The Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) revealed today its first dedicated E-GMP architecture for battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Short for Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), the BEV-only platform will provide the basis for the next generation Hyundai and Kia BEV models.

The first E-GMP-based model to be launched will be the Ioniq 5, due in Korea in 2021. The Ioniq has since been pulled out of the company’s namesake Hyundai brand, and will exist as a standalone brand, just like its upscale Genesis brand, but for electric vehicles.

Although yet to be confirmed by Hyundai, the Ioniq 5 is widely believed to be the first model to be produced at Hyundai Innovation Centre’s production facility in Jurong, Singapore, which is expected to be completed in 2022.

Interestingly, the E-GMP platform is optimized for rear-wheel drive (all-wheel drive is also possible).

Fun fact: The platform’s development is headed by ex-BMW M Division’s Albert Biermann, who is currently the President and Head of R&D Division for Hyundai Motor Group.

“Today our front-wheel driven Hyundai and Kia BEVs are already among the most efficient ones in their segments,” said Biermann. “With our rear-wheel driven based E-GMP, we are extending our technological leadership into segments where customers demand excellent driving dynamics and outstanding efficiency.”

Details specific to the Ioniq 5 is yet to be released, but HMG says to E-GMP is capable of delivering over 500 km of driving range on a full charge (WLTP) and be charged up to 80% within 18 minutes through high-speed charging.

More importantly, high performance E-GMP models can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds, with a top speed of 260 km/h. Those are proper BMW M-matching figures.

The modular platform can be adapted for a sedan/hatchback, SUV, and MPV.

The platform is designed with a five-link rear suspension system, and the world’s first mass-produced integrated drive axle (IDA), which combines wheel bearings with the drive shaft to transmit power to the wheels.

The battery pack itself – mounted between the front and rear wheel axles – will be the most power-dense system that HMB has ever created. The company says this is partly thanks to its enhanced cooling performance, a result of a new separate cooling block structure which helps make the battery pack more compact. With energy density enhanced by around 10% compared to existing EV battery technology, the battery packs are lighter, can be mounted lower in the body, and liberate more cabin space.

E-GMP’s compact packaging packs the motor, EV transmission and inverter into a single compact module, thus freeing up more space for the cabin.

All vehicles developed with the E-GMP platform use a standardized single type of battery module. This module is composed of pouch-type standard cells and can be packed in different quantities as required for each vehicle.

The highlight of E-GMP is Multi (800V and 400V) and Bi-Directional Charging System, which HMG says is a world’s first.

Most existing EVs and the fast-charging infrastructure provide 50kW~150 kW charging for EVs equipped with a 400V system; however, the development of 800V infrastructure, with up to 350kW charging, will gradually enable even more fast-charging.

As standard, E-GMP is compatible with 800V charging, while also accepting 400V charging, without the need for additional components adapters.

By 2024, there will be 3 Ioniq models – Ioniq 3, Ioniq 5, Ioniq 7. HMG (Hyundai and Kia) plans to introduce a total of 23 BEV models including 11 dedicated BEV models, and sell more than 1 million BEVs worldwide by 2025. In other words, it aims to be among the top-3 BEV manufacturers in the world.