Hyundai's Ioniq 5 EV Leaked; Possible 2021 Australian Debut
Images: Hyundai Europe
Hyundai’s popular Kona Electric and Ioniq Electric models will soon have a new stablemate in the form of the Ioniq 5. The EV crossover will herald the launch of the new stand-alone Ioniq sub-brand (similar to Genesis, but electric only). The Ioniq 5 is expected to be an important vehicle for the Korean automaker, competing in the compact crossover market and will share design cues with the above Hyundai 45 concept.
Hyundai Australia played an important role in the development of the Ioniq 5 according to an interview with Hyundai Motor Company Australia (HMCA) general manager product planning Andrew Tuitahi published in Go Auto.
Tuitahi stated “We’ve participated in design reviews for Ioniq 5, (and) we just got our first prototype at the office recently. We’ve been involved in the Ioniq program in terms of the planning process since it first came up as a concept.”
He went on to state about the production car “it’s so very close [to the concept] (the Hyundai 45 EV concept), they changed almost nothing. I think the wheel size dropped from 22s to 20s but other than that…The first prototypes where you’d really start focusing on fine-tuning are only just coming to the different R&D centres now. So we’ll have a look at the car we’ve got, chat with our colleagues in Korea and we’ll work out a plan.”
Hyundai recently teased details about the Ioniq 5 on YouTube, using the phrase “Extra Power for Life” to hint at the vehicle’s bi-directional charging capabilities.
Thanks to the Korean Car Blog we have some specification details about the Ioniq 5:
The Ioniq 5 First Edition:
Dual motor 233kW
58 kWh battery, 450km combined range (WLTP) (73 kWh with 550km range to come later)
0-100km/h time of 5.2 seconds
4.64 metres long, 3 metre wheelbase, 1.89 metres wide, 1.6 metres high
Solar roof
800V charging system
According to Go Auto, the colour range will be revealed on the Hyundai website on February 16, and deliveries are scheduled to begin mid-2021.