Front End Integrated Module , Front Face Integrated Module , Hyundai Mobis

Grilles May Have a Future in Electric Vehicles, Thanks to Hyundai Mobis.

Grilles may return thanks to active aerodynamics, although some EVs appear to qualify for the witness protection program

Electric vehicle design continues to evolve, but some automakers have said goodbye to the grille. Those who do not use fully enclosed fax machines are often encountered or overlooked.

Hyundai Mobis is trying to solve this problem by making traditional grilles useful in the electric age. As part of this effort, the company developed an "Integrated Faceplate Module" that offers a more traditional appearance as well as improved aerodynamics.

The module is heavily inspired by active shutter grilles and features components that open and close to reduce friction. However, this oversimplifies things as the front end is equipped with active air curtains, air skirts, grille covers and hood vents. These optimize battery cooling efficiency by improving aerodynamics while also allowing heat exchange.

Thanks to this dual-purpose design, the range of an electric vehicle can be increased by approximately 12.4 miles (20 km). Hyundai Mobis added that the technology is especially useful for crossovers and SUVs as there are not many options to improve aerodynamics.

Active vents aren't the only batch trick, as the front end features a retractable LiDAR sensor along with automatic charger pickup. The latter protrudes only when driving, so it is protected when parked. This could possibly save you expensive replacement costs.

Apart from the benefits mentioned above, the module also allows for styling benefits as automakers can use traditional grille designs. This can help their vehicles stand out from 'faceless' competition.

Hyundai Mobis noted the latter, saying "electric vehicles typically adopt an aerodynamic design focused on reducing air resistance by eliminating the radiator grille, resulting in a somewhat uniform appearance among electric passenger vehicles." They want to differentiate themselves from this trend while improving aerodynamic performance.

There's no word on when we might see road models equipped with the new face module, but the company is trying to enter foreign markets and expand its order book beyond its traditional Korean buyers.

Source: https://www.carscoops.com/2024/03/grilles-could-have-a-future-on-evs-thanks-to-hyundai-mobis/