‘Active Air Skirt’ from Hyundai and Kia helps EVs go faster and further

Hyundai and Kia have unveiled “Active Air Skirt” (AAS) technology to control EV wind turbulence at more than 80km/h.

Installed between the front bumper and the front wheels, AAS is hidden during normal operation but operates at speeds exceeding 80km/h when the aerodynamic resistance becomes greater than the air resistance and is stored again at 70km/h, says Hyundai.

It says aerodynamic enhancements of the technology increase downforce, which improves vehicle traction and high-speed stability.

As a result of being tested in the Genesis GV60, it is expected to reduce the drag coefficient by 2.8% and improve EV range by about six kilometres.

A 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 to only cover the tyre part since the platform floor is flat.

AAS can also operate at speeds exceeding 200km/h due to a rubber material on the lower part, which Hyundai says reduces the risk of external objects splashing and damaging while driving at high speeds and ensures durability.

 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,” says Hyundai Motor Group vice president and mobility body development group head Sun Hyung Cho.

 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.

The Hyundai Ioniq 6, which incorporates these technologies, has achieved 0.21Cd.

Hyundai’s EV range features at Sydney’s “Everything Electric Australia” show on February 9-11 at Sydney Olympic Park.

Road test drives of the high-performance Ioniq 5 N are included as part of a line-up of 20 Hyundai and Genesis test drive vehicles.

The Mighty Electric Truck will be shown alongside Hyundai’s EVs, and Genesis will showcase the GV60 and Electrified GV70.