Hyundai Motor, Kia Unveils ‘Active Air Skirt’ Technology In Electric Vehicles

Hyundai Motor and Kia Corporation lately unveiled their ‘Active Air Skirt’ (AAS) expertise, which is about to spice up the driving vary and stability of Electric Vehicles (EVs). The agency mentioned the expertise helps reduce the aerodynamic resistance generated throughout high-speed driving. 

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

It acknowledged, “In the EV era, competition to secure a better driving range from a single charge has become fierce, making the relationship between vehicles and aerodynamics even more important. Furthermore, aerodynamic performance significantly impacts not only power performance but also driving stability and wind noise.”

It talked about, “In response, manufacturers are exploring various measures to reduce the coefficient of drag (Cd), which is the resistance coefficient of the air acting in the opposite direction of the vehicle’s motion.”

It elaborated, “AAS is installed between the front bumper and the front wheels of the vehicle and is hidden during normal operation, but it operates 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 to prevent frequent operation in specific speed ranges.”

It additional defined, “Also, the reason why AAS only covers the front part of the tires without completely covering the front is related to the characteristics of Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP platform for EVs. This is because it is more effective in improving aerodynamic performance only to cover the tire part since the platform floor is flat. This also enhances the vehicle’s downforce, thereby improving vehicle traction and high-speed stability.”

It elaborated, “AAS can also operate over 200 km/h. This was possible thanks to applying rubber material on the lower part, which reduces the risk of external objects splashing and damaging while driving at high speeds and ensures durability.”

They introduced, “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.”

“This technology is expected to have a greater effect on models such as SUVs where it is difficult to improve aerodynamic performance,” mentioned Sun Hyung Cho, Vice President and Head of the Mobility Body Development Group at Hyundai Motor Group. He added, “We will continue to strive to improve the driving performance and stability of electric vehicles through improvements in aerodynamics.”

It additional defined, “Meanwhile, 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 incorporates these technologies and has achieved a global leading Cd of 0.21.”