Hyundai's Blue Drive at Frankfurt

Blue Drive, Hyundai Motor Co.'s eco-initiative, will move into high gear at the 2009 IAA in Frankfurt. The company has created a special Blue Drive Zone where it will exhibit a wide array of its new eco-friendly technologies and products demonstrating its commitment to lowering emissions and improving the fuel economy of its vehicles.

Among the world debut Hyundai will be exhibiting at Frankfurt include the i10 Electric, a zero emissions urban commuter vehicle, which will see limited series production begin in 2010 starting with the Korean market. It will be sold to government ministries, state corporations and utilities in the first stage. The retail sales date has not been decided. Powered by a 49kW motor and a 16kWh battery, the i10 Electric promises a driving range of 160km and top speed of 130km/h. It features x-by-wire systems for steering, air conditioning, water pump and brake vacuum pump.

Europeans will also get their first chance to see two other important Blue Drive vehicles, which made their world debut earlier this year at the Seoul Motor Show. The Frankfurt Blue Drive Zone will include the Elantra LPI Hybrid which emits just 94g/km of CO2 (European combined mode) and the Blue Will Plug-In Hybrid Electric concept vehicle. The Elantra LPI HEV is the world's first hybrid electric vehicle to be powered by liquid petroleum gas (or autogas) and the first production car to be powered by advanced lithium ion polymer batteries (LiPoly).

A new Blue edition of Hyundai's popular i30, designed in Germany and built in the Czech Republic, will also debut in Frankfurt. It features fuel-saving stop-and-go emissions reduction technology. The i30 1.6 CRDi with ISG generates just 113g/km of CO2.

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Driven: Hyundai i10

Driven: Hyundai i10

I felt a little rushed to word this piece together � that reminder of a phone call and all. Nevertheless, I believe all things happen for a reason and this may be a blessing in disguise for my excessive procrastination of late. Also, I shall be out of town for a hopefully nice drive and to attend an off-coast medical seminar. Honestly I am looking forward to more of the former, what with a rather iconic roadster.

It has been ages since I actually drove a micro-mini. That was when my then girlfriend � and subsequently my missus - had a Perodua Kancil 850EZ. It was a bumpy, shaky and buzzy little box of steel, rolling on four puny wheels. Imagine my enthusiasm when I picked up the Hyundai (aka Inokom) i10 from Hyundai Sime-Darby just last weekend. Nothing at fault with this Korean marque or its reputation, it�s just that I thought I had outgrown such sub-1000cc hatch for close to decade now.

Not knowing the exact engine capacity and the class it belonged to, I just drove it out of Malaysia�s Hyundai HQ in Glenmarie. The first thing that impressed me was the supportive, firmer than average seat with adequate (just) thigh support too! (Front seats better than the �T� marque a few classes up). This little thing also rides with aplomb, with a damping and suspension rebound finesse that even puts the ever-popular Myvi to shame. Well, I must admit was getting hooked there and then. It even take to corners more planted than what you�d expect from a car of this class, with reasonably good feel and weight to the steering. My, how mini hatches have improved over the generations. In fact, this is actually Inokom Atos replacement model but the i10 is more akin to the one-size-up Getz in chassis & platform et al.

There is even a more appealing frontal visage that�s simply neat, cute and modern. What impressed me even more is the dashboard and the centre column mounted gear lever. While the dash may a little drab in monotonous grey, I absolutely like the triple layered execution with different textures materials. Albeit hard plastics, the end defect is far from bargain-basement or el-cheapo. Nice.

The i10 is also spacious for its dimunitive size. You can sit three abreast at the back and it is far from being a tight squeeze. Elbow room at the front is adequate even for my �petite� built. On the go, the i10 feels more Conti-esque than Korean and that�s a good thing considering that some of the local and even Japanese marquees don�t convey such feedback, yet.

Hyundai�s 12-valve SOHC 4-pot engine here may be vocal when stretched and the i10 may be mostly left lane mover - especially if you have slowed down on the way up a gradient - but that�s to be expected from this1086cc lump worth a 66bhp and 99Nm combo. Overall, I find the i10 more convincing than any of the mini hatches from Perodua. Pity that the i10�s RM47k price tag will likely lead to early elimination from many potential buyers� shortlist.

Hyundai i10 in Malaysia now

The i10 5-door hatchback is the latest runabout from Hyundai Motor Company, the world�s fifth largest motor manufacturer. Its distinctive European lines and simple interior have drawn huge response to it, transforming the way people move around today.

Moving around in the i10 is a refreshing experience. The feature-packed i10 answers the needs of today�s motorists in combining safety and functionality with emphasis on minimal operating costs. The i10 passes today�s stringent safety and environment regulations with ease. Occupants are always comforted by the presence of a very strong passenger compartment reinforced by side impact protection. Wide tracks and long wheelbase further contribute to the high speed and cornering stability of the i10.

Behind the wheel of the i10, drivers feel that they are an integrated part of the magnificent new car. All the controls, driver�s seat and surroundings form a very comfortable set-up that makes driving the i10 a highly lovable experience every second on the road. Functional and attractive dashboard with logically located controls makes driving a real pleasure. Even the transmission shift lever is located next to the dashboard for unbeatable convenience.

The unprecedented spacious interior can match that of cars in the larger engine capacity class. Figure-hugging seats offer a truly comfortable experience for the whole family. Foldable rear seats enable the extension of luggage space in a jiffy that even young mothers can do easily to get the pram or that odd pot of plant in.

In launching the i10 in Malaysia, Mr. Dennis Ho, Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors said, �We are very excited about our latest model and addition to our wide range of quality vehicles. The i10 raises the benchmark of minis the world over in general and Malaysia in particular. We are very confident that the i10 will set the trend for others to emulate, especially for the very lucky members of the public and buyers to pick up the right key and even get a chance to visit Korea.�

Initial batches of i10 that came with the choice of either the slick 5-speed manual transmission or seamless 4-speed automatic, have been sold out. Competitively priced at RM48,888.80 OTR for the 4-speed automatically transmission, the i10 is expected to garner a large following in Malaysia as it did in other countries. The i10 continues the real value-for-money packages offered by Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors and is available for booking throughout the country.