[Auto]How Hyundai Motorsport combines performance and sustainability with electric racing

[SougarLord]

 

The Pure ETCR will set the standard for electric racing around the world and accelerate the transition to zero-emission mobility. Hyundai's involvement is the company's latest step in its quest to make motorsport more environmentally friendly.

Hyundai Motorsport will compete in the Pure ETCR with its new high-performance electric tourer, the Veloster N ETCR. This model heralds an exciting new era for Hyundai, which will see electric car racing become one of the pillars of the company.

 

Along with its electrification strategy, Hyundai has also leveraged its leadership in fuel cell technology to develop its hydrogen generator. This generator will be able to charge electric cars by converting ecological hydrogen into energy for charging the vehicles.

 

For Hyundai, the world of racing is a field where it can do more than experiment with new technologies that then serve as the basis for the development of future production cars. It reflects the pioneering spirit of the company, which translates into constant innovation and leadership in the mobility of the future. The knowledge transfer between Hyundai Motorsport and the Hyundai N brand has proven to be very fruitful, with significant successes both in the WRC and TCR championships, as well as in the production of road cars that are very well received by customers, such as the i20. N.

 

“Hyundai is making great efforts to develop sustainable mobility for a better world, and the competition is not without this goal. So we are very excited to have the opportunity to build on our success in the WRC and TCR as part of the upcoming Pure ETCR, ”said Andrea Adamo, Hyundai Motorsport Team Principal. "With our holistic approach, we are able to significantly reduce emissions in the world of competition, while ensuring that the spectacular sport we know and love remains fun for drivers and fans."

 

WRC and TCR: Hyundai's automotive heritage

Racing is an extension of Hyundai's "performance" pillar. Despite being a new player in this field, the company has already been able to make its mark. The Hyundai Motorsport team was formed in 2012, at the time overseeing the establishment of its facilities in Alzenau, Germany and the development of its first rally car, the i20 WRC. Hyundai Motorsport entered the FIA World Rally Championship for the first time in 2014. After five successful seasons, the team won the World Rally Championship for the first time in 2019. This feat was repeated last year, thus reinforcing Hyundai its reputation within world motorsport.

 

Following its successful foray into the WRC, Hyundai Motorsport entered the world of circuit racing in 2018 with the i30 N TCR. Gabriele Tarquini led the car to the top of the standings in the inaugural WTCR season in 2018. A year later, Norbert Michelisz led the i30 N TCR to its second consecutive championship.

 

Technology transfer between Hyundai Motorsport and Hyundai N

Hyundai Motorsport competes in the WRC with the i20 Coupe WRC, which is based on a highly modified version of the Hyundai i20. In WTCR, the team participates in the i30 N TCR. This touring car is based on the company's first high-performance production model, the i30 N. Both cars demonstrate how Hyundai's road models are an optimal basis for Hyundai Motorsport racing vehicles.

 

The i20 Coupe WRC is equipped with a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine with direct injection, which is associated with a six-speed sequential transmission. It has four-wheel drive and provides a maximum power of 380 hp, with 450 Nm of torque. As a further demonstration of the company's commitment to sustainability in its high-performance models, Hyundai Motorsport is currently developing a lightweight hybrid powertrain for the i20 WRC. Its launch is scheduled for 2022 and it will be the world's first rally car with this technology.

 

The i30 N TCR is powered by a two-liter, in-line four-cylinder turbo engine coupled with a six-speed sequential

gearbox. It has front-wheel drive and is equipped with a 100-liter fuel tank. It provides a maximum power of 350 hp and 450 Nm of torque.

 

In addition to competing in the WRC and TCR with road car-based models, Hyundai uses racing as a testing ground for new technologies. This approach has a direct impact on the company's future N production models through knowledge transfer. For example, the brand's latest hot hatch, the new i20 N, is directly influenced by the i20 WRC. The new i20 N has the minimum weight required in the WRC and features a rally-inspired roof spoiler to improve aerodynamics.

 

Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing, the racing-customer division, recently unveiled the i20 N Rally2, a completely new rally car intended for private teams and drivers. In another example of how Hyundai Motorsport and Hyundai N work together to improve performance, the i20 N Rally2 builds on the solid foundations of the chassis of the new i20 N. The i20 N Rally2 builds on the dynamic look of the road car, developed according to Hyundai's new “Sensuous Sportiness” identity, and includes several design elements inspired by the world of motorsports.

 

Veloster N ETCR: Hyundai's first high-performance electric vehicle

Ahead of the Pure ETCR championship, Hyundai Motorsport engineers designed and built, at its headquarters in Alzenau, the company's first fully electric high-performance vehicle, the Veloster N ETCR. Like the i30 N TCR and i20 N Rally2, it is based on a highly modified version of another Hyundai N car, the North American model Veloster N.

 

Testing of the Veloster N ETCR began with the design of a prototype in September 2019, which the team continued to develop throughout 2020. It is a zero-emission, rear-wheel drive passenger car with centrally positioned engines and designed specifically for the vehicle. ETCR regulations. Equipped with a Williams Advanced Engineering 798-volt battery pack, located at the base of the vehicle, and a double wishbone rear suspension, the chassis is radically different from that used in any previous Hyundai Motorsport project. It generates a maximum power of 500 kW (equivalent to 680 hp) and a continuous power of 300 kW. The Veloster N ETCR's powertrain consists of four motors - two per wheel - connected to a single-ratio gearbox.

 

“The ETCR is a test bed for Hyundai's future mobility concepts. With the Veloster N ETCR, we are demonstrating how cutting-edge technology can combine with eco-driving to make racing cleaner, ”said Till Wartenberg, vice president and managing director of the N brand and the Motorsport subdivision of Hyundai Motor Company. “By building an electric racing car, we will show that it is feasible to develop a high-performance electric vehicle. The knowledge and data collected through our experiences on the track are the basis for optimizing and improving our battery electric (BEV) and hydrogen fuel cell (FCEV) models. "

 

The Hyundai Generator hydrogen generator

The Pure ETCR offers Hyundai the opportunity to push its electrification systems to the limit in the most extreme conditions. However, while high performance is a key tenet for the company, the brand is also committed to making both competition and the future of motorsports and high-performance cars in general as environmentally friendly as possible. environment. For Hyundai, this is not limited to zero-emission powertrains; The company defends that the entire ecosystem has to be sustainable, from energy generation to fuel transportation.

 

Hyundai will offer its new hydrogen generator as a charging system for electric vehicles. The Hyundai Generator is the latest in emission-free electricity recharging and consists of two fuel cells. First, the generator is refilled using compressed hydrogen tanks. Inside the fuel cell, hydrogen is exposed to oxygen. The resulting chemical reaction generates energy, which is used to charge electric vehicle batteries. In this way, participants can be sure that the electricity used to charge the cars also comes from sustainable and emission-free sources.

 

The Hyundai Generator allows two electric vehicles to be charged simultaneously. In addition to having a high-speed charging capability, it also offers significantly lower noise levels compared to a diesel generator. Beyond electric car racing, Hyundai is confident that its hydrogen-powered generator also has a number of potential uses, such as festivals, construction sites, and emergency situations.

 

“For Hyundai it is important to have a holistic vision of zero emission mobility. With solutions like the hydrogen generator, we can not only run electric vehicles, but we also ensure that electricity is produced without emissions by using green hydrogen to power the generator, ”says Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Hyundai Motor Company. "As Hyundai's journey to become a provider of smart mobility solutions, we will continue to develop zero-emission devices for different walks of life."

 

How electric car racing combines sustainability and performance

Electric car racing represents a perfect opportunity for Hyundai to combine environmental sustainability and competition, bringing together the brand's "progress" and "performance" pillars. In the future, EV racing will become one of the fundamental pillars of Hyundai Motorsport. The ETCR shows how the technologies of the future and cleaner racing can be combined.

 

Electrified motorsports also offer Hyundai a way to reach new audiences. With the development of an emission-free racing car like the Veloster N ETCR, the company demonstrates the viability of high-performance electric vehicles. These models can be environmentally friendly and, at the same time, fun to drive.