810PS all-electric Hyundai RM20e prototype showcases future N brand potential
Hyundai's performance N brand plans to ultimately offer grin-inducing Hyundais, powered by both internal combustion engines, and all-electric power, and the RM20e prototype with 810PS/960Nm could be a good indicator of the technology that the N division has at its disposal. This includes the fruits of Hyundai's recent investment and strategic partnership with Rimac Automobili, maker of the C_Two electric hypercar and reported next owner of Bugatti.
Shown at the 202o Beijing Auto Show, the RM20e is the latest in a line of RM (Racing Midship) prototypes, a project Hyundai started in 2012 to develop new motorsport technologies and help bring them to road cars, in this case, future N brand models. The Hyundai RM20e, in fact, is essentially the Veloster N eTCR, which was pitched to debut in an all-electric touring car series this year, but with technical specifications finally attached to its all-electric powertrain.
In the RM20e's case, the 810PS/960Nm electric motor is placed just ahead of the rear axle, and drives the rear wheels only. Hyundai expects some very quick numbers with this motor strapped to what's a Veloster N-sized car 0 to 100kmph in under 3s, and 0 to 200kmph in 9.8s! The RM20e gets its energy from a 60kWh battery, and utilises an 800-volt architecture to squeeze the most out of it, as well as allowing for quicker charge times (up to 80 per cent in 30 minutes). More importantly, the brand's engineers are expected to gain vital understanding into the very different world of all-electric performance dynamics.
Hyundai's partnership with Rimac will also pay dividends in the further development of BEV (battery electric vehicle) and FCEV (fuel-cell electric vehicle) technology and Hyundai plans to have 44 zero-emission models by 2025.
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