Hyundai Developing Ground-Effect Tech.

Hyundai’s Supercar: Performance Benefits Ahead?

Hyundai has advanced an application for deployable side skirts, intensifying a concept Honda unveiled in the prior year. CarBuzz had unearthed the patent that was lodged with the German Patent and Trade Mark Office.

Rather than depending solely on side-skirts to enhance aerodynamic circulation, Hyundai analyzed the overall aerodynamic specification of the automobile. Any vehicle that opted for this setup would also boast an active air damper situated in the front, which could be opened or closed based on need. Moreover, it was equipped with a spoiler towards the rear. The existence of either feature enabled the vehicle to be delicately forced downwards due to the formation of a locality of low pressure beneath the chassis.

The aerodynamics of the car with the side skirts used is such that the air is directed to go underneath the automobile and out the back rather than dispersing in a disparate way, upholding the area of diminished atmospheric pressure and its associated advantages for improved traction.

Hyundai presents a straightforward spinning apparatus linked to a regulator to adjust the skirts’ extent of descent. By means of rudimentary rotative action and 2-paneled skirts, three functional states can be productively formed, such as tucked away, partly lowered, or fully retracted.

Immagining having side skirts that are lower than an inch from the pavement is quite risky. Even the slightest bump, pothole, or any irregularity in the surface can cause damage. Therefore, it is more advisable to store them in the Hyundai Ioniq 5, allowing you to move through the city with ease, although still quite uncomfortably. When driving on highways or tracks, where there’s a lesser chance of something unexpected hitting the car, it is safe to deploy the side skirts without fearing possible destruction.

Despite this, Hyundai asserts that the lower of the two panels should be made out of a pliable, flexible material. This way, the second panel can conform as needed in different situations while also sustaining minimal damage if it comes into contact with obstacles.

Undeniably, technology can also be employed to forestall entertaining detachment of these skid skirts. Newer automobiles are outfitted with cameras and sensors which recognize any object positioned on the roadway and instruct the actuator to immediately boost the skirts. Furthermore, the car obtains updated data at any point in time from the brake pedal, steering wheel, GPS navigator and speed sensing units. All this can be used to inhibit the skirts from cleaving off.

The advantages of these side skirts are well-known to old-school F1 fans. The Lotus F1 team stumbled upon “ground effect” unknowingly, but soon realized that forcing air underneath the car accelerates the air flow due to the aforementioned low-pressure zone. In a nutshell, it effectively sticks the car to the ground, something that would appear to be perfect for a supercar…

Hyundai has validated they are still invested in introducing a supercar at some point, but will only perform such an act if they are certain the finished result can go toe-to-toe with competitors. Making use of sophisticated aerodynamics appears to be a solid starting point to craft that “wow” factor, and other options like retractable digital rearview mirrors could lend a hand too.

Hyundai concedes that they can make enhancements in terms of driving capabilities, but goes on to emphasize decreased aerodynamic presence at the rear tires. When you match this attribute to tires and rims intended to slice air resistance like butter is cut by a hot knife, what you discover is an incredibly aerodynamic journey.

Essentially, this thought could have advantages for hypermiling EVs and high-performing sports cars. On the off chance that it will turn into a manufacturing reality is questionable, however, Hyundai appears to be decided to be at the cutting edge in technology.