With electric vehicles (EV) finally coming into the limelight in recent years, car designs have also evolved from “sporty everything”, to sleeker, more aerodynamic-focused styling, all in the name of increased efficiency. Press officers love shouting about their new cars’ impressive Cd values, and as a result, swoopy, minimalist-inspired styling is also back in prominence.
The latest car to follow the same recipe is the new Ioniq 6, Hyundai’s second fully-electric model as part of their newly-established EV sub-brand, and it could be a sign of what’s to come in future EVs.
In essence, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is the production version of the Prophecy concept that they unveiled back in 2020. Described as an “Electrified Streamliner”, the unique “single-curved” shape gives the Ioniq 6 a drag coefficient of just 0.21 Cd.
Remember which other car also bragged about their one-curve design? The Mercedes-Benz EQS – which is still the most aerodynamic production car so far, with a drag coefficient of just 0.200 Cd. They might actually be on to something here.
The curvy shape is aided by the low nose, active front air flaps, wheel gap reducers, and optionally, slim digital side mirrors. At the back, there’s also a boat-tail like structure, accentuated by the elliptical wing-inspired spoiler that helps – as you guessed it – to further help with the car’s aerodynamic performance.
The laser focus on aerodynamic efficiency extends even to places where you don’t usually see with your eyes, such as underneath the car with a fully-covered undercarriage, optimised deflectors, as well as a reduced wheel-arch gap to reduce air turbulence.
As with the previous Ioniq 5, the new fastback sedan also implements what the Korean carmaker calls the “Hyundai Look” design strategy, that “gives each model a unique appearance, like chess pieces” to cater for a diverse range of customers with different lifestyles, instead of a one-style-fits-all approach.
Despite that, however, several of the brand’s signature aesthetic touches can still be seen on the Ioniq 6, including the Parametric Pixels motif, with over 700 individual lighting elements covering the headlights, rear combination lamps, lower sensors, a unique High-Mounted Stop Lamp (HMSL) for “an eye-catching light execution when the brakes are applied”, and even the air vent garnishes and centre console on the inside.
The Ioniq 6 is also built on the same Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), which is shared across the entire Hyundai Motor Group on models like the Ioniq 5, Kia EV6, and Genesis GV60.
Fortunately, the curvy silhouette does not impede on the interior space of the Ioniq 6. Hyundai says that the interior space was developed simultaneously with the exterior with efforts made specifically to maximise and optimise the interior space, including stretching of the front and rear cabin space thanks to the flexibility afforded by the E-GMP platform.
The result, is a “coccoon-shaped interior” designed as a “comfortable hideaway and personal space”, lined with sustainable materials to reflect today’s EV customer’s values. These include eco-process leather and recycled PET fabric on the seats, bio TPO skin on the dashboard, bio PET fabric for the headliner, bio paint derived from vegetable oils, as well as floor mats made out of recycled fishing net.
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As with all other EVs these days, the cabin of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is also fully decked out with tech, with highlights including the “modular display panel” with twin 12-inch display panels for the instrument cluster and infotainment display, controlled by an “ergonomically designed control unit” located on the centre console for better ergonomics and reduced distractions.
There’s also a unique dual-colour ambient lighting system, which users can either select individually from a spectrum of 64 colours, or from six dual-colour themes that have been developed by colour experts to help create a relaxing and comfortable lighting environment. To top off the high-tech feel, there are also four Interactive Pixel lights in the centre of the steering wheel for the vehicle to communicate simple information to the driver.
Technical specifications for the Ioniq 6 will have to wait until the official global debut, which is currently scheduled for July. However, the use of the E-GMP architecture also means that it’ll likely share the same powertrain components with the Ioniq 5, with the range-topping dual-motor configuration topping out at 302 hp and 605 Nm, alongside a 77.6 kWh battery.
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