Reduction in power on gasoline, changes in consumption and new maximum revs: see how Hyundai's 1.0 turbo engine was adjusted to meet the environmental requirements of Proconve L8.
Since January 1, 2025, the Brazilian automotive market has been adjusting its engines to comply with Proconve L8, the new emissions control legislation. The impact was especially felt on Hyundai's 1.0 turbo engine, found in the Creta, HB20 and HB20S, which has undergone power reductions and changes in fuel consumption. But what does this mean in practice? Let's explore!
What is Proconve L8 and how does it affect engines?
Proconve L8 (Program for Controlling Air Pollution by Motor Vehicles) is a milestone in Brazil's environmental legislation. It requires vehicle engines to emit fewer pollutants, forcing automakers to rethink the configuration of their engines.
To meet new standards, manufacturers need to adopt technologies that control gas emissions. In the case of Hyundai's 1.0 turbo engine, this resulted in adjustments that sacrificed some power, but brought small improvements in consumption in some situations.
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Changes to Hyundai's 1.0 naturally aspirated and turbo engine
The 1.0 naturally aspirated engine of the HB20 and HB20S maintained its power of 80 hp on ethanol and 75 hp on gasoline, but with a small increase in gasoline torque (from 9,4 kgfm to 9,6 kgfm). This change may seem minimal, but the performance gain occurs at higher revs, requiring more effort from the engine.
The Hyundai's 1.0 turbo engine lost power when fueled with gasoline, dropping from 120 hp to 115 hp. Despite this, the torque of 17,5 kgfm remained stable, delivering reasonable performance. With ethanol, the power remained at 121 hp. For many, the reduction may seem like a step backwards, but it was necessary to balance emissions and consumption.
Fuel consumption: gains and losses
The naturally aspirated HB20 and HB20S models showed small improvements in ethanol consumption, doing 9,7 km/l in the city and 10,9 km/l on the highway. In gasoline, consumption in the city remained at 13,4 km/l, while on the highway it increased slightly to 15,4 km/l.
Models with Hyundai's 1.0 turbo engine suffered a drop in urban consumption, now achieving 9,2 km/l with ethanol and 13 km/l with gasoline. On the highway, the numbers improved, which benefits longer trips.
The Hyundai Creta, known for not being the most economical car, surprised us. With ethanol, consumption rose to 8,4 km/l in the city and 9 km/l on the highway. With gasoline, the numbers also improved, reaching 12 km/l in the city and 12,7 km/l on the highway.
What do these changes mean for consumers?
The changes to Hyundai’s 1.0 turbo engine reflect a difficult balance between performance and sustainability. For those who prioritize power, the reduction in numbers may be disappointing. However, the gains in efficiency and compliance with environmental regulations are an important step for the automotive market.
With the new regulations, automakers are expected to invest more in technologies that improve engine efficiency without sacrificing performance as much. For consumers, this could mean more expensive models in the short term, but with benefits in the long term.
The Hyundai's 1.0 turbo engine, as well as other engines affected by Proconve L8, is an example of how the legislation can directly influence engineering automotive. Despite the power losses, these changes are essential for a more sustainable future. The question remains: are we ready to trade a little power for a cleaner world?
LOL, laughing until these numbers are real. With ethanol, I can barely get 6km/l in my Creta 24/25 in the city. With gasoline, about 9km/l. On the highway it even gets better, although there isn't even a decent gas station in São Paulo.
Well, with stations owned by the PCC and its frontmen, it is difficult to get quality fuel.