Hyundai to Launch Plug-in Hybrid in 2012 With Testing Scheduled In US and Korea

Hyundai Blue-Will PHEV Concept

Hyundai will introduce a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle to the market in 2012, according to Dr. Byungsoon Min, of Hyundai Motor Company R&D Center, presenting at the SAE 2010 Hybrid Vehicle Technologies Symposium in San Diego this week. In preparation for that launch, he said, the company is planning a fleet test program in Korea and the US.

Hyundai is accelerating its efforts with conventional hybrids, Dr. Min said, noting that Hyundai is “late in launching hybrid vehicles.” Hyundai will launch its full parallel hybrid Sonata in the US this year. (Earlier post.) However, he noted, the company thinks it may be able to lead with its plug-in hybrid technology.

The conventional hybrid Sonata is based on Hyundai’s full parallel Hybrid Blue Drive architecture, which will serve as the foundation for future hybrid drive vehicles to be developed by Hyundai. (Earlier post.) Hybrid Blue Drive as envisioned for the Sonata is made up of nine major components:

• Optimized Theta II 2.4-liter engine;
• Integrated starter generator for stop-start;
• 30 kW electric motor delivering 205 Nm of torque;
• Regenerative braking system;
• 6-speed automatic transmission with an improved efficiency electric oil pump;
• 1.4 kWh lithium polymer battery pack (5.3 Ah, 270 V);
• Hybrid power control unit;
• Electric air conditioning compressor; and
• Weight-efficient architecture coupled with a low drag coefficient.

During the introduction of the 2011 Sonata at the Los Angeles Auto Show in December 2009, Hyundai said that it would provide more details on the upcoming Sonata hybrid at the 2010 New York International Auto Show in April.

At the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January, Hyundai highlighted the Blue-Will Plug-in Hybrid Concept as presaging its future production PHEVs.

The Blue-Will concept is powered by an all-aluminum 152 hp (113 kW) Gasoline Direct Injected (GDI) 1.6-liter engine mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and a 100 kW electric motor. The wheels are turned by power coming directly from the gasoline engine, the electric motor, or both together, as conditions demand. Fuel economy for the Blue-Will in charge sustaining mode (regular hybrid mode) is projected to be 50-55 mpg US (4.7-4.3 L/100km). Hyundai says that vehicle range is 652 miles (1,049 km).

Blue-Will promises an electric-only driving distance of up to 40 miles on a single charge and a fuel economy rating of up to 106 mpg US (2.2 L/100km).

In his talk at the SAE event, Min said that Hyundai’s current analysis is concluding that an all electric range of approximately 20 miles, plus or minus 5 miles (i.e., an envelope of 15-25 miles) was a likely target for the 2012 production PHEV.

Source: Green Car Congress