Hyundai Motor’s European Technical Centre in Germany played a key role in the engine and transmission research, development, engineering and testing. Tuned specifically for use on European roads, the new powertrains meet the growing demand for efficient but powerful engines, with comfortable but sporty transmissions.

1.0L Kappa. The new Kappa 1.0-liter T-GDI, developed by the Namyang Technical Centre in Korea in collaboration with the European Technical Centre in Germany, is the first of a new generation of small turbocharged gasoline engines from Hyundai. The fuel economy-focused three-cylinder 1.0-liter T-GDI engine will be introduced across the whole i20 range during late 2015, including the New i20 Active.

Coming in two performance versions, the standard-power 100 PS (74 kW) version is tuned for best fuel efficiency. The 120 PS (88 kW) high-power version balances more spirited driving characteristics with the need to remain economical and efficient. The standard 100 PS version and the high-power 120 PS version both deliver a peak torque of 171.6 N·m (127 lb-ft) at 1,500 rpm.

The 998 cc three-cylinder unit is based on the established Kappa 1.0-liter MPI engine, carrying various enhancements and new technologies, including direct gasoline injection and a small, single-scroll turbocharger.

A turbocharger with an electronically-controlled waste-gate actuator improves fuel efficiency by lowering pumping losses as well as improving throttle response and low-end torque. The unit features a six-hole GDI injector, pressured to a higher-than-average 200 bar, securing a clean combustion and improving fuel economy and emissions to fulfill Euro 6 emission standards.

An optimized split-cooling concept manages different temperatures in the cylinder head and block area. The cylinder block is heated up quickly for lower friction and more efficient run, while the cylinder head operates at lower temperatures to optimize injection and combustion.

To keep the engine unit as small as possible, the exhaust manifold is integrated within the cylinder head and can therefore be cooled efficiently using the cylinder head water cooling system. These efforts result in faster warm-up of the catalyst and ultimately in improved real-world fuel consumption and emissions.

Gamma 1.4-liter T-GDI. Also joining the range of new generation of Hyundai engines is the 1.4-liter T-GDI engine with a power output of 140 PS (103 kW) and 242 N·m (178 lb-ft) of torque. The newly developed powerplant is significantly lighter than its predecessor, the Gamma 1.4-liter engine, and features a re-engineered turbo to increase throttle response time and boost low-end torque.

The unit’s base weight has been reduced by 14 kg (31 lbs) and it also boasts greater efficiency and power, delivering 140 PS and 242 Nm of torque.

The new engine incorporates a high-pressure single-scroll turbocharger integrated within the exhaust manifold to improve operational efficiency. The relocated and re-engineered turbo means throttle response time and low-end torque have improved. The new design injects fuel directly inside the cylinder, improving combustion rates for better power and fuel efficiency.

7DCT. Hyundai Motor has introduced its first seven-speed double-clutch transmission in 2015, combining the benefits from automated and manual transmissions. The 7DCT provides an improvement in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of up to 20% compared to a conventional six-gear automated transmission, while acceleration performance could be increased by up to 10%.

The 7DCT consists of two dry clutches and an actuator for each clutch. Engine power is transferred independently into the odd and even gear train to always be ready to shift into the next gear without any torque interruption. For optimized responsiveness the electric motor-driven actuator is applied, while external dampers improve the noise, vibration and harshness during driving.