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Spyshots: Hybrid Hyundai Prototypes Testing Together with Toyota Prius

Although hydrogen is the centerpiece of the South Korean manufacturer's eco-friendly adventures, Hyundai seems to try its hand with conventional hybrid technology as well, such as what one might find on the Toyota Prius. In a recent batch of spy photographs, our carparazzi spotted hybrid Elantra GT mules testing alongside two Toyota Prius vehicles.
Hybrid Hyundai Elantra GT Prototypes 23 photos
Photo: SB-Medien
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Since Hyundai entered the C-segment properly back in 2007 with the i30, a hybrid variant of the compact has eluded the lineup. Heck, the Asian automaker took up fuel cell technology, with the first hydrogen-powered Tucson crossovers delivered to Stateside customers back in June. But with the ever-increasing demand for green machines such as the Toyota Prius, Nissan Leaf and BMW i3, Hyundai has decided that its cool Sonata Hybrid needs a smaller, less expensive brother, to take on the aforementioned models.

In the photo gallery below, you can clearly see that engineers were testing no less than four Elantra GTs (known as the i30 in Europe) along a normal Toyota Prius and a slightly bigger Prius V. If you take into account the surroundings, it's safe to assume that hot weather testing was in store on this occasion for the four hybrid mules. Based on some very fine modifications, we're guessing that Hyundai will launch two slightly different variants of the upcoming hybrid model.

While the prototypes share the same riveted additions across the hood and through to the front wheel's well, the difference between the two upcoming hybrid models is at the rear. The first design has a small section added over the center of the rear wheel well which continues into the roof line, while the second design hides a larger addition to the body, riveted in to add a few inches to the rear section of the car.

The underside shots hint that all prototypes feature hybrid bits and bobs, such as the high-voltage cable painted in bright orange that's attached to a battery pack located under the rear seats. Now take a look at the shifter. The undercarriage also hides exhaust piping, so it's clear that the mysterious Hyundais won't be 100% electric. Furthermore, a plug-in hybrid also appears to be out of the question because the fuel filler flap on the driver's side rear fender doesn't feature any visible means of plugging in a charger.

Remember the Hyundai Blue Will concept? Hyundai told that this concept is the first step toward production model that would compete with the Toyota Prius. Five years have passed since, which is enough time for R&D, so here's hope we'll get a new hybrid Hyundai model (or two) next year.
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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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