Surprisingly big for a car that looks like a hatchback
Hyundai has given us a proper look at its new all-electric model, which also sees the promotion of the Ioniq badge from single car to whole sub-brand.
The new Ioniq 5 is a dramatically-styled five-door hatchback-cum-crossover which will go on sale this summer, and will be the first of a whole family of Ioniq models.
The styling comes more or less direct from the 45 Concept, which was shown off at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2019. The wedge-shaped silhouette is still there, as are the heavily-hooded LED headlights, but design purists may be disappointed at how the Ioniq 5’s styling has become a little more rounded and bulky, not to mention the addition of SUV-esque cladding to the edges of the wheelarches.
Certainly the stylistic purity of the original concept car (inspired by the 1970s Hyundai Pony, with just a hint of Austin Princess) has been diluted a little.
It’s surprisingly big for a car that looks like a hatchback — not that far off the dimensions of a Volvo XC60, and the interior is similarly huge, thanks to the flat-floor offered by the new electric platform.
There are lie-flat seats, and a sliding centre console that means front seat occupants can exit or enter through either front door — which could be useful in narrow parking spaces.
That flat-floor comes courtesy of Hyundai’s new Electric-Global Modular Platform, or E-GMP. The E-GMP will underpin not just a whole family of Ioniq-badged models (kicking off next year with an Ioniq 6 saloon and an Ioniq 7 SUV) but will also be the key to Kia’s electric power revolution.
It’s a very clever platform, and ground-breaking in that it features an 800 volt charging system. What does that mean? It means it charges up very, very quickly. Previously, 800 volt systems had been the preserve of high-end Porsche and Audi models, but Hyundai will bring it to the mainstream with the Ioniq 5.
The maximum charging speed of the battery is 220kW so you’ll need to hook it up to one of Ionity’s ultra-rapid chargers for best effect. Do that and you’ll be able to charge from ten to 80 per cent capacity in just 18 minutes, according to Hyundai. In a bigger hurry than that? Spend just five minutes on charge, and you’ll have an extra 100km of range.
How much range in total? It depends on the model you choose. The Ioniq 5 will be available with either a 58kWh battery or a 72.6kWh one. We haven’t seen range figures for the smaller battery
yet, but with the big battery and a single 169hp electric motor, Hyundai claims a 480km one-charge range. There will be a higher-performance Ioniq 5 too, with two motors, four-wheel drive, and 305hp. That version will hit 100km/h from rest in a distinctly swift 5.5 seconds but it is unlikely to come to Ireland.
Inside, there are two massive conjoined 12 inch screens for your instruments and infotainment system. Hyundai’s latest BlueLink tech means that you can control the car’s charging and some functions via your smartphone, and there’s an ‘augmented reality’ heads-up display too.
“Ioniq 5 will accommodate lifestyles without limits, proactively caring for customers ’needs throughout their journey,” said Thomas Schemera, Hyundai’s Global Chief Marketing Officer.
He added: “It is truly the first electric vehicle to provide a new experience with its innovative use of interior space and advanced technologies”.
Don’t be expecting bargain-basement prices for all this tech, though. Although a basic, small-battery model will most likely be competitive with the likes of the Volkswagen ID.3, there will also be a swanky top-spec Project 45 version, whose price will probably exceed €50,000.