Hyundai announced a hybrid version of its 2006 Accent at the third Guangzhou Exhibition in China this week. The vehicle is equipped with a 1.4L CVVT engine producing 90 hp and a 16-hp electric motor. According to the manufacturer that should net the car a 44 percent gain in fuel economy. The Accent Hybrid is presumably a "mild" hybrid like the Honda Civic Hybrid and some unofficial calculations puts is mpg somewhere in the mid-to-high 40s range. The real news is that the Accent Hybrid would presumably sell for well under $20,000 making it more accessible than any hybrid currently on the market. Factor in any tax credits that will be available for hybrid purchases and Hyundai has perhaps a major hit on its hands. Rumors put the Accent Hybrid and a hybrid version of the Rio on U.S. shores sometime next year.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joel A @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
Coupled with Toyota's plans to build more powerful but less expensive hybrid engines in the near future, the biggest excuse against owning a vehicle with the powertrain will be just that: an excuse.
Devin Lussier @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
If Hyundai launches the redesigned 2007 Elantra with an available hybrid powertrain I would seriously consider trading in my 2005 Elantra GT for one.
sam @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
I seriously hope manufacturers do the "right thing" and offer two types of hybrids on each model -- the "performance" and the "miser".
Or maybe give the systems some degree of adjustability. (wouldn't it be nice if you could alter the performance of the system yourself depending on your mood.)
Source1 @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
we are surprised that Hyundai has a hit on its hands...u just wait. The Sonata will pass the Altima for third place early next year in sales just behind the Camry and Accord. Hyundai is going to have a lot of hits on its hands. How can u not when u are building great cars and selling 500,000 of them
hans @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
well most of the miserly hybrids have very small gas powered engines.
the only real performance hybrid will be the gs460h lexus and the honda accord. but those cars kept more or less engines that are just as powerful as their non hybrid counterparts.
the accord has a 3.0 L v6 which puts out 240hp in the gas only model.
gs460h will have a 3.5L Direct injection v6 which puts out 306 hp in the is350 (which is already more HP than the gas only gs430).
i think a good compromise for people would be something like a hybrid with a v6 with cylinder deactivation to 3 cylinders and hybrid. so you could have a switch to shut off the 3 cylinders and go into "gridlock mode" or well being on a fwy in rush hour in los angeles mode.
i dont even really need that myself... if they will build me an acura tsx hybrid with the normal gas engine in there i'd be right there.
Juan @ Dec 18th 2005 11:07PM
I agree with hans. If they made an Acura TSX Hybrid, I'd be there in a heartbeat. But, Hyundai is doing a pretty good job these days and this new Accent Hybrid just reinforces that. They're tired of playing second-best so now they're gunning for top spot. I say anything's possible, so go for it Hyundai.
Nong Tu Uyen @ Jan 2nd 2006 4:14AM
Dear Sir
Today I saw your company’s add and your product in China website,so now I mail to you for asking about Huyndai car.
We NAM A CO.,LTD specialized in manufacturing EPS Foam exporting to oversea and domestic markets. At present, we are urgent to buy 5-10 Huyndai car for carrying 3,5 tons of products.(like truck)
If your company is manufacturing this kind of vehicle or not?If have, pls give me a quotation!
Pls reply me as soon as possible.
Waiting for your information!
Best regards!
NAM A CO.,LTD
Add: Van An, Yen Phong dist, Bac Ninh prov, Vietnam
Tel:84-241-861385 Fax: 84-241-861486
Email:uyenhn@yahoo.com
2006.01.02