Hyundai Sonata hybrid to be unveiled at New York Auto Show

As people become more comfortable with the hybrid technology, global manufacturers are rushing to get it right and launch their hybrid cars. Recently Toyota launched its hybrid car, Prius, in India.

While the rest of the auto manufacturers were sweating it out with their hybrid car competition, Hyundai maintained a low profile. But now seems to be the right time for the Korean car manufacturer to join the race. Hyundai is all set to unveil its new Sonata hybrid during the upcoming New York Auto Show which is scheduled in April. Soon after this Hyundai hopes to launch its own plug-in hybrid some time in 2013.

The hybrid Sonata is equipped with a 2.4-liter engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission coupled with a 30kW electric motor and a 1.4kWh battery pack. The battery pack will use lithium-polymer batteries rather than the NiMH batteries used by the other hybrids in its class. The polymer batteries are said to be more durable and cheaper to manufacture.

The Sonata hybrid will run on a parallel hybrid system. An electric motor and gas-burning engine will work in concert to increase fuel economy. It will be the first mass-produced vehicle to feature a lithium-ion battery under its hood.

Indian customers have still not warmed up to the concept of hybrid cars. One among the many reasons is that they are really expensive and so far the government has not done anything to bring relaxation on import duties.

Honda cars have a fan following in India but still when Honda launched its hybrid Civic in India in June 2008; it could not manage to get a warm response, mainly because of the price factor. But still, after the launch of Toyota Prius in India which is priced at around Rs 26.5 lakh and onward will give a tough competition to Hyundai’s hybrid Sonata when it is launched in India.

No words have been spilled on the pricing of the hybrid Sonata, but considering the technology, we can assume that it will cost much more than the petrol engine variant Sonata which are priced at Rs.13,84,841 and onwards in India.

REVA will unveil new models at Frankfurt International Motor Show.

REVA Electric Car Company, pioneer and technology leaders in the EV market will unveil two new models at the upcoming 63rd Frankfurt International Motor Show(IAA) –REVA NXR (next revolution) and REVA NXG (next generation).



REVA NXG is a sporty two-seater with a targa roof and is designed by Dilip Chhabria of the internationally renowned automotive design company - DC Design. The car which will go into production in the year 2011 will have a top speed of 130kmph and a range of 200 kms.

REVA NXR is a four-seat, two-door hatch back family car suitable for urban driving that can be booked and ordered from the show onwards, with production scheduled to commence at the beginning of 2010. The car will run on a Lithium Ion battery and will have a top speed of 104 km per hour and a range of 160 kms on a full charge. In India the NXR will be available as a lead acid battery variant giving a range of 80 km per charge and top speed of 80 kmph.

“The REVA NXR and REVA NXG will redefine the Indian consumer car market,” said Chetan Maini, deputy chairman & chief technology officer, REVA Electric Car Company. “The unveiling of NXR and NXG at the Frankfurt Show is a tremendous step forward in what is sure to be a fascinating journey for EV users across the globe - Affordable and stylish electric vehicles will finally be available to consumer.”

In addition at the Frankfurt Motor Show, REVA will launch REVive technology, a feature & technology unique to REVA that addresses ‘range anxiety’ and will act like an invisible reserve fuel tank. This is the first time such a revolutionary technology is being launched that aims to quell the range anxiety in EV users and meets the lifestyle needs of today’s on-the-go consumer. If a customer runs out of charge, he/she telephones or sends a SMS message to the REVA 24/7 Customer Support Centre and a remote charge enables the REVA new models to continue driving within a few minutes.

Both the REVA NXR and the REVA NXG will feature the REVive telematics technology. Further technology and pricing announcements will be made at IAA.

Both new models will be manufactured at REVA’s new green manufacturing plant in Bangalore. The new models will receive their first boost of charge from solar power at the new plant which will be built on LEEDS guidelines with rainwater harvesting, solar charging, solar heating, and natural ventilation with an intent to reduce carbon footprint.