Hyundai Motor Co. Ltd., for the first time, revealed its Accent Hybrid this week at the third China(Guangzhou) International Automobile Exhibition. The hybrid-electric vehicle is equipped with a 1.4L continuously variable valve-timing engine delivering 90 hp, plus a 16-hp electric motor. The auto maker says the engine achieves a 44% improvement in fuel economy. Hybrid-electric vehicles were highlighted at the third annual Auto Guangzhou 2005 show, which ended Nov. 28. The exhibition is considered China’s most important auto show this fall. Full Article
Geez, I hadn't heard Hyundai was going to introduce a hybrid.. Wonder if they leased Toyota's HSD technology. The stronger ICE and weaker electric motor follows Honda's model, though. Audi, too? It's raining hybrids!
I would doubt this is HSD as that is a really weak electric motor. It wouldn't be able to run on electric only, that's for sure.
South Korea in general is fast developing a very strong tech based economy - some of the most encouraging progress in lithium batteries for hybrid use comes from LG-Chem, a company keen to see its batteries in Hyundai vehicles. Could it be possible that Hyundai will bypass NiMH and make the jump to lithium before anyone else?
Anyone know if the Hyundai Accent Hybrid (HAH) is the 3 door or 4 door model? If it's the three door, I may just wait and buy the Accent as opposed to the Prius... Although it looks like Hyundai will only sell a few thousand HAH in the US in 2006, so it may be nearly impossible to get one. Peace, Cosmo
I'd be interested to see how the rated MPG for the weak hybrid will compare to the strong hybrid's in "real" world driving. I would assume that the percentages would be more favorable in the weak hybrids even though the absolute fuel efficiency would be lower.
Sadly, I'm wrong. Just read that they are sourcing their hybrid battery packs from Panasonic EV, just as Toyota / Lexus does. Frankly I'm amazed that Panasonic EV has any spare capacity at all right now - supply and demand and all that!
Well, after all that it now sounds like they will be working with LG-Chem! http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/new...0512120019.html Didn't know they were developing the Lithium-Polymer batteries in Detroit though. Maybe Detroit will surprise us after all?
