The upcoming Hyundai 2016 Sonata Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), due to be released this fall, is set to possess a number of impressive and novel qualities/specs, based on recent reports.
Probably the ones most worth noting up front are: the model’s improved (by 25%) all-electric range compared to similar cars on the market, and it’s ability to recharge the batter fairly rapidly while driving with the gas engine. This function will reportedly allow the gas engine to recharge the battery up to 5 times faster than is possible with a normal 240-volt level 2 charger.
As far as range goes — while official US EPA fuel numbers aren’t available yet — Hyundai has estimated 24 miles of range on a single charge (which has reportedly already been exceeded by 3–4 miles during reporter test-drives).
GM-Volt provides more:
Our all-electric suburban trip of 28.4 miles with HVAC on and up to 55 mph at brief points split the gap between the highest-rated blended PHEV, the 19-mile-rated Ford Fusion Energi, and the first-generation 38-mile extended-range Chevy Volt. In speaking with another publication’s driver, he got over 27 miles in mixed driving, so we don’t believe this was a fluke.
Pricing is not announced yet for two trim levels ranging from better- and better-yet, but Public Relations Manager Derek Joyce said in keeping with Hyundai practice, it would be competitively priced against the target market.
The Sonata PHEV’s 9.8-kwh battery has nearly 47% more capacity than the 13-mile-range Accord PHEV’s 6.7-kwh unit. It’s also nearly 30% bigger than the 7.6-kwh unit in the Fusion/C-Max Energis which are rated 19 miles range.
Also, as mentioned before, the 2016 Sonata PHEV will be very notable in the fact that it will be able to utilize its 50-kilowatt motor generator to direct 360 volts of DC current directly to the battery, completely bypassing the onboard 3.3-kw charger. As it stands, this sort of feature is relatively rare amongst PHEVs — though the Chevy Volt can accomplish something similar while in “Mountain mode.”
Hmm, interesting PHEV. The more the merrier, I suppose.