The era of cars without engines has come. Electric cars, which only appeared in textbooks, became common in downtown Seoul, and now hydrogen buses are also available. As the story of the distant future becomes reality, a new wind is blowing in the automobile market.
You can easily feel it by looking at the list of new cars. When looking at the new car-related articles, there are as many news about eco-friendly cars as the internal combustion locomotives. No, there are times when there are more stories about eco-friendly cars. Today, AutoPost Issue Plus looks at a list of eco-friendly cars scheduled to be released in Korea next year.
Written Editor Park Joon-hyuk
Modern
Ionic 5
First, let’s look at the models produced by a domestic car manufacturer and scheduled to be released in 2021. Hyundai Motor Company launched Ioniq, a pure electric vehicle brand after Genesis. Ioniq 5 is the first model to appear in this ionic. The IONIQ 5 is based on the concept car 45 that was unveiled at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The Concept Car 45 is a model built on the basis of the Pony, a model that is the symbol of Hyundai in the past. This design is expected to permeate the Ioniq 5. It is also the first model produced based on E-GMP, Hyundai Motor’s first electric vehicle platform.
Kia
CV
Kia Motors also responds to the electric vehicle market by introducing CV. The CV was designed based on the Imagine by Kia, which appeared at the Geneva Motor Show in 2019, and E-GMP, a platform exclusively for electric vehicles of Hyundai Motor, applied to the Ioniq 5 was applied.
Although it is a crossover model, since it was designed in a fast-back style, a sleek design was applied, and the GT, a high-performance lineup, is expected to be added later. In addition, it is expected that a high voltage system of 800V will be applied in collaboration with Limak, a hyper electric vehicle manufacturer. As for the battery, SK Innovation’s battery pack is applied.
Genesis
JW
Electric cars will also be launched from Genesis, the only luxury brand in Korea. It is JW. As for the overall design, it is expected to apply the design of Genesis’ own family look and the mint concept car unveiled at the 2019 New York Auto Show, like other models. Like the models introduced earlier, E-GMP, a Hyundai’s electric vehicle platform, is also applied to JW.
In addition, as with the Kia CV, the battery pack developed by SK Innovation is applied, and it is expected to be able to drive more than 500km based on domestic standards when charged once. In addition, advanced specifications such as cloud-based voice recognition and digital cameras instead of mirrors, and AI-based connected car services using NVIDIA’s drive platform are expected to be implemented.
Ssangyong
E100
Ssangyong Motor, which has a poor atmosphere recently, is also planning to introduce electric cars. Instead of a compact electric car that is already saturated, it transforms a semi-medium SUV into an electric car. The E100 has a design that resembles a shark. A streamlined design that minimizes air resistance and a design utilizing shark fins and scales are applied to the front bumper.
The E100 is equipped with LG Chem’s 61.5kWh battery and can drive up to 400km or more. Originally, it was Ssangyong Motor, which will introduce the E100 in January as early as possible, but the release of the E100 may be uncertain due to the recent bad news. It is one of the models to watch for in the future.
Benz
EQA
Benz tries to restore the pride that has been crumpled by EQC by putting EQA. EQA is a model that is produced based on GLA, and the overall design is expected to blend in with the Mercedes electric vehicle design introduced at EQC. It is manufactured based on the MEA electrification modular platform.
In particular, the mileage, which was pointed out as a problem in EQC, is increased to a maximum of 400km. In addition, it is a Mercedes that pays much attention to the battery, which only weighs up to 700kg. In the interior, MBUX, Mercedes’ latest infotainment, will be applied, and a large display will be applied in the center. The domestic sales price is expected to be around 60 million won.
Benz
EQS
In addition to EQA, Mercedes plans to introduce EQS, a flagship electric vehicle model. Because of the flagship model and the name S, consumer expectations are skyrocketing. EQS is expected to show a design similar to the concept car vision EQS, and the performance is also expected to have the same appearance as the concept car.
Two motors are installed on the front and rear wheels, and the maximum output is 469 horsepower and the maximum torque is 77.5kg.m. In addition, it is reported that the driving distance of the Tesla Model S is 700km or more, which exceeds 609km of the Tesla Model S. It is expected to have the same level of luxury, safety and comfort as the S class.
BMW
iX
BMW’s next-generation all-electric flagship model, iX, will also appear. As for the overall design, the vertical kidney grille, which was introduced in the new 4 series, was also applied to the iX, and it features a thinner trimmed headlamp compared to the general internal combustion engine model. In addition, sensor, camera and radar technology for driver assistance systems are integrated in the kidney grille.
The size of the iX is the same length as the X5, the same height as the X6, and the same size as the X7 wheels. Based on the new platform, the fifth-generation eDrive powertrain is mounted, and the combination of two electric motors and a battery pack with a capacity of 100 kWh provides a maximum output of 503 horsepower and a driving distance of 600 km per charge.
BMW
i4
BMW will also release the i4, a pure electric car model based on the 4 Series Gran Coupe. The previously unveiled i4 concept car design is applied as it is, so the vertical kidney grill and sharpened headlamps are applied to the i4 following the iX.
The BMW eDrive technology is applied here to reach a maximum output of 530 horsepower and a speed of 100 km/h from a standstill within 4 seconds. In addition, a high-voltage battery newly designed with the latest battery cell technology is mounted, and the driving distance can go 600km per charge.
Volkswagen
ID.4
Volkswagen is targeting the small electric SUV market with ID.4. The design of the ID.4 eliminates the radiator grille on the front and applies an LED signature light connecting both headlamps. Large-diameter wheels from 20 inches to 21 inches are applied on the side, and 3D LED rear lamp cluster is applied on the rear.
ID.4 is based on Volkswagen’s dedicated electric vehicle platform, MEB, and is equipped with a 77kWh battery and can run 320km with a 30-minute quick charge. The performance reaches a maximum output of 204 horsepower, a maximum torque of 31.6 kg.m, and from a standstill to 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds. It has already been released overseas and is expected to be released in the domestic market in the second half of 2021.
Tesla
Model Y
Tesla, a leader in the eco-friendly car market, intends to complete the’SEXY’ lineup by releasing mid-size electric SUV, Model Y. While Model 3 has gained tremendous popularity due to its competitive price, Model Y is expected to gain great popularity as it is an entry-level model for Model X.
Model Y, like the existing Tesla models, is composed of two trims, performance and long range, and is equipped with a 15-inch touch screen and glass roof. The distance available for a single charge is 505km for the long range trim and 480km for the performance trim. The local sales price of Model Y is between 50 million won and 60 million won, so the domestic launch price is expected to be set a little higher.
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