Hyundai’s Bold EV Strategy
Hyundai Motor Group has emerged as a leader in the electric vehicle (EV) market in North America, surpassing even Tesla in sales. The group, encompassing Kia, Hyundai, and Genesis, boasts a diverse lineup of nine battery-electric models, with plans to expand further. Hyundai’s approach includes adapting existing internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric power and developing a dedicated EV platform, E-GMP, which has produced standout models like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and the Genesis GV60.
The Surprising Efficiency of the Electrified G80
In a recent road trip between New York and Philadelphia, the Genesis Electrified G80 stood out as the most energy-efficient vehicle among its peers, surprising many. Despite the industry’s focus on SUVs, this midsize luxury sedan outperformed both the Electrified GV70 and GV60 in terms of energy consumption, achieving 3.8 miles per kWh. This efficiency is attributed to its lower, more aerodynamic design, which significantly reduces drag compared to its SUV counterparts.
Aerodynamics and Battery Technology at Play
The Electrified G80’s efficiency is largely due to its streamlined, lower-to-the-ground design, which enhances aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of 0.26. This design contrasts with the GV60’s 0.29 coefficient, highlighting the importance of aerodynamics in EV efficiency. Additionally, the G80 features a unique 87.2 kWh battery pack, larger than the 77.4 kWh units in the GV60 and GV70, contributing to its superior range despite using a hybrid approach to EV design.