Hyundai Motor Company and Kia unveiled the 'Active Air Skirt (AAS)' technology on the 23rd, which minimizes air resistance generated during high-speed driving.
AAS is a technology that controls the airflow entering under the bumper during high-speed driving to effectively manage the vortices generated around the wheels. Hyundai and Kia announced that by equipping the Genesis GV60 with AAS, they reduced the drag coefficient (Cd) by 0.008, improving aerodynamic drag by 2.8%. This corresponds to an expected additional driving range improvement of approximately 6 km. Hyundai and Kia have filed related patents in both Korea and the United States and plan to review mass production after durability and performance testing.
The AAS developed by Hyundai and Kia is installed between the bumper and the front wheels on both sides. It remains hidden under normal conditions and operates at speeds of 80 km/h when air resistance exceeds rolling resistance, retracting again at 70 km/h. A Hyundai and Kia official explained that the reason for making the AAS operate intermittently according to speed is "to prevent frequent operation within a specific speed range."
Hyundai Motor Company and Kia's Active Air Skirt Technology [Photo by Hyundai Motor Company and Kia]
There is also a reason why the AAS only covers the front part of the tires instead of completely covering the front of the vehicle. This is related to the electric vehicle-exclusive platform 'E-GMP.' Since the platform floor is flat, covering only the tire area is more effective in improving aerodynamic performance. The AAS can operate at high speeds exceeding 200 km/h. The lower part is made of rubber material to reduce the risk of damage from external objects flying up during high-speed driving while ensuring strong attachment durability.
A Hyundai and Kia official stated, "This technology is expected to be effective in models such as sports utility vehicles (SUVs), where improving aerodynamic performance is challenging," and added, "We will continue to strive to enhance the driving performance and stability of electric vehicles through aerodynamic performance improvements."
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