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One of many issues I really like about Engineering Defined is that Jason does an awesome job of creating technical and mathematical engineering ideas accessible to individuals like me, an individual who can assemble and perceive automotive components, however who doesn’t design or engineer them. So, after I noticed that he was going to cowl Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 N (the efficiency model of the Ioniq 5), I knew it was one thing I’d be sharing with readers!
Let’s check out his protection of the automobile’s options after which speak extra about EVs and transmissions.
As a substitute of saving essentially the most controversial subject for final, Jason dives proper into the automobile’s emulated transmission. Hyundai’s purpose right here was to make the automobile extra partaking. Why? As a result of one of many large complaints from automotive fanatics about EVs is that they’re quick and have scads of torque, however don’t give the driving force a approach to actually really feel concerned within the operation of the automobile.
That may sound foolish to Apple gadgetheads who grew to become Tesla fanatics, however we’ve got to remember that not everybody goes to suppose by quantity the best way traders and individuals who camp outdoors of Apple shops do. In a world the place we have to get most individuals to drive an EV, we have to enchantment to differing audiences, even when a few of us will discover these audiences onerous to know and agree with.
How does Hyundai ship a small efficiency automotive expertise in an EV? By making it stroll, speak, and shift like an ICE automobile with a sequential transmission. This goes past merely making noise like an ICE automobile. The software program controls the electrical motor and will get it to essentially act like an ICE engine in each scenario. It could actually sound and really feel prefer it’s lugging when put right into a digital gear that’s too low. It could actually punish you for getting the timing on a shift improper. And, if Jason says it’s nicely thought-out and feels actual, he’s anyone we will imagine.
The sound generator has a number of modes it may be run in. It could actually make seems like a Hyundai ICE engine, it may make amplified EV sounds (the electrical whirrs and whines), and it may make sounds type of like a jet engine or one thing (known as “supersonic”).
Issues That Aren’t Pretend At All
The following function he describes is way much less gimmicky and synthetic: battery preconditioning. EV drivers are used to preconditioning for quicker EV charging, however having the battery pack on the proper temperatures is vital for efficiency, too. So, the Ioniq 5 N provides the flexibility to inform your EV to prepare for abuse on the observe. This can be a essential function that truly makes for higher observe occasions. There’s even a “observe mode” that prompts much more cooling to stop observe overheats.
The N Race Mode has two choices: Dash and Endurance. In Dash, you get most energy, even when this comes at the price of further warmth that will be dangerous for an extended observe session. This may be helpful for brief occasions like drag racing or small rural tracks you’re solely taking a number of laps round. The opposite mode, Endurance, focuses on sacrificing some short-term efficiency for extra means to take lengthy, punishing periods on the observe. They declare that the Ioniq 5 N can deal with full energy on the ‘Ring for 2 full laps with out thermal derating! (Most EVs derate within the first lap.)
N Pedal is one-pedal driving like many EVs have now, however with extra of a efficiency mode accessible. In order for you some severe regen and wish it quick for efficiency causes, you may set it for that. I skilled that with the EV9’s highest regen mode. However, there are different regen modes you should utilize that give much less regen with a smoother supply for every day driving. The system can ship a most of 6g of regenerative braking (320 kW). That’s a LOT of braking energy.
No Torque Distribution provides you choices on energy supply. You may set the ability to be extra towards the rear, entrance, or balanced. This lets you get the texture you need on decrease throttle conditions, however underneath full throttle, it should nonetheless max out each the entrance and rear motors. There’s additionally an N Drift Optimizer and N Torque Kick mode the place the pc helps you drift the automotive whenever you need. It could actually act like a handbook transmission (clutch kicking) to interrupt traction when needed.
There’s additionally an N Grin Increase mode that provides you a a lot greater throttle response that can provide you sudden boosts of acceleration (an additional 40 HP). This clearly brings a smile to individuals’s faces. There’s additionally N Launch Management that provides you most launch acceleration from a standstill (0–60 mph within the 3–4 second vary). It additionally has the flexibility to robotically allow efficiency options when it sees street indicators indicating a twisty street forward!
All in all, Jason thinks the options will take lots of time for a driver to resolve what works finest for them. Totally different individuals can select completely different options to make the automobile be the type of efficiency automotive that the proprietor desires. This can in all probability require some experimentation on the a part of the driving force, however can ship a personalized and enjoyable expertise.
Let’s Speak About Transmissions A Bit Extra
Whereas Tesla fanatics will inform me till they’re blue within the face that EV transmissions are nugatory and perhaps even evil in a roundabout way, this video provides us additional proof that the uncooked numbers sport isn’t the place it’s all the time at for vehicles. For a transportation equipment, none of these things makes lots of sense. However, for somebody wanting a efficiency automobile that’s enjoyable and fascinating on the observe or on rural roads, what is sensible to them will differ from what is sensible to a lot of the early adopter manufacturing unit EV crowd.
I don’t suppose the typical EV ought to have a handbook transmission, however producers have to get severe about providing an actual handbook for individuals who need one. I’ve defined this up to now repeatedly, however we’ve got to do not forget that EV conversions are sometimes handbook, they usually work nice. There are additionally some actual efficiency and effectivity benefits attainable. Lastly, they’re nonetheless very straightforward to drive as a result of you may’t stall out an electrical motor.
Hopefully we begin seeing some actual transmissions for fanatics quickly as a substitute of simply emulated ones.
Featured picture by Hyundai.
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