i-blue: Hyundai's groundbreaking hybrid and future green plans
By Justin Couture, Sympatico / MSN Autos
At this year’s LA Auto Show, Hyundai didn’t just unveil a single new car, but an
entire plan towards improving the fuel efficiency and environmental friendliness of its vehicles. The strategy is called “i-blue” and it will play a big role in Hyundai’s ability to meet the pending 2015 US fuel economy regulations. These require an auto manufacturer's line up to require a 35 mpg (6.7 l/100 km) average across its entire fleet.
One of the first vehicles we’ll see under i-blue in North America is the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. Set to debut next year as a 2011 model year vehicle, it mates an efficient 2.4-litre four-cylinder engine to a parallel hybrid drivetrain, which Hyundai calls “blue drive”. Unlike Toyota’s Camry Hybrid or Nissan’s Altima Hybrid, the Sonata utilizes a six-speed automatic transmission.

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. It’s a pretty good phrase to live by if you’re in the auto industry, and it’s a rule that Lexus has followed to a tee with the new third generation RX luxury crossover.
like BMW’s new clean diesel 335d and Tesla’s electric Roadster are current proof that performance and environmental friendliness aren’t mutually exclusive, but what about ten or twenty years down the road? Honda is a firm believer that there’s a place for an environmentally friendly sports car, and has demonstrated a potential solution with its futuristic hydrogen-powered FC Sport concept, a car that it is displaying this week in LA.
Earlier this year, Lamborghini gave its “baby” Gallardo a major upgrade. Building off the Gallardo Superleggera, Lamborghini outfitted the standard version it with a bigger, more technically advanced engine, an improved gearbox and mildly tweaked its looks. Together, these updates make the Gallardo LP560-4 an even stronger performer on the road and on the track.
which will be debuting later today in Los Angeles.
this year’s LA Auto Show, but it will be displaying the updated 2009.5 model-year G6 Sedan, Coupe and Convertible.
auto show. That’s pretty exciting news, seeing as us North Americans are missing out on the sexy Scirocco sports coupe. But, if you were planning on catching a glimpse of the sporty concept, you’ll need to wait for another month. Volkswagen has decided to delay its unveiling until January at the North American International Auto Show. Instead, LA auto show-goers will get to see the new Touareg TDI Trophy Truck which is... well, still cool.
Kia from displaying its advancements in hydrogen technology. At this year's Los Angeles auto show, Kia will debut a fuel cell version of its Borrego full-size SUV, which packs the brand's latest fuel cell developments.