The electric revolution has officially begun. The ‘2024 Busan Mobility Show’ has kicked off.
The 2024 Busan Mobility Show started on the 27th with a press day at BEXCO in Busan, running until the 8th. Major brands, including Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Renault Korea, BMW, and MINI showcased their latest innovations.
Previous mobility shows focused primarily on combustion engine models. However, this year’s exhibition revealed a firm commitment to carbon reduction, with most brands featuring all-electric models as the main attractions.
Renault Korea unveiled the ‘Grand Koleos’, developed under the project name Aurora. The name Koleos means “strength” in Latin, signifying a powerful presence on the road. The addition of “Grand” designates it as Renault’s flagship SUV. With a length of 4,780mm and a wheelbase of 2,820mm, it offers an impressive 320mm of knee room, a best-in-class feature.
One of the standout features of the Grand Koleos is its trio of displays: a 12.3-inch driver’s instrument panel, a center display, and a passenger display, which collectively provide passengers with a new immersive experience. The Grand Koleos’ E-TECH hybrid combines a 1.64kWh battery of class-leading capacity with a 1.5-liter turbo gasoline engine, delivering a robust total output of 245 horsepower.
Hyundai Motor unveiled the Casper Electric model for the first time in the world. The Casper Electric is a pure electric version of the existing Casper model. Compared to its predecessor, the Casper Electric has been significantly enlarged, now measuring 230mm longer and 15mm wider. The wheelbase has increased by 180mm, providing more knee room for rear passengers. Additionally, it features a 10.25-inch LCD cluster with navigation and an electronic shift column, offering ample cabin space compared to combustion engine models.
The Casper Electric is equipped with a 49kWh lithium-ion battery, allowing for a maximum range of 315km. It can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 30 minutes, providing sufficient range for urban driving.
Genesis introduced the updated G80 electric model. The updated G80 electric is a luxury large electric sedan featuring an enhanced exterior and an emotionally designed interior. It comes with a 27-inch integrated wide display that combines the driver’s instrument panel and center display, reclining independent seats, and Ergo Motion Seats as options to significantly improve passenger comfort. A 130mm increase in wheelbase also enhances comfort for rear passengers.
Kia introduced its PBV series. The PBV series from Kia includes three models: the compact PV1, the mid-size PV5, and the large PV7. The first of these to be unveiled is the PV5, set to hit the market in 2025, optimized to serve various business sectors like vehicle hailing and logistics delivery.
BMW introduced its first all-electric coupe, the iX2. The iX2 is equipped with BMW’s 5th generation pure electric drive system, eDrive. The iX2 eDrive 20 model boasts a peak output of 204 horsepower with a maximum torque of 25.5kg.m. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.6 seconds, with a top speed of 170 km/h. The battery capacity is 64.8kWh, allowing for a range of 478km based on WLTP standards. It can be charged from 10% to 80% in just 29 minutes using a 130kW fast charger.
MINI showcased the ‘New All Electric MINI Cooper’ and ‘New All Electric MINI Countryman’. These are flagship models set to transition MINI into an electric vehicle brand in 2026.
Both the New All Electric MINI Cooper and the New All Electric MINI Countryman pay homage to the first-generation MINI by eliminating the driver’s instrument panel and incorporating a 240mm diameter round Samsung OLED display.
The round display reflects diverse vehicle information, including instrument panels, navigation, infotainment, and auxiliary systems.
The MINI Countryman is equipped with a 66.45kWh battery, delivering a total output of 313 horsepower and a maximum torque of 50.4kg.m. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.6 seconds.
Busan = Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr