The hybrid is powered by an LPI Gamma engine displacing 1.6 liters; a 15 kW (105 Nm) pancake type Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor; and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). The Elantra LPI HEV emits 99 g/km of CO2 and 90% fewer emissions than an equivalent standard gasoline-powered Elantra. It qualifies as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV).

The LPI Hybrid is a mild-hybrid with a fuel economy rating of 17.8 km/l (5.6 L/100km or 42 mpg US); gasoline-equivalent fuel economy is 22.2 km/l (4.5 L/100km, 51 mpg US). This represents a 47% improvement over a conventional 1.6L Elantra.

The move by Hyundai to sell the LPG-electric hybrid, which is only available for the domestic market, is seen as a strategy to better compete with hybrid models of the Japanese rivals at home, some analysts say. In South Korea, where LPG-powered cars are common, LPG is half the price of gasoline.

“While our hybrid technology matched that of Honda Motor, as a latecomer in the hybrid market, we decided to launch the LPG-electric hybrid to appeal more to customers,” said Lee Ki-sang, a chief executive of hybrid research and development division at Hyundai. Lee said Hyundai should be aggressive with its pricing for its hybrid models to catch up with Toyota and Honda.

Hyundai plans to sell as many as 8,000 of the hybrids in South Korea by the end of the year.