Hyundai Motor Co. revealed in late June the design of its Ioniq 6, the second model for its Ioniq all-electric-vehicle brand. Described as an electrified streamliner, it is aerodynamically sculpted with extreme proportions.

The design reveal coincided with the release of a 3D digital film at three global landmark billboard sites simultaneously. The film played at K-POP Square in Seoul, Piccadilly Circus in London, and the Big Kahuna in New York’s Times Square.

Yesterday, Hyundai gave the media the first access to key executives to dive a little bit more deeply into the details of the model before it hits the market in 2023.

“Ioniq 6 is the next ambitious step forward in Hyundai Motor’s strategy to accelerate its transition to electrification and into a position as a global leader in EVs,” said Jaehoon Chang, President and CEO, of Hyundai Motor Company. “The Ioniq 6 Electrified Streamliner will provide a unique and distinctive experience for drivers and passengers, optimized in every way to redefine electric mobility.”

 

Emotional Efficiency and Ethical Uniqueness

Inspired by Hyundai’s Prophecy EV Concept revealed in March 2020, Ioniq 6 is characterized by a form that designers describe as Emotional Efficiency. Its overall design theme of Ethical Uniqueness is intended to reflect the brand’s customer-centric commitment to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.

“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 a personalized place for all.”

The design focuses on energy efficiency and sustainable material usage. It was “human-centric from the start,” with the interior space developed simultaneously with the exterior form. Efforts were made to maximize and optimize interior space, stretching it at the front and rear, resulting in a unique streamliner silhouette and spacious interior.

The Ioniq 6 implements the Hyundai Look design strategy started with the Ioniq 5, giving each model a unique appearance “like chess pieces.” By taking a customer-centric direction, Hyundai says it designs with diverse lifestyles in mind rather than with a one-style-fits-all approach.

“Ioniq 5 is aimed at young families that can benefit from the space and functionality of an SUV,” said Randy Parker, SVP of National Sales for Hyundai Motor America. “Whereas Ionic 6 is aimed at young single professionals that [are] looking for exceptional exterior styling, upscale interior, and packed with all of the latest and greatest technology.”

According to SangYup Lee, the move to EVs has given designers more freedom, and Hyundai is taking advantage of this more than some competitors. He says that electrification is not only bringing a flat floor but also that cars are becoming more digital devices and the space inside is becoming more for living rather than driving. He added that Hyundai designers wanted to take the extreme opportunity to create something different.

“You see the profile of Ioniq 6, very low hood and a relatively high, one single curvature roof, all the way to the end,” he said. These proportions can only be done with EV and not ICE cars, he added.

The electrified streamliner takes advantage of E-GMP to provide a long 2950-mm (116.1-in) wheelbase. Other key dimensions are 4855-mm (191.1-in) length, 1880-mm (74.0-in) width, and 1495-mm (58.8-in) height.

The car’s ultra-low drag coefficient of 0.21 is enabled by a low nose, active air flaps at the front, wheel gap reducers, and optional slim digital side mirrors available in select markets. Further aiding aerodynamics are the rear elliptical wing-inspired spoiler with winglet, boat-tail shape, and separation traps on both sides of the bumper. Underneath the car for better aerodynamics are a full undercarriage cover, optimized deflectors, and reduced wheel-arch gaps.

Continuing the Ioniq theme of parametric pixel lighting, the 6 integrates over 700 of them in various places such as the headlamps, front lower sensors, rear combination lamps, and the rear wing’s high-mounted stop lamp. The theme extends inside to air vent garnishes, the center console, and the 4-dot interactive pixel lights on the steering wheel that are designed to ease communication between the driver and vehicle.

 

Cocoon-inspired interior

The Hyundai Motor Group’s E-GMP (Electric-Global Modular Platform) enabled the designers to stretch the “cocoon-inspired” interior, front and rear, to create optimized legroom, and a completely flat floor gives an expansive feeling.

Enhancing the electric mobility experience are features like Dual Color Ambient Lighting and Speed Sync Lighting, with EV Performance Tune-up and Electric Active Sound Design (e-ASD).

The Dual Color Ambient Lighting allows selection from 64 colors and six pre-selected themes: healing forest, wonderful day, concentration, mind care, meditation, and creative moment. Speed Sync Lighting mode changes interior-lighting brightness in the first row based on the vehicle’s speed.

EV Performance Tune-up allows the driver to adjust steering effort, motor power, accelerator pedal sensitivity, and driveline mode. The e-ASD technology adds a “spaceship-like” sound to the cabin, its tone changing based on the vehicle’s driving status.

In between, the touchscreen dashboard integrates a 12-in infotainment display and a 12-in digital cluster. The bridge-type center console provides generous in-car storage. Buttons are removed from the front doors in favor of more storage. Transparent accents on the crash pad garnish, door map pocket, and lower console are meant to accentuate the sense of spaciousness. A key interior design highlight is the flip-up at the end of each instrument panel side that houses the side-mirror displays.

Ioniq 6 is equipped with the next level of Hyundai SmartSense ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) including highway driving assist, smart cruise control, and forward collision-avoidance assist. SEL and Limited trims include enhanced functions for junction crossing, lane-changing oncoming and side, and evasive steering assist. Other driving assist features include intelligent speed limit assist, high beam assist, driver attention warning, blind-spot collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot view monitor, and backseat passenger safe exit warning. Parking convenience features are remote smart parking assist, surround view monitor, and rear cross-traffic collision-avoidance assist.

Ioniq 6 is the Hyundai brand’s first model to offer OTA (over-the-air) software updates for multiple controllers. Electric devices, autonomous driving, and the battery can be upgraded in addition to maps and media.

In line with 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 tires to the cladding and bamboo charcoal pigment paint for the body.

The interior features sustainable materials and colors. Depending on the trim level, these include eco-process leather or recycled PET fabric for the seats), bio TPO skin for the dashboard, bio PET fabric for the headliner, bio paint derived from vegetable oils for the doors, and recycled fishing nets for the carpet—the last item a first for the Ioniq brand.

 

Familiar power and energy

Ioniq 6 is available with a range of drive motors and battery packs.

The long-range, 77.4-kW·h battery can be paired with one-motor rear-wheel-drive (RWD) or two-motor all-wheel-drive (AWD). The top dual-motor setup is an AWD option producing 239 kW and 605 N·m for 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in 5.1 s.

The most efficient Ioniq 6—with the 18-in tire, RWD motor, and 53-kW·h standard battery–boasts an impressive estimated WLTP (Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure) energy consumption.

“Ioniq 6 is also one of the most energy-efficient electric vehicles in the market with the WLTP estimated energy consumption under 14 kWh/100 km,” said Yong Wha Kim, EVP and Head of Vehicle Control Development Center.

This was made possible by Ionic 6’s ultra-low drag coefficient of 0.21 as well as the maximized efficiency of the vehicle’s electric power drive system.

The top estimated all-electric WLTP range is over 610 km (379 mi) with a 77.4-kW·h battery, RWD motor option, and 18-in tires.

The Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 share the same E-GMP platform, so the battery specs including chemistry are identical, said Heungsoo Kim, EVP and Head of EV Business Division. However, significant engineering work went into improving the Ioniq 6’s driving range, which is improved by more than 100 km.

The E-GMP architecture supports both 400- and 800-V charging infrastructures, with the latter standard. With a 350-kW charger, Ioniq 6 can charge from 10% to 80% in just 18 min.

Like the Ioniq 5, the new car provides a vehicle-to-load (V2L) function that allows customers to charge external electric devices.

 

N in the plans

Ioniq 6 is slated to begin production in the third quarter of 2022 at a plant in Korea, with sales starting in Q1. The U.S. reveal is in November.

Regarding U.S. availability, “we expect that most states will have Ioniq certified dealers, but availability is going to be contingent and dependent on supply and demand,” said Parker. “Right now, Ioniq 5 is sold in 38 states and counting.”

Hyundai executives also revealed that the N performance sub-brand will trickle down to Ioniq.

The sub-brand was launched a couple of years ago to “further emotionalize the brand to get access to younger target groups,” said Thomas Schemera, EVP and Head of Customer, Experience Division.

It has quickly earned the respect of consumers and competitors with its motorsport achievements. To pave the way for future requirements, “we had to think about electrification,” added Schemera. “The only solution was to utilize the E-GMP platform because…it has a lot of potential.”

On July 15th, Hyundai is announcing the launch of the first fully electric N vehicle and its electric N vision for the future.