Genesis reveals B-pillarless design and new hinge technology for GV90 SUV

Genesis has unveiled core technologies for its flagship GV90 electric SUV, including a B-pillarless "Neolun Arch Gate" structure. To support 70kg doors without a central pillar, engineers developed a "Dual Motion Hinge" using high-precision LM Guide technology and world-first upper and lower latches.

Genesis has set a new standard for the global luxury market by revealing core technologies for the GV90, a massive flagship electric SUV. According to the 'GV90 Tech Day' reported by HYUNDAI, Genesis detailed the innovative technologies of the GV90, which were completed through precision design and advanced methods under the slogan 'Engineered Craftsmanship.'

The centerpiece of this technical presentation is the 'Neolun Arch Gate' structure, which eliminates the B-pillar (the pillar between the front and rear doors) and allows the front and rear doors to open independently. Heo Gwang-hun, a Vice President in charge of Genesis development, explained the background, stating, "To provide an innovative interior space experience, removing the B-pillar was our first choice, not our last choice." Heo added that they faced the difficult challenge of resolving safety, rigidity, and noise issues while eliminating the pillar. "Engineering is often called the art of compromise—making things quieter makes them heavier, and making them wider makes them weaker—but the GV90 reversed that order and set a new standard for customers by refusing to compromise," Heo added.

'Dual Motion Hinge' and LM Guide to support 70kg doors

To fill the space left by the missing B-pillar, Genesis engineers devised a new door opening and closing system unseen in the existing automotive industry. The result is the 'Dual Motion Hinge,' a single component that incorporates two distinct movements: the door slides slightly outward before rotating open.

Nam Jin-u, a part leader on the closer design team, stated, "Existing high-offset type hinges caused inconvenience to rear passengers because they protruded too much into the cabin when closing, which was also disadvantageous for the interior package." He explained that to overcome this, they had to find a structure capable of simultaneous sliding and swinging. Because there were no existing cases to reference, the team studied kinematics textbooks and even visited furniture fairs. The decisive breakthrough was found in the field of industrial machinery rather than the automotive industry. To achieve smooth movement while supporting a door weight of approximately 70kg, they applied high-precision 'LM Guide (Linear Motion Guide)' technology. This structure, which manages a tight tolerance of approximately 3/1000mm and utilizes about 500 ball bearings to support the load, enables the sliding motion.

The design team utilized 3D printing additive manufacturing solutions to analyze the load paths, finding an optimal structure that ensures hinge rigidity while maintaining aesthetic beauty. Since the dual motion hinge is the most visible component when the door is open, the design team collaborated with designers to create a structurally beautiful component. This design theme was also applied to the GV90's charging port connection and lower step plate connection, enhancing the aesthetic completeness of the entire vehicle.

World-first upper and lower latches and precision control systems

Ensuring door stability in a B-pillarless structure presented another challenge. While the B-pillar traditionally serves to secure the doors firmly, the GV90 opted to place a 'Latch' at both the top and bottom of the door instead.

Nam Jin-u noted, "The upper latch had to be minimized to reduce the inconvenience of passengers hitting their heads when entering, and the lower latch had to be redesigned to consider crash robustness, as it tends to take impact during a collision." Because the upper and lower latches must operate simultaneously for the door to open or close stably, the team newly developed a 'Multi Release Controller' and a 'Dual Sync Motion Actuator' to control them precisely. Genesis claims these are the first applications of such technology in the world and has secured the relevant patents.

This precision control technology translates into the boarding and exiting experience for VIP customers. The method where the system automatically opens the door the moment the door handle is pulled is a technical implementation of the 'hospitality philosophy' pursued by Genesis, going beyond simple convenience. The system completes a safe and spacious boarding environment through sensors that detect people and obstacles.

'Engineered Craftsmanship': Design without compromise between space and safety

Through this Tech Day, Genesis emphasized that the GV90 is not merely an SUV that has increased in size, but a result of overcoming engineering limits. "Even without the B-pillar, safety had to be even higher, there had to be no perceptible boundary when touched, and there had to be no 1mm bump on the floor," emphasized Heo Gwang-hun. "None of the conditions were easy, but we pursued them tenaciously and finally protected them." He also explained, "The GV90 is the sum of everything Genesis has built over the past 10 years and a starting point toward a new future."

Features such as the 'Hidden Roll Cage' applied to ensure crash safety despite the removal of the B-pillar, and the world-first application of a 'Roof Airbag,' demonstrate the safety philosophy of the GV90. Additionally, the sophisticated design reflecting the Moon Jar concept, two-tone painting technology, and the interior design implementing a private lounge were mentioned as elements that complete the unique emotional quality of Genesis. The event served to confirm Genesis's confidence in its development goal for the GV90, which was first unveiled in the United States this past August: "To set a new standard for global luxury."

Source: original video (YouTube)