Hyundai - 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T

Hyundai Motor America debuted its 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged gasoline direct-injection (GDI) engine in the 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T at the 2010 New York Auto Show. With the addition of the all-new 2.0-liter Theta II turbocharged GDI engine, the new 2011 Hyundai Sonata offers an unprecedented combination of segment-leading fuel efficiency and power - with an estimated 34 mpg highway rating, and 274 horsepower. Remarkably, the Hyundai Sonata 2.0T produces these industry-leading metrics on regular fuel…premium fuel is not required.
The new Hyundai Sonata is the first Hyundai vehicle to have both GDI technology and a turbocharger. By the end of Hyundai's 24/7 version 2.0 product initiative (seven new models in the next 24 months), four nameplates will be available with GDI or the combination of GDI and a turbocharger. Turbocharging and GDI are part of "Hyundai Blue Drive," the company's environmental initiative to continue industry leadership in fuel efficiency and sustainability.
"The Hyundai Sonata 2.0T is a great example of what our Blue Drive product strategy is doing for consumers," said John Krafcik, Hyundai Motor America president and CEO. "Think about it - more horsepower than any of our V6 competitors, with better gas mileage than any competitive 4-cylinder model. We're not fans of compromising at Hyundai, and the Sonata really demonstrates this aspect of our business approach."

The 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine in the 2011 Sonata produces 274 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 269 lb-ft of torque from 1800-4500 rpm with regular fuel. The Hyundai Sonata 2.0T will deliver 22 mpg city and 34 mpg highway (preliminary estimates). Hyundai's turbocharged engine features a twin-scroll turbocharger that when combined with the GDI system results in instantaneous power delivery. Twin-scroll turbochargers have traditionally been used on more expensive high performance engines, but as with GDI, Hyundai has chosen once again to apply this efficient technology in high volume to its most popular model.
The 2.0T engine will be available on the SE and Limited trim level, with the 2.0T Limited getting additional upgrades, including:

• Panoramic sunroof
• 18-inch hyper silver alloy wheels
• Dual exhaust system
• Steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters

TWIN-SCROLL TURBOCHARGER AND GDI TECHNOLOGY
Twin-scroll turbocharger designs have two exhaust gas inlets divided by split walls inside the turbine housing, with both gas passages controlled by a waste-gate. A twin-scroll turbo recovers even more energy from the exhaust than a single-scroll turbocharger thanks to a divided manifold. The twin-scroll design separates the cylinders whose exhaust gas pulses interfere with each other resulting in improved pressure distribution in the exhaust ports and a more efficient delivery of exhaust gas energy to the turbocharger's turbine.
For example, at the start of the intake stroke of cylinder one, and when both the intake and exhaust valves of cylinder one are open (valve overlap period), cylinder three already starts its exhaust stroke with the exhaust valve open. If the exhaust passages of cylinder one and three were connected, the exhaust gas pulse from cylinder three would increase the back pressure of cylinder one. This would reduce the induction of the fresh air and increase the amount of hot residual gases inside the cylinder. However, with the twin-scroll turbocharger setup, this interference is minimized.
The result of this superior scavenging effect from a twin-scroll design leads to better pressure distribution in the exhaust ports and a more efficient delivery of exhaust gas energy to the turbocharger's turbine. This in turn allows greater valve overlap, resulting in an improved quality and quantity of the air charge entering each cylinder. In fact, with more valve overlap, the scavenging effect of the exhaust flow can literally draw more air in on the intake side. At the same time, drawing out the last of the low-pressure exhaust gases help pack each cylinder with a denser and purer air charge. Maximum boost from the turbocharger is 17.4 psi.

The twin-scroll turbocharger design has several other advantages over traditional, single-scroll turbocharging systems, including:

• Improved combustion efficiency
• Low engine-speed efficiency
• Kinetic exhaust gas energy is not wasted or trapped
• Cooler cylinder temperatures
• Lower exhaust temperatures
• Leaner air/fuel ratio
• Better pressure distribution in the exhaust ports and more efficient delivery of exhaust gas energy to the turbocharger's turbine

Essentially, Hyundai Sonata's twin-scroll turbo directs even more air into the engine while a compressor increases the pressure entering the cylinder. This allows the air entering the cylinder to be even more densely packed for higher compression and better performance, contributing to a more-efficient burn and fuel efficiency.

Two key features of Hyundai's twin-scroll turbocharger setup are:

• The stainless steel exhaust manifold and the twin-scroll turbine housing are cast in a patent pending one-piece design
• The waste-gate for the turbocharger uses a motor-driven electrical controller instead of being mechanically controlled

Thanks to the integrated stainless-steel turbine housing with the exhaust manifold, not only is the weight and cost of the casting dramatically reduced, the durability of the turbine housing is also improved.
By adapting the motor-driven electrical waste-gate, the boost pressure is precisely controlled. The back pressure is reduced when turbo boost is not necessary by opening the waste-gate, which improves fuel efficiency. In addition, during cold starts, the waste-gate remains open which results in faster catalyst light-off for reduced exhaust emissions.
A GDI fuel delivery system contributes to improved fuel efficiency and lower emissions. This shorter, more direct path of fuel delivery allows for greater control of the fuel mixture at the optimum moment, thus improving efficiency. The fuel is injected by a camshaft-driven, high pressure pump that operates at pressures up to 2175 psi. Direct injection also utilizes a higher-than-normal 9.5:1 compression ratio while achieving a remarkable 137 horsepower-per-liter. The piston heads are "dished" to increase combustion efficiency in the cylinder.

WORLD-CLASS POWER-TO-WEIGHT RATIO, RIGIDITY AND SPACE
One of the program targets for the 2011 Sonata engineering team was world-class power-to-weight ratio. This philosophy was also applied to the Hyundai Sonata 2.0T, with the result of a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio of 12.2 horsepower per pound, significantly better than any mid-size sedan competitor, and even better than the performance-focused Chevrolet Camaro V6. Power-to-weight ratio pays dividends in both performance and fuel economy, and is the key to Hyundai Sonata's superior performance in both of these areas.
Additionally, all Sonatas are rich in ultra-high-strength steel, leading to world-class body rigidity. The 2011 Sonata is 25 percent stiffer in torsion and 19 percent stiffer in bending rigidity than its predecessor, yet it is lighter than most midsize sedans, also offering more interior room.

SIX-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Hyundai's commitment to making the Hyundai Sonata 2.0T extremely fuel efficient continues with a six-speed automatic transmission with SHIFTRONIC manual control.
Hyundai's all-new six-speed automatic A6LF2 transaxle is another way the company is meeting its goals of improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. Shifts are silky smooth with an option of manual control through the SHIFTRONIC feature.
Drivers can access the SHIFTRONIC feature by moving the gear selector into a separate gate. Pushing the selector forward or pulling it rearward will shift the transmission up or down sequentially, adding to driver control. Turbocharged Sonatas will also feature steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. A clear LCD readout on the instrument panel shows the gear being used.
Designed for transverse engine applications in passenger cars and SUVs, the new compact transmission puts Hyundai into an elite class of auto manufacturers who have designed their own proprietary six-speed automatic transmissions. The strength of the design is its unique layout which makes it smaller, more compact and lighter than any other six-speed transmission on the market today.

For the customer, the new six-speed delivers a performance edge. The gearbox has no dipstick because it is filled with automatic transmission fluid that is good for the life of the vehicle under normal usage conditions, thereby reducing maintenance costs.
Developed over a four-year period, this new six-speed automatic is 26.4 pounds lighter than the five-speed it replaces. It is also 1.6 inches shorter and considerably simpler, having 62 fewer parts, which is key to increased durability, lighter weight and lower cost.
When it comes to transmissions, more gears are definitely better. The addition of a sixth gear enables closer spacing between gear ratios providing a better balance of performance and fuel economy while the wide overall gear ratio helps deliver strong acceleration.

The gearbox has three planetary gearsets and a unique flat torque converter that shortens the unit's overall length by 0.47 inches. Four pinion differentials improve durability and further minimize size.
Another example of engineering ingenuity is found in the design of the hydraulic pressure control unit. Slight manufacturing deviations from one solenoid valve to the next often cause fluctuation in the hydraulic pressure and affect shift precision and quality. The transmission featured in the Sonata cleverly integrates adjustment screws in the valves that enable each of the eight valves to be calibrated at the factory. This feature ensures stable hydraulic pressure at any shift point which facilitates a high degree of precision and control needed to deliver fast, smooth and precise shifts throughout the rpm range.

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Hyundai - 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

As global automakers work out implementation timing for new fuel-efficient powertrain technologies such as gasoline direct-injection (GDI), twin-scroll turbochargers, and full-hybrid powertrains, Hyundai announced that the all-new 2011 Hyundai Sonata is the first vehicle in the industry to offer all three technologies with the new Sonata 2.0T (turbo) and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid joining the hot-selling GDI-equipped Sonata in Hyundai showrooms in late 2010.
At the 2010 New York auto show, Hyundai unveiled its 2011 Sonata Hybrid, changing the game in hybrids with unique approaches in hybrid powertrain design, battery technology and vehicle appearance. The Sonata Hybrid is Hyundai's first hybrid in the U.S. market.
"The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid is the new kid on the block, but it's not a follower," says John Krafcik, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor America. "Its full parallel hybrid configuration and breakthough lithium polymer batteries offer a new take on traditional hybrid design, while its unique design sets it apart from the mid-size hybrid pack."

The Hyundai-developed Hybrid Blue Drive architecture is a full parallel hybrid drive system, which can operate on an electric motor, gasoline internal combustion engine, and a combination of the two depending on driving conditions and driver demands. Hyundai's proprietary full parallel architecture differs from the power split technology used by most competitors, allowing significant efficiency advantages at higher speeds. Hyundai Hybrid Blue Drive is the first and only system using lithium polymer battery technology - leapfrogging competitive in-market nickel-metal hydride and lithium-ion applications. Lithium polymer offers the benefits of lithium-ion, a technology used in laptops and cell phones, but adds robustness, power-density and package flexibility, making it ideal for automotive applications. Hyundai Hybrid Blue Drive also is unique in its use of the company's own highly efficient, compact new 6-speed transmission, modified with hybrid starter-generator, electric motor, and low-friction oil pump, which together allow the elimination of the traditional torque converter.

Hyundai Hybrid Blue Drive is a new addition to a full suite of eco-focused products and technologies that Hyundai offers in its goal to be the auto industry's global eco-leader. According to the EPA, Hyundai has led the U.S. industry in fuel economy for 2008 and 2009, and is currently the only automaker with average fleet fuel economy of more than 30 miles per gallon.
"Hyundai applies advanced technologies to vehicles to provide the best solutions for the everyday driver," said Krafcik. "Unlike traditional hybrids that trade off highway fuel economy for higher city ratings, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid delivers best-in-class highway fuel economy, while still delivering about a 40 percent improvement in city fuel economy compared to a Sonata equipped with the Theta II GDI engine. We think this is a better balanced approach for the majority of car buyers."

PERFORMANCE
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid's projected best-in-class highway fuel economy of 39 mpg offers significant benefit to hybrid owners with highway commutes, while also offering outstanding city fuel economy of 37 mpg. Government studies have shown that the typical U.S. driver operates in a highway mode 57 percent of the time. Hyundai's approach to deliver class-leading fuel economy in highway mode provides a unique solution in the mid-size sedan hybrid market, and differentiates Hyundai Sonata Hybrid from the likes of Toyota Camry Hybrid and Ford Fusion Hybrid. Hyundai Sonata Hybrid delivers typical hybrid fuel economy gains in the city like its competitors, but also gives owners outstanding fuel economy on the highway, where these competitors fall short.
Hyundai Sonata Hybrid delivers class-leading electric-vehicle operation at steady-state speeds of up to 62 miles per hour. Gasoline engine engagement depends on state of charge, acceleration and vehicle speed. Its two propulsion units develop a total output of 209 horsepower at 6,000 rpm, exceeding all mid-size competitors, and 195 lb-ft of torque. The weight-efficient architecture of the new Sonata platform, combined with the lightweight lithium polymer battery pack, make the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid the lightest vehicle in the segment, at just 3,457 pounds, 263 pounds lighter than the Fusion Hybrid. Combined with Sonata's best-in-class horsepower rating, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid has a significant advantage in power-to-weight ratio, a key enabler of both performance and efficiency.
Hyundai's proprietary parallel hybrid drive system is the heart of the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The competition uses a power split system with a planetary-geared Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). This is where the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid gains a key advantage. Competing hybrid models use electric motors that have to power a planetary gear set. By utilizing a full parallel drive system, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid uses the power from the electric motor more efficiently to directly control the vehicle, allowing it to be operated at much higher speeds than the competition in EV-only mode. This technology is also a key enabler of Hyundai Sonata Hybrid's best-in-class highway fuel economy.

HYUNDAI'S HYBRID BLUE DRIVE ARCHITECTURE
Hyundai's Hybrid Blue Drive is a proprietary parallel hybrid drive system that runs on the already fuel-efficient 2.4-liter Theta II engine (169 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 156 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm) mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and a 30kW (151 lb-ft) electric motor for maximum fuel economy. Hyundai's Hybrid Blue Drive has an all-electric mode and a parallel drive mode. This means the wheels are turned by power coming directly from the gasoline engine, or the electric motor, or both together, as conditions demand. This parallel hybrid drive architecture will serve as the foundation for future hybrid drive vehicles to be developed by Hyundai.
In the Hyundai Hybrid Blue Drive system, the Theta II with multi-port fuel injection (MPI) operates on an Atkinson Cycle. Atkinson Cycle is a type of internal combustion engine strategy designed to dramatically increase fuel efficiency through changes in compression and power strokes in the four stroke engine. It is typically only used in hybrid systems where the high-torque electric motor boosts low-end power, which is traded off for internal combustion engine efficiency. By combining the electric motor and the Atkinson Cycle engine, the Hybrid Blue Drive system delivers best-in-class highway hybrid efficiency.

To further improve fuel economy, all of the Theta II major driveline and cooling system components have been optimized to reduce friction, while the crankcase has been filled with low friction oil. Hybrid Power Control (HPC) management software automatically shuts off the engine when the vehicle comes to a halt, cutting emissions to zero. When pressure is reapplied to the accelerator pedal, the Hybrid Starter Generator (HSG) automatically restarts the engine. This control strategy assures that maximum efficiency is achieved during gentle acceleration and greater power is immediately available during full acceleration. During deceleration, braking regeneration comes into play. Hyundai Sonata Hybrid also features "smart brake" technology in which braking input over-rides accelerator pedal input.
The high-tech, all-aluminum, 16-valve engine also features Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) on both camshafts and newly developed engine components to reduce friction. This optimized Theta II engine achieves 10 percent better fuel consumption over a conventional Theta II engine.

Hyundai Hybrid Blue Drive uses the company's proprietary 6-speed automatic transmission rather than a conventional hybrid's CVT. Hyundai's strategy involves an adaptation of the modular 6-speed transmission, replacing the torque converter with an electric motor and high-efficiency oil pump. This technique uses a traditional step-shift 6-speed transmission rather than a CVT to provide a more traditional shift feel that is preferred by customers and sometimes artificially replicated in CVT applications. This saves on cost, making the Hyundai Hybrid Blue Drive system a better value. It is a more robust and elegantly simple solution to a complicated engineering challenge.
Fuel efficiency improvements are evident throughout Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. For example, the top three gear ratios in the transmission have been extended to ensure the engine runs at lower RPMs, the electric motor-assisted steering system reduces demands on the engine, and low resistance tires further optimize fuel economy.

Hybrid Blue Drive is made up of the following major components:

• An efficient 30kW electric motor delivering 151 lb-ft of torque
• A regenerative braking system
• An integrated starter generator that enables the engine to turn off at stops and restart automatically under acceleration
• A breakthrough lithium polymer battery package, with 5.3 Ah of capacity at 270 volts
• A fuel-efficient Theta II 2.4-liter engine
• 6-speed automatic transmission with an improved efficiency electric oil pump
• Weight-efficient architecture coupled with a low drag coefficient (.25 Cd target)
• Electric air conditioning compressor
• Hybrid power control unit

LITHIUM POLYMER BATTERY TECHNOLOGY
Sonata's hybrid system stores its electrical charge in a 270V lithium polymer rechargeable battery (5.3Ah/270V) that surpasses existing nickel-metal hydride and pending lithium-ion applications. Lithium polymer batteries are more durable and space-efficient than other hybrid batteries. They are also more weight-efficient. The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid's battery pack weighs just 95.9 pounds versus the Camry Hybrid's 123.9 pounds. The compact battery pack resides in the forward portion of the trunk to maximize cargo space.

Lithium Polymer Batteries vs. Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries
Compared with nickel-metal hydride batteries, lithium polymer batteries deliver the same power with 20-30 percent less weight, 40 percent less volume and 10 percent greater efficiency over the nickel-metal hydride batteries found in today's hybrids. Lithium polymer batteries offer 1.7 times more energy density than nickel-metal hydride batteries, allowing Hyundai engineers to devote less space and weight to the battery pack. Lithium polymer batteries hold their charge 1.25 times longer. Lithium polymer batteries also are more resistant to changes in temperature, which improves cycle life. Additionally, lithium polymer's self-discharge rate is less than a third of a nickel-metal hydride battery.

Lithium Polymer Batteries vs. Lithium-ion Batteries
Lithium-polymer has significant advantages over lithium-ion, including higher energy density and lower manufacturing costs. Lithium polymer is more resistant to physical damage and can handle more charge-discharge cycles before storage capacity begins to degrade. Lithium polymer technology also offers significant advantages in thermal robustness and safety.
A key difference between traditional lithium ion batteries and Hyundai's lithium polymer battery solution is the overall packaging of the cell - the anode, the cathode, the electrolyte, and the encasement material. Traditional lithium-ion batteries, like those found in laptops, use what's known as the 18650 cell format. In this format, each mass-produced cell is 18 mm. in diameter and 65 mm. tall, which is a bit larger than a "AA" battery. Each of these small metal cylinders is filled with a liquid electrolyte that facilitates the movement of lithium ions across anode and cathode, creating the battery current.

Traditional lithium-ion batteries are easy to handle, withstand mild internal pressures, and have been around in various forms since 1991. That means a manufacturing infrastructure is in place, and economies of scale are reasonably high. However, they do have several disadvantages. For example, their cylindrical shape reduces packaging efficiency and they are surprisingly complicated to manufacture since they have so many small parts. These small parts make them robust to thermal fluctuations and add significant cost and weight to the overall battery system. Cell-to-cell consistency also is extremely critical in a vehicle battery package, since the pack is only as robust as its weakest cell. Traditional lithium-ion batteries have considerable cell-to-cell variation, while Hyundai's lithium polymer batteries deliver outstanding cell-to-cell consistency.
Lithium polymer technology uses a completely different approach. Rather than using a liquid electrolyte, which requires a robust metal casing, lithium polymer batteries use a polymer gel as the electrolyte, which allows the use of a thinner and lighter aluminum-walled encasement, or pouch. Inside each lithium polymer cell, the cathode, separator, and anode are laminated together, enabling much simpler and more reliable manufacturing. This allows the battery pack to be about 20 percent smaller than a lithium-ion battery pack, making it much easier to change the cell footprint to fit the nooks and crannies of available vehicle space.

Hyundai and its battery supplier, LG Chem, have spent hundreds of hours testing the Hyundai Hybrid Blue Drive lithium polymer battery system. This testing has proven that Hyundai's lithium polymer technology has greater thermal and mechanical stability than existing systems, meaning better safety and performance.
Another key engineering challenge for Hyundai Hybrid Blue Drive has been assuring maintenance-free battery operation over the vehicle's life - at least 10 years, and 150,000 miles - in all weather conditions. Heat is the enemy of battery cycle life. Hyundai's thermal imaging testing shows how much cooler a lithium polymer battery is compared to today's nickel-metal hydride battery or a conventional lithium-ion battery. Consumers will notice these advantages in improved useful life and lower maintenance costs.

FLUIDIC SCULPTURE DESIGN ADDS A UNIQUE ECO FLAIR
Hyundai designers have taken Sonata's fluidic sculpture design language a bit further with Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, making it even more aerodynamic. The goal was a modern, eco-friendly design, with "at-a-glance" differentiation from the non-hybrid Sonata models.

• Unique exterior design elements
  • Headlights and taillights
  • Aerodynamic bumper fascias
  • Aerodynamic rocker panels
  • Bold hexagonal grille
  • Eco-spoke wheels
  • Air dam and aero side sills
  • Hybrid Blue Drive badging
  • Exclusive hybrid paint color
• Interior refinements
  • Supervision cluster with eco-display options
  • Unique interior color choice
  • Unique seat patterns

The Hyundai Sonata Hybrid also offers drivers a way to be more engaged in fuel-efficient driving thanks to Hyundai's Hybrid Technology Display. The Hybrid Technology Display is featured on a 4.2-inch LCD screen located between the odometer and tachometer, or is visible on the optional seven-inch navigation screen. It features the following information:

• Driving mode
• Energy flow within the vehicle
• Engine and motor movement
• Fuel level
• Battery power levels and charge status
• Electric vehicle mode indicator
• Average and instant mpg

The Hybrid Technology Display's most unique feature is an Eco Level scoring system. The high definition display acknowledges eco-focused driving with eight levels of sky color, ranging from gray to bright blue. It also accumulates points in Total Eco mode over time. An Eco Guide also provides instant fuel economy feedback.

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Hyundai - 2011 Hyundai Veloster Rally Car

With the next generation of Hyundai buyers eagerly awaiting the upcoming launch of the 2012 Veloster, Hyundai fuels the excitement by teaming with Rhys Millen Racing (RMR) and Red Bull to campaign the car in the high-energy sport of rallycross.
At the 2011 Chicago Auto Show, Hyundai Motor America adds the Veloster coupe to its motorsports program with the help of champion race car driver Rhys Millen, who fabricated and will race the first 500-horsepower AWD Hyundai Veloster rally car in the 2011 U.S. Rallycross Championship. RMR and Hyundai are constructing a second Veloster rally car that will be a shared ride between rally champion Marcus Dodd and world record freestyle motorbike rider Robbie Maddison. Millen and Maddison will drive the Hyundai Veloster rally cars at Summer X Games. A third Veloster rally car will be constructed to compete in the 2WD class in limited number of U.S. Rallycross Championship events and will be piloted by to-be-announced celebrity drivers.

"We feel the Veloster is a perfect fit for X Games and the U.S. Rallycross Championship series as we expand our motorsports efforts," said Mike O'Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "The all-new 2012 Veloster is a playful, fun to drive car and thanks to Rhys and his team we're excited to introduce it to racing fans ahead of its launch this summer. I teamed up with Rhys' father, Rod, nearly twenty years ago for Hyundai's original Pikes Peak rally program, so it is great to be back in the sport again with his son inspiring a new generation."
"The Veloster Concept inspired me to expand Hyundai's motorsports program back into their routes of rally," said Millen, professional race driver and founder of RMR. "We've transformed the Veloster's lightweight, rigid architecture into a rally car with an engine producing 500-horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque. We hope some of the performance learning's from the Veloster rallycross program have a role in the development of future Veloster models."

THE CHASSIS BUILD
Twelve RMR employees applied everything they know about fabricating racecars into the Hyundai Veloster rally Car. The production Veloster was stripped to bare metal and the chassis spent five days in an Alkali bath removing all rubber and adhesives. The chassis was also stitch welded for added structural rigidity.

CARBON/KEVLAR BODY PANELS
Millen quickly decided to take the already light weight Veloster and make it even lighter. His crew took molds of the Veloster body panels to replicate them out of carbon/Kevlar. The hood, doors, quarter panels, front fascia and rear fascia are all built out of carbon/Kevlar. The carbon/Kevlar panels are 75 percent lighter than the sheet metal they replaced. This weight-saving approach is carried throughout the car without compromising its powerful curves and surface detail or hidden third door.
Downforce has been further increased by a custom RMR rear wing. The hood is vented to dissipate heat. The curb weight for the car is 2,656 pounds.

INTERIOR
The interior of the RMR Red Bull Hyundai Veloster rally car is unrecognizable from its origins as a well-appointed sporty coupe designed with everyday driving in mind. All comfort and convenience features are removed to make way for a custom-fabricated eight-point safety cage and firewall which reinforce the Veloster's already stiff chassis. Braces on the A and B pillars also tie into the strength of the body. The safety cage is required for rallying and a Sparco racing seat further protects the driver in the overhauled cockpit.

SUSPENSION
The RMR Red Bull Hyundai Veloster rally car utilizes a custom suspension with a lot of travel for the jumps rallycross cars have to make.

WHEELS, TIRES AND BRAKES
To ensure that the enhanced power plant translates all the way to track performance, RMR added custom built 18-inch HRE wheels and 245/40-18 Hankook Racing tires. Stopping power comes from 14-inch Alcon brake rotors and six piston Alcon calipers. The entire carbon/Kevlar body is wrapped in a paint scheme combination of blue, white and orange.

RALLYCROSS
A race consists of five rally-style cars jumping and sliding on a road course made of pavement and gravel. Five drivers line up to start at once, piloting 500+ horsepower four wheel drive compact cars through race traffic over a challenging short course that features jumps, unbanked turns, dirt and pavement. Each car must also take a "Joker" lap at some point during their heat. A Joker lap is a small detour - normally over a jump - that adds a level of unpredictability to the heat's outcome, by changing a driver's strategy in an instant.

HYUNDAI VELOSTER RALLY CAR

• Curb weight: 2,656 pounds
• Engine: Hyundai 500-horspower four-cylinder turbocharged
• Transmission: Xtrac six-speed sequential
• Transfer case: Xtrac four wheel drive
• Front and rear differentials: Xtrac
• Suspension: Proflex jumbo coil over
• Front Brakes: 14-inch Alcon rotors with 6-piston Alcon calipers
• Rear Brakes: 12-inch Alcon rotors with 6-piston Alcon calipers
• Wheels: 18 x 8.5-inch HRE
• Tires: 245/40-18 Hankook racing tire
• Seats and harnesses: Sparco

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Hyundai - 2011 Hyundai Verna

Hyundai Motor Co. staged the world-premiere of its all-new Hyundai Verna at the 2010 Beijing Automotive Exhibition. With its eye-catching sloping roofline, the new sub-compact, Hyundai's third China-exclusive model, projects a coupe-like dynamic image that is at once sporty, stately and futuristic.
Developed over a five-year period expressively for the Chinese market, product planners conducted exhaustive market research of Chinese consumer tastes and trends to ensure every detail meets local requirements. Built on an all-new platform at the company's highly automated plant in Beijing, Hyundai Verna is targeted at China's strategically important C1 segment and fully reflects Hyundai's philosophy of quality.

"Today is a really special day for us, not only because we're launching a new car, but because it's one of the very few times we've done a world-premiere outside of Korea: And we chose to do it right here in China because it's our way of recognizing how important our Chinese customers are to us," Euisun Chung, Vice Chairman of Hyundai Motor said at the 2010 Beijing auto show. "In 2009 we posted a 94 percent Y-o-Y growth in China and have sold over 2 million cars since arriving in 2002. We are not losing any momentum, continuing to expand our lineup in China with our most stylish and advanced models like the all-new Verna and our compact SUV - ix35."
To minimize fuel consumption without sacrificing performance, Hyundai Verna is powered by the new generation Gamma gasoline engine, featuring multiport fuel injection. Hyundai Verna delivers best-in-class fuel economy, in keeping with Hyundais pledge to be the industrys eco-leader. And it fully satisfies China's Step 3 fuel economy regulations - two years ahead of schedule.

Featuring all-aluminium construction for weight-saving, the 1.6L DOHC Gamma delivers 90.4kW @ 6300 rpm and 155Nm of peak torque @ 4200 rpm through a smooth-shifting four-speed automatic transmission.
For cost-conscious car buyers, the base Hyundai Verna is offered with the 1.4L DOHC edition of the Gamma which puts out 78.7kW @ 6300 rpm and 135.4Nm @ 5000 rpm and comes with the choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed automatic. Fuel economy is rated 5.7l/100km with the manual; 6.2l/100km with the automatic (1.4L with Fuel Economy Package).
Such impressive performance was made possible by a variety of enhancements to the engine including Continuously Variable Valve Timing, a smart alternator and air conditioning compressor plus the adoption of motor-driven power steering.
Verna hugs the ground with a new low-floor platform and a sloping roofline both of which contribute to Hyundai Verna's impressive aerodynamics and superior fuel economy.

Special ultra-high tensile strength steel has been applied to the car to enhance the overall stiffness of the body structure for superior crash protection: Hyundai Verna achieves best-in-class safety, aiming to satisfy the CNCAP 5 star rating. Thanks to the highly rigid body, the suspension is more securely anchored thus enhancing ride and handling characteristics and eliminating vibration and booming noise.
Hyundai Verna's wheelbase 'longest-in-class' and its low overall height, give it extra stability and a very stylish look but without incurring a penalty in cabin size. In fact, the overall cabin dimensions are bigger than any rivals. And the trunk, measuring a spacious 454L can easily accommodate as many as four golf bags plus three small tote bags. So not only does it look great, but it's very practical.
The Hyundai Verna will be built at the companys highly automated Beijing plant from July 2010 and will go on sale in the second half of this year. Hyundai will launch it in the Chinese market first, then gradually introduce it to other regions.

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