Ioniq 6 debuts as Hyundai's sleek and sexy EV
Annyeonghaseyo to the Hyundai Ioniq 6
The evolution of Hyundai has been quite impressive and lately, they have been on a roll. They are set to relaunch under new management and news of a smaller MPV, the Stargazer, has also been made public. This time though, the Korean car company has one-upped itself. Say “Annyeonghaseyo” or hello to the Ioniq 6.
We saw the first Ioniq model hit our streets. It was poised to do battle with the likes of the Toyota Prius. Sadly, we didn’t get the tax breaks needed so we still had to pay a premium. More recently, Hyundai announced that the Ioniq line will be axed as it will now serve as Hyundai's dedicated EV brand. And with the price of diesel going up significantly as of late, people are now looking to get electrified.
With the unveiling of the Ioniq 6, Hyundai has once again presented its streamlined and timeless design. They wanted to keep the aerodynamic look but still keep it functional for the customer. Thanks to their Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) they were able to optimize every space for the driver and passengers. The platform also offers a completely flat floor, giving off a more spacious feeling in the car.
To say the cocoon-shaped interior is futuristic is an understatement. Warm neon glowing LEDs from around the cabin welcome the driver. With the Ioniq 6’s Ethical Uniqueness there, Hyundai has applied sustainable materials and colors to the inside trim. These include eco-processed leather, recycled PET fabrics for the seats, and bio TPO skin for the dashboard. Paint derived from vegetable oils and recycled fishing net carpeting also adds to the EV’s sustainability.
While the plush seating cradles both driver and passengers, it’s the driver who will have access to most of the goodies inside. The instrument cluster and infotainment are now housed in one massive screen. The only tactile buttons seen are the climate controls and in the center gear console. You essentially have two 12-inch screens put together. The infotainment screen is a full-touch screen while the gauge cluster isn’t. Functions on the gauge cluster can be controlled by the D-shaped steering wheel. This bridge-type design for the console gives off a seamless shift when it comes to information when needed.
On the outside, Hyundai implemented the aerodynamic sculpted silhouette they teased a couple of months back. With its active air flaps in the front, wheel gap reducers, low-slung nose, and optional slim side mirrors, the Ionoq 6 achieved an ultra-low drag coefficient of just 0.21. You get added aerodynamic performance with the elliptical wing-inspired spoiler with winglet, slight boat-tail structure, and separation traps on both sides of the rear bumper. Even the undercarriage is fully covered. Notable LED lighting finishes the exterior’s front and rear with massive wheels added to compliment the whole design.
The Koreans did not give away too much when it comes to the performance but the Ioniq 6 may ride on the same platform as the Ioniq 5. They may have similar power output numbers but the 6 may get a better range because of that super-low drag compared to the boxier 5.
Powertrain variants are likely to come in the form of a single electric motor that puts out 228 PS with 350 Nm in a RWD configuration, as well as a dual-motor AWD setup that produces 324 PS and 605 Nm of pull. The platform will also likely feature the automaker’s 800-volt fast-charging infrastructure.
With the EV to be fully revealed this July, Hyundai has started to build the hype.
