Hyundai revealed its new Ioniq line of fully and partially electric vehicles at the New York International Auto Show late March, a range remarkable for looking rather unremarkable.
Unlike rivals like the Nissan LEAF and Mitsubishi i-MiEV, the Ioniq lineup – which includes the Ioniq Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid and full Electric – eschews the unconventional aesthetic still associated with EVs and instead largely resembles most modern sedans.
Inside Ioniq you’ll find “state-of-the art connectivity features like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as wireless charging of smartphones,” Hyundai says. The cars also offer a full suite of active safety features, including an automatic braking system and “smart” cruise control.
The Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid versions come powered by a Kappa 104-horsepower 1.6-litre Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder mated to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Hybrid supplements this with a 43-horsepower electric motor hooked up to a 1.56-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, while the Plug-In Hybrid gets a 60-horsepower motor and 8.9-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery that’ll let it run more than 40 km in all-electric mode. The Ioniq Electric ditches the gas engine and supplementary electric motor for a 120-horsepower electric motor driving 215 lb-ft of torque through a single-speed trans. A 28-kWh lithium-ion polymer battery gives it an estimated range of about 177 km (110 miles) and a fuel efficiency rating equivalent to 1.89 L/100 KMe (125 MPGe).
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The Ioniq line is designed to embody efficiency and responsible manufacturing—from the “ecologically-sensitive focus” applied in selecting the interior materials to the numerous efforts made to lightweight the vehicle.
The Hybrid and EV trims of the Hyundai Ioniq should hit dealerships in late 2016, with the Plug-in Hybrid following in early 2017. Pricing details have not yet been announced.
