2024-03-24 18:09:17
There is a Korean proverb that says, ‘The last one has taller horns.’ This is what the automobile industry says about Hyundai Motor Company. The tailwind is really strong. It has been a long time since Hyundai Motor Company’s status rose thanks to its ability to remodel itself to the level of a new car every time it changes due to a generation change. In fact, it is entering a new era by recently winning various awards around the world, to the point where the initial criticism of it as a ‘refrigerator on wheels’ was in vain. Last year alone, it won more than 20 awards, including ‘Car of the Year’, proving its competitiveness.
In particular, Hyundai Motor Company is also working on the hybrid drive system, which is considered the culmination of automotive technology. In the domestic passenger car market, we are competing with a strategy that includes not only gasoline and diesel, but also hybrid and electric vehicles, and this time, we are expanding the area of eco-friendly vehicles by applying this to commercial vehicles for the first time.
The result is ‘Starria Hybrid’. In 2021, Staria, which succeeded in shedding the unique clunkiness of vans, has evolved once again into a hybrid that has dramatically improved quietness and efficiency.
What impressed me most during the test drive of the new car on the 21st was the ride quality. Unlike before, engine driving noise and vibration were significantly reduced, creating a quiet indoor atmosphere, and this quietness led to an increase in riding comfort. Of course, it is difficult to completely overcome the inherent limitations of large and heavy commercial vehicles, but compared to before, I thought I could ride it satisfactorily.
In the shopper driving course prepared by Hyundai Motor Company, I sat in the second row for about 25 minutes and fully experienced the interior as a passenger. As soon as I sat down on the second row independent seat, I looked for a port to charge my smartphone. What was immediately visible was the C type port under the rear of the first row glove box. The space between the two rows was so wide that the distance felt quite far. When I looked to the side, I saw that the seat window pillar was also equipped with a charging facility. This meticulous consideration can be seen everywhere. There is a hook for hanging a bag in the storage space behind the first-row seat, and a cup holder can also be seen at the bottom of the second-row door.
Above all, thanks to the ample space on all sides, passengers were able to take the desired posture and move comfortably. The overall length and wheelbase of the Staria reach 5255 mm and 3275 mm, respectively. With just one button, you can create the optimal space needed to unfold the relaxation seat, allowing you to assume the most comfortable posture. The high ceiling creates an excellent sense of openness. The large window with a low belt line and the open panoramic sunroof further amplify the sense of openness.
I even drove the car myself from the stopover. I drove about 56km from Nine Block Provence to the final destination (Hyundai Motor Studio Goyang).
When you get into the driver’s seat, the first thing that catches your eye is the wide view ahead. Thanks to the high seating position, there were almost no blind spots. However, due to the appropriate steering wheel position, some of the information on the instrument panel was obscured. There is also a storage space on the left side of the driver’s dashboard that can hold a cell phone vertically.
I started the engine and slowly moved the heavy vehicle. The Staria Lounge hybrid model uses a 1.6 turbo hybrid engine. Combined with the electric motor, the system has a maximum output of 245 horsepower and a maximum torque of 37.4 kg·m.
The initial acceleration is acceptable. Thanks to the electric motor, it produces output comparable to that of a diesel car. On flat roads, the driving comfort is comparable to that of an SUV.
I tried to increase my speed. The feeling of acceleration is smooth rather than instantaneous. It takes a while for the speed to increase, but not to the point where you feel uncomfortable. Electric mode operates at an economic speed of 80 km/h. When you step on the deceleration pedal, the battery is charged through regenerative braking. At low speeds or high speeds exceeding 100 km/h, the hybrid mode in which the engine mainly intervenes is turned on. It also has high-speed driving safety. When I passed the curved section at speed, I was impressed by the fact that it didn’t sway to one side.
Fuel efficiency was measured in the owner-driven section and was found to be 14 km/l. Even though there were frequent sudden accelerations during the test drive, it recorded a higher level than the official combined speed of 13 km/l. The Staria Hybrid is equipped with a specialized ‘congestion section specialized control’ function. Congestion section specialized control combines navigation road information and vehicle driving conditions to strategically change shift patterns and engine start times in low-speed congested sections, thereby reducing unnecessary operations due to acceleration and deceleration and improving ride comfort.
The new car is also equipped with Hyundai’s cutting-edge driver assistance systems. A device that maintains the distance from the vehicle in front and the center of the lane can definitely reduce the burden of driving. In addition, it is equipped with advanced specifications such as ▲front parking distance warning ▲hi-pass ▲fine dust sensor, full automatic air conditioner with air purification mode, auto defog, and after-blow functions ▲8-inch display audio ▲rear monitor, etc.Jeong Jin-su, Donga.com reporter brjeans@donga.com
-
- great
- 0dog
-
- I’m so sad
- 0dog
-
- I’m angry
- 0dog
-
- I recommend it
- dog
Hot news now
2024-03-24 18:09:17