Hybrid Elantra set for sale

Hyundai has announced the release, in July, of a mild hybrid Elantra it claims will have the lowest operating costs of any hybrid on the market. But it will be a while before it ventures outside its home market.

The Elantra LPI HEV uses an electric motor powered by a high-tech lithium-polymer battery pack to give extra muscle to its 1.6 litre LPG-fuelled engine. It puts its power to the road through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) (more here).

The company promises operating cost savings of up to 40 per cent over competing models and 50 over its conventional petrol-only Elantra models. It also boasts Super Ultra Low Emission levels of 103g/km of CO2 and reductions of up to 90 per cent among other pollutants.

Under cost conditions in its home market, Hyundai estimates buyers could recoup the cost premium of the car within two years. In Korea, LPG costs 4 per cent less than petrol. In Australia, LPG's substantial price advantage would suggest a faster payback time.

Initially, however, the company is restricting its build to left-hand drive cars, selling into the Korean domestic market only. But it is investigating export possibilities and has said that Australia, with its well established LPG distribution infrastructure, would be among the top qualifiers.