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Hyundai embraces hybridisation
As expected, the motoring world is riding out a serious wave of change. Initially, brands thought electrification was the future, but with the rising cost of EVs and the lack of interest, especially in markets such as ours, companies have identified a growing demand for hybrid vehicles. Hyundai is a brand which has contributed to hydrogen power research and EV performance, but its larger passenger cars were left with ICE engines to hold their own. But now there is a new engine in the brand's workshop, and, on paper, the numbers are rather impressive.
This new unit is a 2.5-litre turbo-petrol engine, but it doesn’t end there. It also comes with dual electric motors and a rather punchy 246kW and 460Nm. Its first iteration will power the Palisade, and from a numbers angle, it seems like enough to lend it a competent drive. But the numbers go deeper than this.
The 2.5-litre engine alone has seen a 2.9 % improvement in efficiency, but pair this with electrification, and this new system is now 45% more efficient and 19% more powerful than the standard petrol-powered engine. This platform seems to excite Hyundai and will likely work its way into its other offerings. The platform features an all-wheel drive system using the brand's e-AWD setup, which includes a P4 electric motor on the rear axle. Additionally, Hyundai plans to offer a mechanical AWD option for those who prefer traditional power distribution.
To further excite the online engineers, this power unit is also being tested in an RWD configuration for its Genesis luxury brand, and it plans to employ this platform through key models over time. It would be a treat if we started to see these roll out onto our streets.
Lastly, Hyundai has already implemented elements of hybridisation through its 1.6-litre hybrid power unit. Well, it's been refreshed for improved driving characteristics, refinements, and improved consumption.
Hyundai South Africa has confirmed that its new 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain is under consideration for the South African market, and if it makes its way to SA, it's set to arrive in the first quarter of 2026. If diesel is becoming obsolete, then we need petrol ICE motors with plenty of torque. Will this 2.5-litre hybrid engine be a suitable alternative for the open road, or will its battery drain quickly and reveal a thirsty character? Only time will tell.
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