Hyundai unveils next−gen highly efficient hybrid system

Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled its next-generation hybrid powertrain system, delivering a new standard for power and efficiency. With this advanced system, the Group plans to offer a range of industry leading new products within the hybrid vehicle segment.

The next-gen hybrid system features a new transmission with two integrated motors that can be paired flexibly with a range of internal combustion engines, allowing for optimized performance and fuel efficiency across a range of vehicle classes. Additionally, various electrification-focused technologies have been incorporated into the next-generation hybrid system to enhance driving performance, refinement and ride comfort.

Enhanced performance, efficiency, and packaging
The newly developed transmission includes a new P1 motor that handles starting, battery energy generation and energy deployment to assist propulsion. The transmission’s P2 driving motor is responsible for propulsion and regenerative braking. This integrated dual-motor setup improves power, performance and fuel efficiency while achieving smooth shifting and reduced noise and vibrations for a more refined driving experience.

The transmission can be paired flexibly with internal combustion engines across the Group’s lineup, delivering a system output from the low-100 PS range to the mid-300 PS region, allowing for broad application from sub-compact to large vehicles.

Hyundai Motor Group has employed its extensive experience with hybrid powertrains – and motor and battery control technology accumulated through development of its dedicated, award-winning E-GMP electric vehicle platform – to enhance driving performance and comfort. The new, next-generation hybrid system also integrates convenience features commonly found in the Group’s EVs, such as Stay Mode, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, and Smart Regenerative Braking.

Improved engine design, advanced compression and injection strategies increase efficiency
The first powertrain to use the next-generation hybrid system uses a newly developed gasoline 2.5-litre turbo hybrid unit, enhancing the design and control technology of the existing 2.5 turbo gasoline engine to maximize efficiency. A new, next-generation gasoline 1.6-litre turbo hybrid powertrain will also be available.

By reassigning the 2.5 engine’s starting and generating tasks to the newly added P1 motor, the turbo hybrid powertrain minimizes power losses. Combined with enhanced cylinder flow within the engine and the adoption of a high-efficiency cycle optimized for hybrids, fuel efficiency has been improved.

Typically, internal combustion engines generate power through four strokes: intake, compression, combustion and exhaust. The 2.5 turbo hybrid system utilizes an ‘over-expansion cycle’, intentionally delaying intake valve closure during compression to lower the effective compression ratio of the mixed gas in the cylinder while maintaining a high expansion ratio during the combustion process.

This technique reduces power consumption during mixture compression while maximizing energy generated after combustion, significantly enhancing engine efficiency.

Additionally, an improved piston design and a significantly expanded triple fuel injection range enhances combustion speed, stabilizes combustion and suppresses detonation, improving engine efficiency further still.

Alongside the next-generation hybrid powertrain, the Group will integrate advanced electrification technologies to enhance performance, efficiency and competitiveness in its new hybrid vehicles.

The Group showcased a lineup of electrification-focused technologies, comprising Electric All-Wheel Drive (e-AWD), Electrification-Vehicle Motion Control (e-VMC 2.0), e-Handling 2.0, Electrification- Evasive Handling Assist (e-EHA 2.0), e-Ride 2.0, Stay Mode, V2L and Smart Regenerative Braking.

Hybrid lineup to expand from compact to large and luxury models
The Group plans to combine the new hybrid transmission with various engines across a system output from the low-100 PS range to the mid-300 PS region, introducing a diverse lineup of hybrid vehicles from compact to large and luxury classes.

With this expanded system output coverage, the hybrid powertrain lineup will increase from three models to five, with the latest 2.5 turbo hybrid powertrain making its debut in the all-new Palisade hybrid, which began mass production this month. This system will be applied to other Hyundai and Kia models in the future.

The Group plans to introduce a rear-wheel-drive 2.5 turbo hybrid system in 2026 and aims to gradually expand its hybrid technology to the Genesis luxury brand by applying this powertrain to key models over time.

For all future hybrid models, the Group plans to apply the newly unveiled hybrid system and further electrification-focused technologies, tailoring these to the characteristics of individual vehicles and classes, as well as regional market requirements.