With the way electrification of cars is going, there will come a time when electric power replaces combustion power in racing cars. In fact, it’s already started with the Formula E series for single-seaters and the electric version of the TCR.
Manufacturers like Hyundai Motor are preparing for this change and one project that the company’s high-performance N division has revealed its next-generation electrified RM20e Racing Midship Sports Car. ‘RM’ refers to the prototype model’s ‘Racing Midship’ rear-drive, midship powertrain configuration, a fundamental design differentiator that yields ideal handling balance and agility from a low polar-moment of inertia.
“Our new electrified RM20e pushes the proven RM platform forcefully into a new, environmentally-focused decade of the 21st century, stretching the performance envelope of electrification on normal road environments,” said Albert Biermann, President and Head of Research and Development Division at Hyundai Motor Group.
“RM20e represents a revolutionary new chapter of electrified performance for the Racing Midship series, and our N engineers continue to garner valuable insights in the arena of zero-emission performance dynamics,” he declared.
Testing high-performance technologies
The RM platform is an engineering ‘rolling lab’ for testing high performance technologies at all speeds and driving conditions. The testing is especially important to ensure that the RM20e’s copious 596 kW/810 hp and 960 Nm output can be effectively transmitted to the ground on all types of surfaces.
Performance times are expected to be less than 3 seconds from 0 – 100 km/h and less than 10 seconds from 0 – 200 km/h. The positioning of the motor in the middle and the rear-drive layout provides optimal traction required for this level of acceleration. While having racing car-like levels of performance, balance, braking and grip, the engineers have been working to also provide quietness, responsiveness and road-going capability for daily drivers.
Variety of powertrains available
The electrified powertrain has zero-emissions, of course, and as Hyundai has developed a variety of electrified-propulsion solutions. Therefore a full spectrum of electrified powertrains is available for testing with this high-performance sportscar platform.
Hyundai’s recent investment and strategic partnership with Rimac Automobili has facilitated co-development of both BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) and FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) prototypes. The electrified RM platform will continue to evolve along with the growth of this RIMAC partnership.
44 eco-friendly models by 2025
The Hyundai Motor Group, which includes Kia Motors, has set a strategic plan to deploy 44 eco-friendly models by 2025, which will include products from the N brand as well.
“The RM20e sports car prototype clearly signals future electrified brand aspirations for Hyundai’s performance N brand, moving N into the prestigious genre of supercar-level performance. RM20e proves that N driving excitement will not be compromised, even in electrified model variants.,” said Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice-President and Head of Product Division at the Hyundai Motor Group.”
The history of the RM project goes back some 8 years and has served to develop and connect new high-performance motorsports technologies with future N models. Since the initiation of project RM, there has been a progressive evolution of the RM series with prototypes RM14, RM15, RM16 and RM19. In 2019, Hyundai’s first electric racing car – the Veloster N eTCR (pictured above) – was developed for the eTCR electric touring car series.
