Genesis’ new Active Air Skirt technology could help you gain as much as… 3.7 miles of range

Genesis is working on a new ‘Active Air Skirt’ (AAS) attachment, designed to help electric cars cut through the air with more precision and in turn improve the overall range and high speed stability of its products. Get ready for the dullest physics lesson since Mr. Robert’s class in secondary school.

The AAS works by channelling the air flow which comes into contact with the lower section of the front bumper, effectively acting as an active flap and altering its position depending on the speed to reduce the overall aerodynamic resistance. So it’s… a front splitter?

Well, yes and no. The AAS is actually hidden between the front bumper and wheels and only becomes functional at over 50mph. The reason for such a specific number? Because this is when the force of aerodynamic resistance outweighs that of the rolling resistance. It’s also the speed most grandmothers refuse to exceed, so maybe this will give them that bit more confidence. It probably won’t, but still.

It then continues to work as effectively at up to 125mph, with Hyundai’s luxury sub-brand also mentioning the lower sections of the AAS have been made of rubber to “ensure durability and reduce the risk of damage from external objects” at speed. It’s OK to say you wanted to save a few quid, chaps.

Want us to bore you a bit more? Sure thing. The AAS also covers part of the front tyres to allow it to work more effectively with Genesis’ Electric Global Modular Platform - further improving efficiency and administering more of that downforce thingamabob which manufacturers are always banging on about.

We can’t mock too much though, because current tests using a GV60 have shown the AAS reduces the drag coefficient by 0.008, improving the overall drag by 2.8 per cent and resulting in an improved range of about 3.7 miles. So you’d better feel guilty about ruining Genesis’ hard work when you turn on the air con.

Sun Hyung Cho, vice president of the Hyundai Motor Group, said: “This technology is expected to have a greater effect on models such as SUVs where it is difficult to improve aerodynamic performance. We will continue to strive to improve the driving performance and stability of electric vehicles through improvements in aerodynamics.”

Genesis has also filed a patent for the product in both South Korea and the United States, so we could well see the AAS attached to new cars beginning from this year. Be ready to brag about your additional 3.7 miles of range at the bar guys and gals… it’s one hell of a pick-up line.