Hyundai’s Chinese electric SUV Elexio is powered by BYD
Beijing Hyundai, the Chinese joint venture between Hyundai and BAIC, is responsible for the Elexio. The five-seater measures 4.62 x 1.88 x 1.67 metres with a wheelbase of 2.75 metres – and thus competes in the mid-size class. According to the registration application, the model will roll into dealerships with front or all-wheel drive. The unladen weight of the SUV is just over two tonnes.
The registration application in China also reveals that the front-wheel drive version has the EM16 electric motor with a maximum output of 160 kW. The all-wheel drive vehicle combines this with an additional 73 kW motor on the rear axle, resulting in a system output of 233 kW. The top speed is 185 kph in each case. The battery is very interesting: the LFP battery pack is supplied by FinDream, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BYD. The capacity of the battery is not specified, but according to Hyundai, the range should be up to 700 kilometres according to the Chinese test cycle.
BYD as a supplier is special in that Hyundai, Kia and Genesis currently source the battery cells for their electric cars primarily from LG Energy Solution and SK On, but also from CATL. As recently as April, there were rumours that the Hyundai Group had even set up a task force to develop its own electric car batteries, allegedly in response to a new battery from BYD that can be charged with up to 1,000 kW.
A BYD battery is now integrated into the debut electric car from Hyundai Elexio. The joint venture unveiled the model at the Shanghai Motor Show in April, but did not reveal any specifications at the time. The world premiere followed on 8 May. The Elexio is regarded as a very important model for Hyundai, as the Koreans have so far been unable to gain a foothold in the ever-growing electric car market in China. Initially, Hyundai and its sister brand Kia had little success with electric versions of their combustion models in China. Since then, various plans have been made and discarded.
Instead of converted combustion engines or imported electric cars, the Elexio is now set to do the trick. The model was designed specifically for China, starting with the design. The LED daytime running lights at the front consist of a total of eight elements (four per headlight) – eight is considered a lucky number in China. The e-SUV is to be followed by other battery-electric cars, plug-in hybrids and range extender vehicles over the next two years.
The price of the Elexio is still under wraps. However, the news portal CarNews China estimates that it will be launched on the market in the third quarter for around 140,000 yuan (just under 17,000 euros).
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