South Korean auto giants Hyundai and Kia aim to be in the top tier of the global greener car market. Hyundai's Hybrid Blue Drive architecture is behind some of Korea's greenest production cars.The greener version of Hyundai's European made i30 hatchback is equipped with an engine stop-start system. When you come to a stop the engine switches off, and automatically restarts again when you press down on the clutch. This conserves fuel and reduces emissions while the car is idling, Hyundai claims this can reduce fuel consumption by as much as seven percent.
Hyundai's stop-start system can operate at lower temperatures than some other systems. The i30 also includes an 'intelligent' alternator that performs most of its recharging while the car is coasting or braking.
The hybrid Elantra, also known as the Avante, will be available in Korea at a reasonably modest price premium over the standard car. The Sonata saloon is destined for the US only, but in 2012 there will be two all new hybrids destined for Europe, a conventional hybrid and a plug-in version.
The Avante's powertrain consists of a 115bhp 1.6 litre LPG engine, a continuously variable automatic transmission and a 20bhp electric engine powered by a set of lithium-ion polymer batteries. The unique batteries are supplied by LG Chem, and it is claimed they offer improved energy density, a longer life and greater robustness compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries. The hybrid Elantra is qualified as a Super Ultra Low Emission car under US regulations.
Unlike the Toyota, it will not run in electric mode only. Batteries powering the electric motor will charge when the car is coasting or braking. Hyundai claims the hybrid Elantra is more than 40 percent more economical than a gas powered engined
Korean auto giant Kia has been slow to make greener cars, but this has changed with Kia's new EcoDynamics badge and a partnership with Hyundai. Kia's new Cee offers a 1.6 CRDi diesel engine with stop-start system also know as Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG) technology.
As a result of this Kia's diesel Cee’d promises combined economy of 67.3mpg and emissions of 110g/km, and the car is offered as a stylish three-door Pro Cee’d, standard five-door hatch or practical estate. These vehicles includes air-con, alloys and Bluetooth connectivity.
Although not part of Kia's new EcoDynamics badge, the Kia Picanto returns with 1.1-litre engines, offering a combined economy of 58.8mpg and emissions of only 114g/km. Another returning offering is the Kia Rio which is powered by the 1.5-litre CRDi diesel and delivers nearly 63mpg.
Kia and Hyudai are making sustainability an important part of their strategic positioning. Together these Korean car giants are investing $ 7.45 billion US. The Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group announced plans to invest W9.3 trillion ($ 7.45 Billion US.) this year, some W4.1 trillion ( $3.3 billion U.S.) of which will go to green growth projects. Another W500 billion ( $ 400 million U.S.) will be used to reduce carbon emissions from its own factories. The group expects these efforts will create 1,600 jobs in 2010 and 12,000 in 2012.
The carmakers said they will expand investment into R&D and facilities to establish a mass production system for green cars in 2012. They will spend W2.2 trillion ($ 1.76 billion US) to develop eco-friendly cars including hybrid and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles and W1.4 trillion to develop fuel-efficient engines, transmissions, and light materials.
These efforts are destined to make this Korean partnership one of the world's top greener car manufacturers.
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NEXT: European Greener Cars / American Greener Vehicles (Ford's Greener Vehicles / GM's Greener Vehicles ) / Government Investment in Greener Vehicles
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