Spied: Hyundai’s Prius-fighting dedicated hybrid

Hyundai’s long-rumored Toyota Prius fighter has finally broken cover. Our spy photographers spotted Hyundai’s first-ever dedicated hybrid vehicle as it was being transported to the Arctic Circle for cold weather testing.
Though still covered in camouflage, it’s clear that Hyundai’s hybrid-only model will mimic the Prius’ wedge-like shape. Like the Prius, the Hyundai hybrid is expected to be offered as a five-door hatchback, although more body styles could be offered in the future.

Up front we can see horizontal grille slats, blue-tinted headlights and LED running lights. The rear of the hybrid is a little more covered up, but we can see that the car’s tail lamps will be mounted high for greater visibility.

Thanks to the car’s positioning on the transport truck we can clearly see a chassis sticker that reads “AE HEV.” AE refers to the project code while HEV stands for Hybrid Electric Vehicle.

It is believed that Hyundai’s Prius-fighter will use a 1.6L four-cylinder gas engine mated to an electric motor. A lithium-ion battery will provide the car’s electric power. A plug-in variant of the hatchback is also being designed, but that model won’t likely bow until 2017 or 2018.

The hybrid will ride on the same platform that will underpin the next-generation Elantra. Production of the Hyundai hybrid will begin next year in Korea, with sale scheduled to kickoff soon after.