Saturday, October 4, 2008

Hyundai Santa Fe Blue Hybrid Debuts in Paris


The Santa Fe blue Hybrid is powered by a 2.4 liter gasoline engine coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission and a 30Kw electric motor. As in other hybrids, the electric motor also works as a generator to charge the batteries. An engine shutoff/restart system reduces idle time for the gas engine, and electronic power steering reduces parasitic engine losses. The Santa Fe blue Hybrid uses a 270V lithium polymer battery, unlike the lithium-ion batteries in wide use today. According to Hyundai, the more durable Li-Poly battery offers lower production costs as well as a higher energy density and longer life. Hyundai says that this parallel hybrid architecture will be used as the basis for upcoming production hybrids.


Hyundai will be rolling out the green carpet this year at the Paris Motor Show, with the unveiling of its i20 and Santa Fe Blue Hybrid. While Hyundai has already released one image of its new i20, the Korean automaker has kept the wraps on the Santa Fe Blue Hybrid – until today.


Technically dubbed the Santa Fe Blue Hybrid Concept, the hybrid SUV is more a lightly disguised pre-production model rather than a show car. Underhood, the Santa Fe hybrid uses Hyundai’s new hybrid drivetrain, which pairs the automaker’s Theta 2.4L four-cylinder with an electric motor. That electric motor generates 41 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque, which should give the Santa Fe a little more pep to go along with its increased fuel economy, which is rated at 38 mpg in the European cycle. Power is routed through a six-speed automatic transmission.


In addition to the integrated starter/generator, the 2.4 liter four-cylinder has been modified for use in the Santa Fe blue Hybrid with extensive friction-reduction measures, to improve its operating efficiency. Hyundai says that the Santa Fe’s performance has not been affected by the conversion, and the 10.6 second 0-100 km/h acceleration suggest that this is true. CO2 emissions have been reduced to a combined 148 g/km, and the Santa Fe blue Hybrid returns 6.2l/100km fuel economy.
Source:World Car Fans



Other article:
Hyundai i-Blue Fuel Cell Concept
Hyundai Veloster Concept to Debut in Frankfurt