The Auto Writer

The 1.6L I4 Hyundai diesel engine. Built in Chennai, India and destined to power the Hyundai i20, a car that will be sold in Europe.

Hyundai and diesel technology just doesn’t seem like two words that should be uttered in the same breath. Instead, companies like Volkswagen, Honda, and Mercedes are certainly worthy of a mention, but not Hyundai. The Korean automaker is well known for building reliable gas-powered engines, but their diesel prowess is unknown, at least in the North American marketplace.

Hyundai’s 50 MPG Diesel Engine

Expect that perception to change as Hyundai rolls out a 1.6L I4 diesel which has the potential to deliver excellent fuel economy, as high as 50 mpg highway, maybe better. This technology sounds like a game changer for Hyundai, right? Yes, but don’t go running to your local Hyundai dealer just yet to order one as the engine will be built at the company’s Chennai, India plant and be made available for the European market only.

Introducing Hyundai diesel technology to the European market makes sense as almost half of all new cars sold in Western Europe come equipped with diesel engines. Hyundai has been trying to expand its presence in Europe, but can only do that with a viable diesel offering, otherwise the company’s European expansion would be impeded. American drivers are gradually embracing diesel engines despite what they remember about them via the clunky diesels produced by General Motors during the late 70s and early 80s, as well as the small and underpowered diesels from Volkswagen.

Vastly Improved Fuel Economy

Thankfully, contemporary technology has changed diesel engineering dramatically, so much so, that some diesel engines now sold in the US meet strict federal pollution requirements while still delivering fuel economy numbers that are 20-40% higher than comparable gas engines.

And, it is for that reason why Hyundai will not market a diesel stateside in the immediate future: the extra steps the Korean automaker would have to take to build a car that was compatible with federal and all fifty state pollution guidelines would be costly, effectively canceling out the benefit of a diesel program. Absorbing the cost of these upgrades probably doesn’t appeal to Hyundai, nor would be passing on these costs to price sensitive buyers.

The Hyundai i20

Exactly what will European buyers get from the Chennai-built Hyundai diesel? Plenty including:

• A car that will get a combined 50 mpg via city and highway driving.
• Some of the lowest emissions of any diesel engine built today.
• Placed in the all-new i20, a car being built at Chennai for the European market.

Hyundai i20 -- one of the most fuel efficient cars for the European market.

Prices for the all-new Hyundai i20 have yet to be established, but given the company’s skill at producing well optioned cars for less than what their competitors sell their cars for, should give consumers something for them to consider.

Of course, Hyundai diesels could still find their way stateside particularly if the Korean automaker finds a way to meet US pollution restrictions without breaking the bank. Given the company’s rapid growth and innovation, the reality of that happening becomes suddenly quite apparent.

(Source: Hyundai North America)