[Updated with ‘Live’ Photos] Making its global debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, is the Hyundai i-flow concept that strongly hints at the Korean firm’s Sonata replacement in Europe. Hyundai didn’t refer directly to the Sonata, but it did say that the i-flow previews the company’s European D-Segment contender that will rival the likes of the Ford Mondeo, Citroen C5 and VW Passat.
Furthermore, with an overall length of 4,780mm, 1,850mm width, 1,420mm height and a 2,800mm wheelbase, the i-flow is almost identical in size to the latest generation Sonata (4,820mm long, 1,835mm wide and 1,470mm tall with a wheelbase of 2,795mm), so it wouldn’t make much sense for the Koreans to sell both models in Europe.
The i-flow or HED-7, is the seventh Hyundai concept car to be born in the firm’s Russelsheim studio in Germany.
Hyundai said that the mid-size sedan’s styling is an evolution of the company’s so-called ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language adding that the car is also distinguished by its “unique proportions” with the long tail and the short front overhang, features which are said to have been inspired by Chrysler’s Cab-Forward design aerodynamic motives.
The fluidic forms of the i-flow’s exterior are echoed in the cabin with continuous lines that sweep from the dashboard, through the doors to the open storage area at the rear. Hyundai also claims that it has used cutting-edge materials in the interior to reduce weight.
Under the bonnet is Hyundai’s first diesel-electric hybrid powertrain that uses the company’s new 1.7-litre diesel plus two-stage turbocharging linked to a Lithium Ion-Polymer battery. The engine is couples to a six-speed, dual-clutch transmission.
According to Hyundai, a production model inspired by the i-flow will hit European showrooms sometime in 2011.
