Hyundai has revealed the first model from its new Ioniq battery electric vehicle (BEV) brand. The Ioniq 5 midsize CUV is built on Hyundai Motor Group’s dedicated BEV architecture called Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP).
The company says that the E-GMP enables unique proportions, including an elongated wheelbase, innovative interior design with eco-friendly materials for many touchpoints, strong performance mated with ultra-fast charging, and advanced connectivity and driver-assistance features for an ultimate in-car experience while ensuring safety.
“Ioniq 5 will accommodate lifestyles without limits, proactively caring for customers’ needs throughout their journey,” said Thomas Schemera, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer. “It is truly the first electric vehicle to provide a new experience with its innovative use of interior space and advanced technologies.”
Exterior design
The company says that the vehicle’s progressive design represents a departure from past norms. It is meant to channel Hyundai’s first production car, the Pony, along with the company’s 45-year history, creating a common thread from past to present and future. This redefinition of timeless design is a theme Ioniq says it will expand upon as its lineup grows.
The 5 also drew inspiration from Hyundai’s 45 EV concept, which debuted at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. Guided by Hyundai’s “Sensuous Sportiness” design identity, the 45 featured a futuristic interior designed for electrification and autonomous technologies.
“A new mobility experience for the next generation—this was the mission from the first day we began this project, to look ahead towards the horizon, but stay fundamentally Hyundai,” said SangYup Lee, Senior Vice President and Head of Hyundai Global Design Center. “Ioniq 5 is the new definition of timeless, providing a common thread linking our past to the present and future.”
Hyundai makes a big point of emphasizing the 5’s 3000-mm (118.1-in) extended wheelbase, enabled by the contemporary EV typology, which is 100 mm (3.9 in) longer than Hyundai’s flagship SUV Palisade. While the 5 looks like a big hatchback, it offers D-segment-like space in a midsize CUV size. It measures 4635 mm (182.5 in) long, 1890 mm (74.4 in) wide, and 1605 mm (63.2 in) tall.
The front of the vehicle has the company’s first clamshell hood to minimize perceived panel gaps and for optimal aerodynamics. One eye-catching design element is the distinctive front daytime running lights (DRLs) and rear lights with small pixel-like rectangular clusters for a signature unique to the 5.
On the sides, flush door handles provide clean surface styling and enhanced aerodynamic efficiency. The front and rear forms of the vehicle merge together at the doors like on the new Tucson. The aero-optimized wheels have a 20-in diameter, the largest ever fitted to a Hyundai EV.
A “vision roof” provides the interior with a sense of openness with one large glass panel. An available eco-friendly solar roof can collect energy for the EV battery—improving efficiency, preventing battery discharge, or providing additional driving range.
Power options
Most customers can select from two SK Innovation battery pack options, in either 58 or 72.6 kW·h; the upper option in North America is 77.4 kW·h. The two electric motor layouts are either rear motor only or with both front and rear motors. The top speed is 185 km/h (115 mph).
At the top of the lineup is an all-wheel-drive option paired with the 72.6-kW·h battery, producing a combined power output of 225 kW and 605 N·m (446 lb·ft) for 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in 5.2 s. The dual-motor AWD option paired with the 58-kW·h battery goes from 0-100 km/h in 6.1 s.
The two-wheel-drive, single-motor layout with a rear motor offers 350 N·m (258 lb·ft). When paired with the 72.6-kW·h battery, it can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 7.4 s. The maximum driving range is predicted to be around 470-480 km (292-298 mi), according to the WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure) standard. When the single-motor layout is paired with the 58-kW·h battery, it can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 8.5 s.
The maximum towing capacity is 1600 kg (3500 lb).
The vehicle’s E-GMP platform can support both 400-V and standard 800-V charging without the need for additional components or adapters. The multi-charging system is the world’s first patented technology that operates the motor and inverter to boost 400 to 800 V for stable charging compatibility.
With a 350-kW charger, the vehicle can charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 min. Charging for 5 min gets 100 km (62 mi) of range, according to the WLTP.
A V2L function allows customers to charge other electric devices such as electric bicycles, scooters, and camping equipment. The function can supply up to 3.6 kW of power via a port under the second-row seats even when a vehicle is on. Another V2L port at the main charging port provides power even when the vehicle is turned off.
Sustainably sourced and connected interior
The interior’s “Living Space” theme is embodied by the Universal Island, a moveable center console that can slide back as much as 140 mm (5.5 in). This is enabled by the flat floor of the E-GMP platform.
The electrically adjustable front seats recline to an angle to impart a “weightless feeling” for the occupant. Their thickness is reduced by 30% to provide more space for rear occupants.
Rear cargo space is 531 L (18.8 ft3), which increases to almost 1600 L (56.5 ft3) when the second-row seats are fully folded. The second-row seats can slide forward up to 135 mm (5.3 in) and can be folded in a 6:4 ratio. An additional front trunk offers as much as 57 L (2.0 ft3), reduced to 24 L (0.8 ft3) for AWD and North American versions.
Much of the interior—seats, headliner, door trim, floor, and armrest—use eco-friendly or sustainably sourced materials such as recycled PET bottles, plant-based (bio PET) and natural wool yarns, eco-processed leather with plant-based extracts, and bio paint with plant extracts.
An “enhanced” digital user experience is provided by a wide, configurable, dual-cockpit design featuring a 12-in infotainment touchscreen and a hoodless 12-in digital gauge cluster. In a first for Hyundai, the 5 is fitted with an AR (augmented reality) HUD (head-up display), turning the windshield into a display screen. Drivers can choose to use the AR to project information such as navigation, advanced safety, and the car’s surroundings to their line of sight across the windshield—allowing them to process information quickly while keeping their attention on the road ahead.
The 5 gets the latest version of Hyundai’s Bluelink connected services for customers to control their car with their smartphone or voice. New features include connected routing, last-mile navigation, and user profiles. The Bluelink app displays the vehicle’s range, battery state, and charging times when plugged into public or private charging points.
The dynamic voice recognition system accepts simple voice commands to control cabin functions such as A/C, radio, hatch opening/closing, heated steering wheel, and heated/cooled seats. The system can also assist with various points of interest (POI), weather status, and stock market data updates.
The 5’s premium Bose sound system has eight speakers including a subwoofer.
The next-level SmartSense ADAS (advanced driver assistance system) makes the vehicle the first from Hyundai to offer Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA 2). Using a front view camera, radar sensors, and navigation data, it works to control the vehicle speed and following distance, while keeping it centered in its lane. The system can also assist the driver when changing a lane.
Other assistance includes forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, intelligent speed limit assist, driver attention warning, and high beam assist.
Several functions help detect if the driver is drowsy or distracted. DAW (Driver Attention Warning) displays the driver’s attention level and provides a warning when signs of driver inattentiveness are detected. It sounds a warning if the vehicle remains stopped for a long period of time (such as at a traffic signal) and if the driver doesn’t react quickly enough when the vehicle ahead starts moving.
More Ioniqs to come
Hyundai says the Ioniq brand represents its strong commitment to sustainability and innovation. Under its “Progress electrified for connected living” mission, the brand will offer electric vehicle experiences with a focus on customized, eco-friendly solutions that can fit any lifestyle, delivering the Hyundai corporate vision “Progress for Humanity.”
The 5 is the first step in the company’s journey of dedicated electric vehicles, moving another step closer towards achieving its clean mobility goals. It will be available in select regions starting in the first half of 2021.
Following the launch of 5, Hyundai will expand its BEV lineup with Ioniq 6, an electric sedan, and Ioniq 7, a large electric SUV.
