HYUNDAI might be poised to take management of the title of “Australia’s most inexpensive EV” by the tip of subsequent yr, as the corporate confirms aspirations to roll out a slew of electrified SUV product between now and the tip of 2024.
Some product that types a part of that plan is already well-known, such because the Kona Hybrid and Kona Electrical that will probably be touchdown later in 2023, and the Ioniq 7 massive SUV wagon that may cap off the model’s fledgling Ioniq household.
Others are slightly hazier…
It is understood that the Tucson Hybrid is on its manner to offer Hyundai Motor Co Australia (HMCA) with an antidote to the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, Nissan X-Path e-Energy, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Haval H6 Hybrid, nevertheless it’s what the corporate has deliberate for the entry-level mild SUV section that’s most intriguing.
The Venue is HMCA’s sole consultant within the lowest finish of the SUV market, nonetheless a hybrid or pure-electric model of that automotive will not be obtainable globally – neither is one anticipated to materialise. Nonetheless, it’s not the one choice that’s inside HMCA’s grasp.
“There’s not an electrified choice for that automotive… however there are electrified concepts for that section,” HMCA chief working officer John Kett informed GoAuto.
“We are able to’t be the corporate we wish to be until we remedy mild SUV electrification. Now whereas the function that Venue will play in that section will probably be crucial to us, finally over time it wants a brother or sister in that section that demonstrates the aspirations of this firm.”
As as to if that brother or sister can be absolutely electrical or a mere hybrid, Mr Kett wouldn’t elaborate, nonetheless hypothesis in South Korean media says that an all-electric model of the Casper mild crossover – which boasts quasi-SUV design cues and a boxy aesthetic – is because of launch in Hyundai’s house market subsequent yr.
An Australian arrival looks as if a logical next-move to fill that ‘electrified mild SUV’ requirement, particularly as HMCA lately filed a trademark software for the Casper identify in Australia, but stays dedicated to the Venue in its current type.
Rumours printed by South Korean outlet Pulse declare the all-electric Casper will provide ‘as much as’ 400km of vary and be priced to compete with Chevrolet’s Bolt, which is bought in that marketplace for the equal of AU$50,500 earlier than subsidies, or $30,000 after Korean authorities incentives are utilized.
Given the dimensions differential between the tiny Casper, which measures simply 3.6m lengthy and weighs lower than a tonne with a combustion engine, and the 4.1-metre Bolt, Hyundai’s compact EV ought to realistically price lower than the Bolt and be capable to ship comparable vary whereas utilizing a smaller battery than the Bolt’s 66kWh unit.
If Hyundai can minimise the dimensions of the battery – or affords a excessive/low battery choice – then manufacturing price might be trimmed dramatically to provide the Casper a major edge over different EV hatches just like the Bolt, Nissan’s Leaf and the upcoming BYD Dolphin.
With the Dolphin almost half a metre longer than the Casper, as soon as once more the Hyundai’s diminutive dimension and weight might afford it a price benefit on the subject of battery sizing.
However, the Dolphin will seemingly be the Casper EV’s core competitor, with the Chinese language hatchback (which is sized nearer to the Bolt than the Casper), set to reach in Australia earlier than mid-2023 sporting a sub-$40K price ticket.
Native specs and closing pricing are but to be confirmed, nonetheless, within the Chinese language market the Dolphin makes use of a 30.7kWh battery in low-spec type, good for 300km of vary, or a 44.9kWh battery in higher-spec automobiles that delivers as much as 405km.
Nonetheless, a darkish horse might arrive within the type of the Mitsubishi ek X EV. Mitsubishi’s sole all-electric providing is simply bought in Japan and measures barely shorter and narrower than the Casper, and its 20kWh battery pack solely provides sufficient vitality for a spread declare of 180km.
In its house promote it retails for the equal of AU$33,000 in its highest-grade type, or round AU$27,000 in a extra austere configuration.
Mitsubishi Australia is known to be investigating its viability for this market, which might give HMCA’s product planners one thing to chew on on the subject of ratcheting down a headline-grabbing price ticket.
