Hyundai reveals Ioniq 6 EV ahead of world premiere in July

Hyundai Motor Company today revealed the streamlined design of the Ioniq 6, the second model in its Ioniq dedicated all-electric-vehicle line-up brand. The Ioniq 6, which Hyundai describes as an ‘Electrified Streamliner’, is high on the aerodynamics quotient and makes innovative use of sustainable materials to reflect today’s EV customers’ values. 

The latest and most striking entrant into Hyundai’s expanding bespoke EV family is the new Ioniq 6: a rakish, aero-optimised sedan aimed squarely at the hugely popular Tesla Model 3.

Previewed in 2020 by the sleek and ultra-low Prophecy concept, the Ioniq 6 is Hyundai’s first foray into the electric sedan market, having established a foothold in the EV segment with the Hyundai Kona Electric, Ioniq hatch and Ioniq 5. At 4855mm long, 1880mm wide and 1495mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2950mm, it is a close match in size for the Model 3 – as well as the Polestar 2 and BMW i4.

“Ioniq 6 connects an emotional convergence of functionality with aesthetics,” said SangYup Lee, Executive Vice-President and Head of Hyundai Design Center. “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 place for all.”

Human-centric design
Ioniq 6 demonstrates ethical and unique design through energy efficiency and sustainable material usage. Hyundai says the Ioniq 6 design was human-centric from the start, with the interior space developed simultaneously with the exterior form. Efforts were made to maximise and optimise the interior space, stretching it at the front and rear, resulting in a unique streamliner silhouette and spacious interior.

Like the Ioniq 5 before it, Ioniq 6 implements 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 yet functional aesthetics
According to the Korean carmaker, the Ioniq 6 has an “aerodynamically sculpted silhouette with simple yet sensuous curves offers a new typology for the EV mobility era.”

The eco-friendly car has an ultra-low drag coefficient of just 0.21, assisted by its low nose, active air flaps at the front, wheel gap reducers, and optional slim digital side mirrors. Further aiding Ioniq 6’s enviable aerodynamic aptitude is its elliptical wing-inspired spoiler with winglet, slight boat-tail structure, and separation traps on both sides of the rear bumper. Even underneath the car, the endeavour to achieve better aerodynamics is evident in the full cover of the undercarriage, optimised deflectors and reduced wheel-arch gap.

Ioniq 6 also integrates over 700 parametric pixels in various places, such as headlamps, rear combination lamps, front lower sensors, air vent garnishes and centreconsole indicator, to reinforce the IONIQ brand’s identity throughout the vehicle.  

The rear wing’s Parametric Pixel High-Mounted Stop Lamp (HMSL) delivers an eye-catching light execution when the brakes are applied. To further highlight Ioniq 6’s uniqueness, the newly designed Hyundai ‘H’ badge is applied on the front and rear of the vehicle. 

As with other cars on the E-GMP flat-floored platform, the Ioniq 6 is expected to be offered with a choice of batteries ranging from 58kWh to 77.4kWh in capacity. The largest battery is likely to provide a range of more than 300 miles, given the car has a sleeker silhouette than the trio of upright E-GMP-based cars already on sale.

The firm also offers a choice of single-motor/rear-wheel-drive and twin-motor/four-wheel-drive powertrains elsewhere, and that’s expected to be the case here, too. A 226bhp RWD entry-level model, 321bhp midrung 4WD option and range-topping 577bhp Ioniq 6 ‘N’ are on the cards – the ‘N’ with a sub-3.5sec 0-62mph time.

Mindful personal space on wheels
Hyundai says the Ioniq 6’s 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.

Hyundai Motor Group’s Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) enabled the designers to stretch the interior, front and rear, to create optimised legroom and spaciousness that lets passengers stay comfortable in the vehicle. The E-GMP also allows for 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 spur 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 Color Ambient Lighting provides overall illumination for IONIQ 6 interior. Users can choose from a spectrum of 64 colors and six dual color themes developed by color 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 provided more breathing room and more storage. Transparent accents on the crash pad garnish, door map pocket and console lower cover further accentuate the sense of spaciousness and uniqueness.

High on sustainability
In line with Ioniq 6’s Ethical Uniqueness theme and inspired by today’s eco-conscious consumers, Hyundai designers applied sustainable materials to the exterior, including recycled pigment paint from end-of-life tires to the cladding and bamboo charcoal pigment paint to the body.

The Ioniq 6’s interior is also trimmed in sustainable materials and colors. Depending on the trim level, 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 is a first for the Ioniq brand.

The Ioniq 6 world premiere will take place in July, when Hyundai will reveal the full specifications, including the electrified streamliner’s features and advanced technologies.

With inputs from Autocar UK