Hyundai-Sime Darby Motors (HSDM) has introduced the Ioniq 6 into the Malaysian market. It is the second model sold under the Ioniq sub-brand, which is geared towards selling electric cars, and the fourth model made using the Hyundai Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP).
The streamlined Ioniq 6 design was influenced by Hyundai’s Prophecy Concept EV, which made its debut in March 2020 and, according to Hyundai, it has the lowest drag coefficient of 0.21. A large wheelbase of 2,950mm results from the stretched-out front and rear points. The Ioniq 6 measures in at 4,855mm in length, 1,880mm in width, 1,495mm in height.
Hyundai Motor’s IONIQ 6 has won the 2023 World Car of the Year (WCOTY) title, as well as the World Car Design of the Year and World Electric Vehicle awards. The Hyundai Motor Group also collected another award for the Kia EV6 GT which won the World Performance Car title.
The IONIQ 6 – also known as the ‘Electric Streamliner’ – beat the other finalists which included the BMW X1/iX1 and the Kia Niro for the overall title. The IONIQ 6 was one of 21 original vehicles that were in contention for the 2023 WCOTY awards in the 19th year of the event.
This is the second consecutive triple win for the Hyundai Motor Group as the IONIQ 5 was last year’s winner in the same three categories.
Hyundai will launch its first all-electric high-performance model in 2023. This will be based on the IONIQ 5 and is currently being developed by the carmaker’s N high-performance division. For the development work, the engineers are using two high-performance concept cars — the RN22e and N Vision 74 – as ‘rolling laboratories’.
Hyundai Motor’s ‘rolling labs’ are where it tests and verifies the company’s advanced technologies to apply them to future production models. In this case, a lot of work is being done on electrification and how to provide models with the type of performance the N brand is known for.
Adapt from IONIQ 6
The RN22e, which possesses track-ready performance, uses the Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP and a design based on the IONIQ 6 Electric Streamliner. As Hyundai N’s first rolling lab based on the E-GMP, the RN22e shows the N brand’s vision and direction in an electrified future. The concept received its designation because it is the rolling lab of N brand developed in 2022 and is an EV performance.
Testing of the RN22e focusses on the brand’s three performance pillars. These start with ‘corner rascal’, a cornering capability since the brand launch that makes use of e-LSD, Corner Carving Differential for most N models. The RN22e enhances the ‘corner carving’ feel with heavier weighting by exploiting torque vectoring. 3D-printed parts reduce weight and keep the rigidity high for better handling. With AWD, there is optimized torque distribution whatever the drive mode and the driver can customise the amount of torque going to the front and rear wheels.
Enhancing racetrack capability
To enhance the RN22e’s racetrack capability, the N engineers focused on cooling and braking endurance. Track-optimized settings let drivers go to the limit with 4-piston monobloc calipers and 400-mm hybrid discs to ensure plenty of stopping power is available. In addition, the engineers will use the RN22e to study how to deliver dynamic movement with regenerative braking that can precisely controls yaw and corner attack. Once verified, the new state-of-the-art technologies can be transferred to N production models.
Hyundai N Sound+
Sound is also part of the emotional driving experience – but electrified models don’t have the type of sound that excites enthusiasts. So the RN22e has N Sound+ which generates sound from speakers inside and outside the car. In addition, the N e-shift integrates the vibration and shifting feel with N Sound+.
By adapting the IONIQ 6’s streamliner design, the RN22e will leverage on the new EV’s aerodynamic features. In order to maximize the performance, Hyundai N added motorsport-inspired details that add visual dynamism and also improve cooling performance and aerodynamics.
These days, there’s a new electric vehicle (sometimes even more than one) being launched or previewed every month and the technical aspects sound pretty much the same. The technologies to are generally similar with each company having some advancements of its own to shout about.
So with the new IONIQ 6, Hyundai Motor seems to skirt the technical parts and instead draws attention to the inside of the first sedan in its EV sub-brand. The interior of the ‘Electrified Streamliner’ is developed to serve as a comfortable and personalized ‘hideaway’, providing a unique and distinctive experience for drivers and their passengers.
“IONIQ 6 is designed and engineered to seamlessly enhance our daily lives as space to awaken your potential,” said Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice-President, Global Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Customer Experience Division, Hyundai Motor Company. “The innovative interior is meticulously thought out as a cocoon-like personal space, enhanced with the latest technologies to create a safe, fun, and stress-free driving experience. The spacious interior, with sustainability and usability at its heart, once again represents a step forward for electric vehicles, in line with the values of our customers.”
The cabin takes advantage of the E-GMP (the Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric Global Modular Platform) which allows an extremely long 2950 mm wheelbase, supported by a choice of 20-inch or 18-inch wheels. The E-GMP supports a streamlined body with an overall length of 4855 mm, 1880 mm width and 1495 mm height, which puts it in the D-segment.
A modular touchscreen dashboard integrates a 12-inch full-touch infotainment display and 12-inch digital cluster that houses advanced technologies for an enhanced digital user experience that can be customized to meet their needs. The infotainment system provides real-time travel radius mapping based on the current state of charge, while connected car services help search and plan the best route to include a charging station along the way.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto bring favourite smartphone apps to the widescreen display. For those without compatible smartphones, there’s also Bluetooth multi-connection support available. Two devices can be paired at the same time — one for phone calls and one for music streaming.
The premium Bose sound system’s 8 speakers, including a subwoofer, are strategically placed throughout the vehicle for a high-quality listening experience. Complementing this is a ‘spaceship-like’ sound with a sound texture that changes based on the vehicle’s driving status. How this will be received by the occupants of the car remains to be seen. Perhaps the new generation of car-buyers brought up in the digital age will appreciate such sounds!
The optional Relaxation Comfort Seats in the first row promote leisure by simply adjusting the seat angle. In addition, all of its seats are specifically-manufactured for all-electric models, and they are approximately 30% thinner than those in other conventional models, providing more space for passengers.
Dual Colour Ambient Lighting allows a driver to customize the look and feel of the interior space by selecting from a spectrum of 64 colours and 6 pre-selected themes. The Speed Sync Lighting mode adds emotion to the driving experience by changing the brightness of the interior lighting in the first row based on the car’s travelling speed.
The IONIQ 6’s personalized driving experience is further enhanced by the EV Performance Tune-up system. This allows the driver to freely adjust steering effort, motor power, accelerator pedal sensitivity and driveline mode. Drivers can create a variety of different combinations with just a few button clicks to meet their individual needs.
Of course, we still need to tell you something about the technical aspects and here, the powertrains are varied. Customers can choose a long-range 77.4-kWh battery with 2 electric motor layouts, either rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or all-wheel-drive (AWD). The top-of-the-line dual motor set-up is an AWD option producing a combined power output of 325 ps/605 Nm, with a claimed 0 to 100 km/h of 5.1 seconds.
Hyundai Motor claims an impressive energy consumption rate of under 14 kWh/100 kms, with the 53-kWh standard battery pack, 18-inch tyres and RWD. It supports 400V and 800V charging infrastructures and with a 350 kW charger, the recharging time from 10% to 80 percent is said to be within 18 minutes. A fully charged battery pack should be good for over 610 kms.
The IONIQ 6, like the IONIQ 5, is also able to function as a mobile power station to charge electric devices. This would be ideal not only for camping but also when there is a disruption to power supply. In addition to the external power outlet, there is a second outlet under the back row seat which can be used for charging laptops, phones and other devices.
This EV Is Hyundai Motor’s first model to offer the Over-the-Air (OTA) Software Updates for various controllers. This allows owners to upgrade the car’s controllers for electric devices, autonomous driving, battery, maps (and more) without having to go to a service centre. As such, the systems will be kept up to date and optimised.
In the Korean market, the IONIQ 6 is priced between 55 million – 65 million won (about RM185,000 – RM218.000). Production is to begin production in the third quarter of 2022. Sales are expected to begin before the end of the year with exports to selected markets starting in early 2023.
The IONIQ name began as a model name in Hyundai Motor’s range. And it also had an interesting approach as Hyundai offered a choice of three types of powertrains in the same body – combustion engine, hybrid or battery electric. In 2020, however, the company decided to make ‘IONIQ’ (a combination of ‘ion’ and ‘unique’) a sub-brand that would be used for purely electric models.
Second of three models
When Hyundai announced the creation of the sub-brand in 2020, it said that it would come out with three new models and now, after the IONIQ 5, comes the IONIQ 6. It is adapted from the Prophecy concept car and is described as an ‘Electrified Streamliner’ with its aerodynamically sculpted form.
The clean, simple lines and a pure aerodynamic form present ‘Emotional Efficiency’ and the streamliner typology and mindful cocoon-like interior embody a silhouette for the new era of electric mobility. The unique design language has been used to pursue energy efficiency and sustainable material usage.
“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 personalized places for all.”
Human-centric design
As with most cars, the human-centric basis was set from the start, with the interior space developed simultaneously with the exterior form. Efforts were made to maximize and optimize the interior space, stretching it at the front and rear, resulting in a unique streamliner silhouette and spacious interior.
Like the IONIQ 5, this new model uses the Hyundai Look design strategy that gives each model a unique appearance, like chess pieces. By taking a customer-centric direction, Hyundai designs with diverse lifestyles in mind rather than with a one-style-fits-all approach.
Sleek and functional aesthetics
The IONIQ 6’s form has an impressively low drag coefficient of just 0.21 Cd. This is achieved by assisted by its low nose, active air flaps at the front, wheel gap reducers, and slim digital side mirrors.
Also contributing to reduced resistance is its elliptical wing-inspired spoiler with winglet, slight boat-tail structure, and separation traps on both sides of the rear bumper. On the underside of the car, a flat surface is evident with a full cover, optimized deflectors and reduced wheel-arch gap.
Parametric Pixels are the IONIQ brand’s identity and there are over 700 of them in various places on the bodywork as well as within. These include the headlamps, rear lamps, front lower sensors, air vent garnishes and centre console indicator.
The rear wing’s Parametric Pixel High-Mounted Stop Lamp (aka third brake light) has an eye-catching light execution when the brakes are applied. To further highlight the IONIQ 6’s uniqueness, a newly designed Hyundai ‘H’ badge is applied on the front and rear of the vehicle.
Personal space on wheels
The cocoon-shaped interior serves as both a comfortable hideaway and personal space, replete with practical features and sustainable materials to facilitate a mindful, eco-friendly mobility experience and lifestyle.
The Electric Global Modular Platform, optimised for electric vehicles, enabled the designers to stretch the interior, front and rear. This maximises legroom and spaciousness, with a completely flat floor giving expansive feeling.
The user-centric interior architecture is exemplified by an ergonomically designed control unit that is centrally located to reduce distraction and support safe, intuitive driving. The modular touchscreen dashboard integrates a 12-inch full-touch infotainment display and 12-inch digital cluster. A bridge-type centre console provides convenient and generous in-car storage.
Dual Colour Ambient Lighting provides overall illumination for IONIQ 6 interior. Users can choose from a spectrum of 64 colours and 6 dual colour themes developed by experts to help drivers and passengers feel relaxed and comfortable. The 4-dot Interactive Pixel Lights on the steering wheel enable easy communication between the driver and vehicle.
The removal of buttons from the front doors provides extra elbow space as well as adds storage capacity. Transparent accents on the crash pad garnish, door map pocket and console lower cover further accentuate the sense of spaciousness and uniqueness.
Eco-friendly materials
In line with the IONIQ 6’s Ethical Uniqueness theme and inspired by today’s eco-conscious consumers, the designers applied sustainable materials to the exterior, including recycled pigment paint from end-of-life tyres to the cladding and bamboo charcoal pigment paint to the body.
The interior is also trimmed in sustainable materials and colours. These include eco-process leather (seats), recycled PET fabric (seats), bio TPO skin (dashboard), bio PET fabric (headliner), bio paint derived from vegetable oils (doors), and recycled fishing net carpet — the latter a first for the IONIQ brand.
Technical details have not been released yet as the midsize model, likely to take over the place of the Sonata in future, will be officially launched later this month. The IONIQ 7 will likely be a larger crossover and make its debut in 2024.
