2021 Hyundai Sonata Sel on 2040-cars

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2016 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, PHEV gets conservative new look, more range

The plug-in hybrid middle ground between the 2015 Toyota Prius Plug-In (11 miles of EV range) and the 2016 Chevrolet Volt (50 miles) has long been the Ford domain. The Blue Oval has two plug-in hybrids with 20 miles of all-electric range, its 2015 Fusion and C-Max Energi Plug-in Hybrids. Entering this fray later this year will be the 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug-In Hybrid, which will arrive with 22 miles of EV range and 93 MPGe. Hyundai made that announcement at the Detroit Auto Show this morning, saying that 22 miles is "farther than any other midsize PHEV sedan." Those zero-emission miles will come from a 9.8-kWh lithium polymer battery and a 50-kW electric motor. Once the pack runs out, Hyundai expects the PHEV to get 40 mpg combined (as well as 38 mpg city and 43 mpg highway) thanks to the gas-powered heart of the powertrain: a 154-horsepower, 2.0-liter Nu GDI four-cylinder engine that puts out 140 pound-feet of torque. When combined with the motor, the total system output is 202 horsepower. Hyundai is also showing off a non-plug Sonata Hybrid, which is expected to get a 10-percent fuel economy boost. The current version gets 38 mpg, combined, so that hints at around 42 mpg on the sticker when the car arrives in dealerships. The plugless model has to make due with a 51-hp, 38-kW electric motor that offers 151 pound-feet of torque and a net power rating of 193 horsepower. The two new Sonata Hybrid models have their own, more aerodynamic front and rear fascias as well as "purposefully unique wheels" that help drop the drag coefficient to just 0.24. The PHEV has a unique grille and a charge port on the front driver's side. Both models will arrive in dealerships later this year. Featured Gallery 2016 Hyundai Sonata Plug In Hybrid View 12 Photos Green Detroit Auto Show Hyundai Fuel Efficiency Hybrid Sedan

Hyundai confirms a shift to EVs, unveils fuel cell SUV

SEOUL — Hyundai confirmed on Thursday it was placing electric vehicles at the center of its product strategy — one that includes plans for a premium long-distance electric car as it seeks to catch up to Tesla and other rivals. Like Toyota, Hyundai had initially championed fuel cell technology as the future of eco-friendly vehicles but has found itself shifting to electric as Tesla shot to prominence and battery-powered cars have gained government backing in China. Hyundai's debut of its more modestly priced Ionic hybrid and electric has been well-received. But the pure electric's per-charge driving range is much shorter than the Tesla Model 3 or Chevrolet Bolt. Toyota is now also working on longer-distance, fast-charging electric vehicles. Hyundai first started signaling this strategic shift back in May when it first discussed plans to launch an electric sedan under its high-end Genesis brand in 2021 with a range of 500 km (310 miles) per charge. It will also introduce an electric version of its Kona small crossover with a range of 390 km in the first half of next year. "We're strengthening our eco-friendly car strategy, centering on electric vehicles," Executive Vice President Lee Kwang-guk told a news conference, calling the technology mainstream and realistic. The automaker and affiliate Kia, which together rank fifth in global vehicle sales, also said they were adding three plug-in vehicles to their plans for eco-friendly cars, bringing the total to 31 models by 2020. Underscoring Hyundai's electric shift, those plans include eight battery-powered and two fuel-cell vehicles — a contrast to its 2014 announcement for 22 models, of which only two were slated to be battery-powered. Hyundai also confirmed a Reuters report that it is developing its first scaleable, dedicated electric vehicle platform, which will allow the company to produce multiple models with longer driving ranges. HYDROGEN SUV Hyundai unveiled a near production version of its new fuel cell SUV with a driving range of more than 580 km per charge, compared with the 415 km for its current Tucson fuel cell SUV. The mid-sized SUV will be launched in Korea early next year, followed by U.S. and European markets. A fuel cell electric bus is slated to be unveiled late this year, while a sedan-type fuel cell car is also planned. Even so, analysts noted that gaining traction with fuel cells was going to be a long hard slog partly due to a lack of charging infrastructure.

Hyundai Kia asked to pay $28.9M in patent infringement case

After years of litigation, Hyundai and Kia have lost their hybrid technology patent infringement case against Paice LLC. The jury ordered the South Korean automakers to pay $28.9 million, but according to Bloomberg, because the violation was allegedly intentional, the judge could triple that amount. The automakers have announced plans to appeal the ruling. Paice's patent dates from 1994 on a piece of tech called the Hyperdrive, and it was a way to seamlessly switch between power from an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. This lawsuit was first filed in 2012 and covered the systems in the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and Kia Optima Hybrid. According to Bloomberg, the companies tried to argue that the patent was no longer valid, but the strategy failed. "Hyundai strongly believes its position and will appeal any remaining adverse findings to the Federal Circuit," the company said in a statement to Autoblog. Paice is certainly no stranger to litigating over the Hyperdrive patent, though. It and Toyota had a similar court battle that lasted years. Eventually, there was a settlement, and the result was Paice getting royalties for each hybrid that the Japanese automaker sold. Similarly, there's a lawsuit pending against Ford over tech in the C-Max, Fusion, and Lincoln MKZ. Hyundai Statement: Hyundai believes that the verdict returned by the jury today in the matter of Paice v. Hyundai Motor Company et al., is not supported by the evidence. Accordingly, Hyundai has requested that the presiding judge enter a judgment in its favor notwithstanding the verdict. Hyundai strongly believes its position and will appeal any remaining adverse findings to the Federal Circuit.