What is it?

This is Hyundai's vision of its future design direction and also how its engineering side will develop over the coming years. A small-engined, petrol-electric hybrid, the ix-Metro is what Hyundai calls a CUV - or compact utility vehicle. The inspiration for the ix-Metro may have come from spaceships, but there's a high chance this concept will spawn a small off-roader that will go on sale before 2012.

Why's it here?

Hyundai wants to show off its hybrid technology. While the Japanese have been stealing a march in this area, the Korean firm has been majoring on small, economical petrol and diesel cars. Now it's time for Hyundai's hybrid, which uses a turbocharged 1.0-litre petrol engine and small electric motor to give a combined 123bhp. The ix-Metro also uses a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox - a first for Hyundai - that will appear on production models within the next 12 months.

Show stopper or floor filler?

The Hyundai ix-Metro has to be a show stopper just for styling that would have George Jetson reaching for the cheque book. Rear-hinged back doors and an upright glass panel in the boot only add to the whacky quotient of this Hyundai. We think it looks amazing and only hope Hyundai carry through some of the ix-Metro's details to production models.

Alisdair Suttie - 16 Sep 2009