MIMS: Hyundai gets the blues

While the striking Genesis Coupe (more here) is set to attract the lion's share of attention at Hyundai's motor show stand in Melbourne, the company is also pushing its new 'Blue Drive' program. The sub-brand is designed to showcase Hyundai's work in reducing fuel economy and emissions.

The first two examples of the technology are on display at the show in the form of an i10 and i30 that feature a number of changes over the standard car. Hyundai has made changes to the packaging, aerodynamics, powertrain, chassis and transmission.

Hyundai claims the changes to the i30 reduce the CO2 emissions by over 15 per cent to 106g/km compared to the regular 1.6-litre diesel level of 125g/km. Fuel economy is reduced to from 4.7L/100km to 4.1L/100km. In the i10 the Blue Drive technology reduces the emissions for the 1.1 diesel engine from 114g/km to 95g/km. Hyundai didn't revealed fuel economy details for the i10 Blue Drive.

But these models won't go on sale. Instead Hyundai is using the cars simply to demonstrate its capabilities.

"The primary purpose is to showcase what we can do as a company," says Kevin McCann, Director of Sales and Marketing for Hyundai Australia.

McCann said the company was happy with the role its CRDi turbodiesel models were doing but revealed it was looking at the future.

"The next step from that, logically, is some sort of hybrid," McCann says.

Hyundai doesn't currently offer a hybrid anywhere in the world but McCann said there were several options under review including LPG, diesel and petrol hybrid powertrains.

Also on display at the MIMS is the new i30cw Wagon that is due to go on sale in March. Priced from $20,890 the i30cw range will share the same engine options as the hatch with a 1.6-litre CRDi diesel and a 2.0-litre petrol available.

"The i30 hatch is a huge success for Hyundai in Australia," says McCann.  "The new i30cw will appeal to both fleet and retail customers, especially those families who require the extra space a wagon offers, but without the associated running costs of a large SUV."

The other new offering from Hyundai was the i20 (more here).

Visit the Carsales Network again for our launch review of the new i30 Wagon.

Also read our 2009 Melbourne motor show overview