Namyang, Korea’s Global Design Team has created a whole series of new concept cars, of which this is the fifth. It is designed as a showcase vehicle for the “Blue Drive” eco initiative Hyundai is pushing.

The ix-Metro is a CUV — a sub-B segment hybrid electric one, to be exact. Hyundai promises that the concept will give out CO2 emissions that are only eighty grams per kilometer. The vehicle uses an petrol engine, an inline three cylinder, that displaces a mere liter.

The concept is a proposal for a grand touring vehicle. It is designed to integrate three important factors: safety, driving performance, and eco friendliness.

On the outside, the vehicle is said to be inspired by actual wings, in order to evoke a sense of freedom and a sense of confidence. The design is an aerodynamic one, emphasized by the vehicle’s gullwing doows and its areas of open glass.

Inside, the vehicle can seat up to four passengers and manages to feel quite open. The dashboard, for instance, can be moved either up or down, so the driving environment is optimized.

The figures make these Ford sedans the best of its class in terms of fuel economy. Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan hybrids best the hybrid variant of the Toyota Camry by a convincing 2 mpg on city highway driving and 8 mpg while cruising on city streets. According to company officials, the cars also edged the Honda Civic hybrid by 1 mpg on city driving.

The ratings were disclosed after the December testing of the vehicles in its grounds in Allen Park, Michigan.

The new hybrid cars from Ford can go as fast as 47 mph utilizing its pure electric power. It can travel as far as 700 miles if it will use up a single load of its gas tank.

The vehicles use a nickel-metal-hydride battery which is lighter and generates 20% more power than their previous configurations. The new power plant in its engine bay is a 2.5L with 4 cylinders that can output 155 horsepower. It has a torque of 136 lb-ft.

The hybrids from Ford make use of the regenerative braking system which helps recover a significant amount of energy.

The Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan are also equipped with SmartGauge and EcoGuide which are innovative systems to help the driver monitor the fuel efficiency of the vehicle.

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In 2009, the Ford Fusion is due to have its mid-term facelift, after which it will be re-launched into the market as a 2010 model. J.D. Shanahan, the one in charge of model production, knows that it’s going to take more than just minor sheet metal changes and hardware upgrades if Ford wants Fusion to get back on top of the game. Shanahan says that even though Fusion beat Accord and Camry in 2006, they stilll have a lot of model upgrading and redesigning to do because Toyota and Honda will also be coming out with mid-term updates on their own models.

The 2010 Fusion range is being unveiled at the Los Angeles auto show, and includes a full hybrid car model that Ford claims will beat the competition in terms of fuel economy. Ford says that their hybrid model will be able to operate in an all-electric mode of up to 47 mph. One of Ford’s team leader, Nancy Goia, shares that the hybrid model can even cruise at 45 mph without engaging the engine. Compared with other Ford hybrid models, the Fusion uses a better battery that’s 23 percent smaller, lighter and more powerful than those of other Ford hybrids.

Aside from engine and hardware improvements, Ford has also redesigned the interiors and added in all-new instrument panels, blue lighting, revised switchgear, soft-touch surfaces and more ergonomic seats.