Hyundai Creta EV: Ever since its launch in 2015, the Hyundai Creta has been ruling the mid-size SUV space in India and has been a consistent fixture in the top sellers’ list in India.
Now that the automotive winds are blowing more in the electrification direction, Hyundai is gearing up to ride that horse with a similarly ambitious EV strategy.
The soon-coming Creta EV is part of Hyundai’s long-term strategy and commitment to pioneer electric mobility in volume segments and across multiple price points in India, without compromising on the core values Hyundai is known for in India with the Creta.
Hyundai Creta EV: Design Evolution
Creta EV retains its signature silhouette as the internal combustion model but gets some electric design cues.
The biggest change is up front, where the conventional grille has been replaced by a mostly sealed panel that boasts intricate patterns to optimize aerodynamics and add visual character.
And this treatment allows for clear visual connection to Hyundai’s global electric vehicle (EV) lineage, with a signature parametric grille design, for a distinctive and pleasant face.
More aero tweaks have been made, such as redesigned bumpers, cleaner part beneath and wheels designed to cause less drag – but not so much that you’d mistake it for anything but a beefed-up, rugged SUV on stilts.
The lighting signature is of sleek connected LED lights, along the lines of what we are seeing on premium electric vehicles, to add in a bit of tech signalling without being too alien to the Creta’s current design language.
Platform and Engineering
The Creta EV is based on the modified version of Hyundai’s K2 platform which supports battery pack integration without compromising on the packaging efficiency that made the Creta work as a family car.
Hyundai is not starting from scratch to build an all new architecture – that would shoot costs through the roof – instead, it is starting with the basics and knowledge of being affordable but adapting as needed for electrification.
The pack is mounted in the floor structure, providing a low center of gravity to enhance driving dynamics and at the same time, retaining high ground clearance that will be critical in Indian conditions.
The Creta EV with structural reinforcements will pass or exceed the safety standards of a typical Creta on sale, and ‘take care’ of the potential fears of a customer regarding the safety of an EV.
Powertrain Specifications
The Creta EV will come with multiple battery options, to cater to different price points and usage of the vehicle.
The standard version will probably come with a 45-48 kWh lithium-ion battery, which is expected to provide a 350-400 km range as per Indian driving cycles. A larger 55-60 kWh unit will increase range past 450 km, making it highly competitive with the existing and pending electric SUVs.
It is also reported that power output is expected to be 100 kW (138 bhp) for the standard and 150 kW (201 bhp) for a performance version.
While a two-motor AWD system is offered on a lot of EVs, the Creta EV will likely stick with a front-wheel-drive layout to maximise efficiency (and, probably, to ensure many people in India can still actually afford it).
Technology Integration
Hyundai Creta EV- The interior is where the Tech Line Creta gets one of its most substantial enhancements over the regular model.
A 10.25-inch screen sits in front of the driver and serves as a digital gauge cluster, and there’s a matching 10.25-inch infotainment display in the center of the dashboard, along with EV-specific interfaces that show range prediction, charging status, and energy flow.
Thanks to Hyundai’s BlueLink connected car system, you can track the charge status of SioniQ 5 from your wireless device and remotely control charging, along with climate pre-conditioning.
The Altis should certainly come with a good dose of active driver assistance technology and while there is no official word it will certainly house ADAS systems like adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance and also auto emergency braking on the high variants.
These attributes not only add safety, but add the level of technology that is demanded in the growth of the electric vehicle market.
Positioning and Strategy in the Market
Hyundai Creta EV- The Creta EV serves as a strategic connecting link between mass-market embrace and premium electric options from Hyundai.
The idea is to reduce psychological barriers to going electric by infusing electric technology in a familiar, popular model, Hyundai said.
On the other hand, for the owners of current Creta models, the electric version could also make sense as a natural step towards electrification without giving up the comfort of their trusted vehicle platform.
The Creta EV will need to be priced well to succeed, though. It will be priced at a level that will be competitive not only with existing electric crossovers, including ones like the MG ZS EV, but also conventional premium SUVs, said industry analysts, without sharing a specific price range.
Hyundai Creta EV:
Hyundai Creta EV is a no-nonsense way of developing EV for developing markets such as India. By basing the Ionic off of a tried and true platform rather than trying to develop a brand new EV from the ground up,
Hyundai is able to tap into already existing manufacturing processes and brand equity and mitigate a significant chunk of development costs, which all too often make electric vehicles impractically expensive.
The Creta EV aims to offer Indian buyers the product attributes of an SUV, with the green advantages and lower running costs of electric drive.
As charging becomes available outside of urban centers, this model could help drive EV adoption among India’s burgeoning middle class – an essential step along the country’s path to electrify transportation.