Blue Drive, Hyundai’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.

Centre stage is reserved for the world debut of the ix-Metro, a daring new Hybrid Electric CUV for the European sub-B segment which promises CO2 emissions of just 80g/km.

The fifth in a series of concept cars to be created by the Global Design Team in Namyang Korea, the ix-Metro is powered by an inline three-cylinder petrol engine displacing just one-litre. Direct injection, dual CVVT and turbocharging are all combined with a six-speed dual clutch transmission to make for a highly potent compact package.

The other world debut Hyundai will be making at Frankfurt is the i10 Electric, a production-ready zero emissions vehicle which is set to go on sale in Korea in the second half of 2010. Powered by a 49kW motor and a 16kWh battery, the i10 Electric promises a driving range of 100 miles and top speed of over 80 mph.

The vehicle accommodates dual recharging cycles: a 220V household current which is slower but potentially advantageous if recharging is done during off-peak hours when utility rates are lower and a 415V industrial-strength current which promises quicker recharging speeds. Under the quick cycle, the battery can be recharged to within 85 percent of its capacity within 15 minutes. Under the normal cycle using a 220V household current, 100 percent power will be attained within five hours.

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 and the first production car to be powered by advanced lithium ion polymer batteries (LiPoly).

Hyundai is also using the occasion of the Frankfurt show for the European unveiling of its ix35, the European version of the all-new Tucson which made its debut in the Korean market earlier this month. Designed in Europe and to be built in Europe, the ix35 is the first production vehicle expressing Hyundai’s new “fluidic sculpture” design language. It’s fitted with the all-new R 2.0 diesel and six-speed automatic transmission.

Also on display will be the updated Santa Fe. It is fitted with a 2.2 version of the all-new, highly efficient R diesel and comes with the option of the new six-speed automatic.

A new Blue edition of Hyundai’s highly popular i30, designed in Germany and built in the Czech Republic, will 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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