Is Hyundai planning a hybrid-drive Prius-slayer for 2016?

Smug, as South Park so eloquently put it, is the only harmful gas emitted by the Toyota Prius as it whizzes by on the highway, but often people forget what an important car it was. Although celebrities clambered onto it practically masking the message it brought, it left a lasting imprint on the motoring industry that thankfully more manufacturers are getting hooked on.

Take Hyundai for example. The Korean car maker is allegedly testing a Prius-like hybrid according to Autoblog‘s roving reporters in the “Arctic Circle”, no less.

With the focus firmly around green, environmentally friendly manufacturing and machinery, hybrid cars have really made an impression on car owners of late. We’re still a while away from full electric cars being anything like a fixture on world roads, but Hyundai isn’t really looking at going fully electric yet.

Like other automakers, Hyundai reportedly shoves a 1.6-litre petrol engine alongside a battery-powered electric drive system. While it’s not the most exciting hybrid reveal in a while, it could be the most important.

A major issue with the Prius was the price and value for money. It was overly expensive, wasn’t very good on the road and overhyped. It was also the first of its kind, which pushed prices up. But Hyundai has a chance to undercut its Japanese rival.

The car will be based on the Elantra platform, the report continues, and should begin manufacture in the second half of 2016.

Have a look at AutoBlog for the full report.