Hyundai Engine A Breath Of Fresh Air
Newcastle Herald
Saturday November 8, 2008
WHEN car makers set out to do something big their research and development departments usually swing into serious overtime. And that is for the whole car.
For Korean car maker Hyundai pushing the button to start the development of a new engine started the wheels turning on a development program lasting almost four years and involving more than 500 prototype engines. The end result? It is called the R-Engine and is a new family of turbo-diesels using third-generation common-rail direct-injection and high-pressure (1800 bar) delivery pressures.Set to go into production next year, the engine will be built in 2.0- and 2.2-litre capacities and already Hyundai is boasting the ability of both engines to out-power comparable European competitors.The 2.0-litre makes a healthy 137 kilowatts and 392 Newton metres of torque and the 2.2-litre a very impressive 150 kilowatts and 436 Newton metres, better figures than many V6 petrol engines.An all-alloy engine, the "R" runs double overhead camshafts driven by an internal steel timing chain. There is also a balance shaft fitted in a stiffened ladderframe housing and, to reduce some of the engine's weight, plastic has been used for the head cover, intake manifold and oil filter housing.The engine already meets the tough Euro 5 emission rules, its success helped by an electronically controlled variable geometry turbocharger and advanced engine electronics as well as a particulate filter.Hyundai says the R-Engine will go into production next year with SUVs and large cars the first priority.
© 2008 Newcastle Herald