Sept. 11, 2007 Hyundai Debuts i-Blue Fuel Cell Concept at 2007 Frankfurt Show Concept Reveals Future Direction of FCEV Technology Frankfurt, Germany (September 11, 2007) - Hyundai Motor Company´s (HMC) new hydrogen-powered, zero-emission concept, the i-Blue Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV), made its world debut today at the 62nd International Motor Show in Frankfurt, Germany. Developed at Hyundai´s Design and Technical Center in Chiba, Japan, the i-Blue concept is the designers´ view of a future FCEV production model. 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. Keeping with the show theme, "See What´s Driving the Future," which focuses on sustainability and climate protection, the i-Blue demonstrates a significant step towards commercialization of Hyundai fuel cell vehicles. Unlike its predecessors which were built on SUV platforms, the i-Blue features a new D segment 2+2 crossover utility vehicle (CUV) body type. The smaller vehicle platform requires even greater engineering sophistication. "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 tradition 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. Powered By Third-Generation Fuel Cell Technology The i-Blue is powered by a 100 kW electrical engine and fuel cell stack. Fueled with compressed hydrogen (700 bar) stored in a 115 liter tank, i-Blue is capable of running more than 600 km per refueling and achieves a maximum speed of 165 km/h. The i-Blue´s fuel cell stack is housed underfloor, not in the engine compartment as in the second-generation Tucson FCEV. This endows the car with an ideal 50:50 weight distribution for optimal driving and handling dynamics. Furthermore, by moving the fuel stack underfloor, the engine compartment is less densely populated providing better air flow and cooling. The i-Blue drives almost noiselessly and passionate drivers will be delighted by the acceleration of the i-Blue´s powerplant. Like its predecessors, i-Blue´s only emission is water vapor, fueling Hyundai´s unwavering dedication to FCEV technology as a viable, environmentally friendly alternative to the internal combustion engine. Concept The i-Blue is a sophisticated and futuristic crossover concept sports tourer with the driving comfort of a sedan with all of the utility functions of a minivan. As its name suggests, the i-Blue has a next generation environmental-friendly fuel cell system. But, it also is equipped with a state of the art human machine interface information system presenting a glimpse into the future of automobiles. Unlike its predecessors, which were built on SUV platforms, the i-Blue features a new D segment 2+2 Cross-over Utility Vehicle (CUV) body type. This marks a step ahead on the path to develop mass-production models, as the fuel cell system is more difficult to integrate in a smaller body type. Design Concept Unites Ying and Yang The i-Blue FCEV has a dynamic and elegant exterior design, resembling TaeKuk, which is based on the philosophy of Ying and Yang. In this philosophy, opposite forces are unified in perfect balance and create something new. The i-Blue´s body was styled by unifying two distinct geometric forms, the square and the circle, thereby creating a rhombus-like shape. High Technology Meets Passenger Comfort and Safety The i-Blue features a futuristic H2O flow-form on the inside, which results in a relaxing, stretched-out seating position for the driver and passengers. Drivers of the i-Blue will be excited about the innovative, aircraft-like steering wheel that integrates touch-scroll control pads, enabling the driver to keep his hands on the wheel while operating the vehicle´s audio-visual systems. The 3D vision heads-up display (HUD) also adds safety and convenience. The outside environment is constantly projected through the vehicle´s full-surround camera system. Many more future convenience features from Hyundai, such as side and rear view monitors, are shown on the i-Blue concept vehicle. Exterior As a crossover utility vehicle combining the strongest points of both a Sedan and a RV; and incorporating a design motive from the traditional beauty of Korea, the i-Blue has opened a new vehicle category. From the bonnet to the front fender, A-Pillar, Cabin and rear fender, the i-Blue´s seamless cab forward type of surface provides a perfect form balance. From the TaeKuk theme of volume and surface in harmony, the character lines of the front and rear fender make for a sharp looking exterior body. The image of the front mask is similar to the design image of the Hyundai "Genesis" concept car, presenting the direction for future designs. The radiator grille and headlamp have been expressed as a crystal glass art to depict the water from the fuel cell system and, the power and dynamic image of the rear takes the shape of the horizontal and vertical form from the wings of an airplane. Cameras have been installed in the head lamp, rear combination lamp and high mountain lamp helping to realize a functional and high-tech design. The lamp system in the rear combination lamps have been designed to associate the beautiful and bright stars in space Interior The i-Blue features a futuristic H2O flow-form on the inside, which results in a relaxing, stretched-out seating position for the driver and passengers. Drivers of the i-Blue will be excited about the innovative, aircraft-like steering wheel that integrates touch-scroll control pads, enabling the driver to keep his hands on the wheel while operating the vehicles audio-visual systems. The 3D vision head-up display (HUD) also adds safety and convenience. i-Blue Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) Specifications Hyundai´s FCEV Research Strategy Hyundai Motor Company is at the forefront of advanced technology research. In September 2005, Hyundai celebrated the grand opening of its Eco-Technology Research Institute in Mabuk, Korea, which houses all R&D on environmentally friendly technologies, concentrating Hyundai´s efforts to develop alternative powertrains in one state-of-the-art facility. HMC is participating in fuel cell verification programs domestically and internationally. In the United States, Hyundai has been a member of the California Fuel Cell Partnership (CaFCP) since 2000. The CaFCP is a collaboration of 31 member organizations, including auto manufacturers, energy providers, government agencies and fuel cell technology companies, that work together to promote the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. Hyundai´s first-generation Santa Fe and second-generation Tucson FCEVs have both been tested at the Partnership´s facility in Sacramento, Calif. In addition, Hyundai FCEV´s have successfully completed five Partnership-sponsored Road Rally events covering nearly the entire state of California. In 2004, Hyundai partnered with Chevron Corp. and UTC Power to initiate a 32-vehicle fleet testing program. This five-year cost-sharing program is sponsored by the United States Department of Energy. The goals of the program are to develop and demonstrate safe, convenient and reliable hydrogen-based distributed power generation, fuel cell vehicles and vehicle fueling infrastructure, and to educate key audiences about the use of hydrogen as a potential fuel for transportation and power generation. Hyundai is currently operating fleets at Hyundai America Technical Center in Chino, Calif.; California Air Resources Board in Sacramento, Calif.; AC Transit in Oakland, Calif.; Southern California Edison in Rosemead, Calif.; and the U.S. Army TACOM facility in Warren, Mich. About Fuel Cell Technology A fuel cell vehicle is driven by electrical power generated from the energy conversion system called a "fuel cell." A fuel cell creates a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen called electrolysis which generates pure water and energy in the form of electricity, which makes the fuel cell vehicle pollution-free. The core parts in a cell are the electrolyte membrane (that passes protons and bypasses electrons) and the bipolar plates (that have channels for reacting gases). To obtain sufficient power to drive motors, several hundreds of cells are piled up in a "stack" that generates electrical energy. The only by-product from the reaction is pure water, which makes the fuel cell vehicle pollution-free. Furthermore, the total efficiency is higher than that of internal combustion engine vehicles because a fuel cell directly converts chemical energy (fuel) to electrical energy without a mid-step of chemical-to-mechanical energy conversion. This can best be demonstrated by the mileage per liter. Hyundai´s main fuel cell testing vehicle, the Tucson FCEV, has a gas mileage of 24 km/liter, while the internal combustion engine Tucson shows less than 12 km/liter. HMC is participating in many verification programs domestically and internationally. It is making tremendous efforts to reach the stage of mass production between 2012 and 2015. The Fuel Cell Vehicle Team at HMC is currently co-operating with Chassis and Cockpit Module Design Teams in other R&D Centers. One of the projects had the objective to develop a unique platform structure for fuel cell vehicles. The i-Blue FCEV Powered by an electrical engine, the i-Blue drives almost noiselessly. It was designed to enable light and comfortable handling that creates a no-stress, holiday driving feeling. Passionate drivers, however, will be delighted by the acceleration speed of an electrically powered vehicle. Hyundai is investing heavily in its R&D to be able to offer a i-Blue-like mass production vehicle in a few years time. Electrical System To improve safety of driving, i-Blue is equipped with the latest advanced electronic technology to maintain a Human Machine Interface. Hologram HUD (Space Projection) The Hologram HUD allows for a safe drive at all times with the Hologram HUD providing every essential information for the driver both to improve visibility and safety. The Hologram HUD is also placed on the meter hood point, a perfect position to minimize the driver´s eye movements. Omni-All-Around Monitoring System Using the latest image processing techniques, the monitoring system provides a virtual outer view picture of the vehicle leading to perfect and safe parking. The driver can drive without losing his sense of direction and distance as the surround picture takes into account even all of the dead area from a driver´s point of view. The outside environment is constantly projected through the vehicle´s full-surround camera system. Many more future convenience features, such as side and rear view monitors are shown on the i-Blue concept vehicle. Liquid Crystal Display Every information for the driver is displayed on the liquid crystal display. All information including contrast, contents, and brightness for the driver is displayed for optimal performance. Standard meter and ASV Multimedia information is also displayed and users have the ability to customize the functions according to their individual needs. Conclusion Hyundai continues and will continue to present its future vision through its concept cars. Through the SUC concept car named "QarmaQ" launched at the Geneva Motor Show this year, we emphasized our efforts to build our image as an environment-friendly producer. At the 207 Frankfurt Show, the i-Blue is a another step in the right direction to showcase a futuristic sports tourer with diverse range of new technology exclusively fitted for a fuel cell system. We look forward to the continued development and presentation of new and exciting concept cars in future motor shows.