According to ET News quoting insiders and suppliers, Hyundai and Kia are currently working on an innovative plug-in hybrid powertrain that should enable their cars – most notably the Hyundai Santa Fe and the Kia Sorento – to cover up to 100 km (62 miles) on a charge.
The sources are saying that the companies intend to start designing the system later this year, with some car part vendors already having the technical specifications on hand. The final version of this new hybrid powertrain will not be revealed until 2025, though.
The first model to try it out will reportedly be the Grandeur sedan, which went into its next generation last fall. The two crossover SUVs named above will follow its example later. The Korean automakers believe that customers will appreciate having a more advanced, modern battery pack and two electric motors instead of just one.
The new PHEV tech marks another step towards a fully electric vehicle lineup for Hyundai and Kia. With 100 kilometers (62 miles) of battery range at their disposal, owners will be able to drive their cars on electric power alone most of the time, only engaging the petrol engine in long road trips.