Hyundai joins hybrid race
July 9, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Hyundai today launched its first hybrid car, the Elantra LPI, to the domestic (South Korean) market to satisfy a growing appetite for fuel-saving vehicles and to improve the image of the company’s technology.
The Elantra LPI, a hybrid model of its popular compact sedan, uses liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and lithium-ion polymer batteries.
The hybrid arrived at showrooms amid worries Hyundai could lose out if such cars gained in popularity in the United States, with Toyota and Honda pushing the technology into the mainstream with low-priced petrol-electric models.
Hyundai is due to launch its first petrol-electric hybrid, a version of the flagship Sonata, in the second half of next year and also has a prototype Prius-esque vehicle, the Blue Will concept, in the wings (as pictured below).
The Elantra LPI can travel 17.8 kilometers on one litre of LPG or 38.5 kilometers on one liter of petrol and emits 99 grams of CO2 per kilometre.
Hyundai aims to sell 7,500 units of the hybrid this year in South Korea and to double the sales volume in 2010 but has no immediate plans for exports.
Hyundai, which spent 250.8 billion won ($197.7 million) developing the car over more than three years, will sell the car for between 20.5 million and 23.2 million won.
Source: Reuters
Print it: 
In my opinion this could be the Prius for the NON posers but Hyundai executives seem to be asleep at the wheel on this one and are giving toyota a free kick by not having plans to export it.
Well, I still don’t want a hybrid (basically just because they are still boring sedans and hatches, I’ll wait for Porsche, Ferrari and Land Rover) but I do find this significantly more interesting than the Prius.
this looks much more appealing to me then the prius., if i had to drive a hybrid it’d be this one
Yes guys, the bottom one does look more interesting than a Prius, but that’s because it’s a concept. The one they’re selling is the top one, which is just a regular Elantra with a different grille. This one looks more interesting (just) than a clothes dryer.
Maybe Hyundai are holding back on information and could bring the project forward ? You never know.
The Sth Korean Gummint fleet has been testing these for a few years now. Aust. is only a small market and never has high priority.
The production one at the top is very ugly, can’t believe after the decently styled iX0 series, they will being out something so hideous again.
Errr, whats with this “today” business?
Last MONTHS news, this and its clone the KiaCerato hybrid, will be THE cheapest car to run in Oz, talking about $1.90/100km, not public transport, not walking could be done for less.
Carl, both Hyundai/Kia have samples for testing in Oz, the problem will be if they can make enough RHD for other markets.I would have one if the first figure starts with $”2″..
Did i mention that the exhaust is cleaner than the Prius, and a complete generation cleaner than a DIEsel.
Very very excited **”i’m excited”** [tm.BigKev] about this, its what BigT[tm.F-0] should have done years ago, a hybrid on LPG, total 100% common sense really!
Cheers
F-0
Doctor Nick Riviera wrote
The Sth Korean Gummint fleet has been testing these for a few years now.
And they were totally disaster !!!
Normal their petrol cars run better than these Korean hybrid.
F-O wrote
Its what BigT[tm.F-0] should have done years ago, a hybrid on LPG, total 100% common sense really!
Are you kidding? or dreaming? common sense?
Who wants LPG hybrid cars?
Yes, yes…some Australian, but that’s all.
Actually Hyundai tried to get Toyota’s hybrid technology since 2004.
However, Toyota’s answer was always “No, no way!!!”.
All Japanese companies have learned since 60’s
“Don’t involved or business with Korean.”
I knew some people don’t like it, but it’s the true story.
Honda, Toshiba and other lots of companies…They never do business with them !!!
We must adopt this (new) old tech. If we as Aussie’s dont back this old horse then we do so at our own peril. If the cream of Aussie motoring HSV, is doing it why arent we all adopting it. Hyundai/Kia seemed to have got the message.
Tack^^^
If EVERYBODY converted to LPG, Australian air would be so much cleaner it would not be funny.
The best best thing is the LPG-fuel is here and Made In Australia, nothing to import, no money sent out of the country, 1000’s employeed in the industry.Show OPEC we DON’T need them and take a stand!
Of course GovCo would hate to tear up 10 billion $ in excise and gst they currently collect…
Cheers
F-0
Tack said:
All Japanese companies have learned since 60’s
“Don’t involved or business with Korean.”
Wonder why that is Tack?
Probably due to the brutal and inhuman treatment
the Japanese have dished out to the Korean people
for many Centuries.
It it a national motivation/obsession for Koreans
to do better than the Japanese. Not always successful.
But they are bloody quick learners.
The Japanese are wary of business dealings with the Koreans because they are getting their own back
economically.
Good on em I say.
Given the conversion rate with respect to development costs, my calculations are this would be a $20,000 hybrid.
If that’s accurate, or even remotely accurate, this is the car of the future! You wouldn’t expect anything remotely sporty, but when it’s dirt cheap to run and you fill it once a month – what’s not to like???
Good luck Hyundai!
Simon^^^^
It CANNOT be a $20k vehicle as the basic petrol one its based on is already MORE than that.
Its going to be high $20’s like ~$27k, it needs to be under $30k so maybe even $29,990?Hyundai/Kia are not saying!
The good thing is the GovCo due to its current LPG regime, will give you $2k back and if you live in WA a further $1k, so 10% discount right off the top!
*PRIVATE BUYERS ONLY!*
Like to think that all this hybrid/battery system will be the exact same price as ticking a DIEsel box option over a ULP one [ie ~ $2500k?] ONLY they know and they aint telling us yet!
Cheers
F-0
Hi FrugalOne
I agree with you 100%.
However, Hyundai/Kia can not make and develop cars for Australia market only. Their domestic market for LPG is tiny as well.
So, it is nothing positive move for them.
PROJET – L
War over more than 60 years ago.
And Japan compensated for their war crimes by international low long time ago.
I understood why you wrote that, because you learned that way.
But you are living in Australia right? You can see lots of different documents in English or other languages.
(Of course you want to.)
Anyway I am talking about the time from 70’s to current time.
Yes, there are huge problems between these countries (and China), and there is no instant solution.
However, most business people don’t move with their emotion only.
They stopped business with Korean companies because clear reason, there is no benefit.
I think Hyundai would have SERIOUSLY considered the LPG infrustracture in Oz as part of the product development and production plans for this model.
It will 100% come to Oz. No doubt.
We’re one of the few markets worldwide who are ready and willing to take on this technology.
And why not. An LPG hybrid combination is going to blow a lot of the competition out of the water in regards to ommissions, efficiency and running costs.
I hope they bring LOTS of models out. i30 LPG hybrid? Yes please.
ps. (Those wheels are horrible, btw. What is it with Hybrids and ugly rims?)