Hyundai Motor Group has unveiled its new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which is a dedicated battery electric vehicle (BEV) platform. The platform will serve as the core technology for Hyundai Motor Group’s next-generation battery-electric car line-up. From 2021 the E-GMP will underpin a range of dedicated new battery-electric cars in Hyundai’s range
The new platform provides various advantages compared to Hyundai’’s existing platforms, which have each been engineered predominantly to accommodate internal combustion engines. Benefits include increased development flexibility, powerful driving performance, increased driving range, strengthened safety features and more interior space for occupants and luggage.
E-GMP maximises development flexibility through modularisation and standardisation. It allows rapid and flexible development of products that can be used across most vehicle segments including saloons, sports utility vehicles and crossover utility vehicles.
This flexible development will help to satisfy various customer needs for vehicle performance. Among these, a high-performance model that will accelerate from 0-62mph (0-100kph) in less than 3.5 seconds and achieve a maximum speed of 162mph (260kph).
Hyundai say the new platform is engineered to offer improved cornering performance and driving stability at high speed. This is achieved thanks to optimal weight distribution between the front and rear with a design that enables a low centre of gravity thanks to its low-mounted battery pack.
The platform is also designed for battery safety through a support structure made of ultra-high-strength steel. Hot-stamped steel components surround this structure for additional rigidity. Collision energy can be absorbed efficiently thanks to energy-absorbent sections of the body and chassis, effective energy load paths and a central section of the battery pack tightly bound to the vehicle body.
E-GMP relies on the rear wheels for propulsion, although all-wheel-drive configurations will be offered using an additional motor. All vehicles developed with the E-GMP platform will use a standardised single type of battery module. This module is composed of pouch-type standard cells and can be packed in different quantities as required for each vehicle.
The new platform will underpin Hyundai Motor Group’s plans to introduce a total of 23 electric models including 11 dedicated battery-electric models and hope to sell more than one million BEVs worldwide by 2025. As part of its BEV vision, Hyundai Motor Company launched its dedicated IONIQ BEV brand in August 2020. The range includes three dedicated BEV models, the IONIQ 5 sports utility vehicle, The IONIQ 6 saloon and IONIQ 7, which is larger sized sports utility vehicle, by 2024.
Kia, who are partly owned by Hyundai, are also undergoing a transformation for the era of electrification, based on its ‘Plan S’ mid-to-long-term strategy. In September, Kia announced plans to increase the share of BEV sales volumes as a proportion of total sales to 20 percent by 2025. The company also recently published an early image of seven dedicated BEV models to be released sequentially by 2027.
Albert Biermann, President and Head of R&D Division for Hyundai Motor Group, said: “Today our front-wheel driven Hyundai and Kia battery electric vehicles are already among the most efficient ones in their segments. With our rear-wheel driven based E-GMP, we are extending our technological leadership into segments where customers demand excellent driving dynamics and outstanding efficiency.”
