The prototype Rn22e developed by the Hyundai Group on the basis of the “E-Gpm” platform is mobile lab set up to field-test the design solutions developed within its R&D centers and to minimize the time normally required to move from a project to a production series
At the beginning of the current decade, the Hyundai Group unveiled the “E-GMP” platform, presenting it as the structural solution that would underpin its full-electric vehicles. Now used in production on Hyundai and Kia-branded BEVs, the platform is also supporting the studies the Group is carrying out in the field of ultra-high performance, after having successfully employed it for its “N”-series electric sport sedans.
The latest example is the “RN22e” rolling lab, a mobile testbed created to concretely and directly assess the platform’s performance potential when pushed to support outputs of around 585 hp, 740 Nm of torque, and speeds of 250 km/h. These are, in fact, the figures attributed to the “RN22e,” a supercar which—should it enter production—would be suitable for everyday use while offering maximum agility and precision in cornering, along with on-track dynamics comparable to those of true racing models.
It should be noted that “RN22e” fits into a design path initiated in 2012 with “Project RM,” which over the years produced the prototypes “RM14,” “RM15,” “RM16,” and “RM19,” later continuing with “RM20e,” the first battery-electric rolling lab. “RN22e” therefore integrates all the sector experience gained by Korean engineers, offering a vehicle equipped with two motors delivering the aforementioned maximum output of 585 hp (430 kW), supported by an all-wheel-drive management system that modulates torque distribution between front and rear axles according to driving needs.
The use of 3D-printed components has made it possible to minimize overall vehicle weight while also increasing body rigidity, with individual-wheel electronic control ensuring precision cornering. Measuring 4,915 mm in length, 2,023 mm in width and just 1,479 mm in height, the prototype relies on a 77.4 kWh battery that can be recharged from 10 to 80 percent in under 18 minutes thanks to 800-volt high-power charging.
The braking system is dedicated, featuring 400-mm discs with four-piston monoblock calipers, while the driving experience remains similar to that of a traditional car thanks to features such as “N Sound+,” which generates audio through internal and external speakers, and “N e-Shift,” which simulates the behavior of a dual-clutch gearbox and the power delivery of an internal-combustion engine.
With “RN22e,” Hyundai has confirmed its commitment to developing electrified sports cars capable of combining driving fun with technological innovation, enhancing the unique emotions of electric driving within a path guided by innovation and passion—one that has already given rise to the production models “Ioniq 5 N” and “Ioniq 6 N,” where the “N” designation may refer to the town of Namyang, home of Hyundai’s global R&D center, to the Nürburgring circuit where the Group tests its sports cars, or to the stylized shape of a chicane.
A city car for the track
“Insteroid” is a concept created by Hyundai and unveiled last September in Turin. It celebrates creativity inspired by the world of video games, going beyond traditional automotive design. It engages people through shapes, lights, and sounds that reinterpret the full-electric “Inster” city-SUV in both sporty and playful terms. Accordingly, the cabin features customizable elements alongside a Beats audio system, while the exterior stands out for its widened stance, slick tires, rear wing-type spoiler, and—also at the rear—a diffuser and air outlets.
A bet on the future
Measuring 4.29 meters long, just under 2 meters wide, and 1.43 meters tall, the “Three” prototype unveiled by Hyundai at Germany’s IAA Mobility 2025 previews the next step in Hyundai’s electrification journey. Positioned as a compact concept car, it introduces the Korean brand into a new EV segment that will join those in which Hyundai is already present. The focus is particularly on the European market and its environmental concerns.
In this context, the interior features sustainable materials such as fabrics made from recovered marine waste and lightweight aluminum foam, creating warm, intuitive, and relaxing living spaces. The new concept is the result of a wager of sorts—the expectation that European demand for BEVs will grow in the future. For this reason, Hyundai is working to ensure that by 2027 every model sold in Europe will offer at least one electrified variant, while simultaneously launching 21 new full-electric models globally by 2030.
Title: Hyundai Rn22e: real rolling lab
Translation with ChatGPT
