Hyundai Santa Fe to get a hybrid drive

2008 Hyundai Santa Fe

Hyundai is expected to unveil its Santa Fe Hybrid concept SUV at the upcoming motor show in Paris.

The hybrid-powered crossover will be equipped with a 2.4-liter petrol engine (probably, the 168hp PZEV Theta II engine currently available with the 2006 Sonata model) working in cooperation with a six-speed automatic transmission and a 30kW electric-assist motor powered by a set of lithium-ion batteries.

Sporting about 208hp of combined power, the heavy crossover SUV will hopefully feature decent dynamics, but its main selling point will the frugal fuel consumption. The Korean company says that the Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid concept sports outstanding 44mpg mileage (which is about 5.35L/100km) and emits only 148g/km of CO2 greenhouse gas.

For example, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid SUV has the fuel economy of only 30.5mpg (7.7 liters of gasoline per 100km) and emits 185g/km of CO2.

It would be great to see a diesel-hybrid version of the Santa Fe. 50mpg, anyone?

Note: 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe Vanilla White special edition model pictured

Photo: Hyundai

See also: 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid will start at $71,685 (USA)