Hyundai Elantra LPI Hybrid

• World’s first HEV to be powered by LPG; world’s first to use advanced Lithium Ion Polymer (LiPoly) batteries
• Brings Hyundai a step closer to its goal of environmental leadership
• Demonstrates Hyundai as a technological innovator

At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the Hyundai Elantra LPI Hybrid joins the new arrivals to the Blue Drive family as evidence of the great steps the company has already made in establishing a reputation for eco-innovation.

The pioneering Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV), the first in the world to be fuelled by Liquid Petroleum Gas and the first to be powered by advanced Lithium Ion Polymer batteries, went on sale in Korea last summer, and has since toured the world to give opinion leaders the chance to witness Hyundai’s leading-edge technology.

“Listening to the voice of our customers, we’ve responded with the Elantra LPI Hybrid which offers fuel saving advantages and minimal harmful emissions. This car delivers a strong message of reassurance to our customers and stakeholders that we are moving with ‘Hyundai speed’ to achieve our goal of environmental leadership in the automotive industry, redefining the Hyundai brand as a technological innovator," President Yang said.

Elantra LPI Hybrid delivers a CO2 emissions of just 94g/km, among the best in the world for a mass production car in any segment.

Because it is approximately half the price of gasoline in Korea, Liquid Petroleum Gas enjoys widespread popularity as a transportation fuel. A conventional 1.6-liter Elantra equipped with an automatic-transmission would be able to travel a distance of 15 km using one litre of gasoline. If the same expenditure were spent on LPI fuel, the Elantra LPI Hybrid would be able to travel 39 km.

The savings add up: Over the course of a year, Elantra LPI Hybrid would result in about 1.35 million won (approximately US$1,100*.) in fuel savings compared to a conventional Elantra, assuming an annual average driving distance of 20,000 km. This translates into the fastest payback period of any hybrid vehicle on the market.

The fuel efficiency of Elantra LPI Hybrid is further improved with the engine’s ‘Integrated Stop and Go’ function which automatically switches off the ignition at idle. This feature only functions when the driver applies the brakes after running the car for more than two seconds at speeds of 9km/h or higher. Under certain pre-defined conditions, however, such as when the battery charge drops below 30 percent or when the accelerator is engaged, the ISG system will not be activated and the engine will continue running normally.

Powered by a 1.6-liter LPI Gamma engine with maximum power rated at 115 ps and a 15kW electric motor with maximum power rated at 20ps, the Elantra LPI Hybrid puts out a total of 134HP through a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Acceleration from zero to 100km/h is clocked at 11,7 seconds.

The vehicle’s SuperVision gauge cluster is equipped with an ‘Eco Guide’ tree icon, designed to coach the driver into developing more economical driving habits. An indicator lights up if the driver is operating the vehicle in an eco-friendly way – avoiding sudden acceleration and braking, for example. If the driver is performing well, the tree icon will sprout small green leaves as a reward for good driving habits.

Elantra LPI Hybrid’s CVT is equipped with a driver-selectable ‘E (Eco-Drive)’ gear that maximizes fuel efficiency by reducing sharp fluctuations in the torque, increasing the use of electric motor assist, and electric charge regeneration under braking.

Hyundai invested KW250.8 billion (US$198 million) over a 43 month-long development period on the Elantra LPI Hybrid.

Hyundai is targeting annual sales of 15,000 units in the Korean market from this year, after an impressive start to sales from mid-2009 in Korea. In overseas markets where an excellent LPG refuelling infrastructure exists, studies are currently underway to assess the vehicle’s sales potential.

* Please note that all US dollar equivalent figures are only for reference and should be checked on a daily basis.

Elantra LPI Hybrid specifications

Hybrid type Flywheel-mounted motor-generator
parallel type (mild)
Length 4505mm
Width 1775mm
Height 1490mm
Wheelbase 2650mm
Engine In-line 4-cylinder, 1.6-liter 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 115ps @ 5800rpm
Maximum torque 15.1kg m @ 4200rpm
Acceleration 0-100km/h 11.7 sec
Transmission CVT with metal V-belt and
multi-disc wet clutches for start-up
Motor Interior permanent magnet synchronous motor
Maximum power 15kW / 20ps
Maximum torque 105Nm
Maximum speed 6500rpm
Batteries Lithium ion polymer forced air cooling
Voltage 180V
Capacity 5.3Ah
Tires 185/65 R15 (STD) 195/65 R15 (OPT) low-rolling resistance
Fuel economy 17.8km/l (23.2km/l gasoline equivalent)
CO2 emissions 94 g/km (EU-mode, combined)
Top speed 188km/h
Steering Motor-driven power steering
Weight 1335kg
Fuel tank 45.2 liters
Suspension (Front) McPherson strut
(Rear) Multi-link