Hyundai Preps Alabama Manufacturing for Next Gen Elantra/Sonata Engines

Discussion in 'In the News' started by xcel, May 30, 2018.

  1. xcel

    xcel PZEV, there's nothing like it :) Staff Member

    [​IMG] Capital investment of $388 million set for Montgomery Manufacturing Facility.

    Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – May 30, 2018

    2018 Hyundai Ioniq “Kappa” design 1.6L I4

    [​IMG]
    Atkinsonized and direct injected 104 hp and 109 lb.-ft. of torque 1.6L GDi I4.​

    Hyundai announced that it is investing $388 million to construct an engine plant dedicated to manufacturing cylinder heads and enhance existing operations to support production of new models of Sonata and Elantra sedans to come in the future. The investment will create 50 new jobs.

    Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (HMMA) is preparing for the next-generation Hyundai engine, which requires new technologies and components as a part of its assembly process. The capital investment will be spent on equipment for the engine head machining plant and updating technology in an existing engine plant.

    It will cost approximately $40 million to construct the 260,000-square-foot building that will house the head machining equipment. Construction on the engine head machining plant is scheduled to be completed in November of this year. This project will free up space to expand engine assembly lines in one of HMMA’s existing engine plants.

    The new engine head machining facility will be operational by mid-2019. HMMA produces engines for Sonata and Elantra sedans and the Santa Fe crossover utility vehicle. HMMA’s two engine plants are capable of producing approximately 700,000 engines per year to support the vehicle production at both HMMA and Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) in West Point, Georgia.

    HMMA, which started vehicle production in May 2005, is the River Region’s largest private manufacturer with 2,700 full-time and 500 part-time employees.

    Hmmm, a new engine family for Elantra and Sonata? The Kappa lineup – I believe they may only be made in Korea – for the Elantra ECO and Ioniq is the brands 40+ percent thermodynamic efficient I4 offerings. Could we see an even more efficient offering from the Hard charging Korean manufacturer?
     
    BillLin likes this.
  2. litesong

    litesong litesong

    I'll chip in on Hyundai engines. Our 2008 Hyundai Accent(EPA highway-32MPG), now has 130,000+ miles. Nothing has ever gone wrong with the 1.6 liter engine. Recently returned to using 100% (ethanol-free) gasoline, after finding a lower priced source(still too high tho). The last four tanks have been over 43 MPG, one being 45MPG, another being 47.3 MPG & one was 48MPG. Our 2013 automatic Elantra(55,000 Miles) never had any problems. Last three tanks have been 41.9, 41.9 & 43MPG. Our 2016 manual Elantra (52,000Miles) never had any problems. Last two tanks have been 43MPG & 43.3MPG. All tanks have had at least 6 cool downs, which lowers MPG. Several tanks have exceeded 500 miles, altho none of the cars have large tanks. I suspect all three engines will cruise past 200,000 miles & keep going...... in all our cars, which have yet to have any squeaks, creaks or funny sounds.
     
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  3. BillLin

    BillLin electric everything with solar and geothermal

    Quite an impressive series of vehicles and performance. I can see why you like and stay with the brand.
     
  4. litesong

    litesong litesong

    Three+ years ago we bought 7 standard, new tires(Goodyear & Cooper), on which I thought we saved quite a bit money. When the final tally was in, the tires cost $1000..... nice tires, but too much! Learning my lesson, I later got good, larger diameter & wider used tires (mounted on larger than standard, sweet chrome wheels). Saved hugely....& handling is nicer with them big boots. Its funny. Those big (not low RR) tires, along with the E0 gasoline, have NOT hurt MPG & have been the tires to give the high MPG. Wow! Four of the used tires(including Goodyear Eagles & Michelin) were free, two 18" good tread tires on chrome rims were $60, another three good tread 18" tires on sweet alloy rims were $50, 4 tires were $50, & two sets of 4 tires each, were only $20, each 4 tire set. Yeah, we'll see how many of these used tires (that would be in a tire dump), we can wear out traveling all over the Pacific Northwest(& further?) in our Hyundais.
     
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2018
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  5. litesong

    litesong litesong

    Update, because my 3 Hyundais are at fairly round numbers, again with nothing wrong with any of the engines after 260,000 total miles: The Accent has 140,000(+?) miles, having gone through a number of the used tires(with good service, no problems). The rear tires (bought 4 Sears 440 Mastercraft for $50), have lasted almost 24,000 miles with ~10,000 miles to go, have balanced well with all front tires(inc. Michelin, Bridgestone, Hankook, Cooper). Eighteen Accent summertime tanks in a row gave 40+MPG, with highs mentioned above. The Elantras have reached a total 120,000 miles, still never anything wrong. The used, bigger than OE, tires on the one Elantra have given superior handling, not hurt MPG & let the engine run easier on highways, especially in the largest diameters. That reminds me. I'll switch to larger diameter front tires this spring, & do more longer distant highway driving, exploring more of Washington state & beyond.
    I forgot to tell.......Our 2013 auto Elantra was built in S.Korea, while the 2016 manual Elantra was built in Alabama. So far, I see little difference between the two, except for improvements that have resulted over a span of 3 years. 1)At idle the 2016 engine is smoother & quieter than the 2013 engine. 2) The Venetian Red exterior is better in the 2016, a little darker & with more metal flake than the 2013. 3) The electric steering in the 2016 is more subtle & precise than the 2013. 4) The 2016 driver's seat can lower a bit more than the 2013, so I can rest my right elbow easier on the center console.
     
    Last edited: Feb 12, 2019
    BillLin likes this.
  6. litesong

    litesong litesong

    More updating: In this thread, interest is for the engines. As reported above, the engines have had no problems & both Elantras have never had a problem with anything. Now for the bad. The 140,000 mile 2008 Accent has a timing belt, not a timing chain(both Elantras have timing chains). Since the Accent does have an interference engine, It is MANDATORY to change the belt on schedule. So my mechanic has changed the belt for the 2nd time, along with the water pump, which can be done at the same time with reduced mechanic labor. Tho these procedures can be thought of as maintenance, it is expensive maintenance. Tho the Accent MPG has been great, the engine was throwing codes once in a while. My mechanic, while changing the timing belt, found degradation of the electronic coils(reason for the thrown codes?), so had to replace them too......for the second time. Anyhow, I hope the Accent will now settle down,without any problems for a while. I still have confidence the Accent, tho approaching 12 years of age, will go past 200,000 miles without MAJOR problems.
     
    BillLin likes this.
  7. litesong

    litesong litesong

    More updating: At 148,000, the 2008 Accent needed its first clutch replacement. The new clutch has an even lighter & sweeter action than the original. All three Hyundai engines have had a total of 283,000 miles, with no small or large repairs to the powerplants. Reading back through the posts, I see the 3 engines have had 23,000 miles of travel since early February, about half a year, but including our highest driving season. Present travel miles on all 3 engines is high, compared to past travels. This is NOT surprising tho, since I have explained my reliance on used tires has been very cost effective, & MPG for all 3 engines is high. Another factor leading to greater travel, tho local gas prices are still high, I've found gasoline that is 55 to 80+ cents cheaper on my travels.
     
    Last edited: Jul 23, 2019
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  8. BillLin

    BillLin electric everything with solar and geothermal

    Not sure that makes sense, but I'll trust that you thought it through...
     
  9. litesong

    litesong litesong

    Not hard to understand, at all. MOST of the time, I can get cheaper gas on my travels, than my immediate region offers. I buy gas in those regions, not in my region.
     
    BillLin likes this.
  10. BillLin

    BillLin electric everything with solar and geothermal

    But you don't go out of your way to buy the gas, right? You just happened to be there. I didn't understand why that would increase your driving if that were the case. Never mind, just thinking out loud.
     
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  11. Carcus

    Carcus Well-Known Member

    2020 Accent has a 6 speed manual and an updated 1.6 with dual port injection , thermal management module, EGR system ..etc...

    So for a starting price of $15,195, .. this might be the new 'frugal darling' of cleanmpg ?

    https://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/releases/2819

    -------------
    Smartstream G1.6 DPI powertrain highlights

    • Dual Port Injection
      • Injection timing: Fuel injection at the intake stroke decreases wall wetting for improved fuel economy and reduced emissions
      • The amount of fuel injection is controlled by driving conditions
      • High compression is reduced at initial engine start
    • Thermal Management Module
      • Replaces traditional thermostat increasing cooling efficiency through temperature control of each port:
        • Radiator
        • Transmission fluid cooler
        • Heater
      • Mid-phase Continuously Variable Valve Timing
        • Reduces pumping loss and improves fuel efficiency
      • Narrow water jacket core
        • Improves thermal/cooling efficiency
      • High energy ignition coil
        • Improves fuel economy and combustion stability
      • External Exhaust Gas Recovery (EGR) system
        • Improves fuel economy and combustion stability
     
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  12. MaxxMPG

    MaxxMPG Hasta Lavista AAA-Vee Von't Be Bach

    The dyno numbers for the 2020 SmartStream Accent would make most CleanMPG readers smile.
    CVT - 44.4057 / 61.0056
    6MT - 37.7 / 57.9

    The GenII Prius from 2008 rated 66.6 / 64.8 on the dynamometer, so the Accent is not a bad alternative for commuters who drive steady state most of the time.
     
    BillLin likes this.
  13. jcp123

    jcp123 Caliente!

    Well...good numbers if you buy new. I don’t blame anyone who does, especially for the long haul. But used...$2500 Civic with a lot of life making mid-40s is a $ conscious choice if you can put up with some issues.

    My wife is the one who makes this equation hard, as her Chrysler minivan approaches 100k, I get more Hershey highways thinking about what she might want...
     
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  14. EdwinTheMagnificent

    EdwinTheMagnificent Legend In His Mind

    Great engine , maybe. But where's the hatchback ? Or liftback or station wagon ?
     
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  15. MaxxMPG

    MaxxMPG Hasta Lavista AAA-Vee Von't Be Bach

    The motoring public buys station wagons by the millions - only they call them 'crossovers'. The Accent wagon arrives late this year as the "Venue". Same powertrain as the Accent, larger tires and box body with hatchback and reasonably good cargo room.
     
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  16. Carcus

    Carcus Well-Known Member

    If by "motoring public" .. you mean all the women, .. then yes. It really bothers them to sit lower than their neighbor. The hubris will cost them 20% on their mpg. They don't care.

    /and then there's the "men" with their jacked up F-350's ... but don't get me started...

    // .. *humans* .. :rolleyes:
     
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2019
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  17. Carcus

    Carcus Well-Known Member

    On the cargo.. I have to say the trunk on my civic sedan is THE the most useable cargo space I've ever had in a vehicle (I've owned SUVs and pickups) ... Nice space and soooo easy to get stuff in and out of -- partly because of the way the electronic latches are designed - partly because the trunk lid goes up and out of the way (not in your face- like an SUV) and partly because it is at the right height -- when you lift something it is from a comfortable height -- not really the case in an SUV. Also with a trunk, when you're looking for something it's easier ...you have somewhat of a birds eye view on the cargo. Not so in an SUV, ... you've got to start moving things to see what's in there.

    The only real cargo advantage an SUV has is the "big box" space.. which is hardly ever needed (and comes with a rear view mirror penalty when utilized).
     
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2019
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  18. jcp123

    jcp123 Caliente!

    Hey now...the woman in my life doesn’t do SUVs. Women, if you also count my Ma.
     
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  19. Carcus

    Carcus Well-Known Member

    I'd say there are two primary reasons why people buy SUVs:

    1. "king/queen of the road" complex -- it's always better to look down on others than to be looked down on (isn't that one of those "golden rules"?)
    2. We're getting older and fatter -- much easier to 'slide in and out' than to 'sit down and get up'.
    -- looks like the future of the SUV is secure
    // but hey! -- tastes can change, low slung sedans and twiggy could come back into fashion, .. but I wouldn't hold your breath.

    Of course, .. there are always exception(s)
     
    Last edited: Jul 25, 2019
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  20. EdwinTheMagnificent

    EdwinTheMagnificent Legend In His Mind

    I'd say the Porsche Panamera is a nice low-slung sedan. With the 3.0 TDI , it would also be almost efficient.

    A guy can dream.
     
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