Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled an innovative new technology called the Active Air Skirt (AAS) that could significantly improve driving range, traction, and stability for its electric vehicles. This advanced system, previewed on the Genesis GV60 EV, helps reduce aerodynamic drag at high speeds to squeeze more miles out of a single charge.
The ingeniously designed AAS is essentially an active air deflector mounted between the front bumper and wheels. It remains concealed when not in use but automatically deploys once the vehicle reaches 80 km/h, helping redirect air flow underneath to improve overall aerodynamics.
Extensive testing by Hyundai engineers has shown the AAS can decrease the GV60’s drag coefficient by 0.008. This 2.8% reduction in drag translates to an extra 6 km of driving range, a meaningful boost that prevents frequent stops at charging stations.
How Hyundai’s Revolutionairy Active Air Skirt Works to Cut Drag
The AAS consists of a sturdy rubber skirt that extends downward to cover just the front section of the tires, not the entire width underneath the bumper. Hyundai’s designers determined that spanning the full width was unnecessary, as the advanced E-GMP platform already utilizes a flat underbody for better airflow.
As vehicle speed ramps up past 80 km/h, the active air skirt automatically deploys and adjusts its shape dynamically based on inputs from speed sensors. It controls the amount of air entering through the front bumper vents and reduces turbulence around the rotating tires. This governance of airflow translates into meaningful reductions in drag and power consumption.
Once vehicle speed drops back down to 70 km/h, the AAS seamlessly retracts into its concealed housing to prevent excessive wear and tear from repeated deployment cycles. By intelligently covering only higher speed driving, component longevity and reliability is maximized.
The rubber construction also safeguards the vehicle’s sensitive underbody components from damage should any road debris or objects make contact at speed. Overall, the AAS demonstrates Hyundai’s commitment to smart, multi-functional design that improves EV capabilities.
Targetting Aerodynamics to Boost EV Efficiency and Range
Minimizing aerodynamic drag has become a primary focus for automakers in the EV space. With battery technology still rapidly evolving, wringing out more miles through creative airflow management remains vital.
Hyundai Motor Group has already implemented various other drag-reducing enhancements on its electric models, including:
- Active air flaps
- Wheel air curtains
- Wheel gap reducers
- Separation traps
The pioneering AAS system represents the latest aerodynamic weapon in Hyundai’s arsenal as it battles to extend EV range and domination. The company noted that the active air skirt should provide even more significant benefits to larger electric SUVs where aerodynamic improvements tend to be more challenging.
Porsche and Toyota also offer similar active skirt systems on certain performance models, but Hyundai’s solution is uniquely optimized for their dedicated E-GMP platform. The modular architecture underpins upcoming Ioniq 5, Ioniq 6, and GV60 electric crossovers.
With patents already filed worldwide, Hyundai stated that the revolutionary AAS will likely go into mass production pending further testing. More widespread adoption of the active air skirt could help ease range anxiety and eliminate stops at charging stations for drivers across all of Hyundai’s next-gen electric lineup.
