Keep your eyes on Korean manufacturer Hyundai-Kia which is determined not to be forgotten in the green car race.

The company has developed its first, independent continuously variable transmission (CVT) for application in the Hyundai Elantra LPI Hybrid and the Kia Forte LPI Hybrid. The work on the transmission has taken three years and was carried out at the Namyang Research and Development facility in South Korea.

Soo-Jin Hong of the company’s research and development planning team stated that a CVT was needed because of its infinite number of gear ratios that would allow the company to optimise fuel consumption according to the driving conditions. He stated that because of packaging issues, a traditional transmission would have increased the overall length of the powertrain – but using the CVT meant the torque converter and traditional automatic transmission could be deleted because they were able to use a starter clutch with a direct solenoid valve for precise pressure control.

According to Hyundai-Kia statistics, the CVT contributes around a seven per cent fuel efficiency gain compared to standard four speed automatics, which in turn allows for a smoother shift feel.

As for the vehicles themselves, the LPI Hybrid is a mild hybrid powered by a 1.6litre liquefied petrol injection gamma engine; the Elantra LPI HEV emits 99g/km of CO2 and has 90 per cent fewer emissions than an equivalent standard Elantra. It has a fuel economy rating of 53mpg – a 47 per cent improvement over the 1.6l Elantra.

The CVT may be applied in other vehicles going forward, but modifications to the system would be needed.