Hyundai debuts two new Sonata variants at New York

At the ongoing New York Auto Show, Korean’s rising giant Hyundai debuted two new variants of new Sonata YF – the Sonata 2.0T and Sonata Hybrid. To be sold in the US market as 2011 models, both cars feature the latest all-aluminium Theta-II engine mated with the company’s newly-developed maintenance-free 6-speed automatic transmission.

First, let’s start with the Sonata 2.0T. It gets the 2.0-litre, 86mm × 86mm (bore × stroke) Theta-II engine enhanced with twin-scroll turbocharging and Gasoline Direct Injection. We are familiar with such trickery with the Germans, of course – Mercedes calls it Charged Gasoline Injection (CGI), whilst the VW Group calls it Turbocharged Fuel Stratified Injection (TFSI).

Hyundai Sonata 2.0T

But can we seriously contemplate comparing Hyundai’s products with the Germans? Yes, we can. Merc’s 1.8-litre CGI has thus far been tuned to as high as 204hp and 310Nm, while VW’s famous 2.0-litre TFSI engine produces 267hp and 350Nm, and this is for the Golf R no less. The Sonata 2.0T is rated to produce, drumroll please, 274hp @ 6,000rpm and 365Nm @ 1,800 – 4,500rpm.

Although it should be noted that the German examples utilize single-scroll blowers, how many of us predicted seeing a Sonata with more grunt than a Mercedes C-Class or VW Golf GTI? Even BMW’s much vaunted 2.0-litre N47 turbodiesel has no answer to this, being hopelessly outgunned at a modest 177hp and 350Nm. Fuel economy is also impressive, with Hyundai estimating 10.7 litres/100km for city driving and 6.9 litres/100km for the highway run.

2.0-litre, 274hp, 365Nm

Sending power to the Sonata 2.0T’s front wheels is Hyundai’s in-house developed 6-speed torque converter auto gearbox, which is designed to be maintenance free for at least 300,000km, or as long as the vehicle’s life under normal use. A manual overriding feature is included for the 2.0T, which can be activated by using either the gear lever or paddle-shifters.

Joining the 2.0T in American showrooms later this year is the Sonata Hybrid, which mates the 2.4-litre naturally aspirated Theta-II GDI engine with a 30kW (40hp) electric motor. Unlike most hybrids which feature CVTs, the Sonata Hybrid utilizes the same 6-speed auto as the 2.0T, but with its torque converter replaced by an electric motor and a high-efficiency oil pump. The whole system is lined up in what Hyundai calls the Hybrid Blue Drive architecture.

Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

Running on the Atkinson combustion cycle, the 2.4-litre engine produces 169hp @ 6,000rpm and 212Nm @ 4,500rpm. The electric motor is rated at 40hp, and has 204Nm @ 0 – 1,400rpm. This endows the Sonata Hybrid with a combined output of 209hp @ 6,000rpm and combined torque of 264Nm. Arranged in full parallel architecture, the Hybrid Blue Drive system can run either on all-electric mode or parallel drive mode.

Power from Hyundai’s proprietary Hybrid Blue Drive system

The Sonata’s hybrid system stores its electrical charge in a 270V lithium polymer rechargeable battery (5.3Ah / 270V). Utilizing a polymer gel in place of liquid as the electrolyte, it is said to possess the advantage of allowing for lighter and more compact packaging being about 20% smaller than a lithium-ion battery pack. Hyundai further claims that this battery heats up less readily than nickel-metal hydride or lithium-ion batteries, being maitainence free for at least 10 years or 240,000km in all weather conditions.

KON

Pictures: Official Hyundai release

See also:
– Autoworld Blog >> Blog Archive >> Hyundai unveils 2nd gen Theta engine with Direct Injection – by KON (17/11/2009)
– Next-gen Hyundai Sonata & Tucson previewed to Malaysian media – by KON (9/3/2010)

Talk about it: Hyundai Sonata & Tucson 2010