Hyundai aspires to make world’s best powertrain

Hyundai Motor Group said yesterday it is ramping up efforts to develop its T-GDI (turbo gasoline direct injection) engines as the carmaker aims to make the best powertrains in the world using its own technology.

At the 2012 Hyunda-Kia International Powertrain Conference held at Rolling Hills Hotel near Namyang R&D Center in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, officials from the nation’s top automaker said they are confident Hyundai will be able to reach the target while also following the industry trend of engine downsizing.

“This is a next-generation engine that boasts great fuel economy, is very eco-friendly, and delivers a high performance,” the group said in a statement. “While our compact [1.6-liter or 98-cubic-inch] and mid-size [2.0 liter] models are already equipped with such engines, Hyundai will continue its utmost efforts to improve the technology to develop ‘small but strong’ engines.”

The automaker, which has Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors under its wing, has been upgrading such technology since introducing its first independently developed Alpha engine in 1991. It released its Beta engine for compacts and mid-sized cars in 1995 and its Delta engine in 1998. The company now has a full lineup of engines from those installed in city to full-sized cars.

The company also announced it will focus on developing a high-tech multi-speed transmission used in luxury cars. Hyundai is the first among global automakers to develop an 8-speed automatic transmission for rear-wheel-drive vehicles. Moreover, the automaker said it will release localized powertrains considering each country’s auto environment, further pushing its global sales.

At the conference, over 1,000 officials from global auto parts makers such as Bosch and Continental discussed the future of powertrain technology. “Competition among powertrains is heating up quickly,” said an official from Hyundai.

By Joo Kyung-don [kjoo@joongang.co.kr]