joe80

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/26/v...-cylinder-eig/

We already saw the new Hyundai Verna – known as the Accent in some other parts of the world, including here in the United States – debuted at the Beijing Motor Show, but the Korean automaker had other important new tidbits to show off as well. Specifically, a direct injected version of its Lambda V6 engine, a new direct-injected 1.6-liter four and an eight-speed automatic transmission.

While all three developments are notable for various reasons, we're naturally rather drawn to the new DI V6 engine, which was shown in a longitudinal arrangement. That means we can likely expect to see this updated six in rear-wheel-drive platforms first, such as the Genesis Sedan and Coupe and the new Equus luxury cruiser. It's not a stretch to imagine this mill mated up with the eight-speed auto, either. Power for the DI V6 comes out to only 296 horses, but that's likely an underrated configuration, as it's less than what the Genesis Coupe makes now.

As for the 1.6-liter directed-injected four, you can count on that powerplant showing up in the next-gen Accent and possibly the Elantra as well. Power comes in at 138 ponies, which compares rather well with the 110 horsepower of the current non-direct-injected 1.6-liter four. Hyundai also says the 1.6 is a likely candidate for turbocharging, so that's something else to look forward to.

Click on past the break for a trio of videos showing off the new technology, if only for the stellar voiceover that we think we've heard somewhere before.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4cim...layer_embedded
lamda v6 GDI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wl6d...layer_embedded
8-speed automatic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fK3Q...layer_embedded
1-6 GDI


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Voice over is hilarious.

Hyundai/Kia's lineup so far is:
3.3 260 hp
3.3 GDI 296-300 hp(just added)
3.5 276 hp(290 hp Cadenza)
3.8 283 hp(Azera)
3.8 290(Genesis)
3.8 306(Genesis Coupe)


maybe Gen coupe will get 3.8 GDI in the future? possibly 360hp+? that would be very sweet.

I8ABMR

mmmhhmmm..... they are coming up. The Japanese better watch their backs.

RXSF

nothing new....playing catch up is always easier.

LexFather

Well its an interesting mix as its catch up to some brands but ahead of others. Still what is exciting for them is quite old here at Lexus.

RXSF

^^ that is true, the toyota division certainly needs some help in new engine technologies

TRDFantasy

Toyota has a ton of engine technology just waiting to be released. In the next several years expect to see Toyota engines with new technology, leapfrogging much of the competition, including Hyundai.

joe80

140 something patents on this too.

Like I said Toyota's future arch enemy will be Hyundai.

mmarshall

Seems to me that when you go past 6 gears and start to get into 7, 8, or more, like on some Mercedes, Lexus, BMW, and (now) Hyundai products, you just get into overkill. You might as well just use a CVT, which has an infinite number of gears....and, of course, saves space and weight. The traditional CVT problem, though, has been the ability of the drive-belts to cope with the torque from high-powered engines, though Nissan has been successful with them up to about 300 HP and torque in the high 200's.

At one time, many CVT's had a "rubber-banding" or "motorboating" feel that was weird and took some getting used to, but modern engineering and the use of built-in paddle-shift points has greatly minimized that.

RXSF

If i remember correctly, the 8 speed on the LS was lighter than the previous 6 as well.

Im not saying that they dont have the technology, I just dont think toyota will include these new technologies in their cars because of cost. Do you think we will find direct injected engines or 8 speeds in the next avalon? dont think so.

mmarshall

Toyota already uses an 8-speed automatic on both the Lexus LS460 and IS-F. It will probably be on the GS-F too, if that model ever goes into production.

RXSF

I know the Lexus division is fine in new tech, Im saying the toyota division will not see any of this for a good few years. The issue is that Hyundai (which is a competitor to toyota, not lexus) has the intention of using 8 speeds in their non tier 1 cars, which is a huge problem for toyota, not lexus.

IS-SV

Good stuff, but even Hyundai knows the industry leaders like Lexus, Toyota, Mercedes, BMW are not standing still (and haven't shown all the future hardware). Certainly points out how far behind Honda and Acura is.

IS-SV

IMO opinion, I prefer the route that Lexus, Mercedes, BMW (and Audi) are taking with their transmissions, 6/7/8+ state of the art transmissions. Most premium car buyers will agree and prefer over CVT. The latest ZF 8-speed automatic is a fine example. The issue with CVT is not just durability.

But agreed, opinions vary on this matter, more so in the lower end cars.

mmarshall

Whether or not it will be a huge problem for Toyota will depend on if people see 8 speeds in the transmission as overkill or not. The average car buyer, especially in the family-sedan market, will probably not use all 8 gears to their fullness in daily driving. Most of the people I advise (and shop with) in the market for this type of car could care less about 6, 7, or 8 gears.

But, I agree, there may be a place for a 7 or 8-speed if Hyundai is going to be designing cars for very high speeds on the German Autobahn. We know that a Hyundai Equus is soon coming, which will be aimed directly at upper-level Lexus models.

IS-SV

In short 8 speeds is not an overkill with today's advancements.

Example:

The ZF designed new 8-speed automatic transmission passenger cars allows for additional fuel savings of approximately six percent compared with the optimized second generation of 6-speed automatic transmission, with increased torque capacity, while utilizing the same installation space without requiring more components.


But we shouldn't lose sight of the biggest motivator for car makers to implement advanced transmissions (such as the 8 speed example given), it's simply gas mileage, no matter what other marketing hype is given.