If you feel like you’ve had your fill of news relating to electric cars, you’re not alone. Sadly, that’s just about all the industry is willing to let out of the bag right now. Whether you’re trying to pump staffers for information using sweet talk or waggling a crowbar in front of their face, they don’t have much else to discuss ahead of the holidays.
But that doesn’t mean there can’t be good news. Hyundai Motor Group, one of the few manufacturers that (mostly) hasn’t left us clenching our teeth when announcing decisions, has announced it’s building an all-new, electric platform that won’t have a laughably pathetic range. Unveiled in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday, the Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) promises sports-car levels of acceleration, outstanding flexibility, and production models boasting ranges in excess of 300 miles.
While perhaps not the 400+ miles we’d all like to see on a vehicle type that can take hours to charge, it’s a step in the right direction and we doubt the brand is envisioning something with steep pricing. As things currently stand, the Kona Electric comes in Hyundai’s most-expensive product at $37,190 before destination. Other models, including the brand’s PHEV Sonata sedan, Ioniq EV, and eight-passenger (gasoline) Palisade SUV, all cost thousands less. The only exception is the $58,735 Nexo Fuel Cell — which is powered by hydrogen, exclusive to California, and probably not on your radar.
However, it and the rest of Hyundai’s offerings utilizing non-traditional powertrains may soon see themselves outclassed. The automaker said E-GMP had been designed specifically to deliver long-range, dynamic driving, and minimal energy consumption. Hyundai estimated ranges of up to 500 kilometers (310 miles) on a full battery and 80-percent recharge times in as little as 18 minutes — assuming you can find the applicable fast charger.
That’s pretty good and will be great if those figures are consistent with an array of desirable models utilizing the E-GMP architecture. Better still, Hyundai said it was targeting the platform for larger products and suggested something roughly the size of the 196-inch-long Palisade was already under consideration. But the first unit to tap into the new architecture (which uses an entirely new battery pack and motor) will be the midsize Ioniq 5 crossover scheduled to debut next year. It’s to be followed by a related Kia SUV before branching out into other segments and the Genesis nameplate. If engineers can maintain anything close to the 310-mile range, it would easily outclass the present e-offerings from numerous high-end European brands. Meanwhile, General Motors’ modular Ultium system is promising ranges of up to 450 miles — but only on vehicles equipped with especially large (see: more expensive) battery packs.
The only overt downer is the estimates being on the WLTP test cycle, meaning they’ll translate into something smaller once the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency runs its own analysis. We’re also always a little skeptical of estimates in general since they never seem to get any larger over time.
Dynamics are said to be improved by a new five-link rear suspension and Hyundai’s integrated drive axle — which it claimed would be the first to be mass-produced. From what we can tell, the axle integrates wheel bearings into the driveshaft and creates a smoother experience. As such, all E-GMP products will be rear-wheel drive by default. But Hyundai says it’ll also be building twin-motor vehicles with AWD.
That rear bias is also supposed to help the manufacturer build performance-oriented EVs, one of which is already rumored to be in development. Under idyllic circumstances, the company estimated E-GMP is capable of 0-100 kph (0-62mph) in less than 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 161 mph.
[Image: Hyundai Motor Group]
