Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled its next-generation hybrid powertrain system, through which it plans to offer a range of new products within the hybrid vehicle segment. The Group unveiled the new technology during its ‘Next-Gen Hybrid System Tech Day’, where it highlighted its enhanced hybrid technology plans which together aim to improve the driving and ownership experience of future Hyundai products, while delivering customer-focused benefits.
The next-generation hybrid system features a new transmission with two integrated motors that can be paired flexibly with a range of internal combustion engines, allowing for optimized performance and fuel efficiency across a range of vehicle classes. Additionally, various electrification-focused technologies have been incorporated into the next-generation hybrid system to enhance driving performance, refinement and ride comfort.
The newly developed transmission includes a new P1 motor that handles starting, battery energy generation and energy deployment to assist propulsion. The transmission’s P2 driving motor is responsible for propulsion and regenerative braking. This integrated dual-motor setup improves power, performance and fuel efficiency, while also achieving smooth shifting and reduced noise and vibrations for a more refined driving experience.
This transmission system can be paired flexibly with engines across the Group’s lineup, delivering a system output from the low-100 PS (98 hp / 73 kW) range to the mid-300 PS (295 hp / 220 kW) region, allowing it to be applied to a broad range of vehicle applications, from sub-compact to large models. Hyundai’s new, next-generation hybrid system also integrates convenience features commonly found in the Group’s EVs, such as Stay Mode, Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, and Smart Regenerative Braking.
The first powertrain from Hyundai to use the next-generation hybrid system will adopt a newly developed gasoline 2.5-litre turbo hybrid unit, enhancing the design and control technology of the existing 2.5 turbo gasoline engine to maximize efficiency. A new, next-generation gasoline 1.6-litre turbo hybrid powertrain will also be available. By reassigning the 2.5L engine’s starting and generating tasks to the newly added P1 motor, the turbo hybrid powertrain minimizes power losses. Combined with enhanced cylinder flow within the engine and the adoption of a high-efficiency cycle optimized for hybrids, fuel efficiency has been improved.
Furthermore, the 2.5 turbo hybrid system utilizes an ‘over-expansion cycle’, intentionally delaying intake valve closure during compression to lower the effective compression ratio of the mixed gas in the cylinder while maintaining a high expansion ratio during the combustion process. This technique reduces power consumption during mixture compression while maximizing the energy generated after combustion, significantly enhancing engine efficiency. An improved piston design and expanded triple fuel injection range further enhance combustion speed, stabilize combustion and suppress detonation, further improving engine efficiency.
Delving further into these enhancements, Hyundai highlighted its focus on the P1+P2 parallel structure and combustion engine improvements, which helped enhance fuel efficiency and power performance while achieving smoother shifting and improved powertrain refinement. By connecting the P1 motor directly to the engine, the OEM’s new hybrid system reduces engine start time. Precise control of engine load, and the driving force of the P1 and P2 motors, ensures that the engine operates within a high-efficiency range, improving fuel efficiency.
The gasoline 2.5 turbo hybrid system, set to debut in 2026 with Hyundai’s all-new, Palisade SUV, delivers a maximum fuel efficiency of 14.1 km/l, system output of 334 PS (329 hp), and 460 Nm (339 lb-ft) of torque, offering a 45% increase in fuel efficiency, 19% more power, and a 9% improvement in torque against the 2.5 turbo gasoline model. The next-generation gasoline 1.6 turbo hybrid likewise improves fuel efficiency by more than 4% in a mid-size SUV, compared with previous models, increasing the system’s maximum rated torque output from 367 Nm (270 lb-ft) to 380 Nm (280 lb-ft) and improving acceleration response.
Additionally, by incorporating the P1 motor into the Active Shift Control hybrid transmission logic, the system achieves faster and smoother shifting performance. Enhanced control of the engine clutch further reduces the time taken for the engine to engage when switching from EV mode, improving comfort and performance. The P1 motor is also utilized to reduce engine vibration and booming during battery charging while the vehicle is idle.
Alongside the next-generation hybrid powertrain, Hyundai will also integrate advanced electrification technologies to enhance the performance, efficiency and competitiveness of its future hybrid vehicles. Here, it showcased a lineup of electrification-focused technologies, including Electric All-Wheel Drive (e-AWD), Electrification-Vehicle Motion Control (e-VMC 2.0), e-Handling 2.0, Electrification- Evasive Handling Assist (e-EHA 2.0), e-Ride 2.0, Stay Mode, V2L and Smart Regenerative Braking.
The e-AWD system adds a P4 driving motor to the rear axle on vehicles equipped with this technology, enhancing driving performance and acceleration response. Hyundai plans to offer both e-AWD and conventional mechanical AWD on its future hybrid models to provide an optimal AWD configuration based on vehicle class and regional market requirements.
e-VMC 2.0 is available on hybrid vehicles fitted with e-AWD, enhancing their driving stability and ride comfort through independent torque control of the front and rear driving motors. The system comprises e-Handling 2.0, e-EHA 2.0, and e-Ride 2.0. e-Handling 2.0 enhances roll prevention during cornering by independently controlling the front and rear motors, applying motor torque in opposite directions to lower the vehicle’s center of gravity. While Hyundai’s original e-Handling system increased driving stability and responsiveness through single motor acceleration and deceleration control, version 2.0 offers more refined control for an improved driving experience.
e-EHA 2.0 offers an emergency steering assist technology that utilizes the vehicle’s radar and camera sensors to detect potential frontal collisions. It refines evasive maneuvers through the precise braking control of the front and rear motors during sudden steering by the driver. Particularly, after emergency steering inputs, it assists by using the front motor for forward propulsion, while braking the rear motor to lower the vehicle’s center of gravity, reducing roll and improving stability. e-Ride 2.0 maximizes ride comfort by minimizing vertical movements during speed bump crossings. It leverages changes in the vehicle’s center of gravity through opposite directional control of the front and rear motors during speed bump entry and exit to minimize pitch and bounce motions.
A new Stay Mode adapts the ‘Utility Mode’ found in Hyundai’s EVs for its hybrid vehicles. This will allow its in-vehicle convenience features, including air-conditioning and multimedia without starting the engine, to be used for up to one hour when the battery’s state of charge is between 70 and 80%. A ‘Stay Mode Usage Reservation’ feature synchronizes with the navigation system, and begins charging the battery shortly before the vehicle reaches a marked destination, targeting a battery charge level of 70 to 80% upon arrival to maximize Stay Mode usage time.
Additionally, the next-generation hybrid system’s V2L function offers a maximum output of 3.6 kW, similar to that of an EV. This allows the user to charge and power external appliances and personal tech devices while the engine is running, and in Stay Mode without the engine running. Here, up to 50 percent battery capacity (from 80 to 30 percent SoC) can be utilized.
Other new technologies introduced in conjunction with the next-generation hybrid system include Hierarchical Predictive Control (HPC) and Smart Regenerative Braking, both of which aim to enhance fuel efficiency. HPC optimally controls battery charge by predicting the driving route and road conditions, selecting the best driving mode along that route for improved fuel efficiency. Smart Regenerative Braking, meanwhile, automatically applies optimal regenerative braking force based on navigation data and distance to other vehicles ahead, reducing brake pedal inputs and increasing battery charge through regenerative braking to improve fuel efficiency. The Group plans to continually refine existing technologies while developing new systems to provide an even more beneficial electrification experience for customers.
The Group plans to combine the new hybrid transmission with various engines, introducing a diverse lineup of hybrid vehicles from compact to large and luxury classes. The system’s expanded system output coverage will allow Hyundai’s hybrid powertrain lineup to increase from three models to five. In the future, the OEM plans to apply its new system to other Hyundai- and Kia-brand models, while further expanding its hybrid technology to its luxury brand, Genesis – applying this powertrain to key models over time. For all future hybrid models, the Group plans to apply the newly unveiled hybrid system and further electrification-focused technologies, tailoring these to the characteristics of individual vehicles and classes, as well as regional market requirements.
