New Hyundai Sonata Hybrid shown before Detroit debut

Hyundai has revealed the next generation Sonata Hybrid in Seoul prior to its debut at the Detroit motor show next month. The Sonata Hybrid gets an improved powertrain and styling tweaks for Korea. Under the hood is a 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol engine developing 156PS of power and 190Nm of torque but if you think the car won’t be torquey, a 52PS electric motor with enough torque to give you a quick start is there to supplement the petrol engine. Hyundai hasn’t revealed a combined output but expect it to better the 2.4-litre petrol powered GDI engine in the current generation Sonata.

Hyundai has mated this hybrid powertrain to an improved six-speed automatic, specifically developed for the hybrid. It uses a new clutch to reduce drag. Furthermore, Hyundai has switched to an electric oil pump and the battery pack in the boot is larger. Despite a larger battery in the back, the boot has 10 percent more space than its predecessor. 

On the design front, minor tweaks have been carried out to improve fuel economy. A new grille, tail lamps, lip spoiler, rear diffuser and an underbody cover all contribute to its efficiency. This new Sonata returns 18.2kmpl in the Korean driving cycle, about 8-9 percent more than the current generation Sonata Hybrid.