Hyundai Motor has revealed details of the new Santa Fe’s powertrain line-up. “The new Santa Fe represents a significant milestone in the history of Hyundai. With a new platform, new transmissions and new technology, it is cleaner, more agile, and more efficient than ever before,” says Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President and Head of Product Division at Hyundai Motor Company. “With the introduction of our new Santa Fe, our whole SUV line-up will be available with electrified versions, ranging from 48V mild hybrid solutions to fuel cell.”

New electrified powertrain line-up
The new Santa Fe is the first Hyundai in Europe to go on sale with the new ‘Smartstream’ hybrid and plug-in hybrid powertrain.

The hybrid version of the new Santa Fe, available at launch, consists of the new 1.6-litre T-GDi (turbocharged gasoline direct injection) ‘Smartstream’ engine and a 44.2 kW electric motor, drawing its power from a 1.49 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. It is available with two-wheel or four-wheel drive. The system has a combined output of 227 bhp power and 258 ft lb torque offering low emissions without compromising on driving fun.

The plug-in hybrid version, to follow in early 2021, comes with the same 1.6-litre T-GDi ‘Smartstream’ engine paired with a 66.9 kW electric motor drawing its power from a 13.8 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery. This variant will be available with four-wheel drive. The total power output is 261 bhp. It has a combined torque of 258 ft lb.

Both the hybrid and plug-in hybrid drivetrains are available with a newly-developed 6-speed automatic transmission (6AT). Compared to its predecessor, the 6AT brings improved transmission and fuel efficiency.

The new 1.6-litre T-GDi ‘Smartstream’ engine is also the first engine to utilise Hyundai’s new Continuously Variable Valve Duration (CVVD) technology and also features Low-Pressure Exhaust Gas Recirculation (LP EGR) to further optimise fuel efficiency. The CVVC regulates the duration of valve opening and closing according to driving conditions, achieving a boost in performance and improvements in fuel efficiency and emissions.

The LP EGR returns some of the gas burnt by the engine to the combustion chamber, producing a cooling effect and reducing the emission of nitrogen oxides. The 1.6 T-GDi also features a low-pressure system that redirects the burnt emission gas to the front of the turbocharger compressor, rather than the intake system, to increase efficiency under high load conditions.

New diesel engine with 8-speed wet DCT
As an alternative, customers will be able to choose the new 2.2-litre ‘Smartstream’ diesel powertrain, which has been updated to achieve improvements in fuel efficiency and performance.

Compared to the previous engine generation, the new engine block consists of aluminium instead of iron, leading to a weight reduction of 19.5 kg. Different parts of the engine have been improved, including, for example, the camshaft, to reduce internal friction and improve overall fuel efficiency. Furthermore, the engine has been equipped with a new 2,200 bar injection system (compared to a 2,000 bar injection system on the previous engine), improving overall engine performance. The four-cylinder engine produces 199bhp and 325 ft lb torque and is available with two-wheel or four-wheel drive.

The new engine is combined with a newly developed 8-speed wet double-clutch transmission (8DCT). Compared to a 7-speed double-clutch transmission, maximum torque capacity is increased by 58 per cent thanks to an optimum clutch cooling performance, achieved through a dedicated electric oil pump for lubrication. The hydraulic control system consists of an on-demand control-based electric oil pump and accumulator. Fuel efficiency is improved by 3 per cent through reduced engine power loss and increased hydraulic efficiency, in comparison to 8-speed automatic transmission models.