The automotive market is heating up this second half of the year as various new models are set to compete fiercely. With the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, electric vehicles and hybrids, which significantly improve fuel efficiency, are gaining traction. Domestic and international automakers are planning to introduce major new models to expand their market share.
According to industry sources on August 8, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, BYD, and Hyundai are launching a range of vehicles this season, including premium all-electric models, efficient plug-in hybrids, and internal combustion engine vehicles.
This month, BMW officially launched its flagship all-electric Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV), the 'New iX,' in South Korea. The BMW iX, a dedicated model from BMW's electrification brand, embodies the essence of electric mobility with a sporty design. It features the intelligent all-wheel drive system BMW xDrive, powered by two electric motors, and can charge from 10% to 80% in just 34 to 35 minutes, enhancing energy efficiency.
The base model, BMW New iX xDrive45, boasts a maximum output of 408 horsepower, an increase of 82 horsepower from the previous model. Its maximum torque has also risen to 71.4 kg·m, up by 7.2 kg·m, and it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds, a one-second improvement. The new high-voltage battery, equipped with advanced cell technology, can store 100.4 kWh of power, approximately 30% more than the previous model, providing a driving range of 446 km under South Korea's Ministry of Environment certification (up to 602 km under WLTP standards).
The BMW New iX xDrive60 offers a maximum output of 544 horsepower, an increase of 21 horsepower, and a torque of 78.0 kg·m. It can reach 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, with a driving range of 509 km under domestic certification, an increase of 45 km from the previous model without a battery capacity increase. Under WLTP standards, it can achieve a maximum range of 701 km.
The high-performance M model, BMW New iX M70 xDrive, delivers a maximum output of 659 horsepower (when in sports mode), an increase of 40 horsepower, and an impressive torque of 112.2 kg·m when using launch control. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds, with a driving range of 421 km under domestic certification (600 km under WLTP standards). The prices are set at 124.8 million won for the New iX xDrive45, 153.8 million won for the New iX xDrive60, and 177.7 million won for the high-performance New iX M70 xDrive.
Mercedes-Benz Korea recently launched the 'All-New Mercedes-Benz Electric GLC,' the first all-electric model of its global bestseller, the GLC. This model is the first to apply Mercedes-Benz's dedicated electric vehicle architecture, MB.EA, combining the GLC's unique identity with cutting-edge electric drive systems and intuitive software.
The lineup available in South Korea includes the GLC 300 4MATIC AMG Line Electric and GLC 300 4MATIC AMG Line+ Electric, with deliveries expected to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. Prices range from 90 million to 94.8 million won, and pre-orders have already surpassed 1,000 within a month of launch.
Volvo Cars Korea has launched its highly anticipated 'ES90' this second half of the year. The next-generation all-electric flagship ES90 features an innovative design that combines the elegance of a sedan, the flexibility of a fastback, and the spaciousness and high ground clearance of an SUV. It can charge from 10% to 80% in about 22 minutes under a 350 kW fast charging environment, with a maximum driving range of 706 km under WLTP standards.
Equipped with an NVIDIA Orin-based core computer capable of 254 trillion operations per second (TOPS), the vehicle can self-update, improving performance over time. It also features advanced sensing technology with five cameras, five radars, and twelve ultrasonic sensors to efficiently protect people inside and outside the vehicle. Additionally, a passenger detection system can identify movements at a sub-millimeter level, ensuring the safety of pets and infants left inside the car. Despite these features, the price in South Korea is set to be up to 50 million won lower than the global average, enhancing its competitiveness.
Chinese automaker BYD, which ranked fourth among imported cars this year, is also making significant moves. BYD is set to launch the 'Sea Lion DM-i,' a plug-in hybrid SUV, in response to the growing preference for hybrids among South Korean consumers. Geely's premium electric vehicle brand, Zeekr, has also unveiled the 'Zeekr 7X,' a mid-size electric SUV equipped with an 800V charging system, which has received over 1,000 pre-orders.
Hyundai Motor has introduced the 'All-New Avante,' a compact sedan that has become a national favorite. This is the fully redesigned eighth generation model, launched after six years, featuring a bold design centered on refined lines and surfaces, expanded dimensions comparable to mid-size sedans, top-tier global safety standards, enhanced performance and efficiency, and advanced convenience and digital features.
The Avante is available with two powertrains: a gasoline 2.0 and a 1.6 hybrid, offered in three trims: Modern, Premium, and Inspiration, with prices ranging from 23 million to 30 million won. On the first day of pre-orders, the new model surpassed 10,000 contracts, setting a record that exceeds the previous high of 10,058 contracts for the seventh-generation Avante launched in April 2020.
A Hyundai official stated, "As customer expectations rise in the era of electrification and SDV, the All-New Avante is designed to offer high value from the base trim and provide advanced mobility experiences through various options. We will continue to prioritize our customers and deliver better value in the future."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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