Frankfurt Show: Hyundai i-Blue Fuell-Cell Electric Concept

Hyundai’s eco-friendly proposition for this year’s Frankfurt Show is a 2+2 Crosssover that goes by the name i-Blue Fuel Cell Ellectric Vehicle –yes, that’s the full name of the prototype. Developed at Hyundai's Design and Technical Center in Chiba, Japan, the i-Blue is the Korean firm’s first-ever model designed from the ground up to incorporate fuel cell technology. Hyundai hasn’t disclosed any details of the concept in the press release, so we’ll have to wait until the opening of the Frankfurt Show on September 13 to learn more. -Press release after the jump

Via: Autoblog.com , Source: Hyundai

Hyundai to Unveil Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle at Frankfurt International Motor Show

SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor Corporation will unveil the i-Blue Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle at the 2007 Frankfurt International Motor Show which opens on September 13. The i-Blue demonstrates the company's commitment to developing environmentally responsible transportation.

Hyundai's new hydrogen-powered, zero-emission concept, the i-Blue Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle was developed at Hyundai's Design and Technical Center in Chiba, Japan. The all-new i-Blue platform is tailored to incorporate Hyundai's third-generation fuel cell technology, currently being developed at Hyundai's Eco-Technology Research Institute in Mabuk, Korea.

In keeping with this year's show theme, "See What's Driving the Future," which focuses on sustainability and climate protection, the i-Blue signifies a major step towards the commercialization of Hyundai fuel cell vehicles. Unlike its predecessors which were built on SUV platforms, the i-Blue features a new 2+2 crossover utility vehicle (CUV) body type.

"The i-Blue is Hyundai's first-ever model designed from the ground up to incorporate fuel cell technology, marking a tremendous leap forward for our R&D program," said Dr. Hyun-Soon Lee, president of research and development. "Our engineering team has successfully designed a more compact fuel cell vehicle, while still realizing the safety, comfort, convenience and driving range of a traditional internal combustion engine vehicle."

Hyundai is making tremendous efforts to reach mass production of hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicles a reality in the next decade.