HYUNDAI has revealed extra particulars of its ultra-slick Ioniq 6 fastback sedan, diving into the nuts and bolts of its second all-electric mannequin to sit down on the E-GMP platform that additionally underpins its landmark EV, the Ioniq 5.
Sculpted with the glossy Prophecy idea as its foundation, the Ioniq 6 cuts a really completely different determine to the Ioniq 5 that it’ll sit subsequent to in Hyundai’s EV showroom. Whereas the 5 sports activities stealth-fighter styling with large, flat faceted panels and barely a curved line outdoors of its wheel arches, the 6 is the polar reverse.
The Ioniq 6 is decrease, longer, sleeker, and slipperier than the Ioniq 5, with a wheelbase that’s a smidge (50mm) shorter however an total size that’s 220mm longer and a complete top 110mm decrease.
Apart from visually separating it from its sibling and offering an possibility for individuals who are searching for one thing completely different to the 5’s upright, quasi-SUV type issue, the Ioniq 6’s type can also be dictated by one other requirement: aerodynamics.
And it’s all in its identify – the Ioniq 6’s full identify is “Ioniq 6 Electrified Streamliner”, the final phrase being crucial.
As a extra streamlined brother to the Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 6 – which makes use of the identical battery and electrical motor {hardware} because the 5, with rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive choices – can boast higher power effectivity stats because of an ultra-low coefficient of drag of simply 0.21.
Hyundai claims the Ioniq 6 will eat lower than 14kWh/100km on the WLTP cycle, a quantity that places it close to the highest of the listing of contemporary EVs in terms of effectivity. For context, the slab-fronted Ioniq 5 consumes a mean of 16.8kWh/100km in its most effective rear-wheel drive type.
With power equipped by a 77.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack (which can also be obtainable in US-market Ioniq 5s, however not presently obtainable on Australian-delivered automobiles), Hyundai says the Ioniq 6 will be capable to journey for greater than 610km on a single cost (in RWD type on 18-inch wheels) – which implies the precise effectivity quantity might be nearer to 12.6kWh/100km.
Nevertheless, contemplating Hyundai’s “lower than” caveat on that 14kWh/100km declare (which might equate to a 552km vary) we will most likely safely assume all the Ioniq 6 vary may have no less than a 552km single-charge vary, no matter whether or not they’re RWD or AWD, or on the usual 18-inch alloys or the glitzier 20-inch high-grade rollers.
One factor might have an effect on that assumption: it relies on whether or not Hyundai will provide the Ioniq 6 with lower-capacity batteries, because it does with the Ioniq 5. In Australia the Ioniq 5 is completely offered with a 72.6kWh battery, whereas different world markets additionally provide a 58kWh ‘commonplace vary’ battery.
If Hyundai Motor Co Australia (HMCA) sticks with that technique of providing the mid-tier battery regionally, we must always count on locally-delivered Ioniq 6s to ship between 518 and 576km on a single cost – nonetheless a wholesome improve over the Ioniq 5’s 430-481km vary.
Just like the 5, when the battery runs low on juice the Ioniq 6 can even be capable to make the most of 800-volt charging infrastructure to ship an 18-minute 10 to 80 per cent quick cost functionality. Additionally, just like the Ioniq 5, the 6 will provide the power to dump a few of its battery energy to family gadgets by way of its vehicle-to-load energy outlet, positioned on the car’s cost port or inside below the again seat.
Efficiency will likely be respectable, however in contrast to some high-tier EVs received’t dip under the five-second mark within the 0-100km/h dash. Energy figures for the entry-level single-motor RWD mannequin have but to be revealed, however the dual-motor AWD flagship will ship a mixed output of 239kW and 605Nm, sufficient for a zero-to-hundred stat of 5.1 seconds.
Nevertheless, there’s potential for extra. A hi-po Ioniq 6 N has already been previewed in teaser photographs for Hyundai’s ‘N Day 2022’ occasion, scheduled for July 15, sporting a huge racing-spec wing and obscured by what can solely be clouds of tyre smoke (nicely, it may hardly be exhaust, may it?).
Tech specs for the N variant are unsurprisingly below a good lid proper now however count on extra to floor within the wake of N Day. These presently contemplating a Efficiency-spec Tesla might need to maintain their order for now.
Contained in the Ioniq 6, it’s removed from being a cut-and-paste of the Ioniq 5. Comparable themes do carry over – just like the dual-screen tombstone that sits forward of the driving force and centre stack, carrying twin 12.0-inch digital shows for infotainment and instrument panel – however the sprint is now framed by a pair of screens for the automobile’s digital rear-view mirrors.
Displaying a video feed from the stalk-mounted cameras that sprout out of the door (one other drag-reducing aero characteristic), they’re a brand new characteristic for Hyundai and an necessary distinction from the 5 – although it’s not clear if that characteristic will likely be common for all markets.
The centre console additionally differs considerably, becoming a member of up with the dashboard reasonably than floating freed from it, with a capacious storage nook housed beneath at ground degree. The door automobiles are additionally cleaned up, with door pulls built-in into the door card’s construction and distinguished speaker grilles housing a Bose premium audio system.
Customisable ambient cabin lighting additionally permits the collection of as much as 64 completely different colors and 6 lighting themes, and the identical Rest Consolation Seats that had been launched with the Ioniq 5 (with energy ottoman and a business-class type recline operate) will also be optioned in.
The security suite is intensive, with Hyundai’s newest drive-assist options on provide together with Freeway Driving Help 2, which gives the next diploma of lane-keep help that not solely higher centres the automobile inside its lane, but additionally screens visitors to the aspect and might alter its place inside the lane to take care of a safer clearance to issues like giant vans or sloppy drivers.
Freeway Driving Help can even routinely execute lane adjustments when travelling at freeway pace and utilizing the indicator – although the driving force might want to maintain the steering wheel all through the manoeuvre.
Energetic cruise management can also be provided, however when not getting used stays within the background and learns the driving force’s choice for following distance and acceleration, mimicking that behaviour when the driving force switches it on. AEB is commonplace, and recognises cyclists, pedestrians, and oncoming visitors executing a flip throughout the trail of the automobile.
Manufacturing of the Ioniq 6 will start within the third quarter of this 12 months, with the worldwide launch schedule – and, naturally, native pricing and options – but to be introduced. Count on a neighborhood arrival someday within the first quarter of 2023.
