On the 23rd, at the Hyundai Motor Group's core research and development (R&D) center located in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, wind tunnel experiments were underway on a concept car based on the 'Ioniq 6' in a facility researching the aerodynamic performance of new vehicles, including electric cars. White smoke was seen rapidly flowing around the fixed vehicle body.
The wind tunnel experiment, meaning a tunnel through which wind passes, involves artificial wind created by a large blower to analyze how the vehicle is affected by the surrounding airflow. Park Sang-hyun, Head of Team at Hyundai Motor's aerodynamics development team, said, "Vehicles are always subject to the force of wind or face it while driving, so the control of aerodynamic performance affects driving stability and efficiency." He noted, "In particular, for electric vehicles, energy loss is directly linked to driving range."
On that day, winds of 60 km/h were blowing in the test chamber, making it difficult for an average adult to walk with their eyes open. The large blower installed at the back of the test chamber generates wind up to 200 km/h with a maximum output of 3,400 horsepower, according to Park. This wind intensity is comparable to that of Typhoon Maemi, which was the strongest typhoon on record in 2003.
Through the wind tunnel experiment, Hyundai Motor has achieved an aerodynamic drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.144, which is the lowest in the world. This level is lower than the lowest Cd values (0.19-0.17) announced by global automakers, resulting in an estimated increase of about 64 km in driving range on a single charge. However, it is still only developed as a research concept car, requiring additional verification for safety and design before mass production.
Opposite the wind tunnel, there is an environmental testing facility that ensures vehicles can perform stably even in extreme conditions. Here, various climate conditions are artificially recreated, from desert heat at 50 degrees Celsius to extreme cold at minus 30 degrees. Vehicles equipped with batteries, such as electric and hybrid cars, require efficient thermal management and control of heating and cooling systems.
Outside, the weather reached a sweltering 33 degrees Celsius, but inside the laboratory simulating a Northern European winter, snow accumulation assessments were ongoing for the large sports utility vehicle (SUV) Ioniq 9. A snowstorm was pouring down on the vehicle driving on the rollers, and condensation filled the laboratory's windows due to the temperature difference. Dressed in thick winter clothing, the indoor temperature of the laboratory indicated minus 30 degrees, with snow piled around the vehicle.
Kim Tae-han, a team leader in Hyundai Motor's Thermal Energy Vehicle Testing Team 2, said, "We check for potential issues with the battery or electrical system as snow accumulates on the vehicle by testing battery low-temperature control, motor, and cabin heating performance." He added, "It's also important to ensure that snow doesn’t enter the charging port or trunk, as well as to verify the operation of the wiper motor in a heavily raining environment, and we assess heat management and cabin comfort in high temperatures."
Namyang Research Institute also has testing facilities for researching the ride comfort and handling (R&H) performance and noise of electric vehicles. Due to the characteristics of electric vehicles, which provide high acceleration, driving stability is crucial, and the increased vehicle load from the battery puts significantly more pressure on the suspension than conventional internal combustion engine vehicles. A Hyundai Motor official explained that they aim to achieve ride comfort comparable to high-end sedans by precisely evaluating the vehicle's response to tires, handling, and road conditions.
Typically, noise analysis for vehicles before the launch of a new model takes about 40 months. The key is to reduce noise sources through adjustments in materials and design, and since electric vehicles have no engine noise, passengers tend to be more sensitive to wind noise, road noise, and subtle vibrations. They are also developing electric vehicle pedestrian alert sounds (AVAS) and driving sounds.
Established in 1996, Namyang Research Institute is regarded as a core hub of Hyundai Motor's R&D, along with Uiwang Research Institute and Mabuk Technology Research Institute. It covers a 3.47 million square meter area (approximately 1.05 million pyeong) with 14,000 research personnel working, and there are around 200 research buildings, including testing facilities. It deals with nearly all fields of vehicles developed by Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis, and it has recently focused on strengthening electrification technology.