It’s as if every promising model name nowadays suffers the same fate. After Abarth, DS, Cupra and Polestar, among others, it is now the turn of Ioniq, which is positioned alongside Hyundai as a sub-brand for – how could it be otherwise – electric models. In the first instance there will be three, of which the second is the most interesting in our opinion.
Hyundai already has experience with loosening model names, because a few years ago it did the same with luxury label Genesis. The positioning of that premium brand is also immediately clear, but the position of the electrical label Ioniq is less easy to explain. Because how will the sub-brand distinguish itself from the electric models that Hyundai carries under its own name? After all, thanks to the existing Ioniq Electric and Kona Electric, Hyundai has already built up a serious name in this field.
The answer is largely in the experience. Ioniq is intended as a new and fresh brand and must come with more progressive and eye-catching models than Hyundai, which focuses more on the general public. Ioniq promises the Ioniq 5 for 2021, a compact crossover based on the 45 EV Concept from 2019. After that retro-like high-legged one comes the Ioniq 6, which takes a completely different path in terms of design. According to Hyundai, the 6, which should appear in 2022, is based on the Hyundai Prophecy Concept (from photo 3), an extremely smooth four-door that was ultimately not seen at the Geneva Motor Show in March due to corona. Where the Ioniq 5 is characterized by square, retro-like shapes and sharp lines, the ‘6’ becomes slippery. The smoothly lined body is rounded where possible and the low roof clearly turns into the way down at the height of the rear doors. That’s a long way, because the butt is remarkably low. These are all characteristics of a concept car that does not go into production, but the Koreans still promise that the Ioniq 6 will closely resemble the Prophecy. Our draftsman had an easy job. With the addition of clear windows, number plates, usable lighting units and slightly less gigantic wheels, we already get a good impression of what a street-legal Prophecy offspring will look like.
New platform
In addition to sporty and futuristic, the result also looks streamlined, which comes in handy. The current Hyundai Ioniq Electric is already one of the most efficient EVs on the market, so there lies a challenge for its special descendant. Hyundai promises a range of more than 450 km for all three Ioniq models, but with an identical powertrain, the ‘6’ between two SUVs undoubtedly has the advantage. The three Ioniq models are on a brand new modular platform called E-GMP, Electric Global Modular Platform. As the name suggests, this technical base is only intended for EVs. That is the second big difference between Hyundai and Ioniq, because electric Hyundais have always been variants of existing models. E-GMP means that Koreans can now finally fully utilize the benefits of an electric powertrain. For example, the front compartment is no longer necessarily reserved for an electric motor that drives the front wheels. Instead, Tesla-like constructions are possible and plausible, with an electric motor per axle and, of course, a battery pack integrated seamlessly into the ground. The specific EV basis also means that space is created for a creative and smartly arranged interior.
The Ioniq 6 interior will undoubtedly become less futuristic than the very extreme interior of the Prophecy, because it didn’t even have a steering wheel. Nevertheless, the passenger compartment of the Ioniq 6 must be characterized by a spacious atmosphere, smart storage options and advanced technology. Whether that spatial atmosphere also translates into a lot of interior space remains to be seen with such a four-door coupe-carriage. A price tag in at least Tesla Model 3 regions seems inevitable for a model of this caliber. With yet another new brand, the future may not be clearer, but also certainly not more boring.