On the 16th (local time), Hyundai Motor Company unveiled the ‘All-New Santa Fe’ and ‘Ioniq 5 N’ for North America at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show (hereinafter referred to as ‘LA Auto Show’).
The All-New Santa Fe, first revealed in August, serves as Hyundai’s representative mid-size SUV that encompasses both urban and outdoor lifestyles.
At this year’s LA Auto Show, Hyundai conveyed the message that the All-New Santa Fe is a vehicle that expands the daily experiences of its customers.
Jose Munoz, Hyundai’s Chief Global Operations Officer, stated, “The All-New Santa Fe possesses a bold and unique design identity, spacious interior, and differentiated capabilities that combine urban and outdoor experiences. We expect the All-New Santa Fe to open a new horizon for SUVs.”
The All-New Santa Fe’s design is based on a unique silhouette derived from its long wheelbase and wide tailgate, emphasizing a strong presence. Features such as the reinterpreted Hyundai emblem in an iconic shape, H light and H motif front bumper, unique typology, and bold roofline combine to maximize the grandeur and robustness of the All-New Santa Fe.
The All-New Santa Fe boasts a spacious and comfortable living space for outdoor life that can be enjoyed anywhere, providing class-leading interior space when the second and third-row seats are fully folded. Notably, the large tailgate area with a terrace concept can be utilized in various ways to match the lifestyle of its passengers.
This year’s LA Auto Show also marked the North American debut of the ‘Ioniq 5 N,’ the first high-performance electric vehicle from the N brand, which encapsulates advanced electrification technology to maximize driving performance.
The Ioniq 5 N features a high-performance all-wheel-drive system, an 84.0 kWh high-output battery, and a high-performance EV-dedicated thermal management control system, providing overwhelming driving performance.
With a combined output of 448 kW (609 horsepower) and maximum torque of 740 Nm (75.5 kgf·m), the Ioniq 5 N is equipped with front and rear motors. When using the ‘N Grin Boost’ mode, which significantly boosts output for a certain period, combined peak output increases to 478 kW (650 horsepower), and maximum torque reaches 770 Nm (78.5 kgf·m), enabling it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds.
Til Bathenbergh, Senior Executive of Hyundai Motor Company’s N Brand & Motorsports Division, stated, “The Ioniq 5 N is developed to elevate the fun of driving to a new level,” adding, “Starting with the Ioniq 5 N, Hyundai aims to offer the unique fun driving experience of the N brand, regardless of gasoline vehicles, electric vehicles, or hydrogen vehicles.”
The All-New Santa Fe and Ioniq 5 N are set to be officially launched in the North American market in the first half of next year.
Hyundai has prepared an exhibition space of 43,815 ft2 (about 4,070 m2) at the LA Auto Show, which runs until the 26th (local time), planning to showcase a total of 29 vehicles including the All-New Santa Fe, Ioniq 5 N, Ioniq 5, Ioniq 5 Disney 100 Platinum Edition, Ioniq 6, Elantra, Sonata, Tucson, and Palisade. Additionally, a separate ‘N Brand/Motorsports Zone’ will showcase key lineups of the N brand, including Elantra N, Sonata N line, Kona N line, and Tucson N line.
Moreover, Hyundai has signed a memorandum of understanding with Amazon, the world’s largest e-commerce company, at the 2023 LA Auto Show to provide innovative customer experiences. The two companies plan to collaborate in several ways, including selling Hyundai vehicles through the Amazon website to U.S. customers starting in 2024.
Meanwhile, the finalists for the ‘2024 North American Car of the Year’ were announced at this year’s LA Auto Show. The ‘North American Car of the Year’ is an esteemed award often referred to as the Oscars of the automotive industry. Hyundai’s Ioniq 6 has been selected as a finalist in the passenger car category, underscoring Hyundai’s recognition of its electrification competitiveness in the highly competitive North American market.
By Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr