Previewed earlier this year for the first time at My Auto Fest was the Hyundai Ioniq, a Toyota Prius rivalling C-Segment hatchback with an immensely attractive price tag of RM130k. The order books have already opened, and will be locally assembled at the company’s plant in Kulim, Kedah.
Depending on the region, the Ioniq can be had in three different configurations: full electric, plug-in hybrid, and petrol-electric hybrid. According to Hyundai Sime Darby Malaysia (HSDM), we will be getting the regular hybrid, and the local assembly will grant the Ioniq its EEV status. This means full tax breaks and incentives, and it is also the first time the Ioniq is being assembled overseas apart from the Ulsan plant in Korea.
It is powered by a 1.6-litre four-cylinder Gasoline Direct Injection (Kappa GDI) that makes 104 hp and 147 Nm of torque. But when paired with an electric motor, the Ioniq gets a total output of an estimated 140 hp and 265 Nm of torque. A 1.56 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery is placed just underneath the rear bench and will be tasked with supplying power to the electric motor.
Power is delivered to the front wheels via an ultra efficient six-speed dual clutch gearbox, also a world’s first for a hybrid. In pure electric mode, the Ioniq can travel up to speeds of 120km/h!
What’s unconfirmed now is the specification and equipment list of the Malaysian-bound Ioniq. It rivals the fourth-generation Toyota Prius (which will not make its way here, unless CKD) and comes with a healthy array of active safety features such as autonomous emergency braking and blind spot detection, just to name a few.
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