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Hyundai and Kia unveil new tech to enhance EV aerodynamic performance

January 23, 2024

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have introduced the ‘Active Air Skirt’ (AAS) technology. Its designed to minimize the aerodynamic resistance generated during high-speed driving, thereby enhancing the driving range and stability of electric vehicles (EVs).

AAS controls the flow of air entering through the lower part of the bumper and effectively manages the turbulence generated around the vehicle wheels by operating variably according to the vehicle speed during high-speed driving.

AAS is installed between the front bumper and the front wheels of the vehicle. It remains hidden during normal operation, but activates at speeds over 80 km/h when the aerodynamic resistance becomes greater than the rolling resistance, and is stored again at 70 km/h. The difference in deployment and storage speeds is designed to prevent frequent operation in specific speed ranges.

The AAS only covers the front part of the tires without completely covering the front, in line with the characteristics of Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform for EVs. This is because it is more effective in improving aerodynamic performance to only cover the tire part since the platform floor is flat. This also functions to enhance the downforce of the vehicle, thereby improving vehicle traction and high-speed stability. AAS can also operate at speeds over 200 km/h, thanks to the application of rubber material on the lower part, which reduces the risk of external objects splashing and damaging while driving at high speeds and ensures durability.

Hyundai Motor and Kia have tested and reduced the drag coefficient (Cd) by 0.008, improving drag by 2.8 percent, by installing AAS in Genesis GV60. This is a figure that can expect an additional range improvement of about 6 km. Hyundai Motor and Kia have applied for related patents in South Korea and the United States, and plan to consider mass production after durability and performance tests.

Hyundai Motor and Kia are applying various technologies, such as rear spoilers, active air flaps, wheel air curtains, wheel gap reducers and separation traps, to vehicles to secure competitive drag coefficients. Hyundai IONIQ 6, which incorporates these technologies, has achieved a Cd of 0.21.