Hyundai unveils its new hybrid engine and an eight-speed gearbox

Hyundai is committed to building new hybrid propulsion systems. Electric motors are essential to the development of this type of vehicle, which uses the combined power of an electric motor and a combustion engine. Much has been said about research into these types of engines, but little about the development that combustion engine blocks are undergoing to adapt to this type of transmission.

That is why we are going to talk about the new Kappa GDi engine from Hyundai, which was unveiled this week. It is a 1.6-litre block, belonging to the Kappa family, designed to combine power, performance and fuel economy with lower production costs and CO2 emission figures, aimed at fitting into hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles.

This engine will not begin to be used in the brand’s cars that use these systems until the second half of 2016. To improve consumption and CO2 emission figures, the new powertrain will use the Atkinson cycle together with the EGR system and a long stroke to improve thermal efficiency.

The Atkinson cycle improves the flow of fuel within the engine, while the EGR system allows exhaust gases to be recirculated back into the cylinder, where they are burned again. In addition, the design allows better cooling, which contributes to lower consumption. Other improvements help the fuel burn better and achieve greater efficiency.

The 8-speed gearbox improves consumption figures

The 8-speed automatic gearbox presented by Hyundai is intended for front-wheel drive. Compared with the 6-speed gearbox used until now, fuel savings are 7.3%. This new automatic gearbox is intended for the brand’s highest-end models, equipped with the R, Lambda and Theta turbo GDi engine families.

This transmission features a new oil pump, which avoids the pressure loss typically caused by this type of component through a redesign of the teeth and a reduction of the pump gear. Simplifying the valve body reduces oil loss and increases gear-shift stability.

Despite these changes, the weight of the gearbox has been reduced by around 3.5 kilos. These two innovations will allow the brand’s future models in which they are installed to offer good fuel economy and reduced polluting emissions.

Source | Hyundai