Hyundai and Kia both plan on offering stop-start technology as a fuel-saving feature on many of their North American vehicles within two years.
“Start-stop will be a key part of our development activity in the next two product cycles,” in 2012 and 2016, said Timothy White, Hyundai-Kia’s senior powertrain manager. He said he expects the new feature to provide about a 3 percent increase in fuel-economy for Hyundai and Kia’s North American lineup.
FoMoCo is also looking to offer the feature on 20 percent of its global models by 2014. The Dearborn automaker expects a 5 percent boost in fuel economy.
Stop-start engine technology turn off gasoline engines when vehicles come to a stop and restart them when drivers touches the accelerator.
2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid:
– By: Kap Shah
Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)