Hyundai just showed off the soon-to-be-in-a-store near you 2018 Sonata Hybrids, both standard and plug-in, at the Chicago Auto Show. Hyundai seems to roll out new models or improvements and updates to models every two weeks. How Hyundai does this is beyond me, but I’m just glad they’re able to keep it up. As I said, we now have two Sonatas to look at, the Hybrid and Plug-in Hybrid.
Of course, the new Sonatas come with a comprehensive exterior and interior redesign along with more safety stuff, better suspension, improved infotainment, and connectivity features, but the real star of the show is the gas/electric drivetrains
Sonata Hybrid
The center of the 2018 Sonata Hybrid is a 2.0-liter Nu GDI four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Situated within the transmission is a 38 kW electric motor and clutch where the torque converter should be. Hyundai’s clever idea of putting the hybrid drive guts within the transmission – something they call a Transmission-Mounted Electrical Device (TMED) – works the same as any other hybrid, but with improved fuel economy via a larger electric motor. Plus, you’ve got to say that’s pretty smart packaging. The traditional ICE part of the hybrid system produces 154 horsepower and 140 lb-ft. of torque. Add in the electric motor and you get a further 38 kW (51 horsepower) and another 151 lb-ft. of torque. Net power comes up at 193 horsepower at 6,000 rpm. Economy-wise, with a Sonat...