Hyundai Sonata Hybrid debuts lithium polymer battery tech

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid debuts lithium polymer battery tech
Hyundai has unveiled its 2011 Sonata Hybrid, which boasts unique approaches in hybrid powertrain design and battery technology. The car debuts Hyundai’s Hybrid Blue Drive system, which will serve as the foundation for the brand’s future hybrid models.

Hybrid Blue Drive is a full parallel hybrid drive system, which can operate on electric motor, gasoline engine, and a combination of the two depending on driving conditions and driver demands. The internal combustion engine used here is the 2.4-litre Theta II operating on the Atkinson Cycle with 169 bhp and 216 Nm of torque. Major driveline and cooling system components have been optimised to reduce friction, while the crankcase has been filled with low friction oil. Also new is start-stop tech and braking regeneration. All these measures combine for 10% better fuel consumption over the standard Theta II engine.

The electric motor is a 30kW unit pushing out 205 Nm of torque. Combined, the system puts out 209 bhp and 265 Nm and the official combined fuel economy figure is 13.5 km/l. The Sonata Hybrid’s EV-only limit is 100 km/h.

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid debuts lithium polymer battery tech
Instead of a CVT, Hybrid Blue Drive uses Hyundai’s proprietary 6-speed automatic transmission as found in the new Tucson and Sonata YF. Mods for this application include replacing the torque converter with an electric motor and efficient oil pump. Hyundai says that the decision to not use a CVT is to “provide a more traditional shift feel that is preferred by customers”, not to mention provide better economies of scale for the self-developed gearbox.

The Sonata Hybrid is the first and only car currently using lithium polymer battery technology, which Hyundai says is superior to nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion tech. LiPo batteries offer 1.7 times more energy density than NiMH and deliver the same power with 20-30% less weight, 40% less volume and 10% better efficiency. Compared to lithium-ion, LiPo is more resistant to physical damage and can handle more charge-discharge cycles before storage capacity begins to degrade. LiPo batteries also offer advantages in thermal robustness and safety, and is cheaper to make.

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid debuts lithium polymer battery tech
For the Sonata Hybrid’s look, Hyundai wanted “at-a-glance” differentiation from the standard car, and has succeeded, thanks mainly to the bold hexagonal grille. The light clusters on both ends are also unique, while the bumpers, side sills and wheels have been optimised for aerodynamics.

Full gallery after the jump.

[zenphotopress number=999 album=1015]

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • nice!!!

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  • sparrow on Apr 01, 2010 at 8:34 pm

    wow~ this hybrid is much much more better than the boring camry hybrid in thai.
    really like the head light and rear light design alot. futuristic car.

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    • The head light’s LED look’s about the same design as Audi’s models. COPYCAT! =PP

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      • sparrow on Apr 02, 2010 at 12:17 pm

        because the designer was previously work in Audi mah~
        not consider as full copycat la… but who cares u paid 1/3 of audi price but get this design! hmm..

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        • aiyoo..ex-designer of Audi currently work for Kia maa~..not Hyundai..

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  • sayapdewa on Apr 01, 2010 at 8:35 pm

    tail lamps look like mazda 2….hyundai = copycat…

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    • Geforce on Apr 01, 2010 at 8:48 pm

      At least their so called copycat works are far more decent and awesome than the others !

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    • ya man…perhaps the mazda designers work for hyundai too

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    • Mazda MPS is a stoopid guy on Apr 12, 2010 at 9:39 am

      everybody is working with everybody now mate…that’s what we called global!

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  • pulge on Apr 01, 2010 at 9:06 pm

    This make all Toyotas look dull.

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  • petrol head on Apr 01, 2010 at 9:10 pm

    wow… triple thumbs up to otherwise all boring hybrid! This gives a new flavor to hybrid…

    Was thinking if we get the conventional petrol Sonata, is there any chance to swap with this new headlamp and rear lights? It looks even more significantly beautiful to an already beautiful Sonata…

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  • Gajen on Apr 01, 2010 at 9:48 pm

    lights copy from lexus and audi

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  • wAzYz on Apr 01, 2010 at 9:54 pm

    beutifulllllll….what a nice car… :D

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  • vbkcheng on Apr 01, 2010 at 11:40 pm

    That the real automotive leader mar…..

    In 3 years time… I am confident that Hyundai will come to world top 3…… Toyota and Honda… better watch up…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
    • Danny Tan (Member) on Apr 01, 2010 at 11:49 pm

      Hyundai-Kia has already passed Honda and every other Japanese carmaker in size, except for Toyota

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  • Machi on Apr 02, 2010 at 12:05 am

    Though it’s a cut and paste designs….but I must confess that I like it so much!! Cheaper version of CLS/Passat CC for poorer people….

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  • shawal on Apr 02, 2010 at 12:25 am

    awesomeness in abundance ere…

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  • Budzer on Apr 02, 2010 at 3:02 am

    Beautiful and tempting. Can I just ignore 3 series or C class?

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  • mitlanevo on Apr 02, 2010 at 8:18 am

    absolutely stunning!!!

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  • hadi1975 on Apr 02, 2010 at 8:25 am

    beautiful……gone are the days when korean cars are associated with cheap and dull design cars…

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  • kancil_driver on Apr 02, 2010 at 9:05 am

    “combined fuel economy figure is 13.5 km/l”…

    I dont get it. My 1.5L car, which is not a hybrid can easily give me 14 km/l (average). Is this car performance oriented?

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    • Squawk on Apr 02, 2010 at 6:11 pm

      Hybrids are nothing special in terms of fuel savings, unless you’re always in town and stuck in jams.

      In the long run and highways, diesels would save you more.

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    • loveit on Apr 27, 2011 at 11:30 am

      this car is 2.4 liter faster and not to mention more spacious than your little kura-kura

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  • meteoraniac on Apr 02, 2010 at 9:09 am

    The taillamp is a sight to behold …

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  • wow…the wheels…

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  • odi862 on Apr 02, 2010 at 9:58 am

    The main point is will this model reach our shore. Our G keep saying green this and green that but so far we only offered with Civic and Prius for hybrid cars. I’m sure there are lots of people out there are interested in the hybrid cars but holding their buy due to lack of choices and unappealing price tag. Even the supposed greener diesel engine cars are priced higher than the petrol engine such as the new Focus. WHY?

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    • MoFaz on Apr 02, 2010 at 11:25 am

      Don’t you know that electric and hybrid cars in Japan are heavily subsidized by their government?
      They encourage the usage of electric cars not because of the “GREEN” thingy, but because importing petroleum is becoming more expensive every year.

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  • jolly_idiot on Apr 02, 2010 at 12:15 pm

    depan macam peugeot balakang macam bmw

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  • FakeHybrid on Apr 03, 2010 at 2:08 am

    Did I read that correctly? Only 30 kW motor?! That’s twice as small as the Prius motor. Hahahahahahhahahahahaha.

    This hybrid is more like the Honda hybrid wanna-be.

    Let’s get serious, folks. Just throwing in a tiny motor and battery to power it does not make a useful hybrid. Green washing at best. I thought Hyundai would do better…

    No plug no buy

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  • Chyan (Member) on Apr 03, 2010 at 1:23 pm

    The taillight.

    Is absolutely a work of art.
    Looks like a fusion of energy. Amazing.

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  • alpha999 on Apr 03, 2010 at 2:39 pm

    i do hope new models from korean makes can match the japs in terms handling and fuel consumption.

    If not, sales will still be bad for the koreans

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  • dyakk on Apr 05, 2010 at 12:24 pm

    wow… very nice blue color theme. look very appealing to the eyes.

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  • mtnrmusic on Nov 02, 2010 at 12:06 pm

    When this car will be in malaysia.any idea how much it is gonna cost us? hehe

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  • Carl Wong on Aug 10, 2011 at 4:06 am

    The new Honda Civic Hybrid 2012 beats it for almost everything, much cheaper, spacious, and most important much much more fuel efficient, it uses Lithium Ion batteries.

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