- Paves the way for successful launch of world's first LPI Hybrid - 99 g/km of CO2, 90% fewer pollutants to qualify as SULEV - Elantra LPI Hybrid much more economical than conventional 1.6L auto-equipped Elantra Hyundai Motor Company, South Korea's largest automaker, began receiving pre-launch orders for its Elantra LPI Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), its first hybrid vehicle for commercial sale. Hyundai will accept pre-launch orders starting today until July 7, a day before it officially introduces the car in the Korea domestic market. The car, which is the world's first hybrid electric vehicle to be powered by a Liquefied Petroleum Injected (LPI) engine, was first unveiled at the 2009 Seoul Motor Show in April. To be sold under the Avante badge in Korea, the Elantra LPI HEV will ensure eco-friendliness as well as economical operating costs and differentiated designs. Powered by an LPI Gamma engine displacing 1.6 liters, a 15kW (105 Nm) electric motor and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), the Elantra LPI HEV emits just 99 g/km of CO2 and 90 percent fewer emissions than an equivalent standard gasoline–powered Elantra to qualify as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV). Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), often referred to as auto gas, is a low carbon emitting hydrocarbon fuel which burns more cleanly than gasoline or diesel and is especially free of the particulates associated with the latter. In addition, the Elantra LPI Hybrid is a mild–type hybrid capable with a fuel economy rating of 17.8km/l (or gasoline equivalent of 22.2km/l): This represents a 47 percent improvement over a conventional 1.6L auto-equipped Elantra. It's even cheaper to operate as the average price of LPG in Korea is 50% less than that of gasoline. Elantra LPI Hybrid is also the world's first hybrid vehicle to adopt advanced Lithium Ion Polymer rechargeable batteries that have higher energy density, lower manufacturing costs, are more robust to physical damage and can also take more charge–discharge cycles before storage capacity begins to degrade than Lithium Ion Batteries. Besides, the technology and all key components in the LPI HEV have been developed by Hyundai and its local partners including the motor, battery and low DC/DC converter. Elantra LPI HEV Specifications Hybrid Type Flywheel-mounted motor-generator parallel type (mild) Length 4505 Width 1775 Height 1490 Wheelbase 2650 Tires Low-Rolling Resistance Engine In-line 4, 1.6L Gamma All-Aluminum (Atkinson Cycle) Bore x Stroke 77.0mm x 85.44mm Compression Ratio 12:1 Head DOHC 16-Valve CVVT Single-Type (Intake) Maximum Power 114ps @ 6000rpm Maximum Torque 15.1kg m @ 4500rpm Acceleration 0-100km/h 11.5 sec Transmission CVT with Metal V-Belt & Multi-Disc Wet Clutches for Start-Up Motor Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor Maximum Power 15kW Maximum Torque 105Nm Maximum Speed 6000rpm Batteries Lithium Ion Polymer Forced Air Cooling Voltage 180V Capacity 5.3Ah Tires 185/65 R15 (STD) 195/65 R15 (OPT) Low-Friction Fuel Economy 17.8km/l (22.2km/l gasoline equivalent) CO2 Emissions 99 g/km Emissions Classification SULEV Top Speed 188km/h Steering Motor-Driven Power Steering Weight 1297kg Fuel Tank (L) 45.2 Suspension (F) McPherson Strut (R) Multi-Link About Hyundai Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Co. has grown into the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group which was ranked as the world's fifth-largest automaker since 2007 and includes over two dozen auto-related subsidiaries and affiliates. Employing over 75,000 people worldwide, Hyundai Motor sold approximately 2.8 million vehicles globally in 2008, posting sales of US$25.6 billion on a non-consolidated basis (using the average currency exchange of 1257.5 won per US dollar). Hyundai vehicles are sold in 193 countries through some 6,000 dealerships and showrooms. Further information about Hyundai Motor and its products are available at http://www.hyundai.com
