Sightings of the Toyota Prius-fighting Hyundai AE hybrid have increased significantly in frequency over the past couple of months, but today our European spy photographers have sent us the most revealing images yet – a mule with all of the prior black body cladding removed, leaving only the naked body underneath (if still covered in camouflage).
Previously, Hyundai’s hybrid was thought to have a similar silhouette to the evergreen Prius; shorn of much of its disguise, however, the lower nose, stretched-out proportions and low-slung roofline actually reminds this writer more of the Chevrolet Volt.
At the front, the styling is largely reminiscent of the new Tucson, with swept-back headlights flanking a large trapezoidal grille, while vertical air inlets can be found on both corners of the bumper. Interestingly, the grille is completely closed here, with no holes allowing air to pass through – the previous prototypes spied had traditional slats.
Moving to the rear, the tail lights are horizontal rather than vertical on the Prius; that plus the larger rear spoiler enhances the Volt connection. Apart from this Kammback hatchback form, the AE – set to be built on an all-new platform that will underpin the next-gen i30/Elantra – is rumoured to be also available in one other bodystyle, such as a Prius v-rivalling MPV.
Under the bonnet, expect the AE to feature a 1.6 litre four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor (of course) and a lithium-ion battery pack, with fuel economy likely to improve on, if not match, the Prius’ claimed 4.6 litres per 100 km figure. A larger battery than the Sonata Plug-in Hybrid’s 9.8 kWh unit should also see its all-electric range surpass its D-segment cousin’s 35 km.
One other thing, though – instead of the usual hybrid brigade, this particular AE is parked next to fully-electric vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf, Volkswagen e-Golf, BMW i3 and the Hyundai Motor Group’s own Kia Soul EV. Could this – and the aforementioned closed-in grille – indicate that an electric-only version of the AE is also on the cards?
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The battery will have great RV, period