The latest 100-mpg creation to exit Hyundai headquarters in Seoul is the “Eco-sleek” Blue-Will Hybrid concept, a car whose features foreshadow future plug-in hybrid technology from the Korean company. The Blue-Will showcases a plethora of new ideas, giving the concept an eco-friendly presence as well as environmentally sound fixtures under the bonnet.
Propelled by an aluminum 1.6-liter Gamma GDI engine and a 100-kilowatt electric motor, the Blue-Will pumps out a surprising 152 horsepower (that’s 18 more than the Prius). What’s more intriguing is how the Blue-Will maintains the electric power required to obtain a 40-mile driving range on a single charge. As expected, plugging in the car charges the battery packs needed for propulsion, but what about other battery-powered interior functions? To maximize electric efficiency, the glass panoramic roof is laced with dye-sensitized solar cells whose charge helps power the cabin cooling system. What more, a thermal generator has been fitted to the exhaust manifold, converting heat into electrical energy that powers auxiliary systems.
Hyundai’s design team pulled all the strings with the exterior. The Blue-Will concept exhibits “bold character lines and fluidic sculpture,” which executive vice president of design Oh Suk-Geun says creates, “the perfect expression to the advanced eco-friendly technologies found beneath the skin.”
One look at the Blue-Will and it is clear Hyundai hit the environmental approach dead-on. A futuristic LED panel up front seems to have been taken from the U.S.S. Enterprise, while the sweeping lines running down the side panels seamlessly converge onto an equally defined trunk. Carbon-fiber-reinforced plastics and nano composites built into the side sills, moldings and fenders help reduce weight, while the concept uses PLA and PA11 bioplastics throughout, furthering Hyundai’s environmental focus.
The Blue-Will interior continues the futuristic technological theme, with a “digital flow” felt across each square inch. A Transparent Organic Light Emitting Diode (TOLED) display on the steering column simplifies the dash by eliminating lots of gauges. The center stack has similarly been designed with simplicity and essential functions in mind. Constant feedback on fuel usage and drive efficiency is provided by Hyundai’s Eco-Coach monitoring system. The high-tech touch-screen operates the drive selector and infotainment systems, which include Bluetooth-enabled speakers.
Even if the Blue-Will does not prove to be the exact representation of Hyundai’s future, the advanced technologies introduced by this diesel-electric hybrid will resonate in upcoming models.
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