Hyundai Announces New 1.6-liter Hybrid Engine, 8-Speed Auto

Aaron Cole
by Aaron Cole

Hyundai announced Tuesday its 1.6-liter hybrid engine that will likely appear in the company’s Prius fighter when that car goes on sale around 2017. The company also unveiled a new 8-speed automatic transmission for front-wheel drive cars.

The new Kappa 1.6-liter GDI engine runs on an Atkinson cycle and uses cooled exhaust gas recirculation to increase fuel efficiency.

Hyundai said the engine would produce 104 horsepower and 108 pounds-feet of torque and would be used in hybrid applications.

In addition to the new engine, Hyundai also announced an 8-speed automatic transmission fit for front-wheel drive applications. The new gearbox will increase fuel economy by 7.3 percent, according to the automaker, and replace the 6-speed automatic transmission currently fitted in its large and luxury cars .

According to Hyundai, even with two additional forward gears and one more clutch than the 6-speed auto, the new transmission weighs 7 pounds lighter than the outgoing transmission.

The automaker didn’t specify where the transmission would likely appear, but you and I know it’s probably the Azera and everything else.


Aaron Cole
Aaron Cole

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  • Syke Syke on Oct 27, 2015

    As I'm rapidly turning into a regular Kia customer for daily drivers, I'm looking at this one with great interest. Stick it in the Forte platform, or a dedicated hybrid based on the same size, and I'll be very interested.

    • See 2 previous
    • Brandloyalty Brandloyalty on Oct 27, 2015

      @SCE to AUX For comparison purposes, the '08-'12 Ford Escape Hybrids got about 33mpg with AWD, and better for the fwd version. This is actual mileage, not the rating. And the mileage was pretty well the same regardless of whether it was city or highway driving. Hopefully technology 10 years newer can do better, plus more streamlined styling.

  • Volt 230 Volt 230 on Oct 27, 2015

    Glad to see that Hyundai/KIA have not joined the turbo/ CVT craze that is so pervasive in today's car market.

    • See 3 previous
    • Volt 230 Volt 230 on Oct 28, 2015

      @Signal11 Key word here is offered, not the base standard engine, big difference.

  • Macca Macca on Oct 27, 2015

    "I like their use of unnecessary quotes"

    • See 4 previous
    • Dolorean Dolorean on Oct 28, 2015

      @dantes_inferno I know right?? That light gray suit would never be worn in South Korea!

  • Sportyaccordy Sportyaccordy on Oct 28, 2015

    106HP? That seems low even without the electric add. I wish manufacturers would offer more powerful small hybrids. The Prius with the Camry Hybrid drivetrain would be pretty sweet.... kind of a green Camry V6. It doesn't make sense to me that choosing a hybrid means having to accept (comparatively) glacial performance.

    • PandaBear PandaBear on Oct 28, 2015

      How much lower fuel economy do you want to trade off? If you reduce it to less than 35mpg what is the point of even buying a hybrid?

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