L/100km): $14.27 per week, or $2226 over three years.
Mini Cooper diesel (3.9L/100km): $15.09 per week, or $2354 over three years.
Holden Commodore V6 (10.6L/100km): $38.79 per week, or $6052

* Average prices courtesy of Fuel Watch 1/7/09. Unleaded: $1.22 per litre, diesel $1.29 per litre, LPG 48 cents per litre.

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