Hyundai targets Dacia (and Volkswagen) with a new HEV hybrid that aims to retire MHEVs
Wherever Volkswagen is, Hyundai will always be there, having been forced to pivot its strategy after confirming the significant change adopted by the Germans. The new T-Roc will debut a HEV hybrid technology, which the South Koreans have decided to thoroughly revise to keep up with it, and Dacia...
Dacia has dragged more mainstream brands into an unthinkable strategy until recently. The Romanians have said goodbye to diesel and presented alternatives with an extremely long range without refueling, and with the added benefit of low fuel consumption, which will make no one remember the now-defunct combustion technology in their lineup.
Plug-in hybrids are not the most suitable solution for customers, so hybrids (HEV) are now considered one of the most reliable mechanics. This is what the Romanians are implementing in almost all their models, and what Volkswagen will debut in the new T-Roc, after years exploiting PHEVs. Technologies that have also been present in Hyundai and KIA models, but which they have decided to revise to remain direct competitors to the Germans.
Hyundai enhances HEV hybrid technology, like Volkswagen
Last spring, the Koreans presented part of their new hybrid technology, developed to cover a wide range of power, initially only with two gasoline blocks, four-cylinder and 1.6 liters turbo and a 2.5 liters. Configurations more suitable for larger models than for more rational and volume-oriented ones, which are the truly interesting ones for the two brands of the Hyundai group.
These setups have been designed for both hybrids (HEV) and plug-ins (PHEV), thanks to the association with two electric motors: one between the combustion engine and the six-speed automatic transmission, and the other, smaller, connected directly to the combustion engine, capable of delivering over 300 HP of power.
The new Hyundai HEV targets Dacia, and is the future of MHEVs
But the folks at Hyundai are also betting on a more efficient and interesting self-recharging hybrid combination, in line with the system used by the Romanians. The Asians have developed a gasoline engine of 1.6 liters atmospheric, without turbo, for smaller models. For example, for the hybrid Seltos that is being tested in Europe, whose electric motor can be installed either between the thermal engine and the gearbox or on the rear axle.
In this way, Hyundai will continue to offer front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive hybrids, providing zero-emission range as this electric motor will be responsible for driving the rear wheels. Hyundai has not specified the capacity of the lithium-ion battery that will be used, aiming for between 1.3 and 1.65 kWh, depending on the traction.
Hyundai has applied some electric car functions to these new generation hybrids, such as the standby mode, in which only onboard comfort systems are activated and not the propulsion system. Among others, a V2L function or a adaptive recovery system based on driving will be added.
