Building a reputation for fuel efficient cars over the past few years, Hyundai is looking to solidify itself as a leader by introducing a rival to the Toyota Prius.

Hyundai first indicated it would take on the Prius when it unveiled the Blue-Will concept two years ago. Powered by a 152-hp 1.6-liter direct-injection engine and 100 kW electric motor, the concept car was touted to achieve as much as 106-mpg when operating as a plug-in hybrid, while still achieving 50 to 55-mpg once the gasoline engine was engaged to power the wheels as well.

In addition to this 40+ mpg car, Hyundai has hinted it will also introduce one more 40-mpg car in the near future – thought to be the Elantra Coupe or Touring.

GALLERY: Hyundai Blue-Will Concept

[Source: InsideLine]

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First shown at the Seoul Auto Show last Spring, Hyundai will display its Blue-Will concept at the Detroit Auto Show in just a few days time. A showcase for hybrid and other green technologies, the Blue-Will is a plug-in hybrid and according to Hyundai could actually make its way to production, competing against vehicles like the Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid.

Powered by a 152-hp 1.6-liter direct-injection 4-cylinder engine and a 100kW electric motor, the Blue-Will uses a lithium-polymer battery pack to achieve 50-55 mpg in standard hybrid mode, or as much as 106 mpg in plug-in hybrid mode.

Until then, however, a similar non-plug-in hybrid setup will debut in the all-new Hyundai Sonata hybrid, which is due out later this year as a 2011 model.

Some interesting highlights of the Blue-Will include a CVT transmission with drive, park and reverse controls that are operated via a touch-screen, as well as a thermal generator on the exhaust manifold that converts heat to electric energy.

GALLERY: Hyundai Blue-Will Concept Debut in Frankfurt

GALLERY: Hyundai Blue-Will Concept

Official release after the jump:

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While Hyundai has already announced plans to enter the hybrid market in 2011 with a hybrid version of the new Sonata, due out in 2011, the company has now made clear plans for a state-of-the-art plug-in hybrid electric for 2012. This new model will be based on the Blue-Will Concept, which debuted at this year’s Seoul Auto Show and will be aimed squarely at the Toyota Prius PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), as well as the upcoming Chevrolet Volt.

Yang Woong-chul, the head of R&D at Hyundai told Automotive News that the Hyundai PHEV will be powered by a 1.6-liter direct injection powerplant and a 100kw electric motor, with a range of 38 miles on just electric power. When in gasoline mode the acr will achieve an average of 55 mpg.

Woong-chul did not say if the Hyundai PEV would use the same lithium-polymer technology expected in  he 2011 Sonata, which Hyundai claims is superior to the lithium-ion batteries that will be used in the Toyota and Chevy PHEVs.

[Source: Automotive News via Autoblog]