Autoblog

Hyundai pledges to average minimum 50 MPG CAFE standards by 2025

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Technology, Hyundai

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hyundai is nothing if not ambitious. The Korean automaker announced today that it will continue its efforts to be the most fuel-efficient automaker in America through the next two decades, with plans to achieve a Corporate Average Fuel Economy rating of 50 miles per gallon by 2025 for its entire vehicle lineup.

The cornerstone of Hyundai's approach is its Blue Drive strategy, which incorporates a range of engine technologies - from turbocharging and direct-injection to lightweight materials and both traditional and plug-in hybrids - to reduce consumption and improve overall efficiency.

Hyundai points to the 2011 Sonata as the first in a wave of new products to utilize its new and improved drivetrains, available with either hybrid, turbocharged and naturally aspirated engines. And Hyundai appears to be in a better position than other full-line automakers to reach its lofty mpg goal, as it doesn't offer any pickup or body-on-frame SUV models. Hit the jump for the full blast and read our First Drive of the Sonata Hybrid for details on its gas-electric system.

Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid pre-production

Continue reading Hyundai pledges to average minimum 50 MPG CAFE standards by 2025

Hyundai pledges to average minimum 50 MPG CAFE standards by 2025 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid looks to split the uprights

Chris Paukert — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Technology, Hyundai, First Drives

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid hails from a nation where Buddhism is one of the dominant religions. After all, this slippery sedan's design is the gas-electric's equivalent of The Middle Path - a road that the company hopes is truly the way to automotive enlightenment.

Say what?

In the still-young history of the modern hybrid automobile, there have been two prevailing schools of thought on design: As the less costly path, The Low Road to hybridization is already a crowded one - it's a design route that basically calls for the electrification hardware to be buried beneath a familiar bodyshell that's shared with a conventional internal combustion-only model (see: Lexus LS 600h, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Chevrolet Silverado, etc.). The driving philosophy here is to keep production costs in check while also appealing to audiences that might be otherwise reluctant to embrace "new" technology.

Despite being on the checklist of every politician, environmentalist and Hollywood glitterati, hybrids don't sell in America

By contrast, The High Road calls for swoopier model-specific bodywork - if not an entire dedicated platform - enabling a "greener than thou" halo for its owners and parent company. Unfortunately, this high-visibility strategy also costs a boatload of cash, and the only such model that has managed to make a solid business case for itself is the Toyota Prius, a vehicle that's become the de-facto postercar for the green movement.

But here's the conundrum that Hyundai has keenly recognized: Despite being on the checklist of every politician, environmentalist and Hollywood glitterati, hybrids don't sell in America - they account for less than two percent of new vehicles purchased in the U.S. every year, and their high technology bandwidth means that they require a disproportionate amount of money to develop. Basically, Hyundai knows that the Sonata Hybrid is a necessity for improving its technological capabilities, as well as for burnishing its industry-leading CAFE scores, but it also seems to understand that it is almost certain to lose money on each one it builds. Which is why they've taken The Middle Path.

In this case, the Sonata Hybrid tries to integrate the best of the other two hybrid strategies - create a distinctive new model with a unique look that says "I care more about the earth than you do" without incurring the cost of a whole new platform and all-new sheetmetal. Have they been successful? We flew all the way to South Korea to find out...

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid looks to split the uprights

First Drive: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid looks to split the uprights originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York 2010: Hyundai Sonata Hybrid gets unique look and 37/39 MPG rating [w/video] [UPDATE]

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:37:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Technology, Videos, Hyundai

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

It wasn't that many years ago that no one really took the engineering capabilities of Hyundai all that seriously. Thanks to recent introductions like the Genesis coupe and sedan, the Tucson and the Sonata, as well as consistently improving quality, the Korean automaker is rapidly gaining respect. Today at the 2010 New York Auto Show, Hyundai debuted its first production hybrid model for the U.S. market based on the recently launched 2011 Sonata.

As we saw in the teaser photo released last Friday, Hyundai has set its hybrid apart from conventional models with an all-new front fascia. However, the changes go well beyond the new grille and headlights. The new wheels combine with extended rocker panels to improve airflow across the flanks. At the back end, the bumper cover has been reshaped with sharp creases at the corners to control the air coming off and minimize drag, and there are set of really interesting taillamps with a sort of neutron molecule-like quality to them. The body alterations drops the hybrid's projected drag coefficient from the standard Sonata's already slippery 0.28 to just 0.25. As you might suspect, the really important stuff, however, is under the skin.

Follow the jump to learn more and check out a video.

*UPDATE: Live photos added from New York

Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid live from NY

Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Live photos by Frank Filipponio / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Hyundai]

Continue reading New York 2010: Hyundai Sonata Hybrid gets unique look and 37/39 MPG rating [w/video] [UPDATE]

New York 2010: Hyundai Sonata Hybrid gets unique look and 37/39 MPG rating [w/video] [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #172: YUGOMANIA!

Dan Roth — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:45:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Podcasts, Cadillac, GM, Hyundai, Infiniti

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Sam and Dan kick off Episode #172 of the Autoblog Podcast with guest Jason Vuic, author of a historical treatise on the Yugo.

Alex Nunez joins us afterwards for news items. We cover sights coming to the New York Auto Show, including the next Mercedes R-Class, Infiniti QX56, Cadillac CTS-V Wagon and Sonata Hybrid, among other topics. We babble for an hour and twenty and then split.

Autoblog Podcast #172: YUGOMANIA!

In the Autoblog Garage:

Toyota Prius

News:
Cadillac CTS-V Wagon
Infiniti QX56
Mercedes-Benz R Class
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Hosts:
Alex Nunez, Dan Roth, Sam Abuelsamid

Guest:
Jason Vuic, author of The Yugo: The Rise and Fall of the Worst Car in History

Runtime: 1:16:45

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Joystiq Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #172: YUGOMANIA! originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai releases first teaser shot of the Sonata hybrid ahead of NY debut

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Hyundai

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid Blue Drive- Click above to enlarge

Next Wednesday at the New York Auto Show, Hyundai will unveil its first U.S. market hybrid model based on the just released Sonata sedan, which thoroughly impressed us during our recent review. Unlike the Fusion and Camry hybrids which are barely distinguishable from their conventional counterparts, the Sonata Hybrid gets a completely new front fascia. The new look adds a massive lower grille inspired by the Blue-Will Concept that shown at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

We believe the Sonata hybrid will retain the same 2.4-liter direct injected inline-four found in the sedans that are on sale now. However, it may be re-tuned to operate on the more efficient Atkinson cycle like other hybrids. Unlike the gas-electrics from Ford and Toyota, Hyundai's system is expected to use a conventional six-speed automatic gearbox in conjunction with a 30 kilowatt electric motor.

The Sonata hybrid and a range-topping gasoline 2.0-liter turbo model will both be revealed during a live video webcast on HyundaiMediaLive.com at 1:35pm on Wednesday, March 31. Following the presentation, CEO John Krafcik and sales VP Dave Zuchowski will be online to answer questions from the audience. You can submit your questions now at the site and tune in Wednesday for answers.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Hyundai Sonata

[Source: Hyundai]

Hyundai releases first teaser shot of the Sonata hybrid ahead of NY debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2009: All-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata to come in regular, turbo and hybrid

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Hyundai, South Korea

2011 Hyundai Sonata - Click above for high-res image gallery

Not counting full-size trucks, the meat-and-potatoes of the American car market remains the mid-size family sedan. For the past two decades, the undisputed kings of this particular segment have been the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord, especially since the Ford Taurus fell off its pedestal right around 1992. Many have tried to knock the two Japanese heavyweights (now figuratively and literally) off the hill - and almost as many have failed. And while those two titans have remained atop the sales charts, other family sedans have met with considerable success. Perhaps most notably, the Hyundai Sonata, an unassuming car that has found its way into 1.2 million homes.

With beaming grins and news of Hyundai being named the most fuel efficient brand in America, Hyundai's brass took the wraps off their new-for-2011 Sonota. What strikes you instantly is the Sonata's curvy, slightly-hefty, almost organic shape. Hyundai calls the design language "Fluidic Sculpture," and while not quite as in-your-face as Mazda's signature Nagare styling language, we have a feeling it might prove nearly as polarizing. That's not to say the new Sonata is bad looking or ugly. But it is highly-stylized in a mid-size market that tends to reward the bland and middle-of-the-road.

But Fluidic Sculpture is what we've got - and not just on the Sonata. Hyundai's North American President and CEO John Krafcik promises that this design language will define the brand moving forward. Not surprisingly, Fluidic Sculpture originated right here in Southern California in Hyundai's Irvine design center. We really appreciate some of the finely wrought detailing, such as the grille, door handles, headlights and taillights (though those taillights appear to be lifted directly from the BMW 3 Series). We're just a wee bit uncertain of how the new Sonata will play in Peoria.

As for the non-design aspects of the 2011 Sonata, the big news is under the hood. Gone is the 3.3-liter V6, or for that matter, any V6. Instead Hyundai is offering consumers a choice of three four-cylinder engines. The first is a 2.4-liter Gasoline Direct-Injection (GDI) motor called the Theta II good for 198 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. That much power from a 2.4-liter essentially puts the Sonata at the head of the four-cylinder class. But what about those pesky V6 cars? No problem, as Hyundai will launching a turbocharged version of the GDI Theta II. If direct-injection and turbocharging sounds a little EcoBoosty to you, well, it is. And that's a very, very good thing.

But what about hybrids? There will be a hybrid version of the Theta II. Hyundai's calling the technology Blue Drive,and it sounds pretty spiffy. Unlike other hybrids that use nickel hydride (or starting soon, lithium ion) batteries, the Hyundai system will use lithium polymer technology. According to Hyundai, lithium polymer leapfrogs lithium ion battery tech and within five years, the entire industry will switch to LP. Only Hyundai will be putting the tech on sale within the year. Big claims to be sure, but Hyundai's been defying conventions and expectations for quite a while now. Look for the Alabama-built Sonata to start at less than $20,000 and go on sale this January. Official press release after the jump, Jonny-on-the-spot photos below.

Gallery: LA 2009: 2011 Hyundai Sonata

Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Sonata

Continue reading LA 2009: All-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata to come in regular, turbo and hybrid

LA 2009: All-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata to come in regular, turbo and hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai Prius? Hybrid Sonata could have distinct shape, different name

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:26:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Green, Marketing/Advertising, Hyundai

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Hyundai Sonata

When you think of the word "hybrid," what vehicle pops into your mind? Likely, it's the Toyota Prius, and that's what they call a really big win for the marketing department. Much of the success that Toyota's seminal hybrid model has achieved has been attributed to its unique styling, which sets the fuel-saver apart from other manufacturers' hybrids, making the ecomobile instantly recognizable. Those that care about saving the planet - or at least those who like the appearance of caring - often choose the Prius due to its iconic shape and name.

Woong-chul Yang, president of R&D for Hyundai-Kia Motors, says, "People who drive a hybrid like to be differentiated." Sounds painful. In any case, the automaker is reportedly working on giving their first hybrid model, which will be based on the Sonata midsize sedan, a distinct shape. To go along with the unique profile, the Korean hybrid may get a different name to further distance it from its non-hybrid sibling.

Gallery: 2009 Hyundai Sonata

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Hyundai Prius? Hybrid Sonata could have distinct shape, different name originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 15:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai to sell 50,000 Genesis per year, Sonata hybrid coming in 2010

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Hybrid, Sedan, Hyundai

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Hyundai Genesis sedan.

Hyundai's first foray into the world of rear-wheel-drive needs to be a success in order to justify the development, manufacturing and launching costs. Hyundai's vice president for product development, John Krafcik, told reports that the automaker expects to sell 50,000 Genesis models annually in the U.S. - 20,000 sedans and 30,000 coupes.

But the Genesis is only part of Hyundai's image makeover. The Korean manufacturer intends to launch its first hybrid model by 2010, equipped with a next generation lithium-ion battery pack. According to Krafcik, "Our first U.S. hybrid is going to be the Sonata," however, Hyundai has no plans to offer the new sedan with a plug-in option. That's a strategy that's served Toyota well, and Hyundai is clearly trying to follow in the Japanese juggernaut's footsteps.

Gallery: 2009 Hyundai Genesis Sedan

Gallery: Hyundai Concept Genesis Coupe

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Hyundai to sell 50,000 Genesis per year, Sonata hybrid coming in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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