New Hyundai Hybrid Spotted

Hyundai Motor Co. has been road testing an all-new hybrid car, according to multiple media reports. Spy photographers snapped shots of the heavily camouflaged model during hot weather testing in the U.S.

The long rumored model will be a dedicated hybrid likely with a plug-in hybrid variant and is expected to share a platform with the next-generation Elantra compact car that also will carry the upcoming Kia DE hybrid, according to the reports. Codenamed AE, the new Hyundai hybrid could be unveiled in concept form at September's Frankfurt auto show with the production launch following sometime next year.

Spy photos of the test mule show a five-door hatchback with a concealed charging port in front of the driver's door. Power is expected to come from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine, electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. The engine, which produces 118 hp in Hyundai's i30 small car (183 hp in the i30 Turbo), will be mated with Kia's new 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, according to the reports.

To compete against Toyota's Prius hybrid lineup, multiple body styles of the new Hyundai and Kia dedicated hybrids are expected.