Hyundai has announced that it will transform the Ioniq name used for its current EV into the Ioniq sub-brand dedicated to all-electric cars. That means Ioniq could become much like Hyundai what Polestar is to Volvo.
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Hyundai revealed plans to launch three EVs under the new brand, starting with the Ioniq 5 in 2021 and the Ioniq 6 and Ioniq 7 scheduled for 2022 and 2024, respectively. In Hyundai’s new naming scheme, odd-numbered vehicles represent crossovers or SUVs, while even-numbered models will be sedans.
The Ioniq 5 will thus be a crossover (shown above, at right) and based on Hyundai’s angular Frankfurt Motor Show concept, the retro-styled, Pony-inspired 45 EV. As Autoblog pointed out, the Ioniq 5 may have already been seen in testing, and while heavily camouflaged, it bears only a passing resemblance to the concept vehicle.
Meanwhile, the Ioniq 6 (top left) is based on the Prophecy, a slippery concept car that Hyundai said would eventually be produced in some form. Finally, we’re seeing a tease of the Ioniq 7 for the first time. Hyundai said it will be a “large SUV” and the illustration shows a slim Rivian-like light that covers the front of the car, along with sidelights that may use the same dot matrix tech featured on the 45.
All the vehicles will use Hyundai’s E-GMP electric vehicle platform shared with Kia’s electric cars. Like with other EVs, E-GMP keeps the powertrain below the floor, opening up what Hyundai calls a “‘smart living space’ with highly adjustable seats, wireless connectivity, and unique features such as a glove box designed as drawers.”
It also said that infotainment and dash displays will be “simple, intuitive and ergonomically designed.”
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The current Ioniq model comes in EV, PHEV, and hybrid versions and will carry on separately from the Ioniq brand with the current models: Ioniq Hybrid, Ioniq Plug-in, and Ioniq Electric.
Hyundai wasn’t able to hold a live launch event for the new brand due to the pandemic, but it did try to make a splash. To celebrate, it added some electric lights to the London eye to transform it into a giant “Q.” We’ll no doubt hear more about the upcoming vehicles over the next year.
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