Hyundai launches the Bayon, a hybrid crossover that uses “coasting” to switch off the engine when it isn't needed, cutting consumption and emissions. Here's how it works.
It happens on the road, in the hybrid Hyundai Bayon. The magic of silence lasts only a few moments and is the result, on one hand, of 48V mild-hybrid technology and, on the other, of a decidedly "intelligent" manual gearbox. Imagine… You're driving, as often happens you lift your foot off the accelerator to slow down and… The engine falls silent, switches off (or drops to a minimum), the gearbox moves into neutral on its own, and the car continues "sailing" — a term that perfectly captures the idea of a car gliding along quietly, making use of the momentum it has built up.
The aim? To save fuel and reduce emissions (in the case of the Bayon, the declared figures are 118–125 g/km). Oh, and we almost forgot: the moment you touch the accelerator or the brake, the engine restarts by itself, seamlessly, with no loss of performance or anything else, and the gearbox (a 6-speed manual) returns to the selected gear. This is not a Hyundai exclusive but, as we will see below, it is one of the technologies that improve efficiency in hybrid cars.
Having announced its intention — at least in Europe — to offer exclusively zero-emission vehicles from 2035, Hyundai is paving the way by gradually electrifying its entire range. Hyundai Bayon? The name still arouses curiosity among the general public (it is pronounced Beyon, and its dealership debut dates back to last September) and, alongside the electric Ioniq 5, it is among the most recent models from the Korean brand. It is an "urban" SUV, just over 4 metres long (4 metres and 18 centimetres to be precise, dimensions similar to those of the Opel Mokka or the Ford Puma, to give a sense of scale — two other urban hybrids), with a small engine of just 3 cylinders and 1,000 cc displacement, the new miracle of downsizing. A thousand cc, yes, but with impressive performance thanks to its solid power output (100 horsepower), turbocharger and direct injection. In short, technology helps — and quite considerably.
The rest is handled by the 48-volt mild hybrid system, the simplest and most affordable solution among those available in the hybrid system range; there are no cables to plug in and no external charging to worry about. On the other hand, though, there is no real electric-only range — purely electric, that is. But the advantages in terms of consumption and emissions remain, along with the other benefits available to all hybrid vehicles, the most well-known of which is the possibility of entering limited traffic zones (ZTLs) free of charge, depending on local regulations.
The interior space is remarkable, almost surprising given the external dimensions. The cabin is simple, the fittings deliberately practical and robust. With that said, the large 10.25-inch central screen gives easy access to all the car's functions. iPhone users will, thanks to Apple CarPlay, see almost all functions mirrored and accessible from the car (appointments calendar included — a godsend for the forgetful); for everyone else there is Android Auto. The advantage? Trying to forget about your smartphone (which charges wirelessly, i.e. without cables) while driving, at least, and avoiding dangerous distractions. The voice commands for many functions are convenient and practical. The air conditioning is automatic but not dual-zone. Music lovers will appreciate the Bose system, while the three USB ports (two in the front) are sufficient to charge the whole family's devices.
Granted, the engine's power output doesn't exactly dazzle. And, perhaps, instead of the manual gearbox — however intelligent — we might have preferred a more relaxed automatic (which is available, with 7 speeds). But one fact remains: the Bayon is a very enjoyable car to drive; the elevated visibility is reassuring, and so is the fuel consumption (we averaged around 5.2 litres per 100 kilometres, with peaks of 7.3 when making greater use of the engine's capabilities). And every time the silhouette of a sailing boat appears on the instruments with the word coasting and the rev counter needle drops to zero, it means the engine has switched off or is running at very low revs — to the benefit of consumption and emissions. In addition, the three driving modes (eco, normal or sport) allow you to vary your driving style, acting on both the engine and the steering.
The rest is taken care of by the numerous active safety systems — cameras and radar — perfect for experimenting with "semi"-autonomous driving. We are talking about lane-keeping systems capable of reading road signs and limiting speed, as well as collision avoidance (including when manoeuvring, in car parks and at junctions). Particularly useful for the absent-minded is the system that alerts you at traffic lights or in a queue when the car in front has moved off, or, equally handy, the one that monitors the driver's level of attention and, in the event of fatigue, suggests taking a break.
And then there's the sheer practicality of it all. There is enough loading space for four (although the battery in this hybrid version takes up a little room), and anyone with a dog in the family will appreciate the ability to slide the parcel shelf — which you normally have to remove when Fido travels with you — behind the rear seats, then quickly bring it back into use when you stop and want to keep any luggage out of sight. Storage space for small items is plentiful, and the LED interior lighting (doors, footwells, handles) makes it easy to find your way around even when travelling at night.
On the subject of atmosphere, the "sound of nature" system is available on the Bayon, as on other Hyundai models — images and sounds that recreate rainfall, a crackling fireplace or a walk in the snow, in an attempt to make time spent in the car more enjoyable. The price? Starting from 21,800 euros for the Hybrid 48 V versions, before any regional incentives or national Ecobonus deductions.