[Asia Economy Reporter Suyeon Woo] Hyundai Motor Company presented a blueprint for new electric vehicles that will capture the Chinese market through the 2020 Beijing International Motor Show. Hyundai Motor has set a vision to become one of the top three global electric vehicle makers by 2025 with high-performance electric vehicles as well as electric vehicles that realize new lifestyle spaces.
On the 26th (local time), Hyundai Motor unveiled the high-performance electric vehicle 'RM20e' and the EV concept car 'Prophecy' offline for the first time in the world at the 2020 Beijing International Motor Show held at the China International Exhibition Center (CIEC) in Beijing, China. At the same time, Hyundai announced a strategy to become the world's third-largest eco-friendly car brand by selling 670,000 electric vehicles annually by 2025, based on its leap forward in the Chinese market.
Hyundai’s decision to reveal new electric vehicles first in China is interpreted as a calculated move to lead the global electric vehicle market by gaining recognition for product competitiveness and technological prowess in China, the world's largest electric vehicle market.
Hyundai's EV concept car Prophecy unveiled offline for the first time in the world / Photo by Hyundai Motor Company
The EV concept car 'Prophecy,' unveiled worldwide for the first time by Hyundai, is a model that showcases Hyundai’s electrification vision and future design at a glance. Inspired by aerodynamic design, the Prophecy features a flowing silhouette. It is designed with a single uninterrupted curve from the front to the rear of the vehicle.
The interior design transforms the car into a new concept lifestyle activity space beyond a simple automobile. Instead of a steering wheel, joysticks are installed on both sides of the driver's seat to provide a new driving experience, and the interior is arranged as a new resting space in preparation for the autonomous driving era. Additionally, an air purifier applied to the lower part of the car door continuously supplies clean air inside the vehicle.
Also attracting visitors’ attention was Hyundai’s high-performance electric vehicle 'RM20e,' unveiled for the first time on the same day. The RM20e is a model developed based on a strategic partnership with Rimac Automobili, a Croatian high-performance electric vehicle company in which Hyundai has invested.
The RM20e is equipped with an electric motor that delivers a maximum output of 810 horsepower and a maximum torque of 97.9 kg·m, demonstrating powerful performance with an acceleration time of just 3 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. Furthermore, the motor is positioned in the center of the chassis, and a rear-wheel-drive system is adopted to deliver the vehicle’s explosive power directly to the wheels.
Hyundai plans to apply the platform of the high-performance electric vehicle RM20e not only to pure electric vehicles but also to various eco-friendly vehicle models such as hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles.
A Hyundai Motor official said, "Through the RM20e, Hyundai will combine the know-how accumulated on the world’s top motorsports stage with eco-friendly vehicle technology to electrify the high-performance N brand in the future," adding, "We plan to secure leadership in electrification technology and strengthen our position as a technology-leading brand in global markets including China."
Meanwhile, Kia Motors also announced a mid- to long-term strategy to transition to an electrification business system through this year’s Beijing International Motor Show. Kia plans to promote the transition to an electrification business system in China by 2025 and aims to increase the proportion of electrified models in its Chinese sales to over 30% by 2030.
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