Hyundai i-flow Concept Revealed Ahead Of Geneva Debut

AFTER ISSUING A single illustration last week, Hyundai has today revealed its new 'i-flow' sports sedan concept ahead of its official unveiling at Geneva next month.

The new concept continues Hyundai's 'Fluidic Sculpture' design language, seen in the recently launched ix35 and the new Sonata (rumoured to wear the i40 badge in Australia).

Designed at the Korean carmaker's European studios in Germany, Hyundai says the i-flow concept offers a glimpse at its upcoming D-segment mid-size. The new model will take on the likes of the Opel Insignia, along with the next generation Citroen C5 and Ford Mondeo.

As expected (and as with most concepts these days), the i-flow is a hybrid - but more importantly, it is the first Hyundai to feature a diesel-electric hybrid system.

Powered the i-flow comes from Hyundai's 1.7 litre turbo-charged 'U2' diesel engine, paired with an electric motor drawing current from a Lithium-Ion Polymer battery pack. The electric motor's specific output has not yet been revealed.

The diesel engine and electric motor system sends power to the i-flow's wheels through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Hyundai has not confirmed if the i-flow is built on a front-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive platform.

Hyundai says that, depending on driving mode, the i-flow will return a fuel consumption figure of just 3.0 l/100km - bettering the petrol-electric Prius hybrid and the ultra frugal Fiesta ECOnetic and MINI Cooper D.

Little else is known about the upcoming concept, but the full rundown is likely to accompany the car's unveiling next month.