Hyundai used a press conference at the LA auto show to announce its ‘Hybrid Blue Drive’ powertrain, which will finds its way into future models in the coming years. At the heart of the Blue Drive is a 2.4-liter Theta II engine mated to a 30kW electric motor. Hyundai’s hybrid system stores its electrical charge in a 270V lithium polymer rechargeable battery that surpasses existing nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion technologies.
The next-generation Sonata will be the company’s first model to feature Blue Drive. The technology is also expected to be offered on a number of subsequent models between 2009 and 2015.
The system features an all-electric mode and a parallel drive mode. This means the wheels are turned by power coming directly from the gasoline engine, or the electric motor, or both together, as conditions demand.
A key feature of Blue Drive is its advanced batteries. Compared with nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithium polymer batteries deliver the same power with 30 percent less weight, 50 percent less volume and 10 percent greater efficiency. Lithium polymer batteries offer more than twice the energy density of nickel-metal hydride batteries, and 175 percent greater volumetric energy density. Lithium polymer batteries also hold their charge 20 times longer, and they’re also are more resistant to changes in temperature, which improves cycle life. Lastly, lithium polymer’s self-discharge rate is less than a third of a nickel-metal hydride battery.
Perhaps the most important feature of the high-tech batteries, however, is the physical packaging of the individual cells. Traditional lithium-ion batteries are made up of cylindrical metal cells about the size of AA batteries. Lithium polymer cells are about 20 percent smaller, and can be made as pouches rather than cylinders, making it much easier to change the cell footprint to fit the nooks and crannies of available vehicle space.
Hyundai says it has tested the batteries extensively for long-term durability. They will be guaranteed to last at least 10 years, and 150,000 miles.
11/20, 1:29 PM
posted by:
A4
hopefully theyre just as hard at work on their ultra bland styling
11/20, 3:03 PM
posted by:
LeftLaneVy
those batteries sound too good to be true!
but 2015…
11/20, 4:50 PM
posted by:
tranceformer
I’m still thinking about what’ll humanity do with all the dead batteries generated from the use of electric cars in the next decade. Ecologic?
11/20, 7:50 PM
posted by:
cereal
… 10 years…. 150k miles…
…. well.. at least the first 10 (or 150k) will be efficient! ^^
Nice idea Hyundai. But.. -__-
-eat your cereal
11/20, 9:42 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Hyundai has nothing to lose
It has no brand equity
Can’t ruin a rep it doesn’t have
DrFill
11/21, 9:03 AM
posted by:
BMW M1
Those batteries sound too good to be true…vapourware???