Summer or winter, these new technologies will keep your car's interior at the right temperature

SEOUL: Hyundai and Kia recently unveiled a number of new technologies designed to control car cabin temperatures for greater comfort in both extreme heat and freezing conditions.

The first innovation is an ultra-thin cooling film applied to the vehicle's windows. When it's particularly hot outside, the film helps to reduce interior temperatures considerably.

Not only does this film block infrared radiation from outside the vehicle, it also allows heat to escape from inside the car. According to Hyundai, this technology alone can reduce interior temperatures by up to 12.5 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, the radiant heating system quickly and efficiently increases the temperature perceived by passengers in cold weather.

From the floor, it emits radiant heat towards the legs of the driver and passengers, warming them quickly and effectively (in under three minutes) when it's cold outside.

The system includes a heating element, which can reach 110 degrees Celsius, wrapped in a fabric that emits infrared rays and adjusts the heat to a comfortable level, all without the risk of passengers getting burnt. Compared to conventional heating systems, it can save up to 17% energy.

Last but not least, the South Korean group presents metal-coated heated glass windows, powered by a 48V system capable of rapidly transmitting heat from the electrically powered metal coating to the glass, thus eliminating frost and moisture.

This ensures rapid, energy-saving defrosting of the windows. According to Hyundai, the system can completely defrost the glass surface in five minutes at temperatures of -18 degrees Celsius. The metal-coated heated glass is invisible, allowing occupants a clear view in all circumstances.

Hyundai and Kia plan to equip most of their future models with one or more of these innovative technologies.