Hyundai is continuing its steady stream
of product updates with two more iterations of the all-new Sonata.
We've already discussed the Sonata on a few
occasions here on
DailyTech, but Hyundai today released official details on
both the new Sonata Hybrid and the Sonata Turbo.
First up is the new Sonata
Hybrid. The new hybrid features revised front and rear bodywork
to make it stand apart from the standard Sonata models. The body
revisions also help the Sonata Hybrid to better slip through the air.
Most importantly, however, is the new
Hyundai "Hybrid Blue Drive" powertrain. A 169 hp, 2.4-liter
four cylinder engine is paired with a 40 hp electric motor and a
lithium-ion battery pack. The Sonata Hybrid eschews the continuously
variable transmission (CVT) that is typically used in hybrid vehicles
and instead uses a more traditional six-speed automatic transmission.
When all is said and done, the
3,457-pound Sonata Hybrid (263 pounds lighter than the Ford Fusion
Hybrid) is able to achieve city fuel economy of 37 mpg and highway
fuel economy of 39 mpg. For comparison, the Ford
Fusion Hybrid achieves figures of 41 mpg and 36 mpg respectively.
The other big news from Hyundai is the
announcement of the Sonata
Turbo. We've previously discussed that Hyundai has done away with
a V6 engine option for the all-new Sonata. Following the announcement
of Sonata Turbo, we can see why. The Sonata Turbo uses a new
2.0-liter four-cylinder engine which develops an impressive 274 hp
and 269 lb-ft of torque (maximum torque is achieved at a low 1,800
rpm) -- all while using regular unleaded gasoline.
Even more embarrassing for its
V6-powered competitors like Toyota Camry, Ford Fusion, and Honda
Accord is the fact that the tiny little turbo four surpasses all of
them in horsepower and torque figures. The Sonata Turbo will also
delivery fuel economy of 22 mpg city and 34 mpg highway -- not far
off from the standard 198 hp Sonata. For comparison, the closest V6
competitor to the Sonata Turbo in fuel economy is the Honda Accord V6
which is rated at 19 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.
With these two announcements, Hyundai
appears to be having no problem at all moving towards the governments
goal of increased
fuel efficiency for passenger vehicles.
