Skip advert
Advertisement

Hyundai Group to launch new pure-electric city car in 2023

City-car sized EV could launch under Hyundai, Kia or Ioniq brand and will likely be a mini SUV

Kia teaser

Hyundai is preparing to launch a new pure-electric city car within the next two years, in plans confirmed by electric powertrain partner BorgWarner. 

The deal signed between Hyundai Motor Group and BorgWarner means the vehicle could launch under any of HMG’s brands, but most likely it will be badged a Hyundai or Kia. The vehicle will go into production mid-way through 2023

BorgWarner will supply Hyundai Motor Group with a new integrated electric drive module for the car, which combines the motor and gearbox into one bolt-in unit - a setup that saves both space and weight over a conventional electric drivetrain. This is important when making a city car, as you only have between 3.5 and 3.7 metres of body length to work with. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The electric powertrain also has a peak output of 135kW (181bhp), although we don’t expect Hyundai will use all of that performance in its electric city car. BorgWarner’s setup also has a modular inverter, which would allow Hyundai to dial-back the motor’s output to a more sensible 100bhp, putting the new EV’s performance on a level with the petrol-powered i10.

It’ll also run on the same 400v architecture as the Hyundai Kona electric, which should allow the city car to take on around 99 miles of range in half an hour when connected to a 50kW DC rapid charger. 

Due to the packaging constraints of the smaller body, though, the city car will use a smaller battery than the Kona. Like the new Fiat 500, we expect Hyundai will target a battery size of around 40kWh for its new electric city car, which should give it a maximum range of around 200 miles.

Earlier in the year, Hyundai Group brand Kia teased its line-up of future all-electric models, revealing the wide variety of segments the brand will enter in the coming years. One vehicle in these teaser images appears to be a city car sized vehicle, flanked by the Hyundai Group’s upcoming electric quadricycle on the far right of the shot. 

Would you be interested in owning an electric city car? Let us know in the comments below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best new cars coming in 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024 - header image
Best cars & vans

Best new cars coming in 2024

There are some big new models from the likes of BMW, Citroen, Dacia, Ford, MINI, Skoda and more on the way in 2024
12 Mar 2024
Hyundai Casper: dinky electric SUV to ghost in as Citroen e-C3 rival
Hyundai Casper (camouflaged) - front 3/4
News

Hyundai Casper: dinky electric SUV to ghost in as Citroen e-C3 rival

Hyundai’s entry-level EV is rumoured to be arriving in Europe sometime this year
5 Feb 2024
Is there a place for hydrogen in the zero-emissions future? Hyundai has the answers
Hydrogen pump
News

Is there a place for hydrogen in the zero-emissions future? Hyundai has the answers

The Korean firm is forging ahead with hydrogen, showing off its latest hydrogen technology at CES 2024
12 Jan 2024
Part helicopter, part plane, all electric: Hyundai’s Supernal S-A2 is as quiet as a dishwasher and ready to fly
Hyundai Supernal S-A2 - front
News

Part helicopter, part plane, all electric: Hyundai’s Supernal S-A2 is as quiet as a dishwasher and ready to fly

Korean maker is expanding its mobility portfolio with new eVTOL personal transport
10 Jan 2024

Most Popular

“MG is easily outselling Jaguar, Land Rover and Bentley combined”
Opinion - MG4
Opinion

“MG is easily outselling Jaguar, Land Rover and Bentley combined”

The wave of Chinese cars has arrived in the UK, and Mike Rutherford thinks it’s not about to stop any time soon
17 Mar 2024
New Skoda Epiq electric SUV revives the spirit of the Yeti
Skoda Epiq - front
News

New Skoda Epiq electric SUV revives the spirit of the Yeti

The all-electric Skoda Epiq crossover SUV is set to be fully unveiled next year and is likely to cost around £22,000
15 Mar 2024
Car Deal of the Day: brand new, top-spec VW Tiguan SUV for way less than you think
Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line - front tracking
News

Car Deal of the Day: brand new, top-spec VW Tiguan SUV for way less than you think

The all-new third generation of Volkswagen’s smash hit mid-size SUV is our Car Deal of the Day for 14 March
14 Mar 2024