Hyundai Ioniq Renderings Reveal More Detail of New Hybrid Prius-Fighter
Hyundai has released fairly detailed renderings of its upcoming Ioniq hybrid. The car will take its styling cues from Hyundai’s current design language, which includes that big hexagonal grille and blue accents. Good aerodynamics were a major driving factor behind the design and Hyundai has already claimed the car will have a “class-leading” drag coefficient.
Inside, the Ioniq uses eco-friendly materials and has a clean looking dash layout.
The car is looking to take the fight to the Toyota Prius, with Hyundai already promising that the Ioniq will top the Prius in highway fuel efficiency. It will be the only vehicle available that comes in one body style and offers three electrified powertrains, a plug-in hybrid, conventional hybrid and a fully electric setup.
Korea will host the Ioniq’s official debut later this month while the Geneva International Motor Show in March will be the car’s first public unveiling.
Hyundai is gearing up to release a new Toyota Prius-fighting hybrid and the Korean automaker is promising big things from its new electrified car.
Speaking with Automotive News, Hyundai’s global R&D chief Yang Woong-chul claimed that the Ioniq will be more efficient than the Toyota Prius on the highway. That means it get better than 50 mpg while cruising on the highway.
The Ioniq will be offered in one body style with three electrified powertrains to choose from including a traditional hybrid, a plug-in hybrid and a fully electric version. “It’s totally different from Toyota’s or any other company’s,” said Yang of the Ioniq, which sports a one-motor, one-clutch setup unlike the twin-motor Prius.
The challenge with Hyundai’s chosen powertrain is managing synchronization between the spinning motor and engine through the clutch, though Hyundai adopted a new powerful central processor which solved the issue. “That’s the hurdle which no company had overcome,” Yang said. All three versions of the car use lithium polymer batteries.
Around the world the traditional hybrid version of the car is expected to be the top seller according to Yang, while Europe is expected to be the top market for the plug-in model. Projections suggest that the U.S. will buy more EVs than plug-in hybrids.
Korea will host the debut of the Hyundai Ioniq in January, while the 2016 Geneva Motor Show in March of next year will host the car’s world debut. After that, the Ioniq will travel to the New York Auto Show for its North American reveal.
(Source:AutomotiveNews)