Hyundai has officially taken the covers off the new Sonata Hybrid on its home turf. The D-segment luxury sedan with the hybrid tech and a differentiating design will go on sale in Korea soon.
The Sonata Hybrid, in fact, features a petrol-electric powertrain that delivers a fuel economy of 18.2 kmpl, says Hyundai.
The car uses a 2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine mated to a 51bhp electric motor. The engine delivers 154bhp of power, up by 4 per cent compared to the previous model. The electric motor also delivers 8.6 per cent improved maximum power, with a maximum torque of 205Nm. The power is sent to the road via a 6-speed automatic transmission.
With the upgraded engine and electric motor, the new model achieves a significant improvement in fuel consumption: a class-leading combined efficiency of 18.2kmpl with 16-inch wheels. Fitted with the bigger 17-inch wheels, the efficiency is dropped a bit, at 17.7 kmpl.
Hyundai has revealed that the new Sonata Hybrid is scheduled to launch in major markets outside Korea, starting in the first half of 2015. The brand is looking to sell a total of 55,000 units next year. Given the virtually non-existent demand for hybrid vehicles in India, it is highly unlikely for Hyundai to contemplate this new model for the Indian market.
