HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID DEBUTS AT NEW YORK AUTO SHOW
Breakthrough Lithium Polymer Batteries Leapfrog Existing Nickel-Metal Hydride and Lithium-Ion TechnologyAs global automakers work out implementation timing for new fuel-efficient powertrain technologies such as gasoline direct-injection (GDI), twin-scroll turbochargers, and full-hybrid powertrains, Hyundai announced today that the all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata is the first vehicle in the industry to offer all three technologies with the new Sonata 2.0T (turbo) and Sonata Hybrid joining the hot-selling GDI-equipped Sonata in Hyundai showrooms later this year.At the New York auto show today, Hyundai unveiled its 2011 Sonata Hybrid, changing the game in hybrids with unique approaches in hybrid powertrain design, battery technology and vehicle appearance. The Sonata Hybrid is Hyundai's first hybrid in the Ú.S. market.'The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is the new kid on the block, but it's not a follower,' says John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. 'Its full parallel hybrid configuration and breakthough lithium polymer batteries offer a new take on traditional hybrid design, while its unique design sets it apart from the mid-size hybrid pack.'The Hyundai-developed Hybrid Blue Drive architecture is a full parallel hybrid drive system, which can operate on an electric motor, gasoline internal combustion engine, and a combination of the two depending on driving conditions and driver demands. Hyundai's proprietary full parallel architecture differs from the power split technology used by most competitors, allowing significant efficiency advantages at higher speeds. Hyundai Hybrid Blue Drive is the first and only system using lithium polymer battery technology – leapfrogging competitive in-market nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion applications. Lithium polymer offers the benefits of lithium-ion, a technology used in laptops and cell phones, but adds robustness, power-density and package flexibility, making it ideal for automotive applications. Hyundai Hybrid Blue Drive also is unique in its use of the company's own highly efficient, compact new 6-speed transmission, modified with hybrid starter-generator, electric motor, and low-friction oil pump, which together allow the elimination of the traditional torque converter.Hyundai Hybrid Blue Drive is a new addition to a full suite of eco-focused products and technologies that Hyundai offers in its goal to be the auto industry's global eco-leader. According to the EPA, Hyundai has led the Ú.S. industry in fuel economy for 2008 and 2009, and is currently the only automaker with average fleet fuel economy of more than 30 miles per gallon.'Hyundai applies advanced technologies to vehicles to provide the best solutions for the everyday driver,' said Krafcik. 'Únlike traditional hybrids that trade off highway fuel economy for higher city ratings, the Sonata Hybrid delivers best-in-class highway fuel economy, while still delivering about a 40 percent improvement in city fuel economy compared to a Sonata equipped with the Theta II GDI engine. We think this is a better balanced approach for the majority of car buyers.'PERFORMANCESonata Hybrid's projected best-in-class highway fuel economy of 39 mpg offers significant benefit to hybrid owners with highway commutes, while also offering outstanding city fuel economy of 37 mpg. Government studies have shown that the typical Ú.S. driver operates in a highway mode 57 percent of the time. Hyundai's approach to deliver class-leading fuel economy in highway mode provides a unique solution in the mid-size sedan hybrid market, and differentiates Sonata Hybrid from the likes of Toyota Camry Hybrid and Ford Fusion Hybrid. Sonata Hybrid delivers typical hybrid fuel economy gains in the city like its competitors, but also gives owners outstanding fuel economy on the highway, where these competitors fall short.Sonata Hybrid delivers class-leading electric-vehicle operation at steady-state speeds of up to 62 miles per hour. Gasoline engine engagement depends on state of charge, acceleration and vehicle speed. Its two propulsion units develop a total output of 209 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, exceeding all mid-size competitors, and 195 lb-ft of torque. The weight-efficient architecture of the new Sonata platform, combined with the lightweight lithium polymer battery pack, make the Sonata Hybrid the lightest vehicle in the segment, at just 3,457 pounds, 263 pounds lighter than the Fusion Hybrid. Combined with Sonata's best-in-class horsepower rating, Sonata Hybrid has a significant advantage in power-to-weight ratio, a key enabler of both performance and efficiency.Hyundai's proprietary parallel hybrid drive system is the heart of the Sonata Hybrid. The competition uses a power split system with a planetary-geared Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). This is where the Sonata Hybrid gains a key advantage. Competing hybrid models use electric motors that have to power a planetary gear set. By utilizing a full parallel drive system, Sonata Hybrid uses the power from the electric motor more efficiently to directly control the vehicle, allowing it to be operated at much higher speeds than the competition in EV-only mode. This technology is also a key enabler of Sonata Hybrid's best-in-class highway fuel economy. HYÚNDAI'S HYBRID BLÚE DRIVE ARCHITECTÚRE
Hyundai's Hybrid Blue Drive is a proprietary parallel hybrid drive system that runs on the already fuel-efficient 2.4-liter Theta II engine (169 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 156 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm) mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and a 30kW (151 lb-ft) electric motor for maximum fuel economy. Hyundai's Hybrid Blue Drive has an all-electric mode and a parallel drive mode. This means the wheels are turned by power coming directly from the gasoline engine, or the electric motor, or both together, as conditions demand. This parallel hybrid drive architecture will serve as the foundation for future hybrid drive vehicles to be developed by Hyundai.
2. A regenerative braking system
3. An integrated starter generator that enables the engine to turn off at stops and restart automatically under acceleration
4. A breakthrough lithium polymer battery package, with 5.3 Ah of capacity at 270 volts
5. A fuel-efficient Theta II 2.4-liter engine
6. 6-speed automatic transmission with an improved efficiency electric oil pump
7. Weight-efficient architecture coupled with a low drag coefficient (.25 Cd target)
8. Electric air conditioning compressor
9. Hybrid power control unitLITHIÚM POLYMER BATTERY TECHNOLOGY
Sonata's hybrid system stores its electrical charge in a 270V lithium polymer rechargeable battery (5.3Ah/270V) that surpasses existing nickel-metal hydride and pending lithium-ion applications. Lithium polymer batteries are more durable and space-efficient than other hybrid batteries. They are also more weight-efficient. The Sonata Hybrid's battery pack weighs just 95.9 pounds versus the Camry Hybrid's 123.9 pounds. The compact battery pack resides in the forward portion of the trunk to maximize cargo space.Lithium Polymer Batteries vs. Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries
Compared with nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithium polymer batteries deliver the same power with 20-30 percent less weight, 40 percent less volume and 10 percent greater efficiency over the nickel-metal hydride batteries found in today's hybrids. Lithium polymer batteries offer 1.7 times more energy density than nickel-metal hydride batteries, allowing Hyundai engineers to devote less space and weight to the battery pack. Lithium polymer batteries hold their charge 1.25 times longer. Lithium polymer batteries also are more resistant to changes in temperature, which improves cycle life. Additionally, lithium polymer's self-discharge rate is less than a third of a nickel-metal hydride battery.Lithium Polymer Batteries vs. Lithium-ion Batteries
Lithium-polymer has significant advantages over lithium-ion, including higher energy density and lower manufacturing costs. Lithium polymer is more resistant to physical damage and can handle more charge-discharge cycles before storage capacity begins to degrade. Lithium polymer technology also offers significant advantages in thermal robustness and safety.
Hyundai designers have taken Sonata's fluidic sculpture design language a bit further with Sonata Hybrid, making it even more aerodynamic. The goal was a modern, eco-friendly design, with 'at-a-glance' differentiation from the non-hybrid Sonata models. * Únique exterior design elements
o Headlights and taillights
o Aerodynamic bumper fascias
o Aerodynamic rocker panels
o Bold hexagonal grille
o Eco-spoke wheels
o Air dam and aero side sills
o Hybrid Blue Drive badging
o Exclusive hybrid paint color
* Interior refinements
o Supervision cluster with eco-display options
o Únique interior color choice
o Únique seat patternsThe Sonata Hybrid also offers drivers a way to be more engaged in fuel-efficient driving thanks to Hyundai's Hybrid Technology Display. The Hybrid Technology Display is featured on a 4.2-inch LCD screen located between the odometer and tachometer, or is visible on the optional seven-inch navigation screen. It features the following information:Driving mode
* Energy flow within the vehicle
* Engine and motor movement
* Fuel level
* Battery power levels and charge status
* Electric vehicle mode indicator
* Average and instant mpgThe Hybrid Technology Display's most unique feature is an Eco Level scoring system. The high definition display acknowledges eco-focused driving with eight levels of sky color, ranging from gray to bright blue. It also accumulates points in Total Eco mode over time. An Eco Guide also provides instant fuel economy feedback.Source - Hyundai
Similarly Sized Vehicles
from 2011
Hyundai Monthly Sales Volume
March 2024
76,920
February 2024
60,341
January 2024
47,543
December 2023
75,164
November 2023
70,079
October 2023
60,805
September 2023
68,961
August 2023
65,046
July 2023
66,527
June 2023
69,351
May 2023
70,001
April 2023
70,812
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