The radical new Hyundai Ioniq 6 EV arrives in early 2023, going head-to-head with the Tesla Model 3, Polestar 2 and BMW i4. And Hyundai’s all-new four-door saloon aims to win fans by being easily the most distinctive-looking of the lot.
The new Hyundai Ioniq 6’s bold styling, which has led the designers to call it the ‘electrified streamliner’, delivers standard-setting aerodynamic performance. The most efficient version of the Ioniq 6 will deliver an electric driving range of around 450 miles.
The teardrop-style profile of the new Ioniq 6 is enhanced with gentle curves and carefully profiled panels. With the addition of advanced underbody aerodynamics, the Hyundai’s drag factor (Cd) is as low as 0.21 – making it one of the most aero-efficient cars in the world.
The new Hyundai Ioniq 6 will be released in Launch Edition grade first, due in spring 2023. Early adopters can choose from four body colours: Biophilic Blue Pearl, Serenity White Pearl, Nocturne Grey Metallic and Gravity Gold Matte. Hyundai Ioniq 6 Launch Edition cars have 20-inch matt black wheels, plus gloss black lower body mouldings and door mirror caps.
Inside, the new Hyundai Ioniq 6 has the same high-end 12.0-inch twin-screen tech as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 hatchback. The central touchscreen includes Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The architecture is different though, with a full-width ventilation bar that is picked out by ambient lighting. The ‘floating’ door armrests are also illuminated.
The new Hyundai Ioniq 6 will offer optional digital rear-view cameras instead of traditional door mirrors. When fitted with efficient 18-inch alloy wheels, the car is likely to boast a superb EV driving range of around 450 miles. Hyundai says it will be among the most energy-efficient EVs on sale.
The new Hyundai Ioniq 6 Launch Edition is focused more on performance. With a twin-motor layout, it delivers four-wheel drive, plus a total of 325PS and 605Nm of torque. Zero to 62mph will take just 5.1 seconds. Boasting a large 77.4kWh battery, the Hyundai Ioniq 6 Launch Edition is capable of 320 miles between charges.
The new Hyundai Ioniq 6 will later be launched with a more affordable 53kWh battery, along with single-motor rear-wheel-drive variants. The Launch Edition grade will be followed by more accessible Premium and Ultimate trim choices, too.
All versions of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 will come with an 800V charging system, also standard on the Porsche Taycan. This facilitates 350kW ultra-fast charging capability, with the potential to top up from 10-80 percent charge in less than 20 minutes.
Those buying or leasing a new Hyundai Ioniq 6 will get a free one-year subscription to the Ionity Premium package, giving preferential access to more than 400,000 rapid charging points across Europe.
The new Ioniq 6 is Hyundai’s flagship model: a large four-door saloon measuring 4,855mm long and less than 1,500mm tall. Hyundai promises decent front and rear seat space, while the 401-litre boot is backed up by a 14.5-litre front stowage compartment, or ‘frunk’ – ideal for storing charging cables.
The new Hyundai Ioniq 6 also comes as standard with ‘vehicle to load’ charging functionality. This means owners can power devices such as kettles and computers from their car, simply via a standard three-pin plug.
The new Hyundai Ioniq 6 Launch Edition is priced from £54,995, and first deliveries are due for release in Q1 of 2023. Other versions of the Hyundai Ioniq 6 will be released later, priced at well below £50,000.
