Unveiled in initial images last month, Hyundai has now provided further details for the Ioniq 6, the second fully-electric model under the marque’s reborn Ioniq electric sub-brand.
As detailed last month, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 will be built on the same e-GMP platform as the Ioniq 5, but sports a wildly different appearance compared to the square-ish SUV. That’s thanks to the marque’s ‘Hyundai Look’ strategy, which aims to give each individual model “a unique appearance, like chess pieces” in order to cater to a wider range of customers.
For the Ioniq 6, Hyundai has adopted an ‘Electrified Streamliner’ aesthetic, characterised by a unique “single-curved” silhouette that first appeared on the Prophecy concept from 2020. The swoopy shape and low nose gives the Ioniq 6 its low 0.21 Cd drag coefficient, making it one of the most aerodynamic production vehicle on the market.
Being built on the same e-GMP platform also means that it can share the same mechanical components as its stablemates. The new Hyundai Ioniq 6 will be offered in both single- and dual-motor set-ups, with the most powerful variant making up to 239 kW (320 hp) and 650 Nm of torque, which translates to a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 5.1 seconds.
But with a nickname like “Streamliner”, efficiency is the name of the game here. Thanks to its low drag coefficient, the longest-range Hyundai Ioniq 6, equipped with a single rear motor and a 77.4 kWh battery pack, gives the swoopy sedan a range of over 610 km (WLTP). That’s about 140 km more than the RWD Long Range Ioniq 5, although the 5 does have a smaller battery at 72.6 kWh.
In the long-range spec, the new Hyundai Ioniq 6 also boasts a power consumption figure of just 14 kWh/100 km, making it one of the energy-efficient vehicles in the market.
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The e-GMP platform also means that the Ioniq 6 will support both 400V and 800V charging without any additional equipment. The latter also supports a DC fast charging speed of up to 350 kW, for a 10 to 80% charge in just 18 minutes.
Like the Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 6 can also act like a massive power bank to charge other electric equipments with its vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabily. There is an exterior power outlet, which requires an adaptor to be plugged into the charging port, as well as a regular household three-pin power outlet under the rear seats if you want to charge your electric devices from the cabin.
In case you haven’t quite noticed the similarities between the two models, the interior of the Ioniq 6 will be a dead giveaway. The dashboard is powered by the same two 12-inch displays, serving instrument and infotainment duties – the latter offering the usual Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, alongside multi-connection Bluetooth.
The on-board navigation system offers real-time travel radius mapping based on the vehicle’s current state of charge. Over-the-air software updates are also supported, and is now capable of upgrading the car’s powertrain, and even battery control software, for improved performance.
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Unique to the new Hyundai Ioniq 6 is an “EV Performance Tune-up” system, which is an extension of the usual drive modes customisation, letting drivers adjust the motor’s power output, in addition to the usual throttle and steering sensitivity settings. There’s also an ‘e-ASD’ system, which emits an “optimum, spaceship-like sound” in the cabin that changes according to the car’s driving status.
Additionally, the seats in the Ioniq 6 are also supposedly “specifically-manufactured” for EVs, and are made 30% thinner than usual to maximise space in the cabin. Customers can also opt for the Relaxation Comfort seats in front, which comes with additional leg rests, and can be automatically reclined into a special relaxation mode.
For safety, the Ioniq 6 packs Hyundai’s latest generation of SmartSense advanced driver assistance systems, which includes Highway Driving Assist 2, Smart Cruise Control, and autonomous emergency braking (AEB). Higher-end variants also get additional detection features for the AEB system, such as Junction Crossing, Lane-Changing Oncoming and Lane-Changing Side, as well as Evasive Steering Assist.
The Ioniq 6’s Smart Cruise Control function is able to learn a driver’s driving style, and adapt its own operation to match.
Production of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is scheduled to begin in the third quarter of 2022.
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