HYUNDAI KICKS IT UP 2 NOTCHES – NOTCH 2

2011 HYUNDAI SONATA HYBRID By Reed Berry Not only have hybrids evolved to resemble real cars, now you can have one neatly packaged as a stylish Hyundai Sonata. Yes, you can actually drive guilt-free and ‘go green’ without sacrificing performance, interior comfort or head-turning good looks. Unlike most hybrid vehicles that must be driven at low speeds to remain in electric mode, Hyundai has incorporated some technological firsts allowing the Sonata Hybrid to be driven in zero emissions fully electric drive mode at speeds up to 62 miles per hour.

Another first in this vehicle is Hyundai’s use of a new battery technology. The use of a longer-life lithium polymer system results in a smaller, lighter battery pack and greater cargo space. At 95.9 pounds, the battery pack is nearly 30 pounds lighter than the nickel metal hydride pack used in the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Unlike some of the hybrid vehicles I’ve driven previously that definitely had a hybrid performance and feel about them, the Sonata Hybrid drives beautifully thanks, in part, to the use of the efficient six-speed automatic transmission used in other Sonata models. An electrically driven oil pump is used to keep the clutches engaged when the car idles at a stop.

While it may not have quite as much power as other Sonata models, the 2.4-liter Theta II engine provides more power and torque than any other mid-sized hybrid sedan. 166 horsepower from the gas engine and 40.2 horsepower from the electric motor for a total of 206.2 horsepower combined. The benefit, obviously, of driving a hybrid vehicle is impressive fuel economy. The use of state-of-the art technology and materials has created an efficient, relatively lightweight vehicle (just 3,457 pounds) with fuel economy estimates of 36 mpg city and 40 mph highway. The 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is one of five finalists for Green Car Journal’s 2011 Green Car of the Year Award. For information on Hyundai automobiles: hyundaiusa.com

SPECIFICATIONS Name of vehicles: 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T / Sonata Hybrid EPA Fuel Economy Estimates (City/Highway): 2.0T (Six-speed automatic): Manual: 22 / 33 Hybrid (Six-speed automatic): 36 / 40 Engine type: 2.0T: DOHC CVVT 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged gasoline direct injection Hybrid: DOHC CVVT 2.4-liter Theta II Horsepower: 2.0T: 274 @ 6,000 rpm Hybrid: 169 @ 6,000 rpm Torque: 2.0T: 269 @ 1,800 – 4,500 rpm Hybrid: 156 @ 4,250 rpm Transmission type: 2.0T: Six-speed electronic automatic, OD lock-up torque converter; SHIFTRONIC manual shift mode, paddle shifters Hybrid: Six-speed electronic automatic without lock-up torque converter Steering: 2.0T: Rack-and-pinion Hybrid: Rack-and-pinion, power assisted Suspension: Front: MacPherson strut, hydraulic twin-tube shock absorbers, stabilizer bar Rear: Independent multi-link, hydraulic twin tube shock absorbers, stabilizer bar (Stiffer coil springs and hydraulic monotube shocks on SE model) Brakes: Front: Power-assisted 11.8-inch ventilated disc Rear: Power-assisted 11.2-inch ventilated disc Wheels: 2.0: 18-inch wheels Hybrid: 16-inch wheels (17-inch wheels optional) Overall length: 189.8 inches Overall width: 72.2 inches Overall height: 2.0T: 57.9 inches Hybrid: 57.7 inches Curb Weight: 2.0T: 3,338 – 3,452 lbs Hybrid: 3,457 – 3,578 lbs

Back to Notch 1: Hyundai Sonata 2.0T