Sonata hybrid goes through the paces
Can Blue Drive give Hyundai's hybrids street cred?Insideline has a couple of spy photos of Hyundai's Sonata hybrid going through some paces with a number of other hybrid cars, such as the Ford Fusion hybrid and the Toyota Camry hybrid. Other than the photo, however, there aren't any new details.
At the LA Auto Show Hyundai claimed that its new lithium polymer batteries were going to be a cut above of the rest of the lithium field, such as the lithium batteries powering the Chevy Volt or the plug-in Toyota Prius.
I can't wait until the real world can put this claim to the test.
Labels: Hybrid Vehicles, hyundai sonata hybrid, lithium battery
posted by Dahcredyns at
7:04 PM
4 Comments:
After you put any basic options you might want on the hybrid sonata you will be looking at a a drive out Ill wager of at least 28k!
OUch
I could get better 'mileage' with loaded 2009 toyota corolla for 10 year total pay out, Id come out way way ahead with a toyota
Well, I wouldn't compare the Sonata to the Corolla. Still, pricing will be key and I think the Sonata will be priced to compete with the Camry and Fusion hybrids.
The big difference, however, is Hyundai's lithium polymer batteries. If successful, many battery experts believe that Hyundai could have a huge advantage over all competitors in terms of mass production capabilities. That means quicker economies of scale which should quickly bring down Hyundai's hybrid costs.
Indigo Incarnates
I'll bet there will be a functional Hyundai hybrid *years* before there will be a vaporware Volt -- without getting funded by the BushObama Billionaire Bailout Bonanza.
"BushObama Billionaire Bailout Bonanza". Love it.
Hyundai's lithium polymer technology could be a real game changer (Of course I thought that about the Volt a year ago!). Anyway, look at where GM is getting their battery technology, LG Chem, another Korean company.
It seems obvious to me the LG and Hyundai have been working together on lithium long before GM and LG Chem started working. I really believe that lithium polymer might enable Hyundai to ramp up its hybrid efforts far faster than any other automaker, except Toyota. Yet, Hyundai's hybrids will be built on lithium, not limited NiMH technology.
This really could be game changing.
And, to soothe my pride, when I called the Volt a potential game-changer, my call was based on cost-competitiveness!
Anyway, keep those sarcastic quips coming, Indigo. I really needed a good laugh and you delivered!
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