Hyundai launches Lafesta EV production in China

The Beijing-Hyundai joint enterprise has begun assembling the purely electric Hyundai Lafesta sedan/saloon for China.

The only motor the car has sits on the front axle, driving it with 184 hp (137 kW) and 310 Nm (229 lb-ft) of torque. The battery consists of several sections jointly rated at 56.5 kWh, mainly located at the bottom of the car and the trunk area. Charging from zero to 100% full takes 9.5 hours, and the driving range amounts to 490 km (305 miles) according to the outdated NEDC measurement standard. The top speed doesn’t exceed 165 km/h (102.5 mph).

The EV is 218 kg heavier than its ICE counterpart and weighs in at 1,603 kg (3,534 lbs). The outer body length grows from 4,660 mm (15.3 ft.) go 4,705 mm (15.44 ft.) in the electric version. Inside, the dashboard becomes digital and switching gears occurs via a button pad, rather than the usual stick.