Hyundai Motor plans to start retail sales of its first LPG–electric hybrid vehicle in July 2009. To be sold initially in the Korean domestic market under the Avante badge, the Elantra LPI Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) is the world’s first hybrid vehicle to be powered by liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and the first to adopt advanced Lithium Polymer (Li–Poly) batteries. Powered by a Liquefied Petroleum Injected (LPI) Gamma engine displacing 1.6 litres, a 15kW electric motor and a continuously variable transmission, the Elantra LPI HEV is a mild–type hybrid capable of delivering a competitive fuel economy rating.

As fuel prices soar, Hyundai plans to add a four-cylinder engine to its Santa Fe lineup when the crossover is redesigned in 2010. The Santa Fe now is available only with 2.7-liter and 3.3-liter V6s.

The redesigned Santa Fe also will get a six-speed automatic transmission, said John Krafcik, vice president of product planning for Hyundai Motor America.The 2.4-liter four-cylinder is Hyundai’s second-generation Theta engine, which debuted this spring on the 2009 Sonata sedan.

On the Sonata, the four-cylinder automatic gets 22 mpg in the city and 32 in highway driving, up from 21/30 on the previous four-cylinder Sonata.On the Santa Fe, the 2.7-liter V6 with an automatic delivers 18/24; the 3.3-liter is rated at 17/24.

Krafcik also said the small Tucson crossover will be equipped only with four-cylinder engines when redesigned in 2010 or 2011. The 2.7-liter V6 will be dropped from the Tucson lineup. A turbocharged four-cylinder could be added.

For the 2009 model year, Hyundai has tweaked the 1.6-liter four-cylinder that powers the subcompact Accent, Krafcik said. The result will be a 2 mpg improvement in fuel economy.

The Accent’s four-speed automatic currently delivers 24 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway.

“We are focusing on fuel-efficient cars,” Krafcik said. “We have a much greater capacity now for 1.6- to 2.0-liter engines.”

Hyundai now imports all of its four-cylinder engines from Korea, but a new engine plant in Alabama will start cranking out the new 2.4-liter four-banger for the United States this month.

Painted in a vibrant green color and adorned with several Korean “femme fatales”, the rear-wheel drive Genesis Coupe made its Korean debut at this year’s 2008 Busan International Show. The highly anticipated Genesis Coupe will be offered in its homeland with the same 215Hp (est) 2.0-liter Turbo and 303Hp (est) 3.8-liter V6 engine units as the US spec version. Hyundai will begin domestic sales of the Genesis Coupe in September, gradually expanding sales to the U.S., China and other regions.

At the Geneva International Motor Show Hyundai Motor Co. will introduce the HED-5 “i-Mode”. The focus for this year’s concept car is a combination of visionary styling with future technologies and advanced eco-dynamics. It lead to a 6-seater monocab study that incorporates high-tech materials, a world premiere seating concept and state of the art communication solutions into a completely new vehicle impression. The i-Mode is an innovatively styled, eco-friendly and socially adaptive vehicle. The imposing mono-volume architecture provides an invitation to travel, explore and relax within the concept of moving cocoon.

Hyundai’s engineering partner Keiper supported the i-Mode project with the exclusive world premiere of its new and unique Swivel Seat concept. The first row passenger seat cleverly rotates to face second and third row occupants. When the seat is turned in a flowing movement, the backrest converts into an equally comfortable seat surface. This is made possible by a fully concealed, power-operated kinematic system. The integrated seatbelt system – another technically advanced debut – and the adjustable headrest maximize passive safety for passengers in either sitting position. The second row bench slides rearwards to increase comfort and create a social space for communication. This seat concept intelligently avoids problems of complex or flexible seat mounting weaknesses.