Hyundai Motor Group And Michelin “Premium” has signed a memorandum of understanding for the research and development of next-generation tire technology for electric vehicles.
The renewed partnership was commemorated at a signing ceremony on June 17 at the Hyundai Group’s Namyang Research Center in South Korea. It was attended by a number of Hyundai Group and Michelin executives.
This latest development is based on a five-year memorandum of understanding signed between the companies signed in November 2018 to jointly create an exclusive tire for the Hyundai Ioniq 5.
Over the next three years, the companies will jointly develop tires made from more environmentally friendly materials, optimized for the next generation of EVs, and create a real-time tire monitoring system.
All the technologies obtained as a result of this collaboration are ready to enter the future premium Hyundai Group EV models
It is not clear exactly what the Hyundai Group Premium EV means, but in the near future it plans to release the Hyundai Ioniq 6 all-electric sedan, as well as the Hyundai Ioniq 7 and Kia EV9 larger SUVs.
To achieve the goals set by the companies, the Korean automaker says it will jointly “explore ways to increase the use of environmentally friendly materials in tires” from the current 20 percent to about 50 percent.
The companies will also conduct joint research that will analyze tire wear, tire load and road friction “beyond current values of tire temperature and air pressure”.
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Hyundai Seven concept -
Kia EV9 concept -
Hyundai Ioniq 6 prototype
The new tires are expected to “significantly improve driver’s ride comfort” by reducing the vibrations and noise of high-speed EVs.
They also need to pass the requirements to focus on driving performance and electrical efficiency under high load.
In the absence of engine noise, internal combustion engine (ICE) tires and road noise are more pronounced in EVs than in cars, and low rolling-resistance in EVs helps to increase the electric range.
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Hyundai Ionic 5
“The collaboration between Hyundai Motor Group and Michelin over the past five years has contributed to the successful launch of the Hyundai Ioniq 5,” said Georges Levy, executive vice president of Michelin Automotive Original Equipment.
“We are pleased to announce that the relationship has been extended for another three years to continue our work together on new technologies for safe, clean mobility.”
The Hyundai Ioniq 5 electric crossover first arrived locally in 2021 and had widespread domestic demand, yet supply narrowed.
Locally two variants are available with single-motor starting at $ 71,900 before on-road cost and dual-motor all-wheel drive starting at $ 75,900 before on-road cost.
Both combine up to a 72.6kWh lithium-ion battery pack, the single-motor variant produces 160kW of power and 350Nm of torque, and the dual-motor all-wheel drive variants produce 225kW and 605Nm.
According to WLTP testing, the driving range is between 415km and 430km.