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Hyundai
Accent Hybrid
The Hyundai Accent Hybrid was introduced at the Guangzhou International
Automobile Exhibition in China and will have a U. S. roll out
in late 2007, maybe. The Hyundai Accent Hybrid is a mild-hybrid
using an electric motor to assist the gasoline engine but not
capable of running on electric motor alone.
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Pictured
is the Hyundai Accent Hybrid. |
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A variation of the standard Accent 4-door sedan, the Accent
Hybrid uses an Alpha II 90 hp 1.4-liter CVVT (Continuously
Variable Valve Timing) gasoline engine and a 12-kw, 16-hp
permanent magnetic synchronous electric motor mounted between
the engine and transmission. According to Hyundai, the Accent
Hybrid is expected to gain 44-percent in fuel economy and
receive an estimated 44.5 mpg (the standard Accent is estimated
at 32 mpg) in combined highway and city miles.
The electric motor of the Hyundai Accent Hybrid will be
used to assist the gasoline engine when more power is needed,
handle idle / stop functionality and support regenerative
braking. The 6.5 Ah / 144V NiMH battery pack is being manufactured
by Panasonic EV Energy Company.
The exceptional news about the Hyundai Accent Hybrid is that
it will sell for well under $20,000 and presumably under $15,000,
making it the most cost-effective hybrid on the market to date,
when it rolls out in the Fall of 2007. This price also doesn't
include any tax credits for that may be gained for owning a
hybrid vehicle. This also applies to Hyundai's sister car, the
Kia Rio Hybrid
which is also expected to roll out in late 2007 in Korea, but
the date it will see U. S. showrooms is uncertain at this point..
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