Skip to main content

First Look: Hyundai Nuvis Concept



Hyundai's Nuvis Concept, making its world debut at the 2009 New York show, is yet another hybrid-crossover dream car designed to blend utility with small-car fuel-economy and sci-fi futuristic styling.
Penned at Hyundai's design center in Irvine, California, its SUV-style body gives the Nuvis the passenger and cargo room of a large sedan, while its wide stance and low roofline lend it a sporty appearance. Powered by a parallel hybrid system backed up by a 270-watt lithium-polymer battery, the Nuvis delivers an estimated 34 mpg city and 35 mpg highway according to Hyundai, meeting the Ford Escape Hybrid's city mileage and beating its highway mileage by four mpg.
 
Hyundai's Hybrid Blue Drive system operates on a principle similar to Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, wherein the gasoline engine is mated to an electric motor that reduces the load on the engine, increasing efficiency. In this case, Hyundai's 228-hp Theta II 2.4L inline four-cylinder engine is mated to a 30 kW electric motor that can get the vehicle moving from a stop and provide extra power for accelerating and passing.

That's no ordinary Theta II engine, either. The engine has been optimized to minimize efficiency-robbing friction, as has the entire drivetrain. Hyundai also massaged the engine management software for efficiency wherever possible in order to further boost fuel economy. Meanwhile, the fourth, fifth and sixth gears of the six-speed automatic transmission have been extended for better highway fuel economy. Hyundai says its lithium-polymer battery pack, stored under the rear cargo floor, is more space-efficient and durable than the nickel-metal hydride or lithium-ion battery packs of other hybrids. The smaller battery pack helps reduce weight as well, and the Nuvis tips the scales at just 3400 lb, according to Hyundai.
 
When you look at the Nuvis, though, fuel efficiency probably won't be your first thought. Hyundai says the Nuvis draws many of its styling cues from the motion of running water, which makes it appear as though it's always moving. While the lines themselves are graceful, a few too many of them run into each other for our taste. Things get cleaner as you work your way from the pinched nose along the sides to the back, where it's less busy. Regardless of which angle you choose, though, it will be hard to miss a hint of Mazda's Nagare design cues in the body lines.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Mimpi-mimpi benua Eropa dari Paris Motor Show

Mondial de l'Automobile 2012: Concept Cars Mimpi-mimpi benua Eropa dari Paris Motor Show Oleh Evan Orensten pada 3 Oktober 2012 Paris motor show 2012 mempersembahkan dan memaksa para pembuat mobil untuk melenturkan kembali otot-otot desain mereka pada bukan hanya pada sisi produksi tapi juga dalam hal berkonsep. Inilah dia 7 model favorit yang dianggap cukup mewakili imajinasi bangsa-bangsa Eropa. Peugeot Onyx Sebuah konsep yang nyata—hadir untuk menjadi topik pembicaraan, namun nampaknya tidak akan diproduksi dalam waktu dekat ini.—Peugeot's Onyx   terbuat dari bahan tembaga, serat karbon, dan daur ulang koran. The Onyx dibayangkan menjelma menjadi supercar hybrid yang super ringan, namun dibekali mesin V8 demi melejitkan 600 tenaga kuda. Peugeot juga berkiblat lebih jauh lagi, dengan tidak hanya menhabiskan waktu di automobile tapi juga menggugah eksplorasi di dunia transportasi dua roda. eDL 132 disinyalir ditempel oleh batere tersembunyi dan mo...

KOMPOSISI 3D - MIX MEDIA PROJECT- UNIVERSITAS KRISTEN MARANATHA

Tibi & Dabo Robots For Public Spaces

Tibi and Dabo are 2 cute robots designed to provide a wide range of services to citizens in Barcelona’s public spaces. The final shape of Tibi & Dabo came from different conceptualization and development techniques, such as surveys, sociological, iconicity pyramids, and ethnographical tools. These robots are the result from collaboration between the School of Design ESDi and the Institute of Robotics and Industrial Informatics (IRI), who coordinated the European, funded URUS Project (Ubiquitous Networking Robotics in Urban Settings). Tibi & Dabo are here because the project URUS attempts to analyze and test the idea how robots can interact with human beings in a cooperative way. We can use robots to assist us like when we need transportation of goods or surveillance in urban areas in order to improve life quality. Designer : ESDi and IRI (Institute of Robotics and Industrial Informatics)