Hyundai Motor Company unveiled the Ioniq 6, its second model from the dedicated electric vehicle brand Ioniq, for the first time in North America at the <2022 LA Auto Show> held at the LA Convention Center on the 17th (local time).
Launched globally last July, the Ioniq 6 has set a record for the highest number of pre-orders on the first day in Korea and was sold out on its pre-order first day in Europe, highlighting its immense popularity worldwide.
During the LA Auto Show, Hyundai communicated that the Ioniq 6 is designed to allow customers to experience innovative mobility throughout their journey. The company emphasized that it will serve not just as a mode of transportation, but as a space where customers can discover diverse utility values and feel comfortable.
Through this, Hyundai aims to reinforce its leadership in electrification in the North American market following the global success of the Ioniq 5 and to bring new electrification experiences to its customers.
Jose Munoz, Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai Motor Global, stated, “The Ioniq 6 is a model that meets the expectations of many North American customers interested in transitioning to eco-friendly vehicles. With its sporty image, spacious interior, diverse battery options, and fast charging capabilities, it is well-equipped to lead the competition against other dedicated electric vehicle models.”
The Ioniq 6 features a smooth, aerodynamic design called ‘Electrified Streamliner’ that minimizes air resistance, and its interior has been maximized to showcase unique and beautiful proportions from the start to the end of the cabin.
Along with the streamlined silhouette, new technologies have been extensively applied, including a rear spoiler, exterior active air flaps, wheel air curtains, wheel gap reducers, detaching traps, wheel deflectors, and optimized underbody shapes, achieving Hyundai’s best air resistance coefficient of 0.21.
Additionally, the scope of Over-the-Air (OTA) software updates, which were previously limited to the infotainment system, has been expanded for the first time in Hyundai to cover critical electronic control devices, enhancing customer convenience.
Furthermore, the Ioniq 6 boasts impressive energy efficiency of 6.2 km/kWh (based on 18-inch wheels, standard 2WD) and a spacious driving range of up to 524 km on a single charge (based on 18-inch wheels, long-range 2WD), receiving favorable responses from customers for its user-optimized and comfortable interior space, as well as its vivid lighting technology that interacts with the driver.
The Ioniq 6 is scheduled to officially launch in the North American market in the first half of next year.
Hyundai also showcased the ‘N Vision 74’ high-performance rolling lab vehicle for the first time in North America during the LA Auto Show on the 17th.
The N Vision 74 is Hyundai’s first hydrogen hybrid rolling lab, combining battery motors with hydrogen fuel cells, boasting long driving ranges and fast charging speeds as its key advantages.
Hyundai developed the model with the aim of providing ‘driving fun’ beyond the electrification era into the distant future.
Lee Sang-yeop, Vice President of Hyundai Design Center, explained, “The N Vision 74 inherits the bold spirit of the ‘Pony Coupe’ concept car unveiled by Hyundai in 1974, embodying respect and gratitude for the dedicated passion of engineers who worked to create Korea’s first sports car through futuristic design.”
In addition, Hyundai announced that it has been recognized as the ‘Best SUV Brand for 2023’ by U.S. News & World Report at the LA Auto Show on the 17th (local time).
The Best Automotive Brands by U.S. News & World Report ranks 38 brands selling vehicles in the U.S. based on safety scores, reliability data, and opinions from U.S. automotive media, categorizing them into four segments: cars, SUVs, trucks, and luxury vehicles, to announce the top brands of the year.
By being selected as the top brand in the SUV segment, Hyundai has won the ‘Best SUV Brand’ award from this media outlet for three consecutive years since 2020.
Hyundai currently sells various segments of SUVs in North America, including the Venue, Tucson, Santa Fe, and Palisade, and this award attests to its consistent competitiveness in the highly competitive SUV segment in North America.
Jim Sharifi, Editor of U.S. News & World Report, noted, “Hyundai offers a rich SUV lineup across segments that meets the diverse expectations of customers, especially receiving high marks for presenting advanced driver-assistance systems and the latest infotainment technologies at competitive prices.”
Hyundai has prepared a 3,814 m2 (approximately 1,154 pyeong) exhibition space at the LA Auto Show, which runs until the 27th (local time), and plans to display a total of 24 vehicles, including not only the Ioniq 6 but also the entire North American eco-friendly vehicle lineup, including the Ioniq 5, Nexo, Kona EV, Tucson HEV, and Santa Fe HEV.
Ijangjin daedusj@autodiary.kr