Hyundai to launch dedicated Toyota Prius rival in 2016

Korean manufacturer is working on a bespoke hybrid hatchback that's set to be previewed by a concept at the Frankfurt motor show

Hyundai is readying its own dedicated hybrid model to take on the likes of the Toyota Prius in Europe, with the new car scheduled to be on sale by the end of next year.

The new model is expected to be previewed by a thinly disguised concept car later this year, with the most likely unveiling coming at September’s Frankfurt motor show.

These spy shots show development on the five-door, five-seat hatchback is well under way. The car is based on a bespoke platform developed by sister brand Kia for its own dedicated hybrid model, dubbed DE. Although much of the car’s styling is hidden, Hyundai’s large corporate grille and badge can be seen at the front.

The most interesting thing about these spy pictures is the concealed charging port located in front of the driver’s door - indicating that this test mule is a plug-in hybrid. It’s understood that a conventional hybrid version of the new car will be launched first, with the plug-in model - which receives a larger battery pack - coming later.

The car’s powertrain is understood to be a combination of the 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine from the current i30 and an electric motor, with power sent to the front wheels via a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission developed by Kia.

The 1.6-litre petrol engine produces 118bhp in the regular i30 and 183bhp in the warmed-up i30 Turbo.

Photos of the test mule’s interior show the new model will receive a part-digital instrument cluster and large central infotainment screen. Hyundai is likely to give the cabin a premium feel to justify the higher price tag typically associated with hybrid and electric vehicles.

It’s no surprise to see Hyundai developing a dedicated hybrid model, as sales of alternatively fuelled vehicles continue to grow in Europe and the UK. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that sales of AFVs have grown by almost 80% year on year in this country.

Kia’s pledge to put its own Prius rival on the roads by the end of 2016 has also spurred development on the Hyundai version. Kia’s DE is based on a bespoke platform and features the same powertrain as Hyundai’s model.

The launch of dedicated hybrid models will help both Kia and Hyundai to reach strict 95g/km CO2 regulations coming into force in Europe in 2020. 

Hyundai UK boss Tony Whitehorn has already said the best way to introduce more hybrid technology to the firm’s line-up is to start with a dedicated car. Speaking to Autocar, he said: “Probably the best way to do that is with a stand-alone model, as Toyota has done. Toyota started with the Prius and has expanded that range; it has said, 'Let’s make a statement' but ultimately has taken that technology [for other models].

“If you just restrict hybrid technology to one vehicle, you’ll never get the revenue. You have to put it in other cars.”

Plans for Hyundai's hybrid project go as far back as 2010, when the firm showed its Blue-Will concept car. That model featured a 1.6-litre petrol engine working in conjunction with a 134bhp electric motor. Early-stage test mules were then spotted testing in August of last year.