Hyundai’s IVT Is More Efficient And Responsive Than A CVT
The seventh-generation Hyundai Elantra looks set to arrive in Malaysia after Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) dropped a teaser image of the C-segment sedan on its official Facebook page a few days ago.
Now, a press release sent last night seems to hint that we will be getting the SmartStream G1.6 MPi four-cylinder version, which produces 123 hp at 6,300 rpm and 154 Nm of torque at 4,500 rpm. Continuously variable valve timing, multi-port injection and a new thermal management module are just some of the highlights of the naturally-aspirated engine.
The output will be sent to the wheels via Hyundai’s proprietary Smartstream Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT). Although it is very similar to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), IVT is said to be capable of reproducing the shift pattern of a manual transmission, making it feel more responsive.
Designed and built by Hyundai Transys, IVT ditches the conventional metallic belt in favour of a chain belt. The latter uses the belt tension to adjust the pulley diameter to prevent slippage and thus improving efficiency. It is also more reliable as it has a longer lifespan and does not require maintenance.
According to Hyundai, the eight-speed version of the Smartstream IVT fitted in the new Elantra has shown a 4.2% improvement in fuel economy and a reduction of 5% to 8% in engine power loss. You can learn more about the IVT in the press release below:
PRESS RELEASE
Hyundai Motor Group has become a global powertrain company, thanks to Hyundai Transys – a merger of Hyundai Powertech and Hyundai Dymos. The Group now boasts the commendable capability of designing and building its own IVT (Intelligent Variable Transmissions).
With the merger, Hyundai Transys has the capability of producing novel transmissions with diverse structures. It is currently the only company in the world to comprehensively possess the technology for all transmission types, which is constantly evolving in tandem with the performance and technology advancement of engine development.
One of the most recent IVT developments and which is currently fitted into the new Elantra, is the Smartstream 8-speed IVT. The Smartstream IVT uses the characteristic of high-efficiency CVTs (Continuously Variable Transmission) as the foundation and improves on it by amending the responsiveness and gear-shifting feel.
The IVT provides a solution for conventional CVT pulleys and belt that often slip against each other, which is particularly visible in metallic belts. The IVT uses a chain belt instead of a metallic belt, which is the first of its kind in the segment. The chain belt’s main selling point is that it uses the belt tension to adjust the pulley diameter, thus eliminating instances of slippage and improving efficiency in power delivery. The chain belt also has a longer lifespan and is maintenance free, which makes it more reliable.
The Smartstream IVT reproduces the manual transmission’s shifting pattern that better reflects the driver’s intent and driving conditions, making it feel more responsive in general. This is compared to the setback of conventional CVTs which keep the engine RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) fixed while increasing the vehicle speed, making the drivers feel as if the engine is running idle.
The Smartstream IVT that is fitted into the new Elantra has shown a 4.2% improvement in fuel economy and a 5~8% reduction in engine power loss.
Paired with a SmartStream G1.6 MPi petrol engine, the new Elantra is capable of producing 123 hp of horsepower at 6,300rpm and a peak torque of 154Nm at 4,500rpm. The Smartstream G1.6 MPi is a four-cylinder engine which features continuously variable valve timing and multi-port injection as well as a new thermal management module.
The Smartstream powertrain is Hyundai Motor’s response to global efforts to safeguard the environment as well as to meet customers’ demand for fun-to-drive cars. It is designed to deliver improved fuel economy and reduced exhaust emissions. The word ‘Smart’ implies being intelligent in design, control and operation, while ‘Stream’ refers to dynamic movement of mobility.
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