Hyundai's Advanced Avante Hybrid features Lithium Ion Batteries

Korea's largest auto manufacturer, Hyundai, is preparing to bring its first hybrid to

market. Although it has produced prototype hybrids before based on the Accent Sedan, this Avante (Elantra, to us North Americans) Hybrid will be available to the general public. And this hybrid is a landmark vehicle to boot.

What makes the Avante Hybrid a breakthrough is that it combines two never before seen aspects in a production vehicle. The first component is the use of LPG (liquid petroleum gas), a more environmental friendly fuel than traditional gasoline because it reduces carbon dioxide emissions when burned. The internal combustion portion of the powertrain is a 1.6-liter inline-four.

The second aspect of the Avante Hybrid is that it features lithium ion batteries, as opposed to the current nickel metal hydride batteries used in the Toyota Prius,

Honda Civic Hybrid and others. The battery pack is supplied by LG Chem, one of Korea's leading industrial suppliers, and it powers a 15 kW (20 hp) electric motor.

Like those aforementioned hybrids, the Avante employs a CVT in place of a standard automatic transmission for improved efficiency. Together, these elements have allowed the Avante Hybrid to post an extremely low carbon dioxide figure of 103 g/km, one gram per kilometer less than the Prius. Fuel economy figures have yet to be announced, but they are expected to be impressive.

Although Hyundai will launch the Avante Hybrid to its domestic market first next July, it has plans on making it available internationally. Hyundai is also interested in offering hybrid technology on more of its vehicles.