(February 22, 2010) Hyundai will expand the powertrain offerings on its all-new Sonata mid-size sedan later this year but retain the all four cylinder lineup. At the public unveiling of the 2011 Sonata during the Los Angeles Auto Show in December, CEO John Krafcik announced that the normally aspirated 2.4-liter inline four would be joined by turbocharged and hybrid variants later on.

The 2.4-liter is Hyundai's first gasoline direct injected engine and the current GLS and Limited versions of the Sonata produce 198 horsepower. The SE trim level adds a dual exhaust system to bump the output up to a full 200 hp.
 

Unlike its direct competitors in the mid-sized sedan category, Hyundai will not offer a V6 engine in the Sonata. In the 2009-10 Sonata, fewer than 10 percent of buyers opted for the V6. By opting up front not to install a V6, Hyundai took advantage of the reduced structural requirements to contribute to the near 200 pound weight reduction in the new model.

Instead of a V6, Hyundai will offer a 2.0-liter turbocharged version of the direct injected engine with over 250 hp and 250 pound-feet of torque. The turbo engine is expected to match the 35 mpg highway fuel economy rating of the current normally aspirated model with significantly better performance.

The hybrid version will use the powertrain revealed by Hyundai at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. Like the lower power Elantra hybrid already on sale in South Korea, the Sonata will use a lithium polymer battery pack supplied by LG Chem. Hyundai is the first automaker to use the lithium polymer cells in a production vehicle. The same LG Chem technology will also be used in the 2011 Chevrolet Volt which goes on sale in November 2010.
 

The Hyundai hybrid drive system will use an electric motor between the engine and six-speed automatic transmission. The 30 kW electric motor is capable of driving the Sonata on electricity alone at lower speeds or provide electric boost at higher speeds. The motor also provides the regenerative braking capability. An separate integrated starter-generator mounted on the engine will handle the automatic start-stop functionality.

Both the turbo and hybrid Sonatas will be built alongside the normally aspirated model at Hyundai's Montgomery, Alabama factory. Hyundai will provide more details on both cars at the New York show.