Hyundai to reveal Blue-Will plug-in hybrid at Seoul show

By Chris Chilton First Official Pictures 25 March 2009 14:15 Hyundai will reveal the Blue-Will, a dramatically-styled plug-in hybrid coupe, at the 2009 Seoul Motor Show that employs state-of-the-art lithium ion polymer batteries. The Blue-Will concept is powered by a direct injection 1.6-litre petrol mated to a CVT transmission. A battery pack mounted together with the fuel tank under the rear sat ensures cabin and luggage space doesn’t suffer and clever solar cells mounted in the glass roof panel generate power for the battery but don’t limit visibility through the glass pane Although the swoopy bodywork with its mixture of smooth curves and sharp intersecting hint at a future design direction for Hyundai, there are no plans to put the Blue-Will into production.

Volkswagen Up concept

By Ben Barry Motor Shows 11 September 2007 09:54 Volkswagen Up!: the lowdown Volkswagen today unveiled what it hoped will be the modern-day successor to the Beetle: the Up! concept, a small city car targeted at the young, the cash-poor, and the environmentally aware. Available with either a rear-mounted two- or three-cylinder engine, a production, rear-wheel drive Up!

Cloud rises over diesel plan for Nissan Maxima

Nissan North America may postpone a V6 diesel engine planned for the Maxima sedan in 2010. Since the company revealed its Maxima diesel plan two years ago, gasoline prices have fallen dramatically, auto sales have collapsed and Nissan has begun reviewing product plans as it scrambles to restore profitability. "We haven't reached a decision on the diesel yet, but we have to consider where we want to put our capital investments," says Larry Dominique, North American vice president for product planning.