Ioniq is Hyundai’s sub-brand dedicated to designing, developing, and commercializing the electric car and all its technology. On August 10, 2020, the Asian manufacturer announced the launch of Ioniq as a brand and its ambitious plans to incorporate three new models until 2024.
The company aims to offer a connected lifestyle experience to customers with the models in the new Ioniq line. Hyundai wanted to celebrate the birth of a new brand in August 2020 by turning the London Eye into a gigantic letter “Q” with lights. Hyundai’s line of vision, ‘Progress for Humanity,’ will be the same vision that Ioniq will have.
The first appearance of the term Ioniq, which arises from the fusion of the words “ion” and “unique,” took place during the presentation of the IONIQ Project, a long-term research and development project in ecological transport that would materialize its efforts in the first vehicle in 2016, the Hyundai Ioniq. This new model would become the first vehicle in the industry to offer three options of electric powertrains: hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and pure electric.
Thus, Hyundai finally launched Ioniq four years later as a sub-brand dedicated to developing the electric car. The South Korean company announced that thanks to Ioniq, they will change their current capabilities in electric vehicles, such as ultra-fast charging, spacious interior, and battery power. These advancements will complement innovations that combine design, technologies, and services to integrate in-car and out-of-car experiences for a smooth ride.
Hyundai Ioniq History: Go Electric with Hyundai Ioniq – Embrace the Future Today!
The Ioniq models
The first model of the newly created sub-brand is the Ioniq 5, a mid-size SUV based on the Hyundai 45 EV Concept. Unveiled at the 2019 Frankfurt Motor Show as a tribute to Hyundai’s first concept car. It will offer the latest advances from the Asian company and generous benefits, and significant electric autonomy.
The second model that will see the light will be the Ioniq 6. It is a sedan that will arrive in 2022 and will be based on its latest concept, the Prophecy EV, presented in March 2020. Finally, the sub-brand has plans to expand the product offering with a third model that will improve the range upon arrival in 2024. The Ioniq 7 will be a large SUV.
Common Technology
According to the manufacturer, all Ioniq models will be based on Hyundai’s Global Electric Modular Platform, known as E-GMP, which “will allow a fast load capacity and a great driving range,” according to the manufacturer. The battery pack is nestled between the axles and is the highest power density unit Hyundai has ever created. Interestingly, this platform is rear-wheel drive, so the rear-wheel purpose and all-wheel-drive configurations will be offered.
The E-GMP platform offers 800V charging capacity and enables 400V charging without additional components or adapters. It also supports charging speeds of up to 350 kWh, with autonomies of up to 500 kilometers and setting times of up to 80% in just 18 minutes.
At the same time, this new platform on which all the new Ioniq models will be based offers a vehicle-to-charge function; that is, the battery pack can charge other 110V and 220V electrical equipment and can even be used for charging.
The platform dedicated to the new electric vehicles will allow Hyundai to reimagine the vehicle’s interior as “smart living rooms,” with highly adjustable seats, wireless connectivity, and unique features such as a glove compartment designed as drawers. The platform’s paradigm shift will extend to user interfaces that will be simple, intuitive, and ergonomically designed.
World presence
Hyundai Motor Europe was established in 2000 in Germany. It currently markets vehicles in 41 European countries through 3,000 points, achieving in 2019 more than half a million vehicles registered in the Old Continent. Ioniq is part of the company as a sub-brand, as is Genesis Motors. At the same time, Hyundai and Kia are a group of companies affiliated by participation agreements, sharing technology, engines, and platforms for their vehicles.
