Edmunds drives the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid; Has some interesting features

More varieties of hybrid are a good thing. Too bad that grill makes it look like a feeding carp.

 

That statement is dumb. Jet engines don't do this... only car engines that need to shift gears due to the limitations.

I agree with the lower cost part but boost efficiency by having static step gears? Simplify the system by having a separate transmission (instead of integrating it into drivetrain)? Please...

 

I'm not sure if its learned or inate but my brain is less troubled by an engine whose rpms build with speed. A CVT or eCVT does get rid of the jerkiness around shift points which seems to be what others like in the shift points.

That statement was not very understandable. Using an existing transmission and engine block simplifies the design, since the designer does not have to reinvent the wheel, or rather the transmission per say. This reduces manufacturing costs unless volume gets high, usually above 50K a year, as it is in the prius. The atkinson cycle, electric motor, and Li polymer battery pack boost the efficiency. These modern 6-8 speed transmission are much more efficient than the older 4 speed automatics. The addition of the electric motor gets rid of torque converter losses and provide some initial accelleration making these transmissions more efficient. The psd should have an advantage at low speeds, but there may be a disadvantage at higher speeds.

 

Technically, final drive (reduction gear) is considered a transmission. Volt does not have electric motor(s) in the wheel. There is only one MG that has to go through a differential to split the power to two front wheels. The MG speed is likely to be different (faster) than the wheel speed so there has to be a reduction gear in Volt.

I do understand what you mean. In term of gearbox to change different torque by gear ratios, Volt will not have any of that -- just like the Prius.

 

HSD has a very simple transmission (PSD) sandwiched between two electric motors. The entire unit is called hybrid transaxle which integrates the electric propulsion system and the "transmission" (eCVT). It is mechanically very simple.



Above two pictures are 7 and 8 speed automatic transmissions. Hyundai Blue Drive replaces the torque converter with 30kW electric motor and a clutch. You still have that complex mechanical gear shifting device. On top of that another small MG (Integrated Starter/Generator) is connected to the gas engine.

Although this design has less change from a non-hybrid car, it is build on top of the existing complex architecture (just like IMA). Less change from the extremely complex mechanical architecture does not mean it is simple. A ground up elegant design of HSD is simpler, clearly from the pics.

Then you have the BSFC map of the gas engine. The transmission has to enable it to use it. This operating line is restricted with the static gear ratios in an automatic transmission. HSD allows a more flexible RPM due to the nature eCVT, just like a Series hybrid.

 

How does such a statement get through editors ? Is this what goes for left-wing liberal media now ... ?

 

I agree with both of these points if you are designing the hybrid from the ground up. In the case of the Sonata, Fusion, and Camry the car has to absorb both regular and hybrid drive trains. Since the non-hybrid Sonata has already been designed to run with that transmission it is likely a simpler design task to reuse it in the hybrid. Since they use common parts on the much lower volume hybrid, quality control might be easier versus a brand new transmission design. The question is really what does it do to handling including acceleration and efficiency. We should know those answers soon.

This germanic double clutch automated manual transmissions are quite good at keeping the engine at a good range. I do not know how well the hyundai has done with its 6 speed. Certainly at low speeds a conventional transmission will have higher losses than the psd. Shifting will cause losses at the clutch plate(s) also. I would expect lower losses on high speed driving in a single gear on a clutched transmission versus a psd that will have losses generating electricity with one mg then converting it back to mechanical energy in another.

The honda civic hybrid designed a completely new cvt transmission so it incurs design costs for this choice. It also lacks the sonatas motor size and battery power which seem appropriate in this size vehicle. The prius has a large enough volume rate to pay for development of a new transmission (psd) and obtain economies of scale in parts.

 

Watch the prius episode of south park.

 

37 city / 40 hwy / 38 combined fuel economy estimated.

Ford Fusion Hybrid will have some competition and the Toyota Camry Hybrid is starting to look outclassed by the competition.

40 hwy is damn good - that is typically only achievable by small cars - it nearly matches the Insight in a much larger and comfortable package.

It seems that the conventional transmission trades off a bit of city fuel economy for highway fuel economy.

 

Curb feelers or not, I agree a catfish is a better match than a carp.:thumb:

 

Motor Trend seemed to like the car and agree with the catfish.

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid First Drive - Motor Trend

 

I have friends who have driven Sonatas for years and love them. Their reliability record is fantastic. After checking out the hybrid version, at least online, I like it and would seriously consider it if I wanted a more refined looking sedan. When my friend bought his 2010 Sonata I was floored by how nice it was inside and out.

The model in this video doesn't look so fishy. *edit* Ok, maybe it does lol

 

That would be slick! They look pretty good in dark colors and with the leather package.

 

Black exterior, heavy tinted windows, and gray interior . . . no one would notice the air inlet:


Hummm, some diffuse LEDs to backlight the grill . . . perfect!

Fog generator too for when stopped at an intersection. Scary noise speaker . . . Yea, "Bell the Hybrid" in a minor key.

Bob Wilson

 

This is the normal progression of technology in the midsized auto market which is the hottest and most highly contest segment IMO. All of the major makers, excluding Chrysler, has a solid entry in this race.

However it's highly dependent on which snapshot is being viewed.

• 2 yrs ago Ford brought out the much improved Fusion and Fusion hybrid
• this year Hyundai brings out the spectacularly-styled Sonata and the Sonata hybrid
• Next year Toyota brings out the Gen 7 Camry and Camry hybrid
• Next year Nissan brings out the new Altima and likely its hybrid
• Following that Honda and Chevy will update the Accord and Malibu, no hybrids foreseen

Then the cycle begins again.

• Ford updates the Fusion
• Hyundai updates the Sonata
• Toyota updates the Camry
• etc
• etc
• etc

If one is looking at the snapshot this year then Hyundai seems to have the latest and best, however last year the Fusion hybrid was MT COTY and next year the Gen 7 Camry will be the newest and greatest. Wash, rinse and repeat every 5 yrs ... or ... look at it as a video over time.

 

From the photos, I certainly like it. The grill gives it a little bit of a mean look that you usually don't find in Asian cars.