Hyundai Bringing Rad EV Concept Cars to Life for New Electric-Car Brand
In the increasingly competitive green-car space, the Hyundai Ioniq lineup hasn’t gained much traction. Many consumers haven’t even heard of the trio—it offers hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric powertrains—of Ioniq hatchbacks currently available, and the EV variant isn’t at all competitive when it comes to range. Now Hyundai is seeking to changing the narrative by turning Ioniq into its own EV brand. Under the new label, the automaker will launch three electric vehicles in the next four years: a midsize crossover, a sedan, and a large SUV.
The midsize crossover, dubbed Ioniq 5, arrives in early 2021 with what promises to be a compelling exterior design. It will be based on the super-cool 45 concept Hyundai debuted at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show. This concept car featured sleek fastback styling, a cool lattice grille, and 45-degree angles chiseled into various parts of the body; its name and styling are also homages to the first Hyundai concept car, which premiered 45 years prior.
In 2022, Hyundai will bring out the Ioniq 6, a sedan of unknown size. All we know about this vehicle is that it takes inspiration from the otherworldly Prophecy concept that debuted earlier this year. A few years later, in early 2024, we’ll see the Ioniq 7 large SUV. These new models will be tasked with achieving Hyundai’s goal of reaching a 10 percent market share in electric vehicles by 2025.
Ioniq brand models will sit on a new platform dedicated to electric vehicles. Dubbed the E-GMP platform, the new architecture will enable fast charging and long driving ranges, Hyundai says. It will also allow for a more flexible interior design with highly adjustable seats. Hyundai is promising its Ioniq vehicles will feature wireless connectivity and gloveboxes designed as drawers.
To celebrate the relaunch of Ioniq, Hyundai lit up the London Eye into a giant letter “Q.” The English attraction recently reopened after a long closure due to COVID-19.
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