Major automakers like Hyundai, Kia, and BMW are gearing up to release a variety of new electric vehicles (EVs), ranging from compact models to high-performance cars, in the second half of this year.
According to the automotive industry, Hyundai unveiled its compact electric vehicle model, the ‘Casper Electric,’ for the first time at the 2024 Busan Mobility Show, which opened on Jun. 28. The Casper Electric boasts a driving range of 315 km on a full charge, which is about 110 km longer than its competitor, the Kia Ray EV.
Hyundai is also planning to launch the electric sports utility vehicle (SUV) Ioniq 9 in the domestic market by the end of this year. The exact release date and the name of the model have not been set. In Nov. 2021, Hyundai revealed the large electric SUV concept model ‘Seven’ at the LA Auto Show, and it is anticipated that the Ioniq 9 will be similar to this model in design and features.
While the battery performance and price have not been disclosed, it is expected to show improved performance compared to the EV9, which shares the E-GMP platform. The EV9 has a driving range of 501 km on a full charge.
BMW Korea unveiled its first fully electric sports activity coupe (SAC), the all-new iX2, at the 2024 Busan Mobility Show. It features a sleek coupe-style body with a fully electric powertrain. The electric motor delivers a maximum output of 204 horsepower and a maximum torque of 25.5 kg·m, coupled with a 64.7 kWh lithium-ion battery.
BMW Group’s luxurious small car brand MINI is also set to launch the all-new electric MINI Cooper. This new MINI Cooper is the first fully redesigned model in 10 years since the third-generation MINI Cooper was released in 2014, and it marks the brand’s transition to a fully electric lineup.
This model is equipped with an electric motor that delivers a maximum output of 218 horsepower and a maximum torque of 33.7 kg·m. The driving range on a full charge is 402 km according to the European WLTP standard, and it is expected to be certified for a range of 290 to 320 km in Korea.
Sweden’s Polestar will also introduce the coupe-style SUV Polestar 4 in the second half of the year. The Polestar 4 is built on the premium SEA platform, an electric vehicle-exclusive platform.
This model is expected to have 4839 mm in length, 2139 mm in width, 1544 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2999 mm. It offers a maximum output of 400 kW (544 horsepower) and is equipped with a 100 kWh lithium-ion battery. According to the WLTP standard for the long-range single-motor version, it targets a driving range of 610 km. Delivery to customers is scheduled for October this year.
Porsche Korea has introduced the brand’s first electric SUV, the Macan Electric. The Macan 4 offers a maximum power output of 408 horsepower and a torque of 66.3 kg·m, while the Macan 4 Turbo delivers 639 horsepower and 115.2 kg·m.
Apart from the increased length and wheelbase, other features remain the same as the previous model. The driving range on a full charge is 613 km for the Electric and 591 km for the Electric Turbo, according to the WLTP standard. It is expected to be launched in Korea by the end of this year, with pricing yet to be determined.
