Hyundai Ioniq 6 Wraps Familiar Electric Power With Luxe-Ready Touches

Hyundai detailed Wednesday more about its “Electrified Streamliner” and the newest addition to its Ioniq EV lineup, the Ioniq 6. The Korean automaker revealed the new electric sedan available with a 77.4-kWh battery that can return up to 380 miles (based on the WLTP cycle) with a few new creature comforts. The Ioniq 6 will feature a reclinable driver’s seat and a multitude of interior personalization options, including speed-reactive interior lighting. Hyundai didn’t say how much the Ioniq 6 would cost but said it would begin production sometime in fall 2022 and arrive later.

The Ioniq 6’s interior package, a reclinable lounger for the driver and all, boasts thinner seats than most other cars on the market, theoretically allowing more legroom for rear passengers. It rides on a wheelbase that’s 116.1 inches long, about 2 inches shorter than the Ioniq 5, but stretches nearly 9 inches longer than the 5, thanks to its swoopy rear end with rear LED block taillights that offer a KITT-like sweep to greet the driver. Inside, the much-hyped interior lighting can be customized to glow different colors based on driving speed.

Like the Ioniq 5, the 6 offers two battery sizes, 53 kWh and 77.4 kWh, with rear- and available all-wheel-drive powertrains. Hyundai didn’t specify the available configurations for the Ioniq 6, although it’s likely that it follows closely to the 5. In the Ioniq 5, the smaller battery offering (58 kWh) is paired with a single motor in the rear axle that makes 168 horsepower and returns up to 220 miles of range. The extended range battery (77.4 kWh in both Ioniq 5 and 6) is paired with a single motor on the rear axle that makes 225 hp, or two motors, front and rear, that make 320 hp combined and 446 pound-feet of torque. Hyundai says the rear-drive, extended-range Ioniq 6 is rated for 380 miles, based on the WLTP cycle.

Hyundai said all Ioniq 6 models will be equipped with 800-volt charging hardware that can replenish the battery from 10% to 80% in 18 minutes when connected to a 350-kW charger.

The Ioniq 6 offers similar driving assists to the current Hyundai lineup, although the highway driving (blind spot, radar cruise) and self-parking technologies are updated, referred to solely as “Highway Driving Assist 2” and “Remote Self Parking Assist 2” respectively. Future functionalities, whatever form they will take, will come via over-the-air updates, which is a first for the Ioniq 6. For the driving experience, Hyundai was light on details and emphasized the Ioniq 6 is a “living space, instead of a driving space.” Despite this, drivers will have the option to customize drivetrain output, with a variety of user settings that allow them to adjust the power delivery and torque curve to their preferences.

Inside, the Ioniq 6 is equipped with twin 12-inch displays, including a central touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Hyundai says a real-time range indicator will give drivers a map view of where they can travel and will offer destination guidance with charging stops along the way.

Hyundai said they’ll tell us more about the U.S.-specific Ioniq 6 later this year, including pricing and delivery.

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