Eco-friendly i30 Blue makes Hyundai’s
Blue DriveTM concept a production reality

Offenbach, April 07th 2009:

A new derivative has joined Hyundai’s successful i30 range, as the first examples of the i30 Blue today rolled off the production line at the company’s factory in the Czech Republic. Fitted with the innovative ‘Idle Stop and Go’ (ISG) system, i30 Blue offers reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and is the first model to be launched under the company’s Blue DriveTM eco-initiative.

The i30 Blue models will be built alongside the regular i30 at Hyundai’s modern production facility in Nošovice, Czech Republic.

Identical in appearance to the regular i30, the super-efficient i30 Blue – equipped with the 1.6-litre ‘Gamma’ petrol engine – will improve fuel efficiency by seven per cent on the official combined cycle. Moreover, the ISG system will reduce CO2 emissions from 152g/km to just 142g/km.

“The i30 Blue marks the launch of our Blue Drive strategy to develop affordable environmentally-friendly vehicles, and ISG will soon feature in other models across the range. Our market share in Europe has increased significantly in 2009, and i30 Blue will further boost our standing – European consumers are increasingly asking for lower-emissions vehicles with reduced running costs. Blue Drive will introduce a number of clean-tech solutions that improve fuel efficiency and minimize emissions,” explained Allan Rushforth, Vice President for Hyundai Motor Europe.

ISG technology is ideal for driving in busy urban areas, where there is a constant need to stop and start. The clever system automatically switches the engine off when traffic is at a stand-still, then restarts, without delay when the driver wishes to pull away.

Connected to the starter motor, the ECU uses various sensors positioned throughout the car, which detect when it is appropriate for the engine to turn off. The engine immediately restarts in the time it takes the driver to select first gear.

“We anticipate that the new i30 Blue will be particularly well received in the European markets where taxation systems are linked to CO2 emissions. What’s more, this model – and future vehicles developed under Blue Drive – will help to lower Hyundai’s corporate carbon footprint,” added Mr. Rushforth.

The first i30 Blue models will arrive in showrooms in May. Customers have a choice of 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines with both five-door hatchback and CW estate body -styles.