Hyundai’s Santa Fe Hybrid car is powered by two motors – a 2.4 liter gasoline engine and a 30Kw electric motor. The electric motor also works as a generator, charging the 270-volt lithium polymer battery, giving this mini-SUV a range of up to 36+ miles per gallon. Polymer batteries are a far cry from what is in use throughout the industry today – namely Lithium Ion packs. According to Hyundai: the more durable Li-Poly battery offers lower production costs as well as a higher energy density and longer life. An engine shutoff/restart system reduces idle time for the gas engine as well.

Hyundai also states that the Santa Fe’s performance has not been affected by the conversion, and the 10.6 second 0-100 km/h acceleration suggest that this is true.

Hyundai ix55 Concept

The new ix55 is Hyundai’s European answer to the Santa Fe – with a larger seating capacity of seven, this ix55 still manages to achieve 0-100 km an hour in just over 10 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/hour. Standard equipment includes suede-covered seats, enhanced audio system, dual-zone climate control with separate controls for rear passengers and cruise control.