Hyundai Motor Group debuts new E-GMP EV platform

HYUNDAI Motor Group (HMG) has revealed and detailed its all-new modular electric-vehicle (EV) platform which is set to deliver up to 500km of range and underpin a myriad of models ranging from small sedans right the way through to large SUVs.

Known officially as E-GMP, the new architecture will make its first market appearance next year under the Ioniq 5 SUV before going on to underpin 11 other new EVs as HMG marches towards its goal of launching 23 new battery-electric vehicles by 2025.

While the platform’s modularity allows it to be tailored for a variety of sizes and segments, it will also have the capacity to support high-performance variants with the current planned flagship touted to develop almost 450kW and dispatch the 0-100km/h sprint in less than 3.5 seconds.

Based primarily around a rear-wheel-drive configuration, the E-GMP houses its batteries between the front and rear axles like most other modern EV platforms with minimal overhangs and a relatively long wheelbase afforded by the compact nature of electric motors.

Customers will also be able to opt for all-wheel drive which sees another electric motor added to the equation, this time mounted on the front axle with the only things linking the two ends being the bare chassis and body, allowing for a completely flat cabin floor.

Regardless of drive configuration, all E-GMP-based vehicles will ride on a sophisticated five-link rear suspension set-up, through the middle of which runs the world’s first integrated drive axle which combines wheel bearings with the drive shaft.

The results according to HMG are enhanced ride comfort and handling, the latter of which is no doubt aided further by the platform’s low centre of gravity.

In terms of the batteries, HMG says it has been able to standardise the design for seamless integration into the various planned future models with the packs being the most power-dense system the group has ever produced, being a claimed 10 per cent more energy-dense “compared to existing EV battery technology”.

This extra energy density combined with enhanced cooling also allows for higher energy charging and therefore faster charging times with the system able to be charged from zero to 80 per cent in 18 minutes when using a 350kW fast charger.

For those who don’t have 18 minutes to lose, 100km of range can be added after just five minutes.

In another world-first, the platform also offers 400V/800V multi-charging with bi-directional capabilities meaning the E-GMP-based vehicles should be able to play a part in the increasingly popular vehicle-to-grid schemes.

“E-GMP is the culmination of years of research and development and brings together our most cutting-edge technologies,” HMG senior vice-president of vehicle architecture development centre Fayez Abdul Rahman said.

“Our BEV line-up will evolve and be strengthened by this innovative new platform.”

Rather than rely on aerodynamics to ensure a passable driving range, HMG says it chose to focus on mechanical efficiency so to avoid its upcoming models looking too similar to the current crop of EVs on the market.

Speaking to international media at the debut of the E-GMP, HMG head of research and development Albert Biermann said focusing purely on aerodynamics results in a bland market choice in terms of styling.

“Unlike the younger competitors in the EV business, on some of our models we’re not focussing so much on aerodynamics because if you just focus on aerodynamics, then all the cars sort of look the same, and you can see that on the road already,” he said.

“When our E-GMP vehicles come on the road next year you will see fantastic designs and completely differentiated and present whole new design stories.

“We can afford maybe not the class-leading aerodynamics because we have such a very efficient PE system and that of course is a challenge; to keep the whole vehicle efficiency.

“We might have been even more efficient on some vehicles but we gave high priority to the styling, to the design of the vehicles.”

The ‘PE system’ Mr Biermann referred to is the platform’s ‘power electric’ system which encompasses an electric motor, EV transmission and inverter all into the single module.

According to HMG the electric motor is able to rev 70 per cent faster than existing units while also being lighter and more compact while the inverter power module features silicon carbide semiconductors, boosting efficiency by between two to three per cent.

One of the trump cards held by the all-wheel-drive variants is the ability to disengage the front axle’s transmission when maximum power or grip is not needed.

While the E-GMP has been singled out as the front-runner among HMG’s EV plans, the group has also stipulated that EVs derived from the traditional-powered models in its range will continue to be offered based on the same platform as their internal combustion siblings.