Hyundai’s next-gen hybrid promises better efficiency and more power

Hyundai has revealed a new hybrid system it’s been developing for all those hybrid models it's launching over the next decade, and the improvements promise more power and better fuel efficiency.

How much more? The system – when plugged into the new 2026 Palisade SUV (bigger than the Santa Fe) in 2.5-litre turbo hybrid guise – produces 329bhp and generates 339lb ft torque that gives an impressive 19 per cent more power, nine per cent more torque, and up to 45 per cent more fuel efficiency, according to the carmaker's calculations.

The next-gen hybrid system uses two motors (P1 and P2) integrated into a newly developed transmission. Where the P1 motor is responsible for starting the car, generating battery energy, and deploying that energy to help with oomph, the P2 motor shoulders the responsibility for propulsion and regenerative braking.

We’re told the dual-motor setup has been built to be paired with a variety of engines, but the first model to get the new tech is that aforementioned Palisade. That gets a choice of an all-new 1.6-litre turbo, or that existing 2.5-litre turbo upgraded with better heat management, improved piston design and adjusted triple fuel injection timing to optimise those improvements.

The new hybrid system supports vehicle-to-load bidirectional charging up to 3.6kW – plenty to charge your devices on the go.

Elsewhere, Hyundai's engineering team has been making gains in numerous electrified driver assist features, though we'll save you a trip into the Acronym Jungle today. More notably, it's been refining electric-AWD, which adds a P4 motor to the rear axle to help negotiate more unforgiving terrain. It says e-AWD and regular AWD will both be offered, depending on vehicle class and market so while it's highly unlikely the next-gen i10 will get it, e-AWD could be coming to a bunch of bigger Kia and Hyundai models very soon.

There are also plans afoot to inject some RWD 2.5-litre turbo hybrid goodness into the Genesis portfolio in due course, too. More as we get it.