Hyundai Launches 2013 Sonata Hybrid Car, Base Price Starts At $22,650
The pricing for the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid car has been confirmed by Hyundai Motor America, with the incredibly well-equipped base Hybrid starting at $22,650, and the Hybrid Limited starting at $30,550.
The 2013 Sonata Hybrid costs $200 less than the previous model year and actually delivers better fuel economy than the 2012 Sonata hybrid.
Hyundai has also announced that they plan to continue with the Hybrid Lifetime Batter Warranty with the release of the 2013 model.
Sonata Hybrid Blue Drive
The 2013 model will give buyers the opportunity to choose from two different model grades: the Sonata Hybrid and the Sonata Hybrid Limited.
Drivers can expect to go further on a tank of gas, and can also expect to spend more time operating in all-electric mode. The latter comes courtesy of the Hybrid Blue Drive architecture.
The improvement of that architecture is delivered thanks to a larger capacity 10.5 kW Hybrid Starter Generator -HSG, higher output 35 kW electric motor, a more powerful 47 kW Lithium Polymer battery pack and an optimized hybrid operating strategy.
The electric part of the engines is paired with a 2,4L, 4-cylinder Theta II engine that runs on the supremely efficient Atkinson cylcle and deliver 206 total horsepower.
The Hybrid Blue Drive system allows the 2013 Sonta Hybrid to go further on a full tank thanks to the increase in the amount of available electric drive power.
The one thing that is consistent with previous hybrid models of the Hyundai Sonata is the clutch that allows the driver to decouple the gasoline engine from the drivetrain.
When driven in full electric mode, the Sonata Hybrid can go up to 75 mph.
The main reason for increasing the amount of electric-only driving capabilities is to deliver better fuel economy, which is whay drivers want most from a hybrid.
Increasing the amount of overall available electrical drive was the top task that Hyundai engineers worked on when improving the efficiency of the Hyundai Blue Drive.
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Electric Motor, Lithium Polymer battery
The Hybrid Blue Drive powertrain is able to get the most out of all-electric driving thanks to a higher output 35 kW electric motor and an incredibly powerful 47 kW Lithium polymer battery.
The operationg system is further improved thanks to engine on/off optimization and a newly developed driving detection pattern. The increase in battery energy means that the gasoline engine can basically run at maximum efficiency, saving fuel in the process.
Improvements in kinetic engine recovery combined with better charging efficiency means that the all-electric mode can run for longer periods, which again helps fuel economy.
The all-electric mode is designed to kick in at the most optimal moments, such as highways driving.
That allows the gasoline to be save for more trying driving conditions where more power is needed. It all adds up to financial savings for the driver. [Source: Hyundai]
