Hyundai has launched the Hybrid version of its seventh-generation Sonata at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
With an expected fuel economy of more than 10 percent, 2016 Sonata Hybrid has unique wheels and front and rear fascias providing improved aerodynamics.
The car is expected to be on market by this summer and will be built at Hyundai’s Asan, South Korea assembly plant.
The car has a 2.0-liter Nu GDI four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission that houses a 38 kW electric motor and clutch.
The electric motor produces 38 kW (51 horsepower) and 151 lb. ft. of torque. Hybrid system net power is 193 horsepower at 6,000 rpm.
Sonata Hybrid can also be operated solely on electric power at speeds up to 75 mph by decoupling the gasoline engine from the rest of the drivetrain.
The lithium-polymer battery pack capacity is 1.62 kWh, a 13 percent improvement from the 2015 version.
An instrument cluster with color LCD multi-purpose display provides drivers with additional information about the hybrid system’s operation.
Sonata Hybrid’s advanced Blind Spot Detection system is designed to alert drivers of an approaching vehicle in the next lane if the turn signal is activated by warning lights in the side mirrors.
If the system determines the vehicle in the other lane is closing too quickly, it sounds an audible alarm to warn the driver.
The Lane Departure Warning System uses a forward-facing camera to recognize lane markers. If the system detects the vehicle is headed outside the lane markers, a warning illuminates and an audible sound alerts the driver.
Rear Cross-traffic Alert (RCTA) is another feature of the 2016 Sonata Hybrid’s advanced Blind Spot Detection system.
RCTA scans the areas to each side of the vehicle when drivers are backing out of parking spaces. If the system detects another approaching vehicle, the driver is given an audible alert.
Hyundai’s hands-free Smart Trunk is available on the Hybrid in addition to an electronic parking brake with automatic vehicle hold, LED interior lights, power front seats with 4-way adjustable driver lumbar and Smart Cruise Control featuring full stop capability.
Sabeena Wahid
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