Hyundai is doing its utmost to develop high performance eco-friendly transmissions that incorporate diverse customer needs in an effort to lead the global transmissions market. In particular, the successful development of the six-speed 2WD automatic transmission and the hybrid continuously variable transmission (CVT) for LPi use in 2009 placed Hyundai in a leading position on the international market. In 2011, the company was the first to debut an eight-speed RWD automatic transmission, displaying once again its world-class technological prowess. As for manual transmissions, Hyundai developed a double clutch transmission (DCT) that automatically syncs the driver’s clutch and gear manipulations through an actuator. Mounted on the Veloster, it took the world of manual transmissions a step further by improving fuel efficiency and driving comfort.

The power train center is working on ways to improve combustion efficiency, reduce weights, develop low friction and improved motor efficiency technologies, and accelerate the development of power trains for hybrid vehicles in order to obtain better fuel efficiency and minimize air pollution caused by gas emissions. In addition, a highly efficient exhaust gas cleaning system is being developed, which reduces harmful gases emitted from low pollution engines one more time, which not only responds to the increasing restrictions on emissions but also leads the way in the production of eco-friendly vehicles.

Hyundai’s powerful history in engines dates back to 1991 when it developed the Alpha engine, marking the birth of independent Korean automotive technology. In 2004, Hyundai’s Zeta engine became the first to be exported from Korea to a developed country, which displayed the technical ability of the Korean automobile industry to the world and raised the brand’s recognition. Hyundai’s Tau engine received the Ward’s Auto Top 10 Best Engines award, known as the Academy Awards of engines, for three straight years up to 2011.

In 2012, the Gamma 1.6 GDi engine, developed for compact cars, followed in the Tau’s footsteps, not only giving Hyundai the honor of winning the prestigious award for four straight years, but also proving to the world that it had a comprehensive portfolio of large to small engines of world-class competitiveness. In 2009, Hyundai developed the R passenger diesel engine, the first in Korea to meet Euro-5 regulations and classified as a low-emission engine for the Seoul metropolitan area. In 2010, Hyundai developed a passenger diesel engine for the Europe-specific model U2-1.7, which it successfully launched in Europe, the home of diesel engines, and firmly established itself as a Global Top 5 company.