Hyundai Ioniq sets sail from $33,990
BY BYRON MATHIOUDAKIS | 27th Nov 2018
HYUNDAI has launched the all-new Ioniq in Australia from $33,990 plus on-road costs for the Hybrid, $40,990 for the Plug-in and a headline $44,990 for the Electric version in an attempt to establish the South Korean brand as a leader in affordable low-to-zero-emissions vehicles.
The sub-$45,000 starting price for Ioniq Electric, which is expected to account for half of all sales, makes it most affordable new electric vehicle on sale in Australia, undercutting the substantially smaller Renault Zoe by $2500, while the Ioniq Plug-in that is set to snare around 30 per cent of volume is some $5000 beneath the next cheapest plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
All three distinct powertrains employ the same small-to-medium-sized five-seater five-door fastback body style, giving Australians an unprecedented choice in the level of electrification on offer in a single model range.
Each can be purchased in base Elite or better-equipped Premium guise for $4000-$5000 extra (depending on the model), with high-level driver-assist technology fitted standard across the range including autonomous emergency braking, forward collision warning, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert and adaptive cruise control (with advanced stop and go functionality on the Electric).
There are also seven airbags on-board.
Going the full EV experience with no internal combustion engine, the Ioniq Electric uses a 360-volt, 28kWh lithium-ion battery that powers an 88kW/295Nm electric motor driving the front wheels via a single-speed reduction gearbox.
Hyundai says it offers 230km of ‘real-world’ driving range, or 280km on the now-superseded NEDC scale requiring deft eco-driving skills and a conducive environment.
Three drive modes are available – Eco and Normal with 265Nm of torque and Sport with 295Nm – while steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters provide different levels of deceleration rates via the adjustable regenerative braking system. Electric driving efficiency is rated at 115Wh/km.
Commercial 100kW DC fast-charging station capability means that up to 80 per cent recharge is possible in as little as 23 minutes, or 30 minutes connected to a 50kW DC station.
Alternatively, a 6.6kW on-board AC charger can fully charge the battery in about four-and-a-half hours when connected to a charging station of equal or higher capacity, or 12 hours using a regular 10-amp 240-volt AC home outlet.
The mid-series Ioniq Plug-in uses the same IEC 62196-3 Configuration FF (CCS Combo2) connector (DC) and IEC 62196-2 Type 2 plug (AC) CCS Combo2 connector as the Electric model, and with a smaller 3.3kW on-board AC charger, can recharge the 360V, 8.9kWh lithium-ion battery powering the 44.5kW/170Nm electric motor in just over two hours when connected to a charging station of equal or higher capacity, according to Hyundai.
The PHEV offers up to 63km of full-electric range before its 1.6-litre Atkinson Cycle direct-injection petrol-powered combustion engine takes over, sending 77kW of power at 5700rpm and 147Nm of torque at 4000rpm to the front wheels via a six-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT).
Combined system output is 104kW/265Nm, while combined average fuel consumption is just 1.1L/100km and CO2 emissions are 26 grams per kilometre.
Though running EV when fully charged, the combustion engine will operate during cold start-up, when extra acceleration is required, in Sport mode, when the EV/HEV override button is depressed or when the battery is depleted.
The Ioniq Hybrid also uses the same petrol engine as the Plug-in, but with a much smaller battery (240V 1.56kWh lithium-ion) that is only charged via regenerative braking, as well as a 32kW/170Nm electric motor.
Combined system output of 104kW/265Nm is the same as the Plug-in, though fuel consumption rises to 3.4-3.9L/100km (Elite versus Premium) and CO2 emissions to 79-92g/km.
Work on the AE-series Ioniq commenced in earnest in 2013 at Hyundai’s Namyang engineering base in South Korea after years of research and pre-development of an ‘eco’ range of electrified vehicles that could simultaneously take on the Toyota Prius and Nissan Leaf.
More than 200 people were involved in the Ioniq’s gestation. Key goals were to create an attractive, competitive, engaging and advanced alternative to what is on the market.
Design differentiation between each powertrain includes the headlights, grille, bumpers and colour coding, with the Electric offering a cleaner, monochromatic and more futuristic look within those elements inside and out.
Ditching a conventional transmission shifter for shift-by-wire buttons and foot-operated park brake for an electronic one assist in the Electric’s hi-tech image and improves packaging over the more conventional items in the Hybrid and Plug-in.
Bigger than most C-segment hatches, the Ioniq – in all powertrain variants – measures 4470mm long, 1820mm wide and 1450 high, resting on a 2700mm wheelbase.
The larger dimensions were dictated by the need to fit the various battery sizes slated for the series, while the fastback’s silhouette helps achieve an outstanding 0.24Cd drag coefficient.
An active air flap in the grille, wind curtains that pass through the daytime driving light mounts, underbody covering and rear spoilers aid the Ioniq’s aero ambitions. Ground clearance is 150mm.
Cutting weight where possible sees aluminium used for the bonnet, front and back beams, tailgate and in some suspension components – saving 15kg in the process – and advanced high-strength steel applications account for 53.3 per cent of the body.
Kerb weight ranges from 1375-1467kg for the conventional hybrid, 1495-1550kg for the plug-in version and 1420-1475kg for the EV.
An acoustic laminated windscreen, foam-filled pillars and floor-panel insulation packs are among the measures employed to quell noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).
Cargo capacity varies between the models, with the Plug-in starting at 340 litres, Electric at 350L and Hybrid at 456L. Only the latter includes a full-size spare wheel against the others’ ‘tyre mobility’ kit.
Based on a variation of the Hyundai-Kia J6 platform as found in the current i30 and Elantra small cars, the Ioniq employs MacPherson-style struts up front and either a multi-link rear axle (Hybrid and Plug-in) or torsion beam arrangement (Electric) – the latter offering greater battery packaging. All models underwent extensive chassis tuning in Australia for our unique road conditions.
As well as the advanced safety technology, standard features across all models include an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, satellite navigation, up-spec Infinity audio, DAB+ digital radio, Bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry/start, Auto Link remote app functionality, auto on/off headlights, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera, tyre pressure monitoring and alloy wheels.
The Electric switches the others’ dual-zone climate for a single-zone system, but gains rain-sensing wipers, driver’s seat lumbar and folding electric mirrors.
Going Premium adds the latter three items across each model, 17-inch alloys on the hybrids and 16-inch rims on the EV – up from 15” on Elite – as well as HID bi-xenon headlights, a Qi wireless phone charger, sunroof, leather seats, heated/vented front seats, powered driver’s seat with memory, heated steering wheel and, on Plug-in, LED headlights.
All Ioniqs are covered by a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty, with 12-month/15,000km intervals and a capped-price servicing offer ranging from $160 per visit in Electric and between $265 and $465 (Hybrid and Plug-in).
Additionally, the high-voltage battery warranty extends for eight years or 160,000km.
Hyundai would not be drawn into divulging sales forecasts but does reveal internal estimates to run at a 50 per cent Electric, 30 per cent Plug-in and 20 per cent Hybrid model breakdown, split evenly between Elite and Premium, according to research and feedback garnered from fleets and government departments.
According to Hyundai Motor Company Australia chief executive, JW Lee, the Ioniq is a first step in the journey to more sustainable vehicles in this country without having to sacrifice pillars such as affordability, reliability, enjoyment, functionality and desirability.
“The new Hyundai Ioniq marks the opening of an exciting new chapter for our company,” he said. “It makes responsive and eco-friendly electrified driving accessible to a wide range of customers, in an attractive and user-friendly compact package featuring comprehensive standard safety and locally tuned comfort and chassis dynamics.”
All Ioniqs are sourced from Ulsan in South Korea.
2019 Hyundai Ioniq pricing*
| Hybrid Elite (a) | $33,990 |
| Hybrid Premium (a) | $38,990 |
| Plug-in Elite (a) | $40,990 |
| Plug-in Premium (a) | $45,490 |
| Electric Elite (a) | $44,990 |
| Electric Premium (a) | $48,990 |
*Excludes on-road costs
