Hyundai and Kia have launched a handful of electric cars based on existing internal-combustion models, but now the two brands are taking things to the next level. The new Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) will be the basis for new vehicles that, unlike previous versions, will be designed from the ground up to be electric. Hyundai and Kia have hinted at E-GMP before, but have now provided concrete details ahead of the platform’s launch in 2021.
Like all modern vehicle platforms, E-GMP will be much more versatile than a basic chassis. It can be used for everything from sedans to SUVs, and from ordinary commuter cars to a high-performance model that can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 160 mph, according to Hyundai.
Most of Hyundai and Kia’s current models are based on front-wheel drive platforms, but E-GMP is rear-wheel drive by default, with a single electric motor mounted on the rear axle. An all-wheel drive system, using a second motor for the front axle, will also be available. However, the system will be able to decouple the front motor when extra traction isn’t needed to boost efficiency, or to take advantage of the handling benefits of rear-wheel drive, according to Hyundai.
Following in the tire tracks of Tesla, the battery pack is mounted under the floor, to maximize passenger space and lower the center of gravity. E-GMP uses a standardized battery module, making it easier to manufacture packs of different capacities depending on the vehicle. Hyundai quoted a maximum range of 310 miles, albeit based on the more lenient WLTP testing cycle used in Europe. An equivalent number from the Environmental Protection Agency testing procedure would likely be a bit lower.
E-GMP can also accommodate an 800-volt charging system, allowing for an 80% charge in 18 minutes, according to Hyundai. It’s also capable of bidirectional charging, allowing an electric car to supply emergency power during an outage, run electronics at a campsite or even, Hyundai said, charge another electric car. It’s the EV equivalent of letting someone siphon a bit of gas from your tank.
The first production vehicle based on E-GMP will be the Ioniq 5, from Hyundai’s new EV-specific brand. Scheduled to launch in 2021, the Ioniq 5 is a small hatchback with retro styling inspired by the Hyundai 45 concept car. Kia will also unveil an E-GMP-based electric car in 2021, the first of seven new electric models it plans to launch by 2027. By 2025, Kia expects EVs to make up 20% of its global sales.
E-GMP will also be used for future electric cars for the Genesis luxury brand, as well as for an autonomous “robotaxi” designed for fleet use, Albert Biermann, head of Hyundai’s R&D division, told Digital Trends and other media during an online press conference. The company will also continue to sell models like the Hyundai Kona EV and Kia Niro EV, which are all-electric versions of gasoline or hybrid cars, Biermann said.
The economies of scale afforded by a single, Lego-like platform have proven attractive as automakers look to transition to EVs. Volkswagen has its MEB platform, the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance has CMF-EV, and General Motors has its BEV3 architecture and Ultium battery system. Using the same building blocks for multiple vehicles keeps costs down — and should make it easier to launch large numbers of new EVs.
BYD has launched the third-generation Qin Plus DM-i in China, and the first thing that caught my eye is its price. According to CarNewsChina, the plug-in hybrid sedan starts at 79,900 yuan, which is about $11,980. That’s an incredibly low price for a brand-new car, especially by US standards.
What’s even more impressive is the range. The Qin Plus DM-i can drive up to 137 miles on electricity alone, which should cover most people’s daily commutes without using a drop of gas. Once the battery runs out, the 1.5-liter engine takes over. Thanks to its 17-gallon tank and roughly 91 mpg with a drained battery, the combined range reaches up to 1,423 miles.
Apple won the PC market’s worst quarter, but that’s not the entire story. It won the race by stumbling less than everyone else.
PC makers shipped just 57 million computers worldwide in Q3, which might look good, but it’s a 21% year-over-year plunge (via Counterpoint Research). And despite Apple’s Mac shipments falling by 11%, to 5.6 million, its market share rose from 8.7% to 9.8%. How did that happen?
Update (October 22 23:54 PT): In response to our query, GM clarified that offline recording support is already available on eligible vehicles. Like Tesla's Sentry Mode, it requires owners to connect a USB drive to save incident recordings, which can be viewed on the vehicle's infotainment screen. The upcoming Connected Cameras feature will build on this by giving owners remote access to these recordings via the revamped OnStar app, allowing them to check footage without walking out to their car.
General Motors has announced plans to add a new Connected Cameras feature to its OnStar service starting next year, giving drivers a way to monitor parked vehicles remotely and capture footage of certain incidents.