Hyundai’s luxury brand, Genesis, is changing its commitment to fully switch to electric cars in the next 10 years. This is good news for fans of electrification as they are transitioning to a dual strategy that also involves hybrid cars.
In fact, the automaker stated that the next-generation hybrids will not only bring efficiency and performance improvements compared to current models, but they will also borrow features that have mostly been reserved for pure electric vehicles until now.
Last year, Genesis’ global boss, Mike Song, mentioned that buyers clearly prefer hybrid cars over pure electric ones, and the company has been working on new electric models to meet this demand. The company has already been testing prototypes for their future hybrid lineup, including extended-range electric vehicles (EREV).
According to Manfred Harrer, a senior engineer responsible for powertrains, performance will be the main focus directing the creation of the next-generation electric vehicles from Genesis. Harrer said, “With my roots in vehicle dynamics and performance, my latest mission is to marry Genesis’ premium luxury approach with a very interesting performance approach.”
The upcoming Genesis EREV model will be a smaller battery version of the manufacturer’s future EV, which will also receive a combustion-powered generator to extend range and charging.
All vehicles built on the new platform will have rear-wheel drive bias, positively impacting driving dynamics. Harrer explained that “We can’t do much about the battery weight under the floor in EVs.” However, “different tire types can be used on the front and rear to improve grip levels. Another way is by balancing drivelines.”
Hyundai recently unveiled some specifications for its new hybrid system, likely to be used in Genesis models. One innovation introduced is integrating the starter generator and hybrid traction motor inside the gearbox to improve smoothness and reduce noise and vibration on the transmission capable of up to 340 horsepower.
Two combustion engines will be used to power the hybrid system. The first is a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which, together with the electric motor, produces 329 hp and 339 lb-ft of torque in the 2026 Palisade. With the hybrid system, fuel efficiency increases by up to 45%, and power by 19% compared to non-hybrid models with the same engine.
The Hyundai Palisade is the first hybrid with bi-directional vehicle-to-vehicle charging (V2L), allowing external equipment to be powered from the 1.65 kWh battery. V2L will be a feature of all future Hyundai (and Genesis) hybrid cars, not just the brand’s electric vehicles.
Manfred Harrer also discussed the 600+ hp Genesis GV60 Magma, a hot version expected to debut later this year. This will be Genesis’ first model bearing the Magma designation, which will be used for all the manufacturer’s top performance offerings. Exciting prospects lie ahead for Genesis and Hyundai, and the company promises that you will be happy, no matter which powertrain you choose.
