Theo Austin
The start of the Ioniq brand “opens a new chapter as a leader in the area of electrified mobility,” according to a release accompanying the announcement.
Although the rapid growth of Tesla and a corresponding surge in interest for fully electric vehicles in Europe, the U.S., and South Korea—where Tesla recently outsold Hyundai’s own electric cars—isn’t mentioned specifically, Hyundai all but spells it out: that the creation of the brand “is in response to fast-growing market demand and accelerates Hyundai’s plan to lead the global EV market.”
Within the brand, Hyundai promises ultra-fast charging and spacious interiors, with three new dedicated-EV models to arrive over the next four years. That will include the Ioniq 5, a mid-sized (by global standards) crossover based on the 45 Concept; the Ioniq 6, a sedan based on the Prophecy Concept; and the Ioniq 7, a larger SUV due in early 2024.
Although Hyundai didn’t detail the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6, those two models could directly rival the Model Y and Model 3, respectively. The crossover concept is about 182 inches long—likely positioning it versus the Ford Mustang Mach-E, Volkswagen ID.4, Nissan Ariya, the Model Y, and many others.
All three models will be built on Hyundai’s Electric Global Modular Platform, termed E-GMP, which we’ve reported before has been conceived to enable an 800-volt vehicle architecture for some or all of the vehicles based on it—and charging rates up to 350 kW. In addition to the layout advantages of skipping the space for internal combustion engines, Hyundai says that user interfaces will be simplified and designed to make those aboard feel at ease.
Hyundai Motor America clarified to Green Car Reports that the new strategy won’t affect how hybrids and plug-in hybrids are presented. The existing lineup of Ioniq models will continue to be sold as Ioniq Electric, Ioniq Plug-In, and Ioniq Hybrid, but from now on the new Ioniq models will follow the numerical nomenclature.
So for the time being, shoppers will face at least one model with the Ioniq badge—the Ioniq Hybrid—that has no charge port whatsoever.
Hyundai will keep Ioniq sales at existing “existing Hyundai distribution channels,” the company confirmed.
Although Hyundai hasn’t yet talked volume for these cars—definitely a sore spot that’s led to supply-limited dealer markups for Hyundai’s current EVs like the Kona Electric—these cars appear to signal a new era for the U.S. Hyundai Motor America confirmed to Green Car Reports that the Ioniq 5 will arrive in the U.S. in fall 2021, and the Ioniq 6 will follow in 2022.
