Hyundai Introduces New 1.6-Liter Diesel
16 September 2008
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| The 1.6-liter U2 diesel. Click to enlarge. |
The Powertrain R&D Center of Hyundai Motor Company has completed development of a new, more fuel efficient and cleaner diesel engine for compact passenger vehicles (C-segment and below). The 1.6-liter (1,582cc) U2 is an inline four-cylinder engine which utilizes a second-generation common rail diesel injection system and supports a fuel consumption rating of 4.7 L/100km (50 mpg US).
The first car to have the U2 engine installed will be the successor model of the Getz, the i20 sub-compact. The i20, due to be launched in Europe towards the end of 2008, will be produced at Hyundai Motor Co.’s Indian subsidiary in Chennai.
The engine features technologies such as a variable geometry turbocharger, a variable swirl control system and an electronically controlled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) cooling system. With fuel consumption of 4.7 L/100km, the US has CO2 emissions of 125 g/km. The U2 is Euro4 compliant. An optional particulate filter reduces particulate matter to Euro 5 standards which take effect next year.
The engine uses a new Bosch 1,600 bar CRDi common rail injection system which is capable of delivering up to five injections per cycle, permitting much more precise control than was possible with the previous 1,350 bar system. The U2 generates a total power output of 94 kW (126 hp) at 4,000rpm, with 260 Nm (192 lb-ft) torque at 1900~2750 rpm. More than 90% of the maximum torque is available at 1,500 rpm.
Other refinements include a variable swirl control system which helps to minimize emissions and a chain drive for improved reliability in valve train control and a bed plate-type lower crankcase for better block rigidity, lower noise, vibration and harshness. The auxiliary belt is a serpentine-type for improved reliability and compact packaging.
The U2 claims to be the quietest engine in its class, measuring up to two dBA lower than leading competitors. During the course of development, the main sources of noise emission were identified and appropriate measures were implemented. Since the 1.6 liter engine was equipped with chain drive for valve timing control, the chain and cover systems were identified as one of the main sources of noise. Structural analysis was performed for design improvement and based on modal analysis the chain and head cover structure was reinforced by applying ribs. The shape and structure of the oil pan was also improved as the oil pan was another major source of noise emissions. Structural analysis was also done to investigate the effects of rib shape and rib location on noise characteristics and thus, developers were able to arrive at an optimally shaped oil pan.
The U engine, first introduced in 2005, has grown to a family of engines that includes 1.1-liter 3-cylinder and 1.5-liter 4-cylinder variants which utilize a common architecture and share components for maximum manufacturing efficiency.
Now where, of course, is the boilerplate line ..."and they emphasized they have no plans to introduce the engine in their US lineup....."
Posted by: Spector | 16 September 2008 at 08:19 AM
If Hyundai build this, then lots of people will be able to benefit from impressive fuel economy, so well done H!
Posted by: mahonj | 16 September 2008 at 08:34 AM
"The 1.6-liter (1,582cc) U2 is an inline four-cylinder engine which utilizes a second-generation common rail diesel injection system and supports a fuel consumption rating of 4.7 L/100km (50 mpg US)."
My almost 30 year old VW Rabbit pickup, 1.6-liter diesel gets 50 mpg without all of the fancy turbos and latest injection systems. Some day we'll be capable of doing what we could do 30 years ago!
Posted by: Albert G | 16 September 2008 at 11:21 AM
"My almost 30 year old VW Rabbit pickup, 1.6-liter diesel gets 50 mpg without all of the fancy turbos and latest injection systems. Some day we'll be capable of doing what we could do 30 years ago!"
Your 30 year old diesel also produces 100 times the emmissions of a modern 3 way cat otto cycle engine. For a diesel to meet tier 2 bin 5 emissions which otto cycle engines meet with ease takes 3 to 4 layers of aftertreatment all of which significantly reduce fuel economy. A diesel sold in the USA today has to meet the emission standards of all other vehicles namely tier 2 bin 5 the excemptions to tier 2 bin 2 ended in 2006 hence no one produced a USA diesel in 2007 well benz did but they used 2 types of catalitic converters and a particulate trap to get the tier 2 bin 5, it cost them almost 8 mpg from the pervious year modes mpg rating too. Diesel can and should be held to the same standards at all other light duty vehicle emissions why let a select group pollute the air just so a few can save some cash on fuel. a level playing field is fair and its the law of the land here in the USA.
Posted by: | 16 September 2008 at 11:31 AM
It also has to be mentioned that the 30 year old Rabbit pickup has no airbags, no ABS, no ESP, and won't pass current safety regulations. And, it has minimal sound insulation, probably doesn't have air conditioning, probably doesn't have power steering, and generally doesn't have a level of refinement that is currently expected in the marketplace. All that stuff adds weight ...
Posted by: Brian P | 16 September 2008 at 12:49 PM
For a diesel to meet tier 2 bin 5 emissions which otto cycle engines meet with ease takes 3 to 4 layers of aftertreatment -- Anon
It takes a particulate filter, an oxidation cat which doesn't have to work very hard, and a reduction cat which does. An Otto engine requires an oxidation cat which doesn't work as well as the diesel cat, and a reduction cat which works better. It doesn't even try to filter particulates (though it should).
Posted by: dt | 16 September 2008 at 02:09 PM
I think in order for Hyundai to make this engine meet EPA Tier 2 Bin 5 emissions standards would require something to break down the NOx gases to simple NO2, which is easily removed by today's catalytic converters. This means either using something akin to Honda's electrically-charged reaction unit or injecting urea gas into the exhaust gas stream.
Posted by: Raymond | 16 September 2008 at 08:29 PM
I wrote my local Congress persons over a year ago to permit "The temporary imports of small fuel efficient cars". Congress would have to pass a moratorium on certain EPA and DOT regulations. If so, that would be the law of the land. Its not the emissions per vehicle, its the number of vehicles driven that causes air pollution and traffic hazards. Of course, a $1 per gallon fuel tax is part of such a plan to reduce miles driven.
Posted by: AquariumsWOlympia | 24 September 2008 at 02:04 PM