Hyundai parks local chassis tuning

Local suspension and steering tuning of new Hyundai models specifically for Australian conditions has been parked.

Instead, the Korean giant’s local division says its suspension and steering preferences are now being incorporated into global tunes for new models.

The latest example of this is the Hyundai IONIQ 6 electric sedan, the Australian chassis tune of which is shared with Europe.

“Are we doing local tuning? You could say no,” admitted Hyundai Australia product development manager Tim Rodgers.

“But are we still involved in tuning and R&D? Absolutely. We are embedded very early on in all the projects. We lean on global R&D and their nous moreso than our local one.

“From a product planning point of view where we are very objective, we feel we get a better product by doing this.”

Stung by the success of sister brand Kia’s local chassis tuning program and harsh criticism of the 2010 Hyundai i45 sedan’s sub-standard ride and handling, Hyundai Australia has localised the chassis and steering tune of just about every model it has released here – and promoted that program in its marketing and advertising – since 2011.

But the arrival of COVID in 2020 prevented local tuning of several models including the new IONIQ 5 and latest Tucson, and the end of Hyundai’s local development efforts now seems complete.

Instead, the company says, it is being integrated into global programs earlier and having more influence on set-ups.

“It’s hugely advantageous in the quality of the product,” argued Rodgers. “Being able to lean on chassis engineers who formally worked at Lotus, formally worked at Honda… these are the people I talk to every day now and not just one consultant like we used to do.”

The main proponent of localised dynamic tuning is now fellow Hyundai group subsidiary Kia, which continues to refine vehicles specifically for Australian conditions Down Under – including the EV6 and Sportage – using consultant engineer Graeme Gambold.

“We have been working on this evolution for a while and COVID sped it up very fast because we weren’t able to travel,” explained Rodgers.

“How it began operating just before the start of COVID is we would be more involved early on with R&D and have those discussions directly with the teams who are tuning the cars.”

Rodgers has been embedded in the development program for a number of upcoming programs including the Hyundai IONIQ 5 N high-performance EV.

“I’m still there working with these teams but we are working with the 5000 to 10,000 engineers at Namyang [Hyundai Group’s technical centre in Korea) rather than the five or so who are here.

“We have a very different approach now and it’s working a lot more harmoniously with how R&D want to operate.

“I was in Germany last year and I was in North America last year working on projects and we are starting to implement global collaborative efforts in these projects.”

Prototype vehicles also still come to Australia for local assessment and feedback to the factory.

Hyundai Australia chief operating officer John Kett argued that the integration of his company’s view on dynamics at an earlier stage of vehicle development was a win.

“The Australian tuning is now being embedded a lot more in the global tune and we should be incredibly proud about that.

“We are certainly respected.”

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