What's the news?
Hyundai has confirmed that its Tucson mid-sized crossover will get the company's first 48-volt mild-hybrid drivetrain.
Due to join the revised Tucson line-up this summer across Europe (and late in 2018 for '191' registrations in Ireland), the hybrid Hyundai is part of a range of motors in the SUV that all meet the new Euro 6d Temp emissions standards.
The Tucson has been Hyundai's best-selling model in Europe for each of the last two full calendar years and is an extremely strong performer in our car market, too.
The hybrid technology is paired with a 2.0-litre diesel engine and comprises a 0.44kW/h, 48V lithium-ion battery, a Mild Hybrid Starter Generator (MHSG), a low-voltage DC/DC converter (LDC) and an inverter.
Under acceleration, the MHSG supports the engine with up to 12kW (16hp), which helps reduce fuel consumption. The system can switch automatically between mechanical use of the engine and energy recuperation, while the MHSG further helps save fuel by discharging the battery to reduce engine load with light acceleration, or to provide additional engine torque during heavier acceleration.
During in-gear deceleration and braking, kinetic energy is recuperated to recharge the battery. Hyundai says the 48V system will reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by up to seven per cent when combined with the manual transmission.
At the moment, the 186hp 2.0-litre diesel, the most powerful motor in the revised Tucson's line-up, is the only one available with the mild hybrid technology, but by spring next year, the 48V system will be fitted to the 'Smart Stream' 1.6-litre diesel engine too.
Anything else?
"With our new mild hybrid powertrain system for our best-selling model, we are further expanding the company's electrification strategy to make clean technologies accessible for even more customers," said Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, vice-president for Marketing and Product at Hyundai Motor Europe. "It will be available in combination with more engines in the future, as part of our highly diverse mix of electrified solutions."