Start-Stop Technology Destined for Most Hyundai, Kia Vehicles By 2012

While auto manufacturers are looking for long-term methods to save fuel, such as smaller engines, hybrid powertrains, and electric propulsion systems. One relatively simple short-term solution that manufacturers have begun to turn to is the start-stop engine technology, a feature Hyundai-Kia plans to implement in a sizable portion of its North American portfolio by 2012.

“Start-stop will be a key part of our development activity in the next two product cycles,” said Timothy White, Hyundai-Kia’s senior powertrain manager at the SAE World Congress. Kia’s next two product cycles will begin in 2012 and 2016, and the technology will be applied to most of its North American offerings. White expects adding start-stop technology will boost fuel economy by 3 percent. Ford has already launched a similar program to launch start-stop technology on its models and expects a 5-percent increase in fuel efficiency because of the technology.

Start-stop technology is part of Hyundai’s push for greater fuel efficiency, but the company isn’t shying away from hybrid offerings, either. The automaker recently introduced its first hybrid for North America, the 2011 Sonata Hybrid, at the last month’s New York auto show. Hyundai says its hybrid system is lighter than those of its competitors, and can also sustain a battery charge for a longer period of time.