Hyundai

The Hyundai Nuvis concept previews a hybrid system that will go into production on the 2010 Sonata sedan, and its styling indicates what the new Santa Fe will look like, says John Krafcik, acting president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America.

 

"That’s a couple of years out," he said, referring to the new Santa Fe. "And it obviously won’t look exactly like the Nuvis," but elements of the design will carry through.

 

The Nuvis concept was designed to look as if it’s in constant motion. For inspiration, designers studied things like the way water flows around a boat and creates a wake and the way wind shapes a snowdrift. Arcing lines on the exterior show evidence of this, as does the wavelike blue acrylic instrument panel that flows from the dashboard through the center of the vehicle.

 

The new Hybrid Blue Drive system uses lithium-polymer batteries that are more powerful than the nickel-metal hydride batteries currently being used. They’re also safer and more durable than next-generation lithium-ion batteries still under development, Krafcik said.

 

Another advantage of the lithium-polymer batteries is that they can be molded and formed to different shapes, which makes them more space-efficient and opens up new possibilities for packaging hybrid systems. On the Nuvis, the batteries are under the trunk floor.

 

The Hybrid Blue Drive system pairs a 30-kilowatt electric motor with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission.

 

The Hyundai Nuvis features huge swing-up doors. "When you approach the Nuvis, it welcomes and invites you in," said John Krsteski, Hyundai design manager. Designers included four seats with "business-class" comfort, rather than trying to cram in as many seats as possible.

 

Recycled and low-weight materials were used in the interior to lessen the vehicle’s environmental impact. The seat fabric is made entirely of recycled soda bottles.

 

The Nuvis is the 11th concept car to be designed at the Hyundai’s design center in Irvine, Calif.