The automotive industry seems predictably locked into a configuration of hybrids, plug-ins, and full battery-electric vehicles (BEVs). But Hyundai is making things a little more interesting. Healer TV and TheKoreanCarBlog have been busy snapping spy shots in South Korea, while the rest of the auto industry have been busy watching things evolve in predictable ways.
There has even been a heavily-camouflaged prototype of the 2027 Hyundai Santa Fe Facelift parked for all to see, and the automotive industry is not even focused on the new aggressive styling of the trim elements in the so-called “Black Ink” package.
The industry is focused on a little sticker on the glass that says, “MX5a EREV.” To the rest of the world, the new little sticker is meaningless, but to the automotive industry, it is design of the current 5th generation of Santa Fe, model a (meaning it’s North American), and EREV, an Extended Range Electric Vehicle; it’s a whole new ballgame.
What is An EREV?
An Extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) is new type of automobile that is rapidly gaining popularity. A typical hybrid vehicle (gas/ electric) has both the gas engine and electric motors working together to power the wheels of the vehicle. EREV’s have gas powered engines that are solely used to charge the electric battery while hybrid systems are used solely to power the wheels.
Hyundai is claiming their self-developed EREV batteries will deliver full EV power and performance using less than half the battery capacity of a standard BEV. It is a brilliant bit of engineering that bridges the gap for drivers who want an electric vehicle but aren’t ready to rely on a still-growing public charging grid.
Spy Photos Show Small Changes and a Huge Interior Improvement
While we know that Hyundai used the current Santa Fe clunky body shell to house the testing guts, we do see some updates. Besides enhanced rear bumper sensors that most likely have to do with the battery generator, we also got a view of the interior.
Clear from the update, we know that the 2027 version is going to get a major improvement with Hyundai’s newest Pleos Connect which will include updates to the functionality of the system and even how the applications are displayed on the screen.
Release Date
Hyundai Santa Fe heralds EREV technology to the FandD line. The Santa Fe is tremendously popular, and the target audience is long-distance North American travelers. EREV technology offers the smoothness of an EV without the lack of charging infrastructure.
The Timeline: The Hyundai Santa Fe EREV is supposed to make its international debut at the end of this year or the start of the next. It’s expected to show up in dealerships soon after. This is indicative of a bold transitional strategy. Hyundai has shown it has no problem taking the road less traveled.
