Hyundai, having been nudged into doing so early by online leaks, has shown the first images of its striking new Ioniq 6 electric car.
Electrified streamliner
The follow-up to the hugely successful Ioniq 5, the 6 keeps in step with its bigger brother by having a retro-futuristic design, but instead of the 1970s influences seen on the Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 6 seems to hark back to the tear-drop, streamlined shapes of the 1930s. Indeed, Hyundai itself refers to the Ioniq 6 as an 'Electrified Streamliner'.
"Ioniq 6 connects an emotional convergence of functionality with aesthetics," said SangYup Lee, Executive Vice President and Head of Hyundai Design Centre. "The distinctive streamlined design is the result of close cooperation between engineers and designers, with obsessive attention to detail and customer-centric values at the core. We have created the Ioniq 6 as a mindful cocoon that offers personalised place for all."
As with the Ioniq 5, the Ioniq 6 is slightly larger than it looks, with a length of 4.8 metres. Nonetheless, it's expected to be priced to compete with the likes of the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2, and BMW i4. It uses the same E-GMP platform as the Ioniq 5, which means that it should also come with the same choice of 58kWh or 77kWh batteries, and a choice of single-motor rear-wheel drive, or two-motor four-wheel drive layouts. As with the Ioniq 5, the 6 will be able to charge at a maximum power of 800 volts and 350kW for fast top-ups when on long journeys. The Ioniq 5's 'vehicle-to-load' system, which allows it to be used as a mobile power bank, charging other electric devices, should be included too.
Better range than the Ioniq 5?
Range? Hyundai isn't saying just yet, but the Ioniq 6 has an impressively low coefficient of drag of 0.21Cd - the Ioniq 5's figure is 0.28. The 5's maximum range with the large battery is set at 508km, so given the superior aerodynamic profile, it's possible that the Ioniq 6 will be able to exceed 600km on a single charge.
That aero profile is helped by tech including active air flaps at the front and the option of slim camera units in place of traditional door mirrors. Around the back, as the main shape of the car droops down to a classical teardrop profile, there are spoilers under the rear screen, and lower down on the bumper, to keep the car pinned to the ground at higher speeds.
The full-width rear brake bar includes the 'parametric pixel' light design as seen on the Ioniq 5, which makes the light appear to be made up of tiny individual cubes.
Inside, Hyundai says that the interior has been 'stretched to provide optimal room' making full use of the flat-floor layout to maximise cabin space. You can see some familiar touches from the Ioniq 5, including the conjoined 12-inch infotainment screen and digital instrument cluster, while the steering wheel is the same and, once again, doesn't have a Hyundai logo on it. Where there'd normally be a logo, you'll instead find four little LED lights, that Hyundai says "enable easy communication between the driver and vehicle."
Between the front seats, there's a long, slim centre console that is said to provide 'generous in-car storage.'
Recycled paint
The Ioniq 6's environmental credentials don't end at its (likely) long electric range. Hyundai is using recycled materials for the interior including recycled PET fabric for the seats, bio TPO skin for the dashboard, bio PET fabric for the headliner, bio paint derived from vegetable oils for the doors, and recycled fishing net carpet - the latter is a first for the Ioniq brand.
On the outside, there is recycled pigment paint from end-of-life tyres for the exterior trim and bamboo charcoal pigment paint for the body.