08 September 2009 - 12:00
The Metro returns…
In the future, the use of straight lines will be banned in car design, and those who transgress will be sentenced to 10 years' hard labour in the Ssangyong design studio.
Hyundai does not wish to suffer such a fate, so has created the ix Metro concept, a mini hybrid set to be unveiled in Frankfurt next week that points towards a new low-emissions future for compact crossovers.
The ix Metro is a dinky petrol-electric hybrid producing just 80g/km of CO2. A 1.0-litre, three-cylinder turbo petrol engine provides primary motivation, backed up by a small electric motor.
Created at Hyundai's Global Design studio in Korea, the ix Metro also gets a six-speed dual clutch gearbox, a more efficient transmission than a standard auto.
Hyundai describes the ix Metro as a Compact Utility Vehicle, and says it will be smaller than its own Fiesta-rivalling i20, with a slightly raised driving position. Think curvy Panda Cross - likely minus the four-wheel-drive gubbins - and you're in the right territory.
Frankly, we're just happy to see the revival of an old British Leyland nameplate in a tiny Korean car. What next? The Kia Allegro?
Want to comment on this?
Next up: Mosler Marina.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
@StigsIrishCousin: Thats a bit too many I think. My guess would be approximately 41568.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Ok, this ugly-hatch thing must just be joke that I don't get. First Lexus, now Hyundai, soon all cars will be styled to look like someone crashed a car through a Frank Gehry model.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
It's a crossover all right. Between a Peugeot and an Infiniti. Then they lightly squashed it into place, topped it off with Suzuki wheels and hey presto! As for tech, well, nothing revolutionary, so this car will be forgotten quicker than an ageing boyband.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
this is so ugly it would make you want to still keep a rusty old metro and at least rover metro is a badge worthy of a car hyundai sounds like a toaster. another thing im sick hearing about these hybird concepts especially the hybird diesels. STOP TALKING ABOUT MAKING THEM AND MAKE THEM then we will see if they are all they are made out to be. it seems like car design has become modern art the designer makes absolute rubbish and gives a convincing description and thats it. if the peugeot 308 hybird comes out then i will be happy but petrol electric is stupid. just go lpg
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Any other British name is all good, but since the Austin/Rover Metro was the single most hateful car design in the world(pre-Ssang-Yong, of course), it should be left well alone.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
It looks like an insect, a distinctly evil-looking insect...........
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Why're all concept cars so overdone these days? I admit some of the details are nice, but putting too much into one thing - tiny thing nonetheless - just hurts the eye. AND THAT IS RESERVED FOR SUPER CARS! I miss designs like the Maserati Birdcage... simple details, but with presence and purpose.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Actually I think I preferred the Austin one, that at least was fun to drive in a mildly suicidal way.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Car looks like it was feeding on pedastrians.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
this thing looks like an crashed Nissan Micra.. ugly
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Hmm... we'll see...
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Do you lot have do show us every photo that pops up on your desk? Well!!! Do You??? The guy that remembered to include this pic on this site is paying for my medical bills...and yes, for my anger management sessions as well.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
What next? I know, let's show a Tata Marina Concept car. Did I just use the word Tata and Car in the same sentence? See, you guys are trying to drive us nuts!
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Advertisement
Advertisement feature
Discover the new Insignia VXR
The Vauxhall Insignia VXR is in showrooms now. To read more about the car and for your chance to win an iPod Touch, click here.
Test Driven
.jpg?p=080926_03:52)
Audi TT Roadster
Forget the hyperdrive quattro versions. This honest, no frills TT is one of the best you can buy.
Advertisement
Open Car Bar
StigsIrishCousn commented on this article
08 September 2009
Any prizes for guessing how many low emissions hybrid city car concepts will be unveiled in Frankfurt?! My money is on there being 45,929
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.