Hyundai has dropped a first official preview of the
Ioniq facelift, particularly the Ioniq Hybrid and Ioniq Plug-in Hybrid. Both
models have been heavily revised for this midlife update exercise, and includes
the Hyundai SmartSense technology package as standard.
The new Ioniq gets
updated with Hyundai’s iconic cascading mesh grill, as well as a new front and
rear bumper design. The optional LED headlights and tail lights have been
completely redesigned, and the LEDs on the front fog lamps are also new.
Besides a selection of new wheels, the Ioniq gets three more paint colours –
Fluidic Metal, Electric Shadow and Liquid Sand – for a total of eight.
Inside, the biggest upgrade is the new (optional)
10.25-inch Audio Video Navigation system, which Hyundai claims is the first in
class. The widescreen unit supports voice recognition as part of the Bluelink
telematic services, and supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Hyundai LIVE
Services as well. Below that are the redesigned HVAC controls, now finished in
high gloss.
Powertrain-wise, it’s likely that the existing trio
– Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid and Electric – won’t see much changes, save for the
Electric, which is tipped to receive more range. Currently, the Ioniq Electric
has an EPA-rated range of 200 km (280 km on the more lenient European NEDC
cycle), but don’t expect it to match the Kona Electric’s 415 km range.
The Ioniq Electric is powered by a 120 PS/295 Nm
motor, paired to a 28 kWh lithium-ion battery that can be charged in four hours
and 25 minutes using a 6.6 kW wallbox. The update could push the EPA-rated
range beyond the 300 km mark, which is a substantial 50% increment.
Interestingly, its petrol-hybrid counterparts feature adjustable regenerative
braking, which is set using the paddle shifters.
In terms of safety, all updated Ioniq models will
get Hyundai SmartSense technology package as standard. This includes Autonomous
Emergency Braking (AEB) and Lane Keep Assist (LKA), as well as Driver Attention
Alert (DAA). More features are said to be bundled together, although this has
yet to be disclosed.
Also, Hyundai has fitted the Ioniq with the world’s first Green-zone Drive Mode (GDM)
which automatically switches the vehicle’s driving module in designated areas
to further run on electric power rather than the internal combustion. The Ioniq
also adopts the one-pedal driving capability, Smart Regenerative Braking,
Utility Mode use of onboard functions and Eco+ Mode for extending remaining
energy during unforeseeable emergency situations.
The new Ioniq Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid will be
introduced in Europe during the second half of 2019.
