Hyundai Start Production On i30 Blue

Hyundai has started production of its next generation eco friendly i30 hatchback at its European factory in Nosovice, Czech Republic.

Instead of something obvious like "green" Hyundai decided on a global strategy to name all low emission vehicles to be launched, starting with i30, under the sub-brand "blue".

Hyundai have made massive investment in R&D and are committed to lowering vehicle CO2 emissions and reducing costs for consumers. The first technology to come out of this investment is ISG (Idle Stop and Go) technology which Hyundai is bringing to one of its production cars for the first time.

The first glimpse of this new technology will be at the Geneva Motorshow on March 3rd where the i30 Blue will be showcased alongside the three door version of its all new Hyundai i20 supermini as well as a new SUV concept codenamed HED-6.

Ideal for city driving, the i30 blue will automatically switch the car’s engine off when stationary.

The ISG system uses an advanced starter motor connected to the ECU, which monitors the car’s status at all times. Remarkably, this technology applied to Hyundai’s 1.6-litre petrol engine reduces fuel consumption by 7% on the official combined cycle, while achieving a lower CO2 rating of 142g/km, compared to 152g/km on the regular i30 1.6.

Available in UK showrooms by the autumn, the i30 blue will come in both five-door hatchback and estate body styles and with a choice of 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines. Other i30 engine derivatives will progressively be offered with ISG technology, followed by more models in the Hyundai range.