Hyundai has big ambitions in the motoring world, so perhaps its appropriate that its Frankfurt show stand encompasses such a broad church of ideas, from a new range of compact, low-emissions petrol turbo engines to a bonkers hydrogen fuel cell supercar designed for a video game.
The new engines are probably the most significant exhibit for Irish customers, with a 1.0-litre turbo three-cylinder unit coming in either 100hp or 120hp forms. It’s being shown off for the first time in the new Hyundai i20 Active, an 120 hatchback made up to look like a rugged 4x4.
“The advantages of our new small petrol engines are clear –they are compact and light in weight, fuel efficient and still provide the flexibility to provide our customers with different power outputs. Our engineers have achieved a reduction in fuel consumption and Co2 emissions without compromising on driving pleasure, proving our cars can be frugal as well as fun,” explains Dr. Michael Winkler, Head of Powertrain at Hyundai Motor’s European Technical Centre in Russelsheim.
The new 1.0-litre engine will be a key component of the i20 range, but there’s also a new 1.4 turbo with 140hp and a new seven-speed dual clutch transmission too.
Updated Santa Fe
Hyundai's also showing off an updated Santa Fe which now comes with a new 2.2-litre diesel engine in either 150hp or 200hp forms. The exterior styling hasn't changed all that much (some tweaks around the grille and lights but, hey, why mess with a winning formula?) but there are new safety features including autonomous emergency braking, blind spot monitor and lane change assist, active cruise control as well as an upgraded infotainment and stereo system.
Co2 emissions for the 150hp diesel engine have fallen to 149g/km, depending on what wheels, tyres and trim you go for. They’re still a reasonable 161g/km for the 200hp version.
Hydrogen future
And what about N? N is going to be Hyundai's high-performance and sporting brand, inspired by and using technology from Hyundai's world rally championship campaign. Albert Biermann, Head of Performance Development & High Performance Vehicle Division said, "By revealing this exciting high performance sub-brand N to our customers, we're challenging expectations of the Hyundai Motor brand. Drivers will soon experience the thrills and emotion of our proven motorsport prowess for themselves. Our future model line-up will include performance-oriented and race track-capable cars that will be full of energy. These models are just the start of what we know will be a fast and exhilarating journey for our brand." Eventually, it will become for Hyundai something like M and M-Sport is for BMW – hard-core sporting models alongside lots of sporty-looking add-ons for more conventional models.
Hyundai is publicising this with a pair of striking concept cars – the RM15; which looks a bit like a Veloster coupe but has a mid-engined layout and the mien of a Dakar rally supercar, and the N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo; a mid-engined, 870hp hydrogen fuel cell supercar designed not for the road but for Sony’s Gran Turismo Playstation game. It’s vapour-ware, but rather fun vapour-ware.
Also appearing is a new infotainment system that includes Android Auto (appearing soon in the i40) and a Vision-G concept coupe, with a 5.0-litre 420hp V8 engine and striking styling that previews Hyundai's next-generation Genesis luxury saloon and coupe. Those are cars that are unlikely to come to Europe, but when added to the N-brand, the new downsized petrol engines and the subtle updates to the successful Santa Fe should be enough to keep show-goers busy at Frankfurt.
