Skip to main content

Hyundai silently swoops in on Prius territory with its new Ioniq hybrid and EV

It might surprise you, but Hyundai has yet to put a dedicated hybrid into production. Well, now the Korean automaker is ready to make up for lost time by introducing one vehicle in three flavors of electric performance, and it brought them along to the 2016 New York Auto Show.

Ioniq will compete with several core hybrid and EV players. In its base form, the Ioniq hybrid pairs a 1.6-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with an electric motor for a combined 139 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque. A 1.56 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery pack is on board

The Ioniq Plug-in hybrid uses the same gasoline direct injection motor as the hybrid, and adds a slight bump in power from its 45 kW electric motor. With its 8.9 kWh battery, the plug-in has an estimated all-electric range of over 25 miles. By comparison, Ford’s Fusion Energi manages 20 miles of pure electric range and Toyota’s new Prius plug-in hits 22 miles. Visually, the Ioniq plug-in hybrid is distinguished by enclosed front fascia panels for better aerodynamics.

Rounding out the suite is the Ioniq electric, which packs an 28 kWh lithium-ion polymer battery, and features an estimated range of 110 miles and a 125 MPGe rating. For comparison ,the Nissan Leaf only manages 107 miles of range with a slightly larger battery. The Ioniq’s electric motor in this model has an estimated max output of 120 horsepower and 215 lb.-ft. of torque through a single-speed reduction gear transmission.

Hyundai did its due diligence to maximize efficiency via a high-performance HVAC system, low-rolling-resistance tires, and a system that predicts energy requirements based on the programmed route and on traffic patterns to optimize charging and required level of gas engine assistance. Weight reduction was also essential in its development, so Hyundai used high-strength steel for the structure and aluminum for non-structural panels. The car’s construction also utilizes renewable materials like volcanic stone, powdered wood, sugar cane, and soybean oil.

The Ioniq hybrid and plug-in both feature a six-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), which uses low-friction bearings and low-viscosity transmission oil to achieve a mix of driving performance and fuel efficiency. This differentiates the Ioniq from most other hybrids, which use a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which are often criticized as having ‘rubber band-like’ acceleration.

Hyundai claims the Ioniq is also an enthusiast’s choice among hybrids, touting its quick steering rack, and faster-shifting transmission modes. It features two driving modes: Sport holds lower gears longer and combines power from both the engine and electric motors, while Eco utilizes the DCT to select gears for optimum efficiency.

Inside, the Ioniq features a 7.0-inch TFT infotainment system, inductive wireless phone charging, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Safety tech is also on hand, including blind spot warning, lane-keeping assist, and autonomous emergency braking. An electronic parking brake saves space in the center console.

The release dates for the Hyundai Ioniq in all its forms have not been announced, but will likely see a staggered release, with the Hybrid coming out first.

Editors' Recommendations

Miles Branman
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Miles Branman doesn't need sustenance; he needs cars. While the gearhead gene wasn't strong in his own family, Miles…
Cadillac’s new 2020 CT5 sedan lets you Super Cruise across America
2020 Cadillac CT5

Previous

Next

Read more
2019 Audi TT RS gets subtle cosmetic surgery ahead of its trip to the Big Apple
2019 Audi TT RS

The Audi TT is often accused of emphasizing form over function, but the TT RS performance model is right at home on a twisty road. The hottest version of the TT (a car that celebrates its 20th anniversary this year) gets a handful of updates for the 2019 model year. The updated version makes its United States debut at the 2019 New York Auto Show later this month and should go on sale shortly after that.

The biggest change is a redesigned front fascia. Audi said the fascia was reshaped for a more aggressive look, but the differences are so subtle that you'll have to park the 2019 TT RS next to a 2018 model to really notice the differences. Audi said designers made some other styling tweaks as well, including to the rear spoiler. LED headlights, taillights, and daytime running lights are standard, as are 19-inch wheels. OLED taillights and 20-inch wheels are optional extras.

Read more
New Hyundai digital key app lets drivers replace car keys with a smartphone
2020 Hyundai Sonata

Hyundai is working to make key fobs a thing of the past. At the 2019 New York Auto Show, the automaker will demonstrate a "digital key" app that uses a smartphone to unlock and start a car. The feature launches this fall on the 2020 Hyundai Sonata midsize sedan.

The app uses a combination of wireless communication technologies to replace a car's key fob. Near field communication (NFC) is used to detect an authorized smartphone. One NFC antenna in the driver's door handle enables locking and unlocking, while a second antenna in the wireless charging pad in the center console allows the phone to start the car's engine. Bluetooth Low Energy enables remote engine starting (up to 30 feet from the car), remote locking and unlocking, and the car alarm's panic mode. Other automakers, such as Mercedes-Benz and Volvo, have experimented with this technology, but Hyundai will likely be the first to apply it to a mainstream production car.

Read more