Hyundai Motor has decided to postpone the release date of G80 (GENESIS Facelift model) and EQ900 (GENESIS Diesel model).
It has decided to postpone dates because consumers’ perception towards diesel cars have become bad as diesel cars have been chosen as the major cause of dust and South Korean Government has put out its plan to increase taxes for diesel cars. Although Renault Samsung Motors is still planning to release ‘SM6 D’ in second half of this year, it is heard that there are some concerns about whether SM6 D will be popular among customers.
According to a high-ranking representative of Hyundai Motors on the 29th, Hyundai Motors introduced G80 for the first time at 2016 Busan International Motors Show and is planning to release G80 in South Korean markets in second half of this year. G80 will come out in 3 engine lineups and they are 3.3 Gasoline Turbo, 3.8 Gasoline, and 2.2 Diesel. However as Hyundai Motors has completely restructured scheduled release date of 2.2 Diesel model, it has become unclear when 2.2 Diesel model will be released in South Korea.
“2.2 diesel engine that is equipped in G80 is based on ‘R Engine’ that was used for Santa Fe and Grandeur and has better performance than Germany’s premium diesel sedan as it has NVH (noise or vibration) performance maximized and is silent as gasoline motors.” said a high-ranking representative of Hyundai Motors. “However as level of trust towards diesel engine dropped recently in South Korea, we have decided to postpone the release date of G80 to increase level of completion of diesel engines.”
Hyundai Motors is also looking over plans for EQ900 Diesel model, which was expected to be released in second half of next year. 3.0 S2 Diesel Engine that is equipped in EQ900 eliminates NOx (Nitrogen Oxide) through SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction). Before emitting exhaust gas to air, this engine sprays Adblue (aqueous ammonia solution) and uses catalytic action to convert NOx to non-harmful material such as N2 and O2. Although there is some level of inconvenience as one has to replace Adblue periodically, efficiency reduction of NOx is 90%.
“It is true that there needs to be diesel models for GENESIS brand if Hyundai Motors wants to enter European markets as well as South Korean and American markets.” said a different representative for Hyundai Motors. “Beside of diesel models, we are also looking into eco-friendly models such as PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle) and others.”
Other automobile manufacturers are also decreasing number of diesel models. Korean GM has eliminated diesel models as it released new Malibu model. It has released 1.5 Gasoline Turbo and 2.0 Gasoline Turbo models instead of diesel models and will be adding 1.8 Gasoline Hybrid model in second half of this year. Ssangyong is going to invest $126 million (150 billion KRW) until next year to develop two kinds of next-generation gasoline engines such as ‘2.0 Liter Turbo GDI’ and ‘1.5 Liter Turbo GDI’ and is planning to mass-produce them at its factories in Changwon. Foreign automobile manufacturers such as Audi, Volkswagen and others have also decided to release only gasoline models as they release their new vehicles.
On the other hand, Renault Samsung Motors is planning to release a diesel model of SM6 in second half of this year just as it was planned. According to a recent research done by Ministry of Environment, it was shown that QM3 emits 17 times more of NOx than standard level (0.08g/km) and a same engine that is used for QM3 is also used for SM6.
“Although level of negative perception towards diesel engines is increasing, their popularity won’t go down too quickly.” said a representative of this industry. “Although it is predicted that RV models such as SUV, mini-van and others, which are very popular for their diesel models, will continue to show popularity, sales volume of diesel sedans can decrease.”
Staff Reporter Ryu, Jongeun | rje312@etnews.com