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| New 'green' brand | 2008 British International Motor Show | Hyundai i30 i-Blue |
Hyundai has come up with a range of models, dubbed i-Blue, which are designed to emit less carbon dioxide. The British Motor Show will see the first i-Blue car, a version of the i30 hatchback with the i10 i-Blue city car to follow.
The i-Blue badge denotes carbon dioxide emissions below 120g/km, the cut-off point for group B Vehicle Excise Duty (VED). Powered by Hyundai's 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine, the i30 only needed a slight change of gearing to trim the all important CO2 figure by six-grams per kilometre. The result, according to Hyundai, is that the i30 feels little different to drive but will cost £35 per year in VED instead of £120.
Furthermore, all i10s that produce less than 120g/km will receive the i-Blue badge. In September the lightweight 1.2-litre Kappa petrol engine will be fitted to the i10 range and the designation will apply to every i10 with a manual transmission.
In the future Hyundai suggests stop-start technology, hybrid drive trains and, in the long term, fuel cell technology may be offered to further reduce emissions. In the meantime the i30 i-Blue will be at the British International Motor Show from 23rd July to 3rd August and in a showroom soon.
John Lambert - 21 Jul 2008
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