Genesis promises to revolutionize… the windshield?

We attribute the term revolution solely to Genesis, but it must be acknowledged that this development is far from insignificant.

Hyundai, the parent company of Genesis, has developed a 48-volt metallized heated glass system, a technology presented as a world first. Intended to improve winter driving, this system aims to fully defrost the windshield in five minutes, three times faster than conventional devices.

The system operates on a 48-volt system that converts energy from the vehicle’s 800-volt electrical circuit. This energy powers the 20 layers of a transparent coating on the windshield, allowing for rapid and uniform heating to eliminate frost. Compared to traditional air conditioning systems, this device is said to consume about 10% less energy.

In winter, this innovation could help optimize the energy management of electric vehicles, notably by reducing the consumption associated with defrosting. In summer, the metallized glass would reflect about 60% of total solar energy, thus limiting the heating of the cabin and lowering its temperature by 2 to 3 °C. These properties aim to improve energy efficiency throughout the year, with a potential positive impact on the range of electric vehicles.

During tests conducted at -18 °C on the Genesis GV70 and GV60, the heated glass defrosted the windshield in five minutes, compared to over 15 minutes with a system powered at 13.5 volts.

This technology could also play a role in the development of autonomous vehicles by ensuring a clear windshield for sensors. It also removes visible tungsten wires found on traditional windshields, further improving visibility.

Although not yet confirmed for short-term commercialized Genesis models, Hyundai has filed patents for this heated glass in several markets, suggesting its integration into upcoming vehicles.

READ ALSO: Genesis GV60 Magma, the new Korean monster