-
In the US, the Hyundai i45 will be available with LPG and as a petrol-electric hybrid. "The hybrid is just for the US, but if the market is ready we will consider it," says Hyundai Australia CEO Edward Lee.
Hyundai doesn't seem all that convinced about the success of diesel in its passenger cars and has released the i45 medium-sized sedan without a diesel option.
CEO Edward Lee says diesel isn't on their agenda, despite the fact that the Sonata the i45 replaces had a two-litre diesel engine. "At the moment, we don't have that plan but we have some different ideas," he says.
In the US, it will be available with LPG and as a petrol-electric hybrid. "The hybrid is just for the US, but if the market is ready we will consider it."
He rejected a stronger V6 engine for the i45, declaring that the 2.4-litre petrol Theta II engine "performs like a V6". Product planning manager Roland Rivero says diesel does not represent a high proportion of their car sales or throughout the medium-car segment.
"Looking at the sales split for petrol versus diesel in Mondeo and Mazda6 it it struggling to grow," he says. "It's not huge in this segment. But if the market demands it, we will investigate an alternative fuel, but it might not be diesel."
-
Related Coverage
Hyundai i45: review
Hyundai Sonata to be i45
