From next year, Hyundai, Kia and Genesis e-cars of a completely new generation will come onto the market. They all share a basis that promises a lot of potential.
The Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled the new e-car platform E-GMP (Electric Global Modular Platform) in South Korea. The completely new architecture is to serve as the basis for a series of upcoming e-vehicles that will set new standards in the Korean e-portfolio in terms of performance, range and some technical solutions.
The E-GMP is a length-scalable substructure in skateboard design with a battery between the front and rear axles that is integrated in the vehicle floor and firmly connected to the body. The variably usable and at the same time highly standardized platform should allow a wheelbase of more than three meters. The vehicles can have different bodies, even over five meters long. Upcoming BEV vehicles from the Hyundai, Kia and Genesis brands, which will compete in the C and D / E segments, will be based on the new platform. The range of vehicle types should include hatchback and notchback sedans, SUVs, sports cars and robotic taxis. High-performance vehicles from the Hyundai N sub-label and derivatives for motorsport are also conceivable. The Ioniq 2021, also available in Germany, will begin in spring 5, and Hyundai will reveal details about this at a later date.
Basically, the E-GM substructure is designed as a rear-wheel drive platform for performance vehicles. These can be up to 440 kW / 600 PS and can reach speeds of up to 260 km / h despite a single gearbox. Sprint times from 0 to 100 km / h should be achievable in less than 3,5 seconds. In addition to pure rear-wheel drive vehicles, there will also be all-wheel drive models. With these, a motor that can be activated if required is also integrated into the front axle. However, there will be no hybrid or plug-in hybrid drives on the new platform. In addition to a purely battery-powered energy supply, the Koreans are also alternatively considering the use of fuel cell solutions based on E-GMP.
Compared to the current BEV front-wheel drive platform, which the Hyundai Group intends to continue to produce in parallel in the coming years, the E-GMP technology should allow more efficiency and range. The traction battery, which consists of lithium-ion pouch cells and is protected by high-strength steels, is intended to guarantee a range of over 500 kilometers according to practical WLTP measurements. Thanks to 800-volt technology, it will also be possible to refuel quickly at 800-volt columns. Connected there, the on-board system can take up a charging power of up to 240 kW, which can shorten the fast charging process to 80 percent, ideally to 18 minutes. Electricity for 100 kilometers would be refilled in 5 minutes. The E-GMP electric vehicles equipped with the CCS connector system in Europe can also be refueled using 400-volt chargers. A charging capacity of up to 150 kW should be available here.
Some models on the new platform will have bidirectional charging technology. Among other things, this should allow the possibility of an energy supply that is self-sufficient from electricity networks, for example on campsites. A television or air conditioning system should be able to operate for up to 24 hours. It is also possible to charge traction batteries from other electric vehicles.
The Koreans promise "exciting solutions" for the interior. A slim cockpit module should maximize the space inside. There is also a continuously level vehicle floor in the passenger cell. The E-GMP electric vehicles will also offer trunk space in the front of the car.