Hyunday BLUE-WILL Hybrid Concept First Photos

The race for a spotlight role on the future eco-friendly automotive scene is getting more and more aggressive, as manufacturers all over the world seek to impress potential buyers with a wide range of ideas and solutions for fuel efficient-low emissions vehicles.

While the term "green", used to set nature lovin' vehicles apart from their uncaring counterparts, is slowly washing away, manufacturers came up with a new definition for the Captain Planet era cars: blue.

Hyundai will use the same word to define the characteristics of their new hybrid concept: BLUE-WILL. Set to be unveiled at the 2009 Seoul Motor Show, the car is meant to shock not as much through the technology used for it, but by the materials it's made of.

The hybrid uses PET soft drinks bottles as the main material for the headlamp bezels, while bio-degradable bio-plastics (made from plant extracts) have been used for the interior. The engine cover is made of a bio-plastic called PA11, while the panoramic roof features integrated sensitized solar cells, to add to the battery's efficiency.

The BLUE-WILL concept is powered by an all-aluminum gasoline direct injected 1.6l engine, matted onto a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and a 100kw electric motor. The battery pack is fitted, together with the fuel tank, under the rear seats to maximize luggage space.

Hyundai, together with its brother Kia, will be one of the first manufacturers to use Lithium Ion Polymer for the hybrid. As for mass production, this type of battery technology will be first seen on the Elantra LPI hybrid, set to go on sale on the Korean market in July. Additional details about the Hyundai BLUE -WILL hybrid concept will become available after the event starts, but as we are already used to by now, we will probably see new specs even sooner.