Hyundai Smartstream IVT intelligently maximizes the fuel economy

KUALA LUMPUR: To improve engines’ fuel economy and to reduce exhaust emissions, the automobile giants have been working for the last so many years. Hyundai is one such automaker that recently developed a novel transmission in line with this concern, known as Smartstream IVT. The word ‘Smart’ refers to being intelligent in control, design, and operation, whereas the ‘Stream’ implies the dynamic movement of mobility.

Based on the characteristic of high-efficiency continuously variable transmission, the  Smartstream features an improved performance by amending the responsiveness and gear-shifting feel. 

The IVT addresses the conventional CVT’s problem of pulleys and belts that often slip against each other, which is particularly visible in metallic belts. As a solution, the new transmission uses a chain belt instead of a metallic belt, considered as the first of its kind in the segment. To eliminate instances of slippage and improve efficiency in power delivery, the chain belt uses the belt tension to adjust the pulley diameter, which is its main selling point. The other advantages that make the chain belt more reliable are its longer lifespan and maintenance-free trait.

The Smartstream IVT also reproduces the manual transmission’s shifting pattern, which better reflects the driver’s intent and driving conditions, for a more responsive feel. In contrast, the conventional CVT used to keep the engine RPM fixed with the increase in vehicle’s speed, providing the feel that the engine is running idle.

The new transmission is built in-house at Hyundai Transys, a company formed by the merger of Hyundai Powertech and Hyundai Dymos. According to Hyundai, “It is currently the only company in the world to comprehensively possess the technology for all transmission types, which is constantly evolving in tandem with the performance and technology advancement of engine development.”

Coming to the performance numbers, Hyundai says that the Smartstream IVT that is fitted into the latest-generation Hyundai Elantra has shown a 4.2% improvement in fuel consumption as well as a 5~8% reduction in engine power loss.

For the new Hyundai Elantra, the Smartstream IVT is paired with the Smartstream G1.6 MPi four-cylinder petrol engine, capable of generating 123 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and a peak torque of 154 Nm at 4,500 rpm. The engine features continuously variable valve timing, multi-port injection, and a new thermal management module. 

Hyundai’s local arm recently indicated the arrival of the new Elantra in Malaysia by teasing the model on its social media handle.

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